nudist campground not great to youth

[J17]

I went to Serendipity Park, the closest nudist campground to where I live a little under a year ago (I was 18 at the time). As I expected, most people there were age 30+, with about three teenagers who lived there - all of whom were fully clothed. I chatted with a few people there, but very briefly. Otherwise, I was pretty much ignored.

The one thing that bothered me the most was the fact that the wife of one of the staff members introduced herself to every newcomer there (totalling about 4). That is, every newcomer except me, the teenager.

Is this typical of nudist places? I like being nude, but if this it the way youth are generally looked at, I'm not sure if I really want to be a part of the community.

[J17]

I went to Serendipity Park, the closest nudist campground to where I live a little under a year ago (I was 18 at the time). As I expected, most people there were age 30+, with about three teenagers who lived there - all of whom were fully clothed. I chatted with a few people there, but very briefly. Otherwise, I was pretty much ignored.

The one thing that bothered me the most was the fact that the wife of one of the staff members introduced herself to every newcomer there (totalling about 4). That is, every newcomer except me, the teenager.

Is this typical of nudist places? I like being nude, but if this it the way youth are generally looked at, I'm not sure if I really want to be a part of the community.

[nacktman]

It's not typical of nudist places J17, it is typical of humans in general ... the whole like to like thing.

As a younger visitor you "may not have the same interests" as the older group, at least that is one stereotypical response to you're being there, so you were left out.

You have to be the one to break the inertia and "prove" to them you have "similar interests" to get into the group ... just like any one has to do in any group.

You may find that a particular group is not for you, but as nudists fall across the entire spectrum you will find people of similar interests if you keep trying.

[J17]

Don't get me wrong, the people I spoke with were VERY friendly. But any conversation I had was short-lived. I just kind of felt alone most of the time.

It's not my intention to start a smear campaign against Serendipity. Maybe I'll just have to try going there again sometime.

[NudeDen]

My first experiance was about the same. I went to Paradise valley and only exchanged a few words with people, but no real conversation. I didn't let that stop me from enjoying the day nor my first social nude experience. The second time i visited a resort was at the Dip and similar time there, but it did seem that everyone was much nicer and i think it was because i was new and not my age. I did have a conversation with the owner for a bit and just chatted with a few others. It was definately a much better experience that the first one was.

I am sorry you felt that way but i would be happy to meet you there one weekend this summer if you would like to have someone there that is around your age and area to talk to. I also noticed that none of the kids there are rarely nude and when they are it's to swim and then they quickly cover up.

Let me know if you would like to. I'm out in Doraville and am online frequently.

[Nudony]

I concur with what everyone has been saying so far..."cliques" and "selective association" are not just in the textile world...unfortunately. At WTP, I once ran into a college acquaintance who was just thrilled to see me...mostly because he had been ignored by everyone there that day. Once, at a resort I was visiting for the first time, I got by the pool early while my wife went off with a friend to socialize; I was completely ignored, that is until my wife came back and sat besides me. Then people stopped by to talk... !

I've been to all three Northern GA resorts, and there were definitely cliques at all three resorts; perhaps the least pronounced was Bell Acres, because the manager tries to introduce everyone to everyone (also, BA is a nude resort; so you don't see much jumping in and out of clothes, as complete nudity is respected.)

The key to "breaking through"? Patience, frequent visits and participation in whatever function they're organizing.

[PascoDoug]

quote:

Originally posted by J17:
The one thing that bothered me the most was the fact that the wife of one of the staff members introduced herself to every newcomer there (totalling about 4). That is, every newcomer except me, the teenager.

Perhaps she may not have been sure of your age.. many people at nudist resorts are wary of associating with under-age members on a one-to-one basis, for obvious (and unfortunate) reasons.

[not4long]

Single males in general I think have a harder time. I suggest that you get involved in an activity like volleyball and once people get to know you things will open up.

[NudeAl]

Team sports, like volley ball, are great for opening up a dialogue especially for a young male with some athletic ability. You will find things open up when there are a group doing things like this they often then sit around afterwards discussing the game and this will lead to other banter, goodluck.

[NudeDen]

I went to PV again and actually talked to a couple of people and also played water VB and darts with some people there; though they aren't singles friendly anymore and are adult/sexually focused which is their biggest drawback . I also went to Serendipity 2 more time and those were much better as far a socializing and being involved in activities. Bell acres I only went to once and it was pretty much dead; only the 2 in the office and 2 guys by the pool and one was kinda strange, plus that place needs a serious upgrade.

