Fraternity Snoqualmie correspondence P.O. Box 748 Issaquah, WA 98027 driving directions telephone (425)392 - NUDE (425)392 - 6833

Camping at Forestia, circa 1999. Image use courtesy of Dale Cunningham.

text by STANISLAW NAGI

Thank you for accepting our invitation to visit Forestia. We are pleased to welcome you as our guests and we hope that your visit will be an enjoyable one. If you have never been to a nudist park or a nude beach, we would like to introduce you to a lifestyle which, we believe, is the ideal environment for wholesome family recreation. Please be assured that while you are here on your first visit, you are under no obligation to participate. You may wear as much clothing, or as little, as you see fit. We do, however, ask that no bathing suits nor other garments be worn in the pools, the spa, or the sauna.

Please take a few minutes to read this pamphlet. We'd like to tell you about:

The Park - FORESTIA

The Lifestyle - CLOTHING-FREE

The Club - FRATERNITY SNOQUALMIE

Let's start with a tour of Forestia. There's a map which shows where everything is located.

As you will see, the activities at Forestia are about the same as you will find at most "textile" parks and resorts. Among the most popular activities are sunbathing, swimming, volleyball, and picnicking. Forestia is a family-oriented park where entire families participate, with every age group from infants to senior citizens being represented. Since there are children present on the grounds, nudist ettiquette demands that everyone at the park, members and visitors, conduct themselves, in their words and actions, in a manner which is appropriate in a family environment. Persons who have come here seeking some other kind of activity -- more sexually or erotically oriented -- have come to the wrong place and would undoubtedly be happier elsewhere.

Walking along the road from the welcome center, past the parking area, we pass the main shower and restroom building and the office/store on the right. The clubhouse is on the left. The convenience store, "Bare Essentials", sells nudist literature, T-shirts, an assortment of snacks, and, of course, something of special importance for nudists, SUN SCREEN!

The club house is a gathering place for indoor activities: Halloween party, Christmas party, club business meetings, occasional dances, and just a good place to come in out of the rain (Shhh! we don't say the "R" word very loudly).

The deck outside the clubhouse is a good view point from which the main recreation area may be seen. The hub of activity at Forestia is the sunning lawn which, on summer weekends, is dotted with blankets or towels on which people in many shades of tan are soaking up the sun. Surrounding the lawn are various recreational facilities: pools, spa, sauna, community kitchen, playground, etc. This is a convenient arrangement, allowing persons to go from one facility to another by simply crossing the lawn. Also, parents can easily keep an eye on the playground without leaving their blankets. If clothing-free recreation is a new experience for you, the sunning lawn is an ideal place to learn about the lifestyle.

Nudists often hear the question, "Why total nudity? Why not wear 'a little something'?" Much has been written and many photographs have been taken to help explain why we are nudists. We could tell you that we consider bathing suits to be symbols of guilt and shame. We could embark on an extended monologue about how the removal of clothing removes a barrier between us and our fellow human beings. Or we could show you a gallery of photographs or video tapes of nude events. But nothing we say or write and no amount of photographic images can answer your questions as completely and as graphically as seeing for yourselves.

We invite you to get acquainted with other people and to participate in conversations. Please observe the way nudists conduct themselves, noticing especially the children at play, their healthy young minds free from shame and guilt, their laughter proclaiming the naturalness and wholesomeness of their environment. We are sure that it will soon be clear to you that, except for our lack of attire, our standards of decency are no different from those you will find at any respectable non-nudist park or resort.

But even observing nudist activity will not help you understand our motivation in choosing a clothing-free lifestyle nearly as well as actually participating. When you feel that you are ready, and this is a decision that only you can make for yourself, please feel free to disrobe and to share with us this delightful experience.

When you've made the plunge into a clothing-free lifestyle, surely, you will also want to plunge into our solar-heated swimming pool, soak in our bubbly spas, "cook" in our sauna, and float on an air mattress in the wading and floating pool. This is a good time to say some more about nudist ettiquette. Please shower before going into the pools or spa, don't bring floating objects into the swimming pool, and always carry a towel to sit on. No shirt, no shoes, no pants, no problem. But, please, no bare buns on the chairs and benches.

