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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out backcountry events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the backcountry events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find backcountry events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Backcountry Events Today
Join in-person Backcountry events happening right now
TOG Watch Night: The Secret Life of Components (Tim Hunkin)
TOG Watch Night: The Secret Life of Components (Tim Hunkin)
We’re kicking off a new bi-weekly Monday Watch Night at TOG. We’ll watch an episode of Tim Hunkin’s “The Secret Life of Components” together, then have a relaxed Q&A and discussion afterwards.
This is a friendly, low-pressure way to learn the kind of practical tips you normally only pick up through years of making, fixing, and building. Perfect for beginners, makers, repair folks, and engineers who enjoy the practical side of components and mechanisms.
How it works
\- Watch together \(one episode per night\)
\- Q&A and chat after: questions\, examples\, tangents\, and “how would we do this at TOG?”
\- If you miss a week\, no stress\. Watch it at home and come along to the next one
First session
\- Monday 26 January
\- Episode 1: Chain
\- Free and open to all
\- TOG Hackerspace \(Dublin 12\, D12 CF6V\)
Full details:
https://www.tog.ie/2026/01/tog-watch-night-the-secret-life-of-components-tim-hunkin/
🥏 Outdoor/Ultimate Frisbee @ Merrion Square Park (Beginners Welcome)
Join us for an ultimate Frisbee session, and meet some lovely people. This is a relaxed evening of Ultimate Frisbee in Merrion square Park. No experience? No problem. Just bring yourself and whatever makes you comfy outdoors. But dress to run!
NB: Ultimate Frisbee is a non-contact sport. Do your utmost to avoid collisions with other players.
***
🗓 **What’s Happening**
* Gentle warm-up + Frisbee basics
* Friendly, low-pressure Ultimate Frisbee games
* Optional: sideline cheering, lounging
* Cool down & post-game hang
***
📍 **Where**
**Merrion square park**, Dublin
💶 **Contribution**
If you’d like to help cover the meetup costs and gear (cones, bibs, frisbees, etc), a **€2 contribution** is suggested.
Revolut ref tag: [https://revolut.me/marise3](https://revolut.me/marise3)
No pressure — you can join us either way.
***
🧺 **What to Bring**
* Your fave snacks or drink (solo or to share)
* A blanket or something comfy to sit on
* Sunscreen, water, good energy, and running shoes
☁️ **Weather Watch**
If it rains, we’ll update this page **90 minutes beforehand**.
(Also: the traditional sun dance is already scheduled 🌞)
***
🔗 **More ways to connect**
Looking for more social and creative outdoor & indoor fun?
👉 [https://activesocialconnections.com/](https://activesocialconnections.com/)
Clontarf Running Group - Wednesday run
Our midweek training session :-)
Choose from 5km, 7.5km or 10km
Drop In Morning Meditation (In person and Online)
These events are suitable for those who already have a regular meditation practice and want to continue to do so in a supportive environment with other meditators. There is no requirement to book in advance, just turn up, or log in.
For online sits, please click the link below a few minutes before each sit.
Join the [morning meditations](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84133106671?pwd=WFZmQUlHcWN6bHAxdmp4UnVOV1VaZz09) each day using Zoom (password if required is *dropinmed* ).
On a [donation basis](https://dublinbuddhistcentre.org/donate). No need to book, just drop in if you know how to meditate.
Beginner Solo Jazz & Swing Dance Courses
Learn to dance the lindy hop. Join our famously fun and friendly Dublin Swing Dance Community.
**HOW DO I BOOK A TICKET?**
[Tickets can be booked via our website failteswing.ie.](https://www.failteswing.ie/classes)
*Note: If tickets sell out you can email us at [failtehotclub@gmail.com](mailto:failtehotclub@gmail.com) to add your name to the waiting list OR let us know you are signing up with a partner (in which case you might be able to skip the waiting list!! 😎)*
**WHO ARE THE CASSES SUITABLE FOR?**
We have swing dance classes for complete beginners, improvers and intermediate level dancers. We also have solo jazz classes which are suitable for all levels.
