By Sam

For those of you who know me well, this will come as no surprise, but going into The Frolic last summer I was equal parts anxious and excited. I can’t tell you the number of times I almost said, “Never mind, I’m staying home,” because I was so nervous. 

I’ve always loved camping, and I’m a firm believer that life’s best moments take place sitting around a bonfire. I had gotten to know some people, but this was only a couple of months into my time at the CSPC. The friendships I was forging hadn’t progressed all that far beyond the “Hey, how’s it going?” stage of development. What was I going to talk to these people about for several days in a row?!? I was a ball of nerves.

In spite of my nervousness, from the moment I showed up—red security shirt in hand—I knew I was in the right place. Very little of what I experienced at The Frolic was what I expected, but it was exactly what I needed.

There were moments of deep tenderness. 

• A group shower that may have been the first time in my life where I was naked with others but without an ounce of self consciousness. 

• Playing with the hair of someone I had admired and was getting to know in a much deeper way. 

• Holding a new friend’s hand during a painful but healing scene where she got to reclaim a part of herself and where I felt like I was truly part of a community. 

• Falling deeper in love with a partner in the way that seems to only happen when drifting off to sleep together under the stars.

These are moments I could never have created on my own, but that I’m so grateful I got to share.

Before you go and accuse me of being overly sentimental, I’ll say that there was no shortage of silliness and shenanigans. 

Have you ever tried a lube slip-n-slide? Neither had I. Strip Uno? It still needs some workshopping, but there’s a concept there. The attempts at diversion and distraction involved in a round of the kinky dating game were, frankly, astounding. 

There were moments around the campfire long after most people had gone to bed where I laughed so hard I could barely catch my breath.

What I found at The Frolic was nothing short of magical. A sense of community emerged that was so far beyond what I could have imagined. As someone new to the worlds of kink, sex-positivity, and consensual nonmonogamy, I found myself surrounded by people who were open to discussion, who answered my questions thoughtfully and asked questions that made me think even more, and who were willing to hold space for me to think, challenge, and explore at my own pace. 

I can’t promise that any of these things will happen for you at The Frolic. What I can promise is that if you’re willing to show up, be vulnerable, and open yourself up to community, meaningful things will happen. 

Even after two rounds of The Frolic last summer, I’m still feeling that blend of anxiousness and excitement. I have no idea what gifts The Frolic has in store for me this year, but I can’t wait to see, and I sincerely hope you’ll join me.