We have been truly fortunate that in all the years that Fraternity Snoqualmie has been in existence, no child has ever been seriously injured at Forestia. But the potential is there, especially in and around the pools. Please keep a close eye on your children at all times and, if they can't swim well, don't leave them unattended in the pool area. Children under age 10 should not be in the spa unless accompanied by a responsible adult. For sanitary reasons, we ask that there be no children in diapers in the pools or the spa.

Nudists like to eat. We have pot lucks at Forestia at least once a month. Two of our annual events, el Cinco de Mayo and Oktober-fest are ethnic food oriented. At present, we don't have a restaurant or snack bar except for some special events. But we do have a community kitchen, complete with cooking and barbecue facilities which everyone is welcome to use. Please help us keep the kitchen facilities clean. If you bring food or beverages into the pool enclosure, please confine it to the Poolside Patio between the pools. Also we ask that objects made of glass or other material which could cause injury not be brought into the pool enclosure.

Walking up the hill from the pool enclosure toward the community kitchen, we can see the children's playground on the right. Just beyond the playground is the volleyball court. Volleyball is the unofficial "official" sport of nudism and is popular in nearly every nudist park in the world. Ball games at Forestia are very informal. Usually someone organizes a game by simply yelling,"Volleyball!!" This is the signal to join in.

If you'd prefer something a little less strenuous, across the lawn we have shuffleboard and horseshoes. Just below the horseshoe pit is a concrete game court which was once used for volleyball but is now used for tennis, badminton, or simply shooting baskets. The fire pit, located just up from the horseshoe pit, is a popular place right after sunset for a hot dog or marshmallow roast and a sing-along. If you have a guitar or other small instrument, please bring it to the evening campfire.

Farther up the hill is the camping area with spaces for tents and RV's. Still farther up the hill are several cabins, including rental units and some private residences. There are additional camping spaces in a more rustic setting in Carlson Woods which is also a good area for a leisurely hike. For a longer and more strenuous hike, there is the "Rock Trail" which leads up to a rock outcropping with a spectacular view of the valley between Tiger and Squak Mountains. Clothing must be worn on this trail because, in some places, it goes off club premises. Also, long pants are advised because of the underbrush.

Please don't smoke in any of the forest areas. During the summer months, the forest fire danger can be extreme. Smoking is permitted anywhere in the park with the exception of the clubhouse, the community kitchen, the store, the sauna, in the pool enclosure other than the Poolside Patio, and anywhere that a fire danger exists. Also, because of the fire danger we don't permit fireworks on the grounds.

The consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted in moderation and in conformance with state law. Alcohol may be consumed in the main recreation area including the lawn, clubhouse, community kitchen, and the Poolside Patio on weekends or holidays whenever we have a state liquor board banquet permit. You may also drink at any time in your vehicle, tent, RV, or cabin. And, of course, you must be at least 21. The use and possession of illegal substances is prohibited at all times.

Forestia is a fun place for people, but Fido will probably be much happier at home. If you are not able to leave your pets at home, you are welcome to bring them to the park, but please keep them on a leash or in a cage in the parking or camping areas and not in the main recreation area. For your pets' sake please be sure they have shade and plenty of water.

Some areas of the park are very scenic and would provide ideal backgrounds for photographs. Photography is permitted at Forestia, but because of the risk of violating someone's privacy, it is necessary to impose certain controls. Pictures may be taken by members of Fraternity Snoqualmie, members of other recognized nudist groups, or closely supervised press photographers during special events. The number one rule is that a photographer must have the permission of the person(s) to be photographed and must have the permission of the parent(s) of a minor child. One must also pay close attention to the background to make sure that only persons who have given their permission will appear in a photograph.

Now that we've told you about Forestia and the clothing-free lifestyle, we'd like to tell you about the club, Fraternity Snoqualmie and about how you can continue to enjoy the recreational opportunities that membership has to offer.

