For many singles, the trend toward group activities based on common interests breaks new ground in the dating arena. “In a sense, we’re going back to the future,” says Mary Vallone, President of Highlife Adventures (www.highlifeadventures.com). “It’s as though the ice cream social of the early 20th century has been kicked up several notches.”
In our fast-paced culture, people sometimes spend more time with a BlackBerry or iPhone than they do with real potential partners. Shared experiences and face-to-face interaction have almost become a thing of the past but is it what people really want? According to Vallone, an upscale social club for singles in Chicago and Indianapolis, “Men and women are stepping out from the anonymity of the online dating world and reclaiming their lives,” Vallone says. “Today’s singles not only want to meet people who share their interests, but they also want to share real-life experiences with like-minded potential mates.”
Vallone explains that her approach serves to bring people together in a pressure-free setting. “When you attend an event, you’re meeting...