This Consent and Cuddle Workshop is for female and female-identifying people only.

There is no touch required to fully participate in this event! All exercises are built for non-touchy people to still fully connect with others even if they're not physically connected with others.

Still feeling like you're six feet apart from people a little too often? Do you want to connect deeper? Do you like touchy people, but you want to be able to get touch on YOUR terms-- or not at all-- and still be deeply connected with the people around you?

Please join us at this Consent and Cuddle Workshop run and facilitated by Sam Varnerin from Snuggle with Sam, an experienced and trained cuddle therapist that's been practicing in the Boston area for seven and a half years.

This event follows the Cuddle Sanctuary workshop format. For those unfamiliar with Cuddle Sanctuary, it's a cuddle therapy and training company based out of California with a huge following-- they've been called on by Dr. Phil as an expert in the field and you may have seen them on the Bachelorette. Sam has been trained directly by Cuddle Sanctuary's Cuddle Queen Jean herself to make a welcoming space where you can show up, relax and feel connected to yourself and the kind, respectful people around you. For this event, all genders and orientations - individuals, groups and couples - are all welcome. Please look out for our femme-only event coming up!

While this is billed as a cuddle event, you don't need to cuddle to participate. In fact, it's great if you attend and DON'T want to touch anyone-- you can still participate fully even if you don't! This event is meant to allow you to be accepted wherever you are with your touch comfort.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

To keep our events safe, here are our health requirements for attendance:

• While the COVID State of Emergency has ended, we still do have people that are high-risk concerned about their health in close-knit group events like this. For this reason, we require that you submit a negative COVID test to us less than 3 hours before the event (you'll receive contact info upon buying your ticket). If you submit a positive test, we will fully refund your ticket. In addition and as always, we ask that you please use your best judgement for any symptoms-- if you feel any that may be a cold or other physical illness, please consider staying at home for this event. We have many more events we are planning for in the future, especially if the first few go well!

• Masks are not required for this event, though you are welcome to bring one to wear.

• This is a facilitated social experience that includes a welcome circle, easy relaxation activities, communication exercises and a description of cuddle etiquette. The event culminates in a "cuddle laboratory." Touch is always consensual and never a requirement to participate.

• This is a facilitated social experience that includes a welcome circle, easy relaxation activities, communication exercises and a description of cuddle etiquette. The event culminates in a "cuddle laboratory." Touch is always consensual and never a requirement to participate.

• I repeat (and will continue to emphasize): You are never expected to touch anyone if you don't want to-- you'll still be able to participate fully!

• Attendees may be asked to give feedback at the end of the event to Cuddle Sanctuary.

• At this workshop, you may experience an increased sense of well being and belonging, a boost in compassion and playfulness, a decrease in blood pressure and a better night's sleep.

• Look at this as an opportunity to meet new friends, connect with partners and pals in a soulful new way and be part of a warm, safe and huggable tribe.

HERE'S HOW TO CLAIM YOUR SPOT

SCHEDULE

12:00PM Arrive and get settled. Note: doors close at 12:45pm. Note that late comers can't be accepted after this time.

12:30PM Opening Circle, relaxation activities, communication exercises, cuddle etiquette, cuddle laboratory

3:30PM Closing Circle

WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR?

Dress in clothes that are comfortable for you to move around in and cuddle in. Soft, cozy pajamas, cotton t-shirts, sweatpants, leggings, gym clothing covering your torso and bathing suit areas are all welcome.

Feel free to change clothes when you arrive. Hygiene is important at cuddles - be squeaky clean and minty fresh - it's easier to get close that way! (Note: come free of perfumes, colognes, body spray, and cigarette smoke. Some of us have sensitive noses - thanks!)

GUIDELINES

• These guidelines are like the “etiquette of cuddling." We’ll go over all of them and answer any questions you have during the workshop. Here are some important ones:

• Keep attendance confidential (unless given permission).

• There’s no touch required (and you can change your mind at any time).

• Respect the boundaries of others (ideally with enthusiasm).

• Keep activities at a Rated G level and conversation at PG-13.

• Ask and Wait - if you want to touch someone, ask. Then wait for the answer.

WHAT TO BRING?

