• About Triangle Recreation Camp
• A Word From the Board
• Get Involved In TRC
• Board Meetings
• A Look At The Board
• Year 2008 Executive Committee
• Information On The Organization
• Searching for Land
• Zoning Our Site

About Triangle Recreation Camp

TRC is an organization for gays and lesbians who share a common interest in camping and outdoor recreation. Our purpose is to provide a wilderness retreat where members are able to commune with nature and each other in a safe, gay-positive environment far removed from the homophobia and stresses of the world at large. Working together to develop and maintain our campground, gays and lesbians from many walks of life discover the value of teamwork and tolerance in striving to achieve a common goal.

Since its inception in 1975, TRC has maintained a campground in Washington's beautiful Cascade Mountains- first on land leased from the State of Washington Deptartment of Natural Resources near the town of Index, and since 1996 on 40 acres of our own at Bender Creek, on the scenic Mountain Loop Highway. Every year from April through October our campground is transformed from a raw patch of wild forest to a thriving gay community in the wilderness. A core group of regular campers maintain "semi-permanent" campsites that they set up and occupy throughout an entire season. With energy and creativity in the extreme, semi-permanent campers go to great lengths to create their own version of paradise in the forest. With names like Bushwackers, Trade R Dic's, Mount Labia and Cirque du So Gay, the semi-permanent sites give the campground its character, consistency, and a sense of community. For less frequent campers, ample space is available to pitch a tent for a night, a weekend, or several days at a time. 

Governed by a set of Bylaws that have changed little through the lifetime of the organization, TRC is operated by a Board of Directors and Executive Committee Officers that are elected each year by the membership at large. Various committees, comprised of board members and other interested members at large, work to address specific needs of the organization. 

With no outside support or affiliations, TRC is able to survive and succeed only through the efforts and financial support of its membership. Every dollar collected for dues and other fees goes directly toward the purchase, operation, and improvement of the campground. Besides payment of dues, members contribute to the organization by direct participation. Whether it be volunteering for work parties to help maintain and improve the campground, greeting and registering visitors at the Host Hut, working on a committee, or serving on the board of directors, all members are encouraged to get involved in the day to day operations of the campground and the Organization.

A Word from the Board

We all are very proud of the unique experience that we offer to the gay and lesbian community. TRC has a rich history for providing a safe haven for fellow members of the community. This is a constant concern to the Board, as well as to our membership. We actively take part in the management of the land we own and the surrounding areas.

We encourage each of you to visit our campground and if possible, to get involved with the organization. All of us have received more gratification from you, our visitors and members, than from the time and effort we contribute to the operation of this facility. Visit TRC and you will know what we mean!

Many people visit TRC at Bender Creek from all over the world. The organization has memberships from as far away as Australia. Our international members return on a frequent basis to experience the unique community that has been developed in the woods. We can assure you that you will not experience anything like this anywhere else in the world.

The TRC Board of Directors wish to welcome you and encourage you to be part of the unique gay camping experience of Triangle Recreation Camp, at Bender Creek.

Get Involved In The Organization

At TRC you can meet some great people. Members of the gay and lesbian community from Oregon, Washington and British Columbia (as well as other international members) help make this organization a fantastic social resource. To keep TRC moving forward, increasing membership, and improving Bender Creek, we need your help.

Most members offer their support by participating in Work Parties which improve the Bender Creek site. While this is very important work, there are a lot of other ways to help TRC that are just as important. Contact a Board member today and let them know you want to help support TRC by lending a hand with the ongoing list of projects. Remember, the organization is only as good as YOU make it. Get involved and help lead TRC into the future.

Meetings of the TRC Board of Directors

The TRC Board of Directors holds regular meetings on the 3rd Saturday of each month during the camping season, and as-needed during the off season.  Meetings start at 12 noon, last approximately 2 hours, and are open to all members.
 

Are you looking for the Activities Schedule?

2008 Board Members At Large

2008 Board

Garrett C., Tim C., Preston C., Mike D., Chris E., Harvey H., Chas J., Brad J., Nathan K., Tim K., Bruce K., Tracy M., Dale M., Bob N., Norman O., Scotty P., Mike Q., Ted R., Jack S., Patrick S., Greg W., Craig W

Year 2008 Executive Committee / Officers of the Organization

L to R Brad J. Treasurer, Dale M. VP Operations, Chris E. Secretary, Mike Q. VO Development, Bob N. President

2008 Executive Committee

Bob N.

President

Dale M.

Vice President

Mike Q.

Vice President

Brad J.

Treasurer

Chris E

Secretary

Information On Triangle Recreation Camp - Review the Bylaws

Searching for Land

With the impending loss of our government lease on the campground at Index, which TRC had occupied since 1975, the search for new land began in earnest in 1992. In 1996, after four grueling years of searching, TRC purchased land at Bender Creek along the south fork of the Stillaguamish River on approximately 40 scenic acres in the foothills of the Cascades.

Triangle Recreation Camp at Bender Creek is situated in Snohomish County, Washington, 21 miles east of the town of Granite Falls, on the Mountain Loop Highway. It is easily accessible from the Seattle-Tacoma and British Columbia areas, serving the more than one million gays living along the I-5 corridor.

Zoning Triangle Recreation Camp at Bender Creek

Spring 2005 Update

TRC began the task of getting our Bender Creek property zoned for camping use shortly after its purchase in April of 1996. Early on, we contracted with a company specializing in the zoning process to help us negotiate this vital and complex endeavor. So far, the Zoning process has taken years and has cost the organization tens of thousands of dollars... and we still are not finished.

In January 2004 TRC's rezone application was reviewed and approved by Snohomish County. Approval is contingent upon TRC's successful completion of the mitigation plan included in the rezone application, and TRC's compliance with future grading requirements.

During summer of 2004 more than half of the required trees, plants and shrubs were planted, and the animal nesting boxes were installed. Construction was started on 2 sign kiosks proposed in the mitigation plan. These signs are designed to educate and inform TRC Members about the Threatened & Endangered Speciesin the area, as well as identify those parts of TRC property designated NGPA (native growth protection areas). The signs will visually illustrate land areas designated NGPA and provide an explanation of what NGPA means, and what land uses are/are not allowed within NGPA.

Following TRC's completion of the mitigation plan in 2005, an independent biologist will survey TRC property and report findings to Snohomish County biologists. Upon TRC's successful completion of the mitigation plan, we may then apply for necessary grading permits from Snohomish County. Grading permits are necessary for TRC's parking lot, driveway, aprons, etc.

A reminder from your development committee that TRC is evolving, now starting our 30th year as an organization.

Part of that evolution we are now allowing our semi-permanent campers to build fully enclosed structures with permanent roofs under the guidelines of the IBC Codes. (International Building Codes)

As written in those codes, the development committee is going to operate and enforce non-permit requirements for structures. Just a few guidelines to plan and develop are as follows: No semi-permanent structure can be over:

1. 200sq.ft. if it has a solid roof and permanent walls.

2. 400sq.ft. if it has solid walls not more than 4 feet tall. It must have a membrane roof and upper walls

3. A maximum 400sq.ft. open platform (deck)

4. Nothing more than 30 inches above grade (ground level).

We ask that all new construction including the pouring of concrete go through an application process for review. Submit detailed drawings with a description on the application. Click here for your development application. Applications are available from your development committee members; please allow two weeks for application reviews.

We all want to protect ourselves and others from safety concerns with these construction projects.