Making friends in Southern Utah: Are you up for anything?

ST. GEORGE — Those looking for ways to make friends or keep up-to-date on events and activities can find community and networking opportunities in the Up for Anything Facebook group, which touts itself as a group for “indoor and outdoor adventure seekers.”

Troy Rivera and his dog Sushi hiking with Up for Anything Facebook group members, Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, Utah, March 20, 2022 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News

Administrator Troy Rivera started the group with his friends as a way to make hiking or pickleball plans in July 2019. The group now boasts over 3,000 members.

Rivera had been part of other Facebook groups, trying to meet people in the Southern Utah community but said many were geared toward those who were single. So, he wanted to create something to include everyone. However, he noted that the group is not meant for advertising or promoting businesses.

“This is a group of married people, single people, kids, whatever – diverse,” he said in a phone call with St. George News in February.

Members of the group can post their own events with the option of inviting the entire group or only select individuals, as long as the post doesn’t violate any rules, Rivera said.

“Anybody who wants to (post), they can, and they have access to be able to do that as long as it’s good, clean fun,” he said. “That’s why I sit there and delete things all day long, because, you know, people will think it’s a singles group or something, for a minute. And it’s like, ‘No, it’s not a singles group.’ Or, ‘You can’t post that, that’s not appropriate because my mom’s on here and my kids are on here.'”

Up for Anything members at a St. Patrick’s Day party, date and location not specified | Photo courtesy of Troy Rivera, St. George News

Members have posted invitations to community events, karaoke nights, holiday parties and more. Rivera said events can be as simple as a group stroll in the park.

On Saturday, members of Up for Anything hosted a St. Patrick’s Day potluck for adults 21 and older. Activities included ax throwing, giant Jenga and Twister. Additionally, members could bring sleeping bags to stay overnight if they didn’t have a safe ride home.

Rivera said the group has helped members make connections in the community and encourages citizens from anywhere in Southern Utah to participate.

“So many different groups have formed,” Rivera said. “They’re off doing their own little things because they’ve met people that they have similar relationships with, that they get along with and you don’t get along with everybody. You don’t fit in with everybody but there’s somebody that you will fit in with in this group.”

Members of the Up for Anything Facebook group hiking at Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, Utah, March 20, 2022 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News

On Sunday, the group met at Red Cliffs Desert Reserve for a multi-hour hike. Rivera estimated that there were as many as 50 participants on the trail. Some members brought their children or dogs, such as Rivera, who was joined by his dog, Sushi.

As they hiked, members split off into smaller subgroups, greeting familiar faces and introducing themselves to new arrivals.

Group member Dee Norman said she’s made friends through the group who have encouraged her to go out even though she had been “just sitting at home thinking of reasons not to go.”

One hiker summed up the group philosophy succinctly.

“We’re up for anything,” she said.

Update March 21, 7:29 p.m. Correction added to Rivera’s name

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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