by Skitty
This past weekend, just under fifty fully-vaccinated CSPC kinksters gathered at an idyllic ten-acre property in Snohomish for the inaugural Frolic camping weekend. It was a sensual, sensational success! Here are a variety of reflections sent to us by some of the attendees:
“After a year and a half of playing indoors, locked in the bedroom, trying to keep quiet so the kids don’t hear - it was liberating to scene outdoors, with proper dungeon equipment, and an appreciative audience.”
“Great venue - The grounds were fabulous. The outdoor hot water shower was much appreciated.”
“Relaxing and exciting at the same time. I felt like I was at a kinky retreat. I was able to unplug from my regular routine and reconnect with myself and my partner outside of our daily lives.”
“When I first arrived and saw one of my favorite fellow volunteers, we both dropped what we were carrying and ran to hug each other. The last time we hugged was to say goodbye at the start of quarantine. We thought it was for a few weeks or maybe a month or two. That was over 18 months ago! During the first day of Frolic, as I found each of my fellow volunteers, I almost cried. I was so happy to be with them again. Having a whole weekend with my chosen family was such a gift. I had finally made it home.”
“Friendly people. For the most part, people were friendly and inviting without being intrusive.”
“Safe. I felt free to be myself and wasn’t worried about creepers, non-vaxxers and other human hazards.”
“We will definitely try to come back in the future. Thanks for a wonderful event!”
“It was wonderful to feel freedom to do things outdoors, in a safe environment, that I wanted to do for years. Thank you for your help and support with that. It seemed like you wanted to find a way to make that happen for us - I really appreciated that.”
“The extended duration and privacy of the event contributed so much. Saturday was the first time in my adult life when I woke up and went to bed without a single moment during the day when I needed to mask the nature of my preferences and my relationship.”
“The depth of knowledge and care in craft and safety: sitting around the fire pit, after some discussion of fireplay, I asked a question for resources about branding. I learned so much more than I even would have hoped for from the discussion. Not only that what we’ve had in mind could really be done responsibly only by an experienced professional - but the ins and outs, whys and wherefores of that fact. All discussed with care and absent of judgment.”
“Seeing the community itself: sui generis. In the circle at the closing ceremony, I was touched by the memories shared of the woman [Allena Gabosch] who died. While I never myself met her (this was basically my first CSPC event), I could feel the community in that moment – not just in the memories that were shared, but more so by the looks of recognition from others around the circle who were listening to those shared memories.”
“One of my favorite moments was getting in a group of people and playing a variation of truth or dare. I was surprised at the amount of cartwheels I was dared to do, and happy I got my hair pulled.”
“There was a sense of community that I’ve been missing. I saw sharing of ideas, feelings and warmth.”
“It’s been a couple years since I’ve had space and time to dance with my whips. Getting out onto the field, with the music playing ambiently, and dancing was a highlight of my Frolic. Such an amazing thing to just be able to move and play and crack among people who appreciated it, in a place with a space.”
“It was a pretty chill weekend. It was good to be isolated from the outside world. Everyone was welcoming and accepting.”
“Being among so many people of like mind, the conversations were incredible. I met folx from all over and got to talk about our interests and deep connections. There’s someone I hope is going to message me and explore! Being there with people I knew had had vaccine cards checked, out of the city, with folx I knew I didn’t have to filter myself around the way I do with vanillas felt so safe and validating, especially after a year and a half of isolation.”
“The kinky card game was a great way to get to know people: who’s silly, who’s serious, who’s playful, and who’s mischievous.”
“Making love on a mattress, in the shade of the trees with the breeze on bare skin, was such a treat.”
“At the VIP meals, the conversation was lively and interesting, constantly.”
“I got to meet my long distance girlfriend for the very first time. I won my first high quality paddle. On top of that, I got to spend a weekend with some of my favorite people in the entire world, meet some new favorite people and have an absolute blast!”
“The play was wonderful. I got to do a couple scenes and the high is still with me.”
“With the freedom to play at will over a full weekend surrounded by gorgeous scenery, it’s no wonder I have too many favorite moments to pick just one. Hard work and forethought showed in every detail. I’ve been waiting a long time for this kind of getaway.”
“My favorite moment was after the day's energies brought many of us together around the flame. Each coming from our own burnt embers of kinky energy to share in an enrichment. Being shown manipulations of fire and some participation in the same. The wisdom of an elder retelling stories to pass on his own passions. Coming together in one place, to share in community in the dark, comforted by lighting it up around the campfire.”
“I can sum up my favorite moment in two words: outdoor orgasm.”