Apache Spark

**PLEASE READ THE ATTENDANCE POLICY (below) IF IT'S YOUR FIRST TIME** **LAST ONE BEFORE SUMMER BREAK --> will be back in September** **SUNDAY COFFEE & JAPANESE CONVERSATION** 日曜日のコーヒー＆日本語会話 Our "Japanese/English Conversation Exchange" offers you a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of Japanese culture and language, all while helping native Japanese members to learn their target language. 私たちの「日本語/英語会話交流」は、日本の文化と言語の世界に没頭しながら、ネイティブの日本人メンバーが英語、フランス語、またはオランダ語を学ぶのを手助けするユニークな機会を提供します。 **Date: /** 日付：**(almost) every Sunday** **Time: /** 時間：**from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm** **Location: /** 場所：**Cafe Caberdouche - Place de la Liberté 8, 1000 Bruxelles** **Venue Note: /** 会場の注意：**The manager of the cafe kindly accepted us to book a table on a regular basis. To thank him for his kindness, please order AT LEAST ONE DRINK**. カフェのマネージャーが親切にも私たちに定期的にテーブルを予約することを承諾してくださいました。その親切に感謝の意を示すために、少なくとも1杯のドリンクを注文してください。 **Location Assistance: /** 場所の案内：**If you can't find us, ask one of the waiters. They know where we are :) You can also send us a message.** 私たちを見つけられない場合は、ウェイターの一人に尋ねてください。彼らは私たちがどこにいるか知っています :) メッセージも送っていただけます。 **Event Agenda: /** イベントのアジェンダ： * **4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: JAPANESE CONVERSATION** \- Join us for the Japanese conversation and cultural exploration\. Beginners are welcome / 日本語会話 \- 最初の30分は日本語の会話と文化探求に充てられています。初心者も聞くだけでも歓迎です。30分後に参加しても構いません。多言語交換 \- ベルギーの多様性を体験し、ネイティブの日本人メンバーが英語、フランス語、またはオランダ語を学びたいと熱心に待っています。さまざまな言語で異文化交流の会話に参加しましょう。私たちの日本の友人にベルギーの文化、伝統、生活を紹介しましょう。 * **6:00 PM: EVENT CONCLUSION** \- Please respect the event's start and end times to maximize your language exchange opportunities\. Your participation and enthusiasm are appreciated\! イベントの終了 \- イベントの開始時間と終了時間を尊重して、言語交換の機会を最大限に活用してください。参加と熱意に感謝します！ **Attendance Policy: --->** 以下の日本語 * We're excited to have you join our events and appreciate your commitment to learning and growing together. To ensure a productive and enjoyable experience for all participants, please take note of our attendance policy: 1. **Punctuality:** Please arrive on time for scheduled events. Late arrivals can disrupt the flow of the event and may miss important information. 2. **Language Commitment:** If you sign up for language-specific sessions, such as Japanese conversation or language exchange, we kindly request your commitment to actively participate in that language for the designated duration. 3. **Respect:** Treat fellow participants, organizers, and cafe staff with respect and courtesy. Harassment or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. 4. **Removal Policy:** A participant who is not respectful towards other members will be removed from the group and blocked, with no warning. This point is not negotiable. 5. **Cancellation:** If you are unable to attend an event you've registered for, please let us know as soon as possible. This helps us plan accordingly and allows others to take your place if there's a waitlist. 6. **No-Show Policy:** Three no-shows (failing to attend without prior notice) may result in restrictions on event registration to ensure fairness to other participants. By attending our events, you agree to adhere to these guidelines. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone can learn and connect. Thank you for being part of our community! **出席ポリシー：** 私たちは、イベントに参加していただけることを楽しみにしており、皆さんが一緒に学び成長することに取り組んでいただけることを感謝しています。すべての参加者が生産的で楽しい経験をするために、出席ポリシーにご留意ください： 1. 時間厳守：予定されたイベントには時間通りにお越しください。遅刻はイベントの流れを乱し、重要な情報を見逃す可能性があります。日本語のみのセッションは午後4時、全言語のセッションは午後4時30分開始です。 2. 言語へのコミットメント：日本語会話や言語交換など、特定の言語のセッションに登録された場合は、その言語での積極的な参加をお願いします。 3. 尊重：他の参加者、主催者、カフェのスタッフには敬意と礼儀をもって接してください。嫌がらせや迷惑行為は許容されません。 4. 退場ポリシー：他のメンバーに対して敬意を持たない参加者は、警告なしにグループから削除され、ブロックされます。このポイントは交渉の余地がありません。 5. キャンセル：登録したイベントに参加できない場合は、できるだけ早くお知らせください。これにより、他の人があなたの代わりを取ることができます。 6. ノーショーポリシー：事前の通知なしに3回のノーショー（欠席）がある場合は、他の参加者に公平になるようイベントの登録に制限がかかる場合があります。 私たちのイベントに参加することで、これらのガイドラインに従うことに同意するものとします。私たちはみなさんが学び、つながることができるように歓迎される包括的な環境を作り出すことを目指しています。コミュニティの一部としてご参加いただき、ありがとうございます！ **Note: Please stay tuned to our event page for updates and schedule changes. We can't wait to see you there and exchange languages, cultures, and stories!** 備考：更新やスケジュールの変更については、イベントページをご覧ください。そこで皆さんにお会いして、言語や文化、物語を交換できるのを楽しみにしています！