The moral is just apply yourself and be persistant. Walk up to people and introduce yourself or if a game is being played ask to see if you can join in. Another way to get involved in a conversation is if you hear a subject in which you know something about or have an interest in just speak up and add your input. That's what worked for me.

[DoctorSurferDude]

I began visiting resorts when I was about 21. I was a "single male" at the time and I gotta admit that I never felt very welcomed. I usually felt a little coldness at the gate and then pretty much got the "who's this guy" look from members. Many resorts tend to have a clique-ish kind of feel, and that's unfortunate.

The people I recall meeting and havnig conversations with at nudist resorts were pretty much all outside visitors like myself. Because of the lonliness I felt whenever I visited a resort or beach, after a time I decided to find my own company. So after that point I would visit resorts with a female friend. There was a BIG difference in how I was treated. All of a sudden I had members approaching me/her and asking where we were from, if this was our first visit, etc. I found it somewhat two-faced, and pondered the whole thing at length. I came to these conclusions....

- I'm not a celebrity, I'm not an honored guest that deserves special attention.
- I'm young, they are generally not...and since we fear the things we don't understand, they probably don't understand young people and that's why they keep their distance.
- I was "single" and there is a certain eagle-eye survaillence that must be endured, because they are simply protecting what is theirs...they live there, and they've been burned in the past I'm sure....so, just ignore the watchful eye.
- Watchful eyes are set aside if your with a female...somehow you are automatically trusted....I still find that weird.
- Be a regular....unless you become a recognizable face, you'll always be a stranger. So pick the resort you like the best and keep going....soon you'll be a part of the group, but it takes time.
- Not all resorts are equal. Some resorts, like the one I go to, are full of young people in the summer who participate in nudism and make the whole experience more enjoyable and add energy to the scene. Keep looking for a resort like that...it's a whole different experience

[Nudony]

quote:

- Watchful eyes are set aside if your with a female...somehow you are automatically trusted....I still find that weird.

No doubt about it. I found this out for myself.

- When you're by yourself, you may end up spending the whole day by yourself.
- When you're with your S/O, you may end up making new friends.
- When you're with your S/O and child(ren), you may end up being invited over for diner.

In some ways, nudist society is not that different from textile society. But we already all knew that...

[pahjo2]

i visited oak lake trails twice & both times i was pretty much ignored. i am far from being a teenager but i was a single in the midst of couples. maybe that was the reason but i still enjoyed spending the day nude & will do it again given the chance. stay nude and stay happy--i'm always happier when i'm nude---pahjo

[usuallylurk]

quote:

Originally posted by J17:
Don't get me wrong, the people I spoke with were VERY friendly. But any conversation I had was short-lived. I just kind of felt alone most of the time.

It's not my intention to start a smear campaign against Serendipity. Maybe I'll just have to try going there again sometime.

In my travels to many nudist parks, I found Serendipity Park to be one of the two friendliest I ever visited, the other being Mountain Air Ranch in Colorado.

I felt especially welcomed at the 'dip because I was there alone -- a business trip to Atlanta -- and "is it okay if I come up? My wife won't be with me." Yep, fine....

[joeaguy]

I've been to 3 different nude beaches, and at all those I felt kind of on my own. But those were public beaches, people don't really socialize at those, they just find their own spot on the sand and keep to themselves.

The only nudist camp I've been to is Solair in Connecticut. They really make an effort to reach out to younger people, offer discounts for those under 40, and for students. Most people there have been very friendly, and I've been able to talk to and meet lots of great people. They have lots of social activities every weekend, like socials, dances, etc, and also lots of stuff for the young kids who are there with their families. Not that everyone is friendly, there are some couples who really only want to talk to other couples if anyone, but everyone has a right to be left alone if they choose. They have someone give you a tour the first time you are there, and have you talk to membership comittee people on your first four visits, so they do have plenty of opportunity to size you up and see if you are serious without being too onerous about it. The idea is you get to know if someone is for real by getting to know them.

I do think there is a lot that the management of a club can do to set the tone. Some are very interested in expanding their membership, others have a comfortable status quo they want to maintain. I think its really important for nudism to continue to make younger people feel welcome. There are not a whole lot of places we do have, we need people who want to hang onto them. Clubs do need to trust people a little more and be more accepting to make that happen. Acting in the paranoid manner some do won't keep things going.