I think something more focused would be better. The biggest problem for me is not to meet people, but to establish long-term relationships, and that is hard if you are not around them a) frequently and b) long-term.

I do think that something like OP would be too formal, as it doesn't give you the flexibility to deviate, which is why I think a more liquid network of at the start just several locations would work.

Btw, I liked your approach above very much, if you have a majority of the group do that (allowing individuals to divert), this could totally work