You are welcome to bring a pillow or blanket - cozy comforters, sleeping bags, all are welcome with the cooler weather. You are also welcome to bring a healthy snack or drink to share-- or to not share (No alcohol or edibles with mind-altering substances please.)

INTOXICANTS

Please arrive and remain sober throughout the event. You may find yourself getting a natural high on oxytocin - often called the "hug hormone."

GETTING UP AND DOWN

The space will have cushions and blankets on the floor and most of our exercises are on those cushions. The event space does provide some couch seating for those that need it. We do have some exercises that may involve movement but can be adapted so you don't have to. If you are concerned about your ability to get up and down from the floor to a standing position, please contact me to discuss accommodation: sam@snugglewithsam.com

ABOUT YOUR EVENT LEADER:

Sam Varnerin is a cuddle therapist, author, cuddle therapy mentor, ex-construction engineer, Relational Inquiry facilitator and consent advocate. Sam has been involved in cuddle therapy and consent work for the past seven and a half years. She's been trained and/or certified through Cuddlist, The Connection Institute, and Cuddle Sanctuary and runs her own 7-week mentorship program once a year for current and aspiring cuddle therapists. She's ran workshops and been on panels at CuddleXpo and is a contributor for the 2018 International Standard Code of Ethics for Professional Cuddlers. She deeply understands and emphasizes for those isolated for periods of time and self-published her book on Amazon in 2020 called "Happy While Hermitting Handbook: a Guide for Your Isolation" to support those struggling with mass forced isolation.

After attempting to travel the country for an entire summer and hug every person she could that wanted to be hugged, she realized she can't hug everyone no matter how hard she tries. Sam's goal with running group events is to create spaces where people can connect with each other whether it involves touch or not-- but always on each individual's terms.

When not working as a cuddle therapist or facilitating events, Sam can be found plotting to overcome her ADHD and finally stick to a content creation schedule, at the gym valiantly training so she can one day do a single unassisted pull-up for the first time in her life, or at home submitting to her demanding dog's bids for attention and cuddles.

LOCATION & PARKING:

The event space is in Arts at the Armory. Please see information about accessibility and parking here: https://artsatthearmory.org/frequently-asked-questions/

There is no touch required to fully participate in this event! All exercises are built for non-touchy people to still fully connect with others even if they're not physically connected with others.

Still feeling like you're six feet apart from people a little too often? Do you want to connect deeper? Do you like touchy people, but you want to be able to get touch on YOUR terms-- or not at all-- and still be deeply connected with the people around you?

Please join us at this Consent and Cuddle Workshop run and facilitated by Sam Varnerin from Snuggle with Sam, an experienced and trained cuddle therapist that's been practicing in the Boston area for seven and a half years.

This event follows the Cuddle Sanctuary workshop format. For those unfamiliar with Cuddle Sanctuary, it's a cuddle therapy and training company based out of California with a huge following-- they've been called on by Dr. Phil as an expert in the field and you may have seen them on the Bachelorette. Sam has been trained directly by Cuddle Sanctuary's Cuddle Queen Jean herself to make a welcoming space where you can show up, relax and feel connected to yourself and the kind, respectful people around you. For this event, all genders and orientations - individuals, groups and couples - are all welcome. Please look out for our femme-only event coming up!

While this is billed as a cuddle event, you don't need to cuddle to participate. In fact, it's great if you attend and DON'T want to touch anyone-- you can still participate fully even if you don't! This event is meant to allow you to be accepted wherever you are with your touch comfort.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

To keep our events safe, here are our health requirements for attendance:

• While the COVID State of Emergency has ended, we still do have people that are high-risk concerned about their health in close-knit group events like this. For this reason, we require that you submit a negative COVID test to us less than 3 hours before the event (you'll receive contact info upon buying your ticket). If you submit a positive test, we will fully refund your ticket. In addition and as always, we ask that you please use your best judgement for any symptoms-- if you feel any that may be a cold or other physical illness, please consider staying at home for this event. We have many more events we are planning for in the future, especially if the first few go well!

• Masks are not required for this event, though you are welcome to bring one to wear.

• This is a facilitated social experience that includes a welcome circle, easy relaxation activities, communication exercises and a description of cuddle etiquette. The event culminates in a "cuddle laboratory." Touch is always consensual and never a requirement to participate.