Hey Folks, Sunday looks like it's going to be a beautiful day (you never know :)) for a light hike (8-10km). Let's make the most of the sunshine, enjoy the fresh air, and spend some time in nature! You can bring your own food and drinks with you, and then we will enjoy it next to woodpeckers at La Cambre. Very much looking forward to seeing you guys! P.S. Be on time, we leave at 10:35 Cheers Yifei

This workshop series is a **follow-up to the ESP32 Robotics workshop**, but with a different concept. Here, there will be no subject set in advance, instead **all participants are welcome to join at any point and at any level, from beginner to expert**. Beginners will be guided though the basics (C programming, how to use measurement tools, soldering, PCB design, etc…) and can get advice on what tools and kits to start with, others can come with their own projects to get help or share some knowledge. ## Requirements * Bring your own laptop (Windows, Linux or Mac) * Any microcontroller/dev kit to develop your project(s). If you are a beginner and don’t know what to buy, come and we’ll find the best starter kit for you ! * A strong desire to learn stuff, good mood and some patience !

Join the Brussels Runners for a scenic Sunday morning trek through the heart of the city’s greenest communes. 📍 The Meetup We are kicking things off at MUSKI COMICS CAFE (Rue Froissart 13, 1040 Etterbeek). Located right near Place Jourdan, this spot has a fantastic, quirky ambience that’s hard to beat. It’s the perfect backdrop for our pre-run stretch and our well-deserved post-run recovery. 📋 What to Expect Distance: Approximately 14-15 km Pace: 6:00–6:15 min/km (steady and social) Terrain: A dynamic mix of road sections and off-road trails. Bag Drop: Available on-site. If you need to store a jacket or bag, please arrive by 9:25 AM so we can start on time. The Vibes: Run with a great crew of like-minded people and stick around after for coffee and refreshments in the comic-clad comfort of Muski. ⚖️ Responsibility & Liability By signing up for this event, you acknowledge that participation is strictly voluntary. You agree to release the organizers from any responsibility or liability regarding claims. It is the responsibility of each participant to ensure they are physically fit for a 15 km run and possess adequate insurance coverage for their own protection.

Let's meet to write ! Schedule : 11:00 - 11:30 am : Presentation tour. Share briefly with the group about your project and your "goal of the day". 11:30 - 13:30 : Let's write ! 13:30 : Conclusion tour. Did you achieve your goal of the day ? See you soon !

Dear beautiful people, ####This is my favorite and last minute hiking plan to avoid our comfort zones 💪 This walk takes us through some park, I’ve made it a bit longer by including Den Brandt, a lovely park nearby. A quick heads-up: there aren’t many parking spots next to the starting point, but you’ll find a few parking lots in the area. Public transport is also a good option - trams 7 and 15 stop about 900 m away, and several buses stop close to the entrance. see you all Sunday [https://www.komoot.com/tour/2592644791](https://www.komoot.com/tour/2592644791) **Whatsapp group**: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/BrlR1O98MTKLhciJSRNRlZ](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BrlR1O98MTKLhciJSRNRlZ) ( for new members contact the organizers) General information: *We wait for 5 minutes after the starting time if no one has announced they will be late. - If someone has informed us they will be late, we wait up to 15 minutes after the starting time. *The location of the group is shared in the WhatsApp group for approximately 45-50 minutes after the starting time for those arriving more than 15 minutes late. - To ensure everyone feels comfortable, and since some walking paths may not be dog-friendly, we kindly ask that you do not bring dogs or other pets. *Walks may be canceled due to forecasted heavy rain or temperatures above 30°C or below 5°C. A final decision will be made by 10 AM on the day of the walk. NOTES; It might be rain, so kindly remind all of you please bring your raincoat, umbrella and waterproof shoes and some little water.