**TIME:**
Every Monday (except on public holidays)
7:00 - 8:00pm Solo Jazz or Intermediate Swing Dance Courses
8:00 - 9:45pm Beginner/Improver Swing Dance Courses
**PRICE:**
€77 for a 4 week course. [You must book in advance on our website failtesswing.ie](https://www.failteswing.ie/classes).
**CLASS DETAILS:**
Our experienced teachers will give individual student feedback and they will email you recap videos of each week's class content.
**PARTNER:**
For swing dance classes you don't need to sign up with a partner but if you can find someone to sign up with it might help you skip the waiting list. If one of the roles is sold out but you have a partner email us directly at [failtehotclub@gmail.com](mailto:failtehotclub@gmail.com) as we may still be able to offer you a ticket.
**AGE:**
18 to 118 years.
**WHAT TO BRING:**
• Water bottle.
• Comfortable footwear.
**VIDEOS:**
Check out our [Video and Photo Gallery.](https://www.failteswing.ie/performance-gallery)
**REFUNDS:**
If you can't make it and you let us know at least 24 hours before the event starts we will issue a refund. The 10% booking fee is non-refundable. Tickets are not transferable. No refunds once the event begins.
**WHAT ELSE TO KNOW ABOUT:**
• Fáilte Hot Club @ Leinster Cricket Club Rathmines- MONTHLY Live Jazz and Swing DJ dance party with drop in complete beginner swing dance class, social dancing, and dance performances. All welcome, no experience or partner required. [Get Tickets at failteswing.ie.](https://www.failteswing.ie/classes)
• Private classes- Fast track your learning and enjoyment of solo and partnered swing dancing. Contact [failtehotclub@gmail.com](mailto:failtehotclub@gmail.com) for prices and more information.
• Gift cards- You can't go wrong with the gift of dance. Put a swing in the step of someone special with one of our [eGift Cards available via failteswing.ie.](https://www.failteswing.ie/gift-card)
Backcountry Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Mountain Skills 1 Course
***Mountain Skills for Only €120 / course***
Ever wanted to learn the skills you need to become a competent navigator in the Irish mountains, the UK, the Alps or beyond!
As a fully qualified mountain guide and course provider for Mountaineering Ireland and the UK, I run Mountain Skills which is a nationally accredited course and is delivered in an upland environment.
Hiking in Ireland can be challenging not only because of its wilderness, but the island has very little sign posted hiking trails in the mountains or hills. In addition to this, as being an island in the Atlantic we experience the forces of nature; storms and weather events. In other words, Ireland is probably the best place in Europe to learn a new outdoor skill like Mountain Skills.
The aim of this course is to help you learn the skills you need to get out hiking in the hills and mountains independently, safely and responsibly. You will learn how to navigate with confidence by any type of weather conditions.
A Mountain Skills course is run over 2 days in an upland environment and covers:
Map reading, map description, map scale, contour lines, land and ground features, navigation legs, simple navigation techniques, setting the map, the 5 D, estimation of direction & destination, grid reference, mountain hazards, hypothermia, mountain environment, timing, pacing, route planning, route card, emergency procedures, personal equipment, safe movement skills, river crossing and much more…
Some level of fitness is essential in taking part in this course.
Each course (MS1 / MS2) is a 20 hour syllabus which includes indoor and outdoor sessions and night navigation (MS2)
**A course includes:**
Maps and compass provided, tea breaks, course notes, 3 route cards, a free hiking day practice as part of a weekend.
**For Only €100 for under 18 and students and €120 for adults.**
Accommodations can be provided
Her are few additionnal dates:
Jan 24-25 MS2 Glenmalure, Co.Wicklow
Feb 11-12 MS1 Comeragh, Co.Waterford
March 21-22 Glenmalure, Co. Wicklow
March 28-29 Glenmalure, Co.Wicklow
April MS1 18-19 Glenmalure, Co,Wickow
For more information contact us at: [aeaccom@gmail.com](mailto:aeaccom@gmail.com) / +35387 9691193
Or go to: [www.mountainadventures74.com](http://www.mountainadventures74.com)
Looking for Travel Companion? Post it here
Kindly understand that This is Not an online event. We created this for the people to communicate with each other (in the comment section) to find their travel mates. However, since the Meetup site requires a date and time. We constantly have to update the date and time to keep the event alive.
