Come share an afternoon of consensual snuggles with friends and friends you have yet to meet.
This even will take place in the UNCA Botanical Gardens. And is hosted by the folks at HoldMeAVL.com
Donations of $5-15 appreciated; no one turned away
(donations help provide clean pillows, mattresses, and blankets)
Itinerary
5:30 PM – Show up with blankets and pillows under the trees near the gazebo (for those who don’t know the botanical gardens well, from the parking lot, take the path to the right, go over the bridge, and then continue towards the right).
5:45 PM – Welcome Circle. This is the most important part of the event, and we ask that all attendees be present for the whole Welcome Circle. This part of the gathering will include setting boundaries and communicating consent.
6:00-7:30 PM – Open cuddling! You MUST ask and get a verbal ‘yes’ before touching or cuddling with anybody at this event. If you are not sure how to do this – great! – we will talk about it during the welcome circle.
ETIQUETTE
ARRIVE ON TIME: It is important that all participants arrive before the Welcome Circle. The Welcome Circle serves the purpose of creating the safe space for consensual, non-sexual touch between participants and making sure that everyone is informed about consent.
Please be free of strong scents; many folks would rather not be close to someone who smells of cigarettes, perfume, or essential oils. Your clean self is a good smell! :)
BE SOBER: Please do not drink or smoke before or at this event.
Please stay clothed in a minimum of shorts and a tank top for the entire event. Please do not wear anything that you consider sexy or risqué – think elementary school slumber party.
WHAT TO BRING: personal water bottle and snacks to share, blankets, pillows, anything else cuddly, a friend, a date – whatever cuddle accessories you like! The only thing that you are required to bring is a clean and sober you.
THE RULES OF CUDDLING
Clothes stay on for the whole event.
You do not have to touch anyone at a Cuddle Club event.
You must ask permission and receive a verbal YES before you touch anyone. Please be specific in your requests.
If you feel a yes, say YES. If you feel a no, say NO. If you’re a maybe, say NO. You can always change your mind.
Get your facilitator or assistant if you have a question or concern, or if you need assistance with anything during the event.
Talking, laughter, silence, silliness, stillness, and crying are welcome.
WHY CUDDLE?
Touch is a basic human need, and many of us do not get enough; most people don’t even know they are missing touch, or have a way to ask for touch without sexualizing it. At HoldMeAVL, we provide individual cuddling sessions and help our clients learn how to ask for the touch they need. We believe deeply in the power of touch, and the importance of communication and consent in creating a safe space for touch. Events like Cuddle in the Park are a way for us to bring the value of cuddling to more people and share our passion with the community.
Cuddle Club brings together people from different walks of life to explore giving and receiving gentle touch together. Not only that, but it promotes a culture that is built around consent!
CUDDLING WITH STRANGERS
Cuddling with strangers sounds weird to most people, and often scary. “Will I like it?” “What if someone wants to touch me and I don’t want to?” “What if I say yes and it’s not what I want?” “What if I really want to touch someone and they say no?” These are all normal questions. The answer is that this is a space created to ask for exactly what you want, and receive NOTHING you don’t want. You may not get everything you ask for, but more than anywhere else, here you are encouraged to ask for what you want, and say ‘no’ or ‘stop’ to anything that you do not want.
Many people start out nervous at a cuddle event. Most are really, really glad they came.
https://www.facebook.com/events/368066487078165/