Salut toi! 👋 Tu penses pouvoir survivre en français? 😂 Testons ça autour d’un ☕️ (ou de toute autre boisson 🍵 ou snack 🍪🍰🥐 qui t'inspire sur le moment). 📍 Où? Le Pantin (Ixelles). N'oublies pas que ce bar sympa sert que des boissons 🍸🍺🍹, mais tu peux ramener tes propres snacks 🍟🍩🍿 pour grignoter pendant qu'on papote. 💡 L'idée Prends ta commande (obligatoire!☝️), puis rejoins la table. Après une petite intro on plongera dans des sujets comme activités, voyages, musique… Et si on est suffisamment motivés, on pourra même jouer à quelques jeux! On parlera uniquement en français—oui, immersion totale! Il se peut que l'on se divise en petits groupes pour que tout le monde en profite au max. Chaque groupe aura son propre expert en français 🇫🇷🧐 bien sûr - pour nous remettre sur le bon chemin dès que l'on commence à galérer!😆 🎲 Jeux Pas de jeux énormes qui risquent de finir en catastrophe avec du café renversé, STP! On privilégie des jeux rapides, légers et amusants (en général, des jeux de cartes comme UNO ou Exploding Kittens 💥🐱). J’apporterai quelques jeux moi-même, mais n'hésite surtout pas à amener tes propres favoris (versions françaises évidemment😎) ⏱ Horaires On commence à 17:00, et tu es libre de nous rejoindre à tout moment et de rester aussi longtemps que tu le souhaites. Tu arrives plus tard? Préviens-moi dans le chat pour qu’on te garde une place! 😊 🚦 Liste d’attente? Si tu es encore sur la liste d’attente mais tu veux absolument venir, ou si tu as une question, n’hésite pas à me contacter directement. 📢 Il se peut que je partage des détails supplémentaires dans le chat du groupe ou en DM 💬—pense à vérifier tes messages 👀 au moins la veille de l’événement pour ne pas manquer d'infos essentielles🙄! 🐈‍⬛ Le Code des Amis : 👉 On se tutoie, c'est plus cool✌️ 👉 Respect et bonnes vibes - sinon 💥🥊 👉 Les erreurs? On s'en fou! Et si on galère on switchera en anglais ou bien: 🎭💃🎶🎸🤹🏿‍♂️ 👉 Un empêchement? Annule ou préviens-moi à temps pour laisser la place à quelqu’un d’autre🙏 👉 Sur la liste d’attente? Ne viens pas sans confirmation. À très bientôt ! 😉

Join us for some friendly Badminton games- all levels welcome! IMPORTANT- in order to secure your place you’ll need to both book a spot on Meetup AND pay €8 by Friday morning. This is to make sure we can cancel courts if demand isn’t there, and make sure we’re being fair to people on the waitlist. Refunds will only be possible after Friday AM if another player is definitely able to take your spot Always worth joining our W’app group as well for faster, often better, updates! https://chat.whatsapp.com/IL7Gbs6TmIm0GXyidQxCFS?mode=gi_t

