Happy to try to help. 🙃 I’ve learned a lot peer-to-peer too. Not about Apple per se, and not in an organized capacity, but I benefited a great deal from those in my circles willing to share their skillsets and I absolutely understand the value.
I figured my area probably had smthg along the lines of what you’re looking for, so using this assumption to get ideas, I dug around a bit and found a MUG. Their website was totally defunct but looks like the are actively meeting - they organize using Meetup (the app). This is a tool used to organize a lot (generally speaking) so you might find it worth exploring. (As with any service, please do read the privacy policy and consider the cost:benefit…as you’re probably well aware, there are always tradeoffs. My 2¢, fwiw.)
This might be a resource you’ve already explored, but I found this too: Locator List Private. It surfaced from a search engine query, so it is not ‘private’ in fact. Even the limited and fairly specific test query of ‘Philadelphia’ within group name pulled up 6 hits (all of which may very well all be defunct), but by broadening the search parameters and exercising some creativity, you *might* be able to uncover smthg active local to Eastern PA.
Last thought: If you don’t find an active group nearby, maybe you’re not alone in feeling there’s an unmet need. Consider using your regional subreddits to gauge interest, and perhaps, forming a new group. 🙂
Good luck!!