Fraternity Snoqualmie is a cooperative group, registered with the State of Washington as a non-profit corporation. The regular members of the club are the voting members of the corporation, although most of the club business is conducted by the executive board and various committees. The board members are elected by the general membership and the committee members are appointed by the board. All the rules relating to the governing of the corporation and management of the facilities are explained in the Bylaws and the Procedure Manual. The bylaws also state the club policies regarding membership and participation in clothing-free activities.

The park and all the recreational facilities are owned by the corporation and are not available for public use. The only persons allowed on the grounds are members of Fraternity Snoqualmie, members of other recognized nudist groups, invited guests of the club, invited guests of individual members, and persons doing business with the club. Persons who want to use our facilities beyond the initial get-acquainted visits must become members of Fraternity Snoqualmie or of an affiliated group.

promotional postcard showing sunning lawn and pool

much of text below written by STANISLAW NAGI

We don't expect anyone to accept our lifestyle and to apply for membership on the first visit. We realize that persons who have never been to a nudist park or nude beach and have never been in an environment where they are surrounded by nude men, women, and children, may be apprehensive about their first visit. Even after they have been here for a while and have had an opportunity to observe the clothing-free lifestyle, they may be reluctant to actually remove their own clothing in the presence of other people. It is for this reason that the first visit is free and that there is no obligation to participate. The purpose of the first visit is to dispel the fears and anxieties that people may have and to help them decide if they might want to further pursue the possibility of accepting the lifestyle for themselves and their families.

Fraternity Snoqualmie has a specific procedure that is followed if persons such as yourselves express an interest in applying for membership. As a first step in this procedure, we require that you visit Forestia two more times. The objective of the three visit rule is twofold. It gives you a chance to overcome any apprehensions you may have; to evaluate the recreational opportunities, the health benefits, and the enhanced mental attitudes that membership in a nudist organization provides; and to assess your family's financial status before you make a definite membership committment. It also gives us an opportunity to observe your attitude and conduct so we can be sure that you will be welcome as members.

If you disrobed and personally experienced the clothing-free lifestyle on your first visit, you have come a long way toward becoming a member of Fraternity Snoqualmie. If you haven't participated, you will have an opportunity to do so on your second and third visits. Please keep in mind that Forestia is a family-oriented nudist park and that we operate and maintain our facilities specifically for the purpose of providing an opportunity for families who share our views to participate in clothing-free recreation.

There are only a few such facilities in the Puget Sound area, yet there are thousands of non-nudist parks, campgrounds, and resorts. People who are not interested in our lifestyle or who find it objectionable have more than ample opportunity for a wide variety of clothed recreational activities. Our opportunities are limited.

Accordingly, all of our members and all persons seeking membership are expected to be participating nudists. We do not require that anyone be nude at all times, however, on warm summer weekends, during daylight hours, all our members and prospective members are expected to participate to a reasonable degree. We also attach great importance to the family unit and we expect both spouses of a married couple to be participating nudists. Individual married persons, without their spouses, are not eligible for membership. You will be given a membership application only after you (and your spouse, if you are married) have participated in nudism and each of you has expressed a personal desire to continue in this lifestyle.

Before requesting a membership application, please ask yourself the following questions:

"Have I personally experienced a clothing-free lifestyle?"

"Have I done so of my own choosing, not having been coerced nor intimidated by any other person, including my spouse?"

"Do I enjoy being nude in the presence of other people -- male and female, young and old, married and single?"

"Do I seek membership in Fraternity Snoqualmie because I personally desire to continue participating in family-oriented nudist activities?"

"Do I think that the policies and the standards of conduct of Fraternity Snoqualmie are fair and reasonable?"

If you can, in all sincerity, answer each of these questions with a "Yes", not just a "Maybe", but a positive "Yes", and if your spouse can also answer in the affirmative, then it would be most appropriate for you to apply for membership. However, if either you or your spouse find nudism to be embarrassing, indecent, immoral, or in any other way unacceptable or if either of you simply can not bring yourself to disrobe and participate, then one of the many non-nudist facilities would probably better satisfy your family's recreational needs.

Before you can make a membership committment, you need to know what membership options are available and the associated costs. This information is shown in the Chart [somewhere].