Hello! This is a meet-up to play tennis from 2 pm to 4 pm on Sunday. Meeting is on the courts. The courts are booked under the name Jean-Marc. This event is for intermediate and advanced players and not organised for novice players or beginners. Please make sure to bring the exact sum of 10 € in cash. The event is non-commercial. This sum covers the cost of the courts reserved. The organizer is not there to make money out of you. Ladies are encouraged to join. If anyone wants to drop out, they should do it on Saturday morning, not on Sunday the day of the meetup, another wise it would be too late to find a replacement in time or to cancel a court in time with reimbursement. If you don't do this, you will be asked by the organizer to reimburse your participation fee. If this happens too late then those who have cancelled after Saturday morning will have to cover the extra cost for reserving the courts. In the past meetups, it happened too many times that we were an oneven number and because of that all those present had less fun to play. If you don't show up without giving a written excuse in time, the first future participation will be cancelled and you will be asked to reimburse the participation fee. If it happens too many times you will not be able to participate anymore. In case if we are an uneven number of players, then the last player (except the host of course who has to collect the money) can leave or persuade other players to play with him or her. Of course if the last player leaves, then he or she doesn't have to pay the participation fee. If this player leaves, he or she will be added on a future event by the host or organizer in the participation list if the player is far away in the waiting list. This is the advantage of leaving on a voluntary basis;-). We operate on the principle of Fair Play as we do not have umpires or referees. Any disputes or disagreements over line calls or scores should be resolved immediately on the court and, when agreement is not possible, the point or game should be replayed. To be able to replay the game, 3 players need to agree on that without manipulation of the one who disputes an entire game, anotherwise injustice could occur where in the end possibly the biggest cheater could win... This situation applies also, if the host or the organizer is involved. When one of the players still doesn't accept this compromise, then it should be reported (meetup message by preference) to the organizer or host of the meetup event. One of the consequences could be that the first upcoming event could be cancelled by the organizer for the player who doesn't comply with the compromise to play the point or the game again. If the same player does that again for a second time, then the person will see 4 of his next tennis meetups cancelled. If this happens a third time with the same player, then the player in question will be banned from all future tennis meetups with an exclusion as a final result. Whenever there is a big problem, it should be reported as well to the organizer of the group so he can, if necessary, take actions to improve the situation for all the players. Please also note that if you are the first on the waiting list, you will automatically be moved up to the attendance list if someone pulls out. So if you are on the waiting list and see that you cannot attend, please also change your status to not going. If you would like to organize a meet up either this week or next week please get in touch with me, my name is Jean-Marc. It will depend on your initiatives to create more tennis meetups per week.

*Info: Moved to indoor location due to the weather* --------- Got clothes you no longer wear? Join us for a fun and sustainable clothes swap! Bring along clothes you are ready to part with and trade them with some new treasures. Please make sure you only bring clothes that is: - washed - undamaged - and that you don't mind trading 1-to-1 against another item. See you there!

Again a difficult train weekend, but the line to Eupen remains open, so let's go to the always lovely Vesdre valley. We start in Pepinster and start out along the slopes of the River Hoegne gradually climbing up on the plateau. After passing the well-know pilgrimage place of Banneux, we will do several descends into the Vesdre valley, just to climb out of it again on the next occasion ;-) We need the hike in the friendly village bar in Trooz for the final drink. The number of participants is limited to 20, so please manage your registration responsibly: only sign up if you really intend to come and cancel as soon as you know you can’t (this also goes for people on the waiting list!). We will try to keep somewhere close to an average speed of 4.5 to 5 km/h. We will walk both on paved and unpaved roads. I’ve not tested this track beforehand, so it’s possible that there are some mistakes in the planning (i.e. it may become longer ;-). ●●You can find the gpx track here: kommot: https://www.komoot.com/de-de/tour/3026902157?share_token=a8cPseAvUT4ErgLmo2GtOKx3kMW7LRNGAQl2rhzskfvVLQiJKV&ref=wtd&t_s=referral&t_cid=route_share&t_ref_username=472114460035 wiciloc: https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/von-pepinster-nach-trooz-268779522 ●●Meeting point: We meet at 8.45 in Bruxelles Central train station. Our train (IC 507 to Eupen) leaves from platform 3 at 9.01. We change in Liege and arrive in Pepinster at 10.46. ●● Train ticket: BXL Pepinster 14.90€ (9.00€ with train+), Trooz-BXL 14.40€ (8.60€ with train+) ●● Trains back to Brussels: One per hour via Liege, XX.24/XX.26 on even and odd hours respectively. ●● Specifics: Distance: \~ 24 km Elevation gain: around 600 m Net walking time: ca 6h Weather forecast: undecided (that's literally what the National Meteorological Institute says). In the unlikely case of too bad weather, I may cancel a hike, even few hours before the event. If this must happen, I will of course update the Meetup website and send out an email to those registered. So it is important to have access to either the Meetup.com website and/or your emails. ●● What to bring: * Comfortable hiking clothes * Waterproof, comfortable hiking shoes * sufficient water + food for the breaks * Compeed for blisters * Small change for the drink (cafes in the countryside do not necessarily take cards!) ●● Basic rules: Please RSVP only if you really intend to come. And if your plans change, update your RSVP asap, even hours before the walk. This is basic courtesy towards others. Repeated late cancellations are not well considered (at all). No-shows are even worse. Do not show up for a hike unless you are on the “going” list. ●● Acknowledgement of member responsibility and release of liability: You are responsible for yourself and should be fit enough if you want to take part. As the participation in the events is strictly voluntary and you freely choose to join, it is the responsibility of individuals participating to ensure that they are fit enough and have adequate coverage to protect themselves. By signing up for this event, you agree to release the organisers from any responsibility and liability.

