I’ve known about Meetup.com for a while, but just recently signed up. I’m not always first in line to adopt things. I feel like I’m “Web 1.9″ sometimes.

Last week, I went to 3 events I found through Meetup.com:

• South Florida Graphic Design/Creative Meetup
• South Florida Web Design Meetup
• Babies, Toddlers, and Little People Meetup

So far, meetup.com is 3 for 3. I met some great folks in my industry at the design meetups. I was especially looking forward to the Babies, Toddlers and Little People meetup. Renee was at one of their meetups earlier this year.

The organizer of this particular meetup is Jordanna Egan. She runs a licensed home day care center here in South Florida. She uses the group to promote her business and foster a sense of community. Renee and I felt an immediate kinship with her. Her two children are named Austin and Erianna.

Renee and I continue to get better networked locally. One segment of our circle of friends is an older bunch without children. That was the group we spent most of our social time with until the baby was born. They are a wonderful bunch, but we were hungry for circumstantial peers - other local folks our age with children. Meetup.com is proving to be a great way to fill that need.

If you haven’t checked out meetup.com, it’s worth a look. This concludes my wholehearted, sincere, unpaid, and unsolicited endorsement of meetup.com.

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I wrote today’s installment of “Wears The Baby Wednesday” over at 21st Century Parenting. Renee chronicles her experiences as a hardcore babywearer in her weekly post. She’s been sick (and unfortunately, that usually means baby is too).

Learn More About Babywearing:

• The Baby Wearer
• Broward Babywearing
• Dad’s Adventures in Babywearing
• 21st Century Parenting

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Reader Brian Savoie from Maryland left a comment on one of my posts about CAP. He gives a brief account of his time in CAP.

It’s natural for people within our immediate network to be among the first readers of our blogs. I went to elementary and middle school with Brian, and we went to college a few miles away from each other. A few months ago, we recently reconnected.

Brian echoed my sentiments about the leadership training, but he went on to say that learning leadership also teaches you how to support those who are leading you. 20 years later, Brian is still using the skill set he gained through CAP as an award winning writer and producer of corporate and educational videos.

This past Tuesday, I attended the Civil Air Patrol meeting to fill out paperwork and to observe the meeting. In weeks past, I wrote about my first impressions, and a follow-up. The Boy’s interest and enthusiasm haven’t waned, so it warranted action on my part. If a teenager is chomping at the bit to join an organization that offers leadership training and discipline, you’re sitting on a golden opportunity!

Upon arriving, I am greeted by two of the most active parent volunteers. They are very friendly and eager to make a good first impression. I was whisked away to a separate room to fill out the application and to make payment.

The annual dues vary by state. In Florida, it’s $44. There is also a one-time fee you pay to the squadron your child joins. For what they promise, this is an incredible value. $44 and your active participation buys leadership training, discipline, self-confidence and community service opportunities.

You also receive the following items:

• Leadership textbook
• Aerospace textbook
• “Air Force blue” uniform
• Belt
• T-shirt
• Membership card

The parents are still responsible for C.A.P. insignia, shoes, the BDUs (battle dress uniform), boots for the BDUs. The local Army-Navy surplus store offers a discount to C.A.P. cadets on all purchases, not just C.A.P. related ones. Your local store may also have a similar policy.

Some activities are done every week like the opening and closing of every meeting. New cadets are indoctrinated and more advanced cadets continue their training. There is a classroom lecture every week on a topic that support the core values of Civil Air Patrol. Some weeks, they have PT, or physical training. Last week, all the cadets ran 2 miles. This week, they reviewed marching drills and cadences.

There are also activities and field trips on Saturdays. This week, the cadets went on a tour of the Coast Guard base. Almost every organization that meets regularly will also have social events like a holiday party and picnic.

This particular squadron meets at a municipal airport. It definitely adds a sense of authenticity to the experience. The Boy’s account and my own observations give me confidence that this is a worthwhile activity.

Austin has been talking about Civil Air Patrol ever since that first meeting. We all know how fickle teens can be. This kid and many others can easily abandon a fun activity without notice, leave a pile of game controllers on the coffee table, and go do something else. 10 minutes later, they’re nuking Hot Pockets in the microwave. Two hours later, when I want to reheat my coffee, a Cold Pocket sits where I am about to put my coffee mug, and the Wii is back on.

When you’re part of something you feel is good, you have the urge to share. It’s true for religion, politics, a multi-level marketing scam, etc. Austin is also talking about getting his friend Drew to join.

Some more surprising words came from him once again. “The main reason I’m interested is for the community service hours.” Again, this is the same kid who raised significant objection to his school’s community service requirement last year.

I’m eager to see what this is all about. CAP welcomes parents to observe their meetings. I too was fascinated by airplanes as a young boy. This could also be a foot in the door to get aerial photography opportunities.