**Dear friends,**
If you have plans to travel somewhere in the world, and you are looking for a travel mate/roommate, you can post it here to let others know, and maybe you can arrange to travel together.
It would probably be a good idea to meet up before deciding to travel together but at least this will give you a chance to find a like-minded travel mate.
**How to Choose the Right Travel-mate**
1. Have some common interests.
2. Avoid people who tend to extremes.
3. Agree on expenditures before you leave.
4. Make sure your personalities
5. Friends aren’t always good travel companions
6. Don’t go backpacking with a luxury-seeker
7. Make sure you’re able to communicate
8. Agree on a similar budget
9. Avoid picky, crazy and whiny individuals
10. Test each other on a short trip
11. You don’t have to be like a couple of inseparable lovebirds
Good Luck and Cheers,
Ree & Smyl
Summer Solstice Guided Hike and Wild Camping with Navigation Tips
*Summer Solstice Hike with Wild Camping up to Lugnaquilla.*
*This is a great opportunity to anyone who want to learn how to pitch a tent, how to camp in the wilderness and experience a night hike up to Lugnaquilla.*
*The weekend is organised but a qualified instructor and course Director of Mountaineering Ireland. During those 2 days, you will gain useful information and skills that will help keep you safe on the hills and mountains during daytime or nighttime.*
*As part of the 2 days, I’ll talk about the geology of Ireland, the last Ice Ages, the origin of the Irish peat, the first people who transformed the Irish landscape, the flora and fauna.*
*Our hikes are not only enjoyable but, educative too.*
*In addition to this you will learn about safe movement skills, basic navigation, basic map reading, equipment and safety considerations which are part of the Mountain Skills Course syllabus.*
*What do I need for the 2 days.*
*A 1- or 2-men tents can be provided as well as some cooking stoves however, you will have to carry them.* You will need to bring food for the 2 days included snacks (I’ll provide a list of food you can bring)
*In addition to a small sleeping back, you will need to wear comfortable clothing like - leggings, tracksuit bottoms, breathable T-Shirt and fleece & an extra warm layer (fleece). Be ready for the rain and pack a rain jacket and rain trousers. A hat and gloves to keep you safe from the wind. Wear good sturdy walking shoes or hillwalking boots with woolly or synthetic socks. Don’t forget to bring first aid kit with plaster and bandages, personal medicine, inhaler, epipen etc.*
*Maps and compasses can be supplied by the instructor. Have your phone fully charged to.*
***SOME HIKING EXPERIENCES ARE ESSENTIALS***\*.\*
*The meeting location and full schedule will be provided once you have booked.*
***For more information and BOOKINGS go to:*** *[www.mountainadventures74.com](http://www.mountainadventures74.com) or contact us: aeaccom@gmail.com 0879691193*
Bachata and Salsa classes with Dubachata
Adult Bachata and Salsa dance classes with practice social at Coolock Ardlea Scout Den Coolock Village.
This is a mirror studio located upstairs from the hall with nice wooden floors.
This is a weekly Thursday event. Come down, learn and have fun!
Men and Women are welcome.
Free taster for first timers and discount for students, request via dm.
Beginners cost 10 euro for all beginner classes and practice.
Hack and Chill
🔐 **Hack and Chill – Weekly Meetup** 🔐
📍 **Tog Hackerspace** \| 🕖 **Fridays, 7–9 PM**
*(Except the first Friday of the month – we’re at 2600 Dublin then!)*
Are you into cybersecurity, hardware hacking, or just love the hacker mindset? Bring your laptop, your curiosity, and your latest digital mischief to our chill Friday night sessions.
No talks, no pressure — just hacking, learning, and chatting with like-minded folks in a relaxed space.
💻 BYO projects, hacks, and war stories
☕ Tea, tools, and toggers provided
💬 New faces always welcome
Come hang out. We don’t bite — unless you’re a vulnerable service.
https://www.tog.ie/2025/08/new-weekly-group-night-hack-and-chill/
25's - 45's Scuba Dive 🐬🐠 Course (PADI) For First Timers.