If you're tired of small talk, tired of discussing hobbies and politics, and if there's something telling you there's more to share and more to observe... Please join us :) For our second event, we’re going to make the most out of this beautiful weather (again) and gather in the heart of the Forêt de Soignes. We’ll meet at the Quatre Bras (Vier Armen) tram stop and walk together towards a bench in the forest (about a 45-minute walk). The walk is part of the experience, a chance to slow down, breathe, and let the forest help us unwind before we begin. Once we arrive, we’ll start the meeting. I’ll share a selection of photos with the group (and you’re very welcome to bring one of your own). The photos are simply there to gently spark memories and stories that may be waiting to be expressed. From there, we’ll move into a session of speaking and active listening, with no interruptions. I’ll explain the structure more clearly once we’re together. For now, here are the main things to keep in mind: ● Please listen to others without interrupting. Let’s create a space that feels kind and respectful. ● Come with an open heart and a willingness to share something you’ve experienced, even if you’re not quite sure what that is yet (that’s what the photos are for). Your story doesn’t have to be deep, this isn’t a storytelling performance. What matters most is that you’re genuine. And if something deep wants to be shared, that’s very welcome too. ● If at any point you feel uncomfortable, you don’t have to speak. There’s no pressure. ● You’re welcome to bring something to drink, but no food please, this helps us keep a calm and attentive atmosphere while others are sharing. ● Please try to be on time, as we won’t be able to wait once we start walking. If you’re running late, just send me a message via Meetup and I’ll share the exact location of the bench so you can join us there. ● This is our first event, so we’re doing our best to keep it organized while still allowing space for spontaneity. Looking forward to sharing this first gathering with you. Hopefully, this will be a time of real human connection! I'll be glad to answer any questions you might have :)

How do we connect to people? What is so great about being different? Is love selfless? Should we be dreamers or realists? What values are we losing? When are we at our best? Does childhood ever end? Is morality a matter of convenience? What makes a person beautiful? Such questions, and many more, await you Sunday at Sister's Cafe (second floor) . After introductions we will collect questions from the group participants, choose one by voting then discuss it for an hour. Then most of us stay for drinks and bizarre conversations :-).

We will be meeting at Starbucks to learn together. Come with an online class you're already going through or an interest and we will try to connect you with a course where you can learn it. Already have a skill you want to contribute to a Kaggle Datascience competition? We will work on these too! Laptop required :)

This group is for anyone who wants to explore Buddhist meditation in a relaxed and supportive setting. Each session includes a short meditation, a simple teaching from Buddhist psychology, and an open discussion about how these ideas show up in everyday life. While our foundation is Buddhist practice, we love weaving in wisdom from other traditions whenever it helps us grow, find peace, and support each other. Members of our community come from many different backgrounds, and you do not need to consider yourself a Buddhist to attend. All are welcome. The session runs from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., with doors open from 6:30 to 9:00. Come early or stay after if you’d like to enjoy some quiet reflection or casual conversation with the community. On the first Wednesday of each month, we share a potluck meal. Bring a dish if you’d like, but the most important thing you can bring is yourself. We look forward to seeing you!