On each of your first three visits, you are considered to be members for a day in the category "Limited C". The first visit is free and the day membership dues for the second and third visits are $19 per day for a single and $24 per day for a couple. Beyond the first three visits, when you apply for membership, you may choose from one of two options. Nearly everyone who joins Fraternity Snoqualmie selects the membership option which provides unlimited access to the facilities at Forestia. If you prefer this option, you would join as a "Limited A" member for the first year and subsequently you would renew as a "Regular" member.

Limited A members are given the combination to the entrance gate and have unlimited access to the recreational facilities. However, they are not voting members of the corporation, Fraternity Snoqualmie, Inc. Regular members also have unlimited access, but in addition, they are voting members and have a voice in the administrative affairs of the corporation. All memberships expire on April 30. Limited A members pay an initiation fee of $48 per application (single, family, or couple). They also pay a pro-rata annual dues which depends upon when they join

The costs of Limited A membership is as follows:

Join in MAY, pro-rata annual dues per person is $182.

Join in JUNE, pro-rata annual dues per person is $167.

Join in JULY, pro-rata annual dues per person is $152.

Join in AUGUST, pro-rata annual dues per person is $137.

join in SEPTEMBER, pro-rata annual dues per person is $77.

and remember to add the initiation fee

If you reside a long distance from Forestia or if your work or other activities prevent you from visiting the park more than a few times a year, you might want to consider joining as a Limited B member. Members in this category pay no initiation fee and annual dues (not pro-rata) of $55 per adult. In addition, they pay a daily fee of $12 per single each time they visit the park. Limited B members do not have voting rights in the corporation and may come up to Forestia on weekends or holidays, any time the Welcome Center is staffed May through September or by appointment.

In addition to membership in Fraternity Snoqualmie, you may wish to join either or both of the affiliate national nudist organizations, The American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) and The Naturist Society (TNS). Membership in these organizations is optional and does not, in any way, affect your Fraternity Snoqualmie membership. However, we encourage you to join these groups for several reasons. First of all, some nudist parks will admit only members of a national nudist group as visitors. Also, members of AANR or TNS receive periodicals in the mail to help keep them informed of nudist activities throughout the world. These organizations deserve the financial support of nudists as they keep a very close watch on anti-nudist organizations and proposed anti-nudist legislation, often providing legal counsel to help insure our continued right to pursue this lifestyle.

When you decide to apply for membership, please talk to the membership committee, the welcoming committee, or a member of the board. When you receive your application forms, please fill them out completely. We suggest you take them home with you and bring them back on your next visit. It is important that you (and your spouse if applicable) provide all the information requested and that you sign the forms. One of the forms that must be filled out is the Washington State Patrol form authorizing a background check to determine if any applicant has been convicted of a sexual offense against children.

The initiation fee and the first year's dues are payable in advance. When you submit your application, you will be given a temporary membership card. If you have applied for Limited A membership, you will be given the gate combination and you can come to the park as often as you wish. Your application will be reviewed by the membership committee and, unless there is a reason why you should not be accepted into membership, you should receive your permanent membership card in the mail in a few days.

As a member of Fraternity Snoqualmie, you will have an opportunity to enjoy not only summertime clothing-free recreation at Forestia, but also numerous potlucks, parties, and other year-round activities, indoor and outdoor, nude and clothed, to which all members and their guests are invited. Each month you will receive a copy of our newsletter, the Forestian. Most of the work done at Forestia in maintaining and improving our facilities is done by volunteer labor. In this way, we are able to keep the cost of membership at a minimum. Members are encouraged ( but by no means required) to participate in work parties and to serve on various committees.

Undoubtedly, you will want to visit other nudist parks and resorts and to enjoy their facilities and activities. Forestia is but one of many such parks in the United States and in foreign countries. An extended stay at a nudist destination resort in such places as California, Florida, or the Caribbean can be a truly memorable vacation. Even an overnight stay at a more rustic nudist park or at a nude beach can greatly enhance a cross-country trip.

Again let us say that we hope you enjoy your visit to Forestia. Whether or not you decide to apply for membership, we appreciate the opportunity to share with you a day at our park and to show you our lifestyle.