🐠First timers who are interested in doing their first Open Water Scuba dive 🐬course, please RSVP and I will send you the contact information about the scuba dive course and dive master's details. There will be other people on this course besides people from this meetup.
There are different course dates, so RSVP and you can choose another date if you wish. The cost of this PADI Scuba Dive course is about 650 euros or so and it is a part time course. The duration is over about a month or so.
https://www.padi.com/
https://youtu.be/kvmgy4XsqrU
This (PADI) scuba dive course is also a legal qualification requirement for scuba divers. The first dives will be in a large swimming pool 5m deep. If you like you can also do a pool try dive to see how you go before you start your dive course. You will be shown how to use scuba diving equipment. This PADI Open Water Diver course consists of three main phases:
* Knowledge Development (online, home study or in a classroom ) to understand basic principles of scuba diving (5 modules)
* Confined Water Dives to learn basic scuba skills (5 pool training dives).
* Open Water Dives to review your skills and explore (4 open water dives).
* Once you become a PADI qualified scuba diver you can do open water boat dives and weekend Atlantic sea boat dives and or Fyords boat scuba dives trips will be avaliable to you around Ireland and overseas.
## **Course Schedule (3-Week Format)**
### **Week One**
**7:00 pm – 9:00 pm:** Induction, equipment orientation, safety briefing
**9:00 pm – 10:00 pm:** Confined Water Session 1
### **Week Two**
**7:00 pm – 9:00 pm:** Knowledge Development + skills briefing
**9:00 pm – 10:00 pm:** Confined Water Session 2
### **Week Three**
**7:00 pm – 9:00 pm:** Knowledge Development + final review
**9:00 pm – 10:00 pm:** Confined Water Session 3
✅ After your pool training, you're ready for your **two open-water dives.**
People use Sea swimming for its healing salt properties,it washes viruses, bacteria and cleanse your skin amongst other things due to the sea salt content. There has been a large increase in people going swimming these last years. Scuba diving also refreshes your mind like hiking to start a new fresh day and a new work week. Anyone thinking about doing scuba diving this would be a good starting point for you.
As usual this is a sporting event, so when you RSVP and attend this course, every person is directly responsible for their own health and saftey and accept full responsibilty.
To find out more, please RSVP and I will send you the Dive Master Contact Details.🐳🐬🐚
Summer Solstice - Wild Camping - Guided Hike - Lugnaquilla
*Summer Solstice Hike with Wild Camping up to Lugnaquilla.*
*This is a great opportunity to anyone who want to learn how to pitch a tent, how to camp in the wilderness and experience a night hike up to Lugnaquilla.*
*The weekend is organised but a qualified instructor and course Director of Mountaineering Ireland. During those 2 days, you will gain useful information and skills that will help keep you safe on the hills and mountains during daytime or night time.*
*As part of the 2 days, I’ll talk about the geology of Ireland, the last Ice Ages, the origin of the Irish peat, the first people who transformed the Irish landscape, the flora and fauna.*
*Our hikes are not only enjoyable but, educative too.*
*In addition to this you will learn about safe movement skills, basic navigation, basic map reading, equipment and safety considerations which are part of the Mountain Skills Course syllabus.*
*What do I need for the 2 days.*
*A 1- or 2-men tents can be provided as well as a cooking stove. however, you will have to carry them.* You will need to bring food for the 2 days included snacks (I’ll provide a list of food you can bring)
*In addition to a small sleeping back, you will need to wear comfortable clothing like - leggings, tracksuit bottoms, breathable T-Shirt and fleece & an extra warm layer (fleece). Be ready for the rain and pack a rain jacket and rain trousers. A hat and gloves to keep you safe from the wind. Wear good sturdy walking shoes or hillwalking boots with woolly or synthetic socks. Don’t forget to bring first aid kit with plaster and bandages, personal medicine, inhaler, epipen etc.*
*Maps and compasses can be supplied by the instructor. Have your phone fully charged to.*
***SOME HIKING EXPERIENCES ARE ESSENTIALS***\*.\*
*The meeting location and full schedule will be provided once you have booked.*
***For more information go to:*** *[www.mountainadventures74.com](http://www.mountainadventures74.com) or contact us: aeaccom@gmail.com 0879691193*
Backcountry Events Near You
Connect with your local Backcountry community
COUNT RMH Housewarmer Volunteering (Ronald McDonald House)
Some trained COUNT volunteers work together once a month at RMH (http://www.rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer.php) as Housewarmers (usually on the 1st Sunday from 1 – 5 PM). Some schedule other shifts at their convenience. You may try this out with less fuss by following a "Fast track" or go through the normal process.