Important: Register on [AICamp website](https://www.aicamp.ai/event/eventdetails/W2026061814) is required for admission. **Description:** Welcome to the AI meetup in Washington DC. Join us for deep dive tech talks on AI, GenAI, LLMs and Agents, hands-on experiences on code labs, workshops, and networking with speakers and fellow developers. **Agenda:** \* 5:30pm\~6:00pm: Checkin, Food/drink and networking \* 6:00pm\~8:00pm: Tech talks and Q&A \* 8:00pm: Happy Hour at Courthouse Social (cross the street) **Tech Talk: Secure Developer Environments in the Age of AI Agents** **Speaker:** Patrick Brown (Coder) **Abstract:** Federal engineering teams are under pressure to ship faster while meeting some of the most demanding security and compliance requirements in the world. In this talk, Patrick Brown of Coder explores how cloud development environments (CDEs) give agencies a foundation to accelerate software delivery without sacrificing control — and why that foundation matters even more as AI-powered coding agents enter the workflow. He'll cover how CDEs keep source code off endpoints, enforce zero-trust access patterns, and provide the consistent, ephemeral infrastructure that both human developers and AI agents need to operate safely at scale. **Speakers:** Stay tuned as we are updating speakers and schedules. If you have a keen interest in speaking to our community, we invite you to submit topics for consideration: [Submit Topics](https://forms.gle/JkMt91CZRtoJBSFUA) **Sponsors:** We are actively seeking sponsors to support AI developers community. Whether it is by offering venue spaces, providing food, or cash sponsorship. Sponsors will not only speak at the meetups, receive prominent recognition, but also gain exposure to our extensive membership base of 5,000+ AI developers in D.C and 500K+ worldwide.

⚡ Reset your direction. Meet someone unexpected. Walk away with fresh clarity. Join us for a relaxed **small-group afternoon event** that blends a light **Inner Coach conversation experience** with a **community potluck lunch**. In February we hosted our first **Inner Coach event**, and many attendees said it helped them notice something powerful — the voice inside that quietly guides better decisions when life gets complicated. This event builds on that idea. Instead of overthinking the past, we’ll explore how to **reset direction for what’s next** — through thoughtful conversation, new perspectives, and the kind of questions that spark real insight. We’ll start with a few short conversation rounds designed to spark reflection, humor, and perspective — and then continue the discussion over food and relaxed conversation. Think **good food, grounded people, and real conversations about what comes next in life.** Held in our **Startup Garage** — a bright, comfortable living-room style space inside a single-family home. (Couches, food, conversation — **not an actual garage** 😊) *** ## **🥘 Potluck Lunch** If you're able, bring something small to share. Homemade or store-bought — both welcome. A dish you enjoy making. A dish that always works Or simply something easy from the store If you're busy, come anyway — the goal is **community, not perfection**. We’ll share a relaxed **afternoon potluck lunch** while continuing meaningful conversations with people navigating their next chapter. *** ## **What You’ll Experience** • Light conversation rounds designed to spark insight • Fresh perspectives from people navigating similar life transitions • Humor, perspective, and grounded conversation • A relaxed environment where ideas and connections happen naturally *** ## **Who Typically Attends** • Professionals in their 30s–40s–50s • Entrepreneurs and builders • Divorced or separated individuals navigating what’s next • People who prefer thoughtful conversation over surface-level small talk Whether you're **resetting direction, building something new, or simply meeting grounded people**, this event is designed for honest connection and fresh perspective. *** Most attendees are navigating life and growth with **curiosity, clarity, and a sense of humor.** 📍 Hosted in a spacious living-room setting inside a single-family home (Ashburn – 20147). Full address and parking details are emailed **2–3 days before the event.** 🌐 Learn more about the community [https://midlifereinvention.co](https://midlifereinvention.co) *** If you're curious about the **Inner Coach vs Inner Critic concept**, here’s a short introduction: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtgoDgqppGI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtgoDgqppGI)

**Register Here:** https://reg.experiences.redhat.com/flow/redhat/4102500/rhexpressregistrationapp/page/expressregistration?sc_cid=RHCTN1260000485001 **Automate at the speed of mission** Today’s landscape demands a shift in strategy. One where automation isn’t just a tool, but the engine driving modernization for your organization or agency. Join Red Hat experts and your peers at **[Ansible Automates in Washington, DC](https://reg.experiences.redhat.com/flow/redhat/4102500/rhexpressregistrationapp/page/expressregistration?sc_cid=RHCTN1260000485001)** for a full day of conversation on building an automation strategy that scales. We’re moving beyond isolated tasks to focus on the topics that define modern IT: * **Operational velocity and scale:** Deploy faster and eliminate manual bottlenecks by standardizing on Red Hat® Ansible® Automation Platform as the backbone of your IT estate. * **Continuous compliance and resilience:** Trade audit anxiety for automated governance, stay ahead of configuration drift, and minimize human error to ensure mission continuity. * **AI-driven operations:** Put data and intelligence into automated action with the latest advancements in Ansible Lightspeed and gen AI. **What you'll walk away with** You'll leave with real, applicable insight from technical experts, peer practitioners, and Red Hat product leadership, including a 1st-look at what's new in AAP 2.7. **Who should attend?** **#AnsibleAutomates2026** is for IT business leaders and their teams: * CIOs, CTOs, and IT Directors * Enterprise and Network Architects * IT Operations and DevOps Leads * Security and Compliance Professionals * Automation Architects shaping AI and modernization strategy * Anyone interested in Automation - no matter where you are in your journey **[Event Details](https://reg.experiences.redhat.com/flow/redhat/4102500/rhexpressregistrationapp/page/expressregistration?sc_cid=RHCTN1260000485001)** * **Location:** Marriott Marquis\, DC \| 901 Massachusetts Ave NW\, Washington\, DC 20001 * **Date:** Wednesday, June 24, 2026 * **Time:** 8:15 AM - 4:30 PM ET **Note:** Please register using your business email address. Questions? Contact us at infrastructure@redhat.com