• This is a facilitated social experience that includes a welcome circle, easy relaxation activities, communication exercises and a description of cuddle etiquette. The event culminates in a "cuddle laboratory." Touch is always consensual and never a requirement to participate.

• I repeat (and will continue to emphasize): You are never expected to touch anyone if you don't want to-- you'll still be able to participate fully!

• Attendees may be asked to give feedback at the end of the event to Cuddle Sanctuary.

• At this workshop, you may experience an increased sense of well being and belonging, a boost in compassion and playfulness, a decrease in blood pressure and a better night's sleep.

• Look at this as an opportunity to meet new friends, connect with partners and pals in a soulful new way and be part of a warm, safe and huggable tribe.

HERE'S HOW TO CLAIM YOUR SPOT

SCHEDULE

12:00PM Arrive and get settled. Note: doors close at 12:45pm. Note that late comers can't be accepted after this time.

12:30PM Opening Circle, relaxation activities, communication exercises, cuddle etiquette, cuddle laboratory

3:30PM Closing Circle

WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR?

Dress in clothes that are comfortable for you to move around in and cuddle in. Soft, cozy pajamas, cotton t-shirts, sweatpants, leggings, gym clothing covering your torso and bathing suit areas are all welcome.

Feel free to change clothes when you arrive. Hygiene is important at cuddles - be squeaky clean and minty fresh - it's easier to get close that way! (Note: come free of perfumes, colognes, body spray, and cigarette smoke. Some of us have sensitive noses - thanks!)

GUIDELINES

• These guidelines are like the “etiquette of cuddling." We’ll go over all of them and answer any questions you have during the workshop. Here are some important ones:

• Keep attendance confidential (unless given permission).

• There’s no touch required (and you can change your mind at any time).

• Respect the boundaries of others (ideally with enthusiasm).

• Keep activities at a Rated G level and conversation at PG-13.

• Ask and Wait - if you want to touch someone, ask. Then wait for the answer.

WHAT TO BRING?

You are welcome to bring a pillow or blanket - cozy comforters, sleeping bags, all are welcome with the cooler weather. You are also welcome to bring a healthy snack or drink to share-- or to not share (No alcohol or edibles with mind-altering substances please.)

INTOXICANTS

Please arrive and remain sober throughout the event. You may find yourself getting a natural high on oxytocin - often called the "hug hormone."

GETTING UP AND DOWN

The space will have cushions and blankets on the floor and most of our exercises are on those cushions. The event space does provide some couch seating for those that need it. We do have some exercises that may involve movement but can be adapted so you don't have to. If you are concerned about your ability to get up and down from the floor to a standing position, please contact me to discuss accommodation: sam@snugglewithsam.com

ABOUT YOUR EVENT LEADER:

Sam Varnerin is a cuddle therapist, author, cuddle therapy mentor, ex-construction engineer, Relational Inquiry facilitator and consent advocate. Sam has been involved in cuddle therapy and consent work for the past seven and a half years. She's been trained and/or certified through Cuddlist, The Connection Institute, and Cuddle Sanctuary and runs her own 7-week mentorship program once a year for current and aspiring cuddle therapists. She's ran workshops and been on panels at CuddleXpo and is a contributor for the 2018 International Standard Code of Ethics for Professional Cuddlers. She deeply understands and emphasizes for those isolated for periods of time and self-published her book on Amazon in 2020 called "Happy While Hermitting Handbook: a Guide for Your Isolation" to support those struggling with mass forced isolation.

After attempting to travel the country for an entire summer and hug every person she could that wanted to be hugged, she realized she can't hug everyone no matter how hard she tries. Sam's goal with running group events is to create spaces where people can connect with each other whether it involves touch or not-- but always on each individual's terms.

When not working as a cuddle therapist or facilitating events, Sam can be found plotting to overcome her ADHD and finally stick to a content creation schedule, at the gym valiantly training so she can one day do a single unassisted pull-up for the first time in her life, or at home submitting to her demanding dog's bids for attention and cuddles.

LOCATION & PARKING:

The event space is in Arts at the Armory. Please see information about accessibility and parking here: https://artsatthearmory.org/frequently-asked-questions/