Fast track
• Arrange a time to shadow a COUNT volunteer. Call Dave Nohle at 614-268-9558 (cell).
• Show up and try it out.
• Complete application, etc. later.
Normal process
• Complete an online application (http://rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer/).
• Attend orientation in advance.
• At orientation you will complete forms agreeing to keep family/patient info private and allowing a background check and tour the facility.
• Complete one training shift. Daily shifts are: morning 9 AM - 1 PM, afternoon 1 - 5 PM and evening 5 - 9 PM.
• Schedule shifts online using the on the RMH scheduling system (http://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/?FROM=32895).
The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) provides housing and meals for families with sick children. The Columbus RMH is the largest in the world with 137 rooms. COUNT has been volunteering there since May 2014.
Housewarmers work with RMH guests to provide a home-like environment - greet, assist with family needs, answer phones, give tours, assist with checkin/checkout, prepare guest rooms after checkout, clean facility, laundry, restock supplies and staff the front desk. RMH Housewarmers volunteer at least one four-hour shift a month. All Housewarmers must complete an application and agree to a background check before they can be full fledged volunteers.
Alum Creek Trail Hike
Join us for a 2.4 mile hike along the Alum Creek Trail south from Casto park to Strawberry Farms park and back. This is a fully paved flat trail along Alum Creek. Come and enjoy a great hike with us!
Learn how to make a backyard prairie 🦋
Backyard Conservation: Prairies
Thursday,
July 16, 2026
Want to find a way to reduce your lawn care costs and maintenance while providing habitat for Ohio pollinators, birds and other wildlife in a beautiful way?
Putting in a backyard prairie may be for you! Come the evening of July 16th to learn how you can create one in ANY yard, large or small.
You will visit our small manicured demo prairie suitable for small spaces and our large scale prairie areas at Infirmary Mound Park.
FREE!
Register by July 14 (or just show up!)
https://www.lickingparkdistrict.com/272/July-2026
6PM - 7:30PM
Location: James Bradley Center, Infirmary Mound Park
COUNT monthly event: Kitchen service at Van Buren Center's shelter
Come assist Van Buren Shelter (https://ymcacolumbus.org/locations/vanburen) staff in serving dinners and cleaning up on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Dinner for the women is 5-6 pm and for the families is 6:15-7:15 pm. There is ample free parking available in the shelter's lot. The recommended area to park is in green in the image above.
There will be a new entrance for the time being. We are asking all volunteers to enter through the Donation Dock door, the orange mark on the image above. This door is located between the Single Adults and Family Shelter. You will see 2 large garage doors with a large green trash compactor in the center. Please head to the closest garage door to the building wall, with a ramp leading up. There, you will see a door with a sign stating instructions on how to enter the building. Please ring the doorbell, and a staff member will come and escort you into the building. If a staff member takes longer than 5 minutes, please call the front desk at 614-689-2020. This is a new process for us, and we do not want to keep you waiting! We appreciate your patience as we navigate this temporary change.
The shelter needs a volunteer count the day before the event so sign-up ends Monday at 4:50 PM. Afterwards some of us go to the Omnipresent Atheists Weekly Meetup in progress to have a bit to eat or drink (http://www.meetup.com/omnipresentatheists/).
Volunteers must be 14 or older. Since we will be working around families, the YMCA does not permit volunteering by individuals with convictions for violent or sexual crimes. The YMCA reserves the right to run background checks on volunteers.
For questions, comment on this page or contact: Andrew, awhit12@yahoo.com, (614)937-5802 (cell). Please let Andrew know if you volunteer anytime other than our COUNT events so that he can count your hours toward our service record.



