**IMPORTANT - READ** Monongahela National Forest limits groups to 10 people, so that is a hard limit for this trip. If you are not 100% committed please do ***NOT RSVP*** ## **Trail Facts** * **Difficulty Level: Moderate** * **Length:** 16 Miles * **Duration:** 2 Days * **Elevation Gain:** 2,216 Feet * **Bear Canisters:** Not Required * **Permits:** Not Required * **Parking:** Red Creek Trailhead * **Coordinates:** 38.972729, -79.397824 * **AllTrails Map**: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/dolly-sods-backpack-16-mi-24357dd The Dolly Sods Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia and is part of the Monongahela National Forest (MNF) and one of the most desirable trekking areas in the US. Dolly Sods is a rocky, high-altitude plateau with sweeping vistas and flora and fauna normally found much further north in Canada. A backpacking trip in this area will expose you to a very diverse and unique landscape with sphagnum bogs, grassy meadows lined by spruce trees, wind-carved boulders, and beautiful mountain vistas. Note - this area can have very unpredictable weather. I've had everything from sunshine, to heavy rain, to even snow and hail as late as May. Pack accordingly. **Trail Details:** We will meet at The Vienna Metro station on Saturday morning at 8am and drive to the Red Creek Trailhead at the southern end of the Dolly Sods wilderness. The drive is about 3 hours - I will drive and am happy to have up to 3 others carpool with me. When we arrive at the trailhead, we will hike about 6.3 miles to our campsite, stopping once to check out the the iconic Lion's Head on Breathed Mountain (pictured in the post). Should be an early day, so feel free to bring cards, adult beverages, or other items to pass the time. The second day, we will explore the rest of the park, which includes the rugged Dunkenbarger trail. The second day is about 9.4 miles back to the car. There are a ton of stream crossings on this trip - so expect to get wet and pack accordingly. **Essential Items**: * Tent * Sleeping pad​ * Sleeping bag suitable for expected temperatures​ * Backpack (appropriate for overnight backpacking)​ * Backpacking stove with fuel​ * Pot, cup, dish, and utensils​ * Dehydrated meals​ and snacks * Water bottles or hydration system (capacity for at least 2 liters)​ * Water filter or purification tablets​ * Headlamp with extra batteries​ * Rain gear * Dry bags or pack cover​ * Warm clothing layers (non-cotton) * Trowel for and toiletries for Leave No Trace compliance **Optional Items**: * Personal first aid kit​ * Map and compass or GPS device * Power bank or external battery * Trekking poles​ * Camp shoes * Electrolyte supplements​ * Alcohol​ * Books, games, or other enterainment * Gaiters​ * Sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellent​​ **General meetup location:** Vienna Metro Station - 8:00am Time driving: 3 hr. each way Google driving direction from Vienna metro: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KUW283UFEe5kJJnLA **CARPOOL:** Don't forget if you want a ride or are willing to offer a ride – be a friend to the environment, save money, and make friends. **LIABILITY NOTICE:** Please remember that this group operates under the common adventurer model. We are a group of friends and volunteers organizing trips for fun and shared experience. Participants are expected to be familiar with best hiking practices and choose hikes that align with their physical abilities and experience. Organizers and members are not liable for any injuries, loss, or damage to persons or property arising from group activities. By attending this event, you agree to assume all risks associated with the activity.​ For more information on the common adventurer model, please see [Ron Watters' definition](https://www.ronwatters.com/CADefine.htm).​ If you believe you may be lost during the hike, follow the advice of the [US Forest Service](https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/if-you-get-lost). ​ See you on the trail!

