Dads

Come out, get your cardio on and Dance!! The Phantom Phunk Collective will perform live music: Dance Funk and Classic Hip Hop at Rai's Rendevous 44042 Pipeline Plaza, Ashburn, VA 20147 on June 18 2026. The music starts at 9pm. It's a Thursday night so come early.

Drop in to play Harry Potter board games and puzzles with the group! We'll play whatever Harry Potter games everyone brings. There are some the organizers own that we've still never played together as a group! So if you don't have a game to bring, don't worry. Feel free to bring snacks or drinks to enjoy and share during the event.

**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

**Learn to Relax Kids: Growing Calm, One Little Breath at a Time (Ages 3-7)** Help your little ones discover the joy of calm! ***Learn to Relax Kids*** is a playful and engaging workshop introducing young children to simple meditation, kid-friendly yoga, and fun relaxation exercises designed just for them. Through movement, breath, and imagination, children learn how to center themselves and feel safe, peaceful, and confident. While the children enjoy their session, parents are invited to a special **Learn to Meditate class**, offering easy and practical tools to create more peace and balance at home. Sat., Jun.13th, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm. Held at Meditation Museum - Virginia, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl., Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Chantilly, VA 20151. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/QYakZ](https://shorturl.at/QYakZ)

If you love musicians who can tell a story, lift a room, and make you feel like you’ve known them forever, come meet Mark Rust. Jessica first heard him in a college coffeehouse in Troy, NY decades ago — now he’s bringing that same magic to our house concert series. Mark Rust sings with strength and clarity, accompanying himself on guitar, piano, banjo, fiddle, mountain and hammered dulcimer. His charismatic personality combined with a delightful blend of wit and humor, creates a clear and consistent image of the world as he wants it to be. His love for his audience is genuinely conveyed and immediately returned. Mark captivates his audience and quickly makes them an integral part of the performance, and in that moment, they become his family. Yet, the songs, the voice, and the instruments, are still not the whole story. Mark infuses his concerts with an infectious sense of fun as he shares his down-home anecdotes and humorous stories. In the end, you have been treated to a voyage through your own experiences during an evening that is both memorable and moving. His music will touch your heart and leave you laughing. **Come make friends at our dessert and drink potluck! Please bring a dessert or beverage to share!** ***Details with our address and other info will be sent to you before June 6th.*** **Doors open at 7:00 pm. Music will begin \~7:45 pm.** **We kindly ask you leave your shoes at the door.** Wear your craziest socks to win a prize! Boring socks are...boring! :) **Suggested donation: $25-30/person (100% of all contributions are given directly to the musician) (Cash or Venmo)** More about Mark: Mark Rust comes from a musical family. His grandmother immigrated to America in the 1920's, and later opened a nightclub called "Swiss Trudy's." Everyone in the family performed in the musical acts. As Mark grew, he joined the family’s entertainment. Over the next many years, the Rust family traveled and performed widely at concerts and festivals. Mark has become a versatile performer on a variety of instruments. He possesses solid proficiency on guitar, piano, banjo, fiddle, mountain dulcimer, and hammered dulcimer.