**Our Meetup is off to another hiking adventure! Mt Kilimanjaro, as the tallest mountain in Africa, is included in the 7 Summits of the world.** **It is a bucket-list item for all hard-core hikers and mountain lovers.** We did this trek with Meetup in the summer of 2024 and it was a true experience of a lifetime (see photos below) Let's get to some numbers. It is 5,895m/19,340ft BUT . . . our starting elevation for the trek is 3795m/12541ft As such elevation gain is 2100m/6799ft To compare Everest Base Camp trek, is about 2754m/9035ft elevation change. And Mt Whitney is about 1828m/6000ft elevation change. The key to being able to succeed in this endeavor lays in the route and the support system. We are taking the Lemosho Route via the Northern Circuit. The Northern Circuit route is the longest and newest of the seven established Kilimanjaro routes. It's one of the best routes because it has the best acclimatization profile. This results in one of the highest summit success rates. Add to that stunning views, and comparatively relaxed pace. It is also much less crowded than the other Kilimanjaro routes. As far as our support system: We will be accompanied by experienced guides, porters and cooks. They are certified, ensuring our safety and comfort. Porters will carry our gear. We will have a high ratio of guides to hikers. Our guides will go our pace and support each and everyone of us, regardless of fitness level and pace. In other words...you go your own speed and we all get there safe. More about our trek/trip. As with all our international trips, we picked the best season/time of year to go for weather and wildlife. Lemosho and Northern Circuit is a scenically spectacular and varied route. At the lower elevations it has an abundance of wildlife such as elephant, buffalo, eland and lion which come over to forage during dry season. **Each of our trips is personally crafted to offer the best places and best use of time.** *But I don't have the needed gear?!* You don't need much more than the standard trekker's equipment. We will provide you with a list of what is already included and what can be rented there. *Does this include food?* All meals on the trek potion are included and a cook travels with us! *What is lodging like?* We are sleeping in new and comfortable tents (carried during the day by porters) *I am new at this.* That's OK. We do plenty of prep Zooms before we depart. And in California we have a number of local outdoor day or weekend outings you can test out with us. *How dangerous is this? What if I get sick or hurt?* We will be walking on an established, well used trail the entire time. **Our trip INCLUDES emergency insurance.** We are also Certified Wilderness First Responders and our guides are members of (AMREF) Flying Doctor. **Plain and simple, safety is our primary goal.** *How much does this cost?* **Kilimanjaro Mountain Trek $3950 per person, double occupancy. Land only (airfare not included). Solo supplement $600** Trip Cost includes: \- 9 nights accommodation \- 3 meals everyday on the trek \- All Fees & Entrances and Taxes \- Camping equipment such as tents\, tables\, chairs\. \- Lead Guide\, Assistant Guides\, Porters and Cook *RSVP to this event shows your interest, but does not hold your space.* ***The only way to secure your spot for this trip is a $300 deposit:*** ***[CLICK HERE FOR SECURE DEPOSIT LINK](https://www.paypal.com/instantcommerce/checkout/8P9NUAVQM8UEN)*** *Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).* *IF you need an airfare quote,* [Click here to message Anna](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=131297062) For more information about this or any of our other international events, fill out this form: **[INTERNATIONAL MEETUPS INFO REQUEST](https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8)** To see pictures from our Kilimanjaro adventure in 2024 [CLICK HERE](https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPkfkUp6sEZVQ-xse1di_K19d1QVmSb5KOLeIjynRoWGv_XFLXI8wBfT61XxAHavg?key=U2tKajBuOGRiZkxBOUtTUG1GbUVRVmlDaERCeG5n) We do a monthly Q & A Zoom: Meet others attending, be social, or come and get any questions answered. [Click Here to RSVP to our Zoom](https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/296044209/) The MAIN location where this event is posted: [https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/302872805/](https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/302872805/) (RSVP there for any conversation and comments) This events is cross posted to several other groups and the number of RSVPs on each is not reflective. We have a set of sister groups where we post our local free, local/regional camping, and our overseas events too. [Click Here ](https://www.meetup.com/CulturalArts/Events)for our other events: Live the adventure instead of only dreaming it! SOT 200318-10