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Members At Woodstock Nudist Camp Attempt To Debunk Myths

It’s Not About Sexuality; It’s About Freedom, Members Say

POSTED: 12:52 am EDT September 6, 2008

UPDATED: 1:04 am EDT September 6, 2008

WOODSTOCK, Conn. -- Member of a nudist camp in Woodstock are attempting to debunk some of the myths about their lifestyle.

The Solair Family Nudist Camp, a camp for those who shed their inhibitions by shedding their clothes, is a self-contained community with more that 450 acres of land in Woodstock. Members can participate in tennis, bocce, fishing, canoeing and swimming. But if members are not up for breaking a sweat, they can relax and mingle.

Member David Hawkins said nudism is about enjoying the sun, the air and the water with your body.

 “You feel connected to nature,” Hawkins said. “And you feel a part of it. Even a small amount of clothing is a barrier between you and nature.

Richard Whitney said he doesn’t see anything different about nudism.

 “Why shouldn't you be able to? Really we've been taught you shouldn't. It’s our culture. It's nothing more," he said.

Peg Whitney agrees that the camp is just a resort.

 “I explain it to a lot of people actually, saying, ‘Oh, you're actually going to go to that place?’ And I have to explain it really is just a resort," Peg Whitney said.

Those who attend said it's not about sexuality -- it's about freedom.

“You really have to experience it to understand it,” Hawkins said. “It's perhaps hard to explain. But when all of your clothes are off of everybody -- young, old, short tall -- all appearances you can imagine, then you realize it's not a sexual environment.”

That freedom attracts more than 600 people a year, including many families.“I think it's a healthier way to bring up your children,” Virginia Schnee said. “ They see people of all ages, all shapes, all sizes. They get to learn just automatically how natural and normal … what normal people look like.”

Ronna, who is an active camp member said looking out for children is a top priority. “First of all, anybody who comes here must provide a picture ID,” Ronna said. “We can and often do a CORY and SORY check. Then there's an interview process.”

Parents, like Schnee, said it's reassuring. “In actuality, I feel safer here than other campgrounds and other places we have visited because sexual predators hide in their clothing. They hide behind things. And out here, it's so much out in the open, and there are so many people looking out for my kids, I feel much safer here," Schnee said.

Member said the benefits of coming outweigh comments made by those who prefer staying covered.

“As far as the stigma, I really haven't seen -- I mean, people will joke -- but really, I find I tell them it's a family environment and it really is,” Richard Whitney said.

 At the end of the day -- or the season, for those who stay at Solair -- they'll get dressed once again and go back into society.

"A lot of people at work know. If people ask me,  at the beginning some people feel a little uncomfortable about it,” Peg Whitney said. But for many, they said they've found something at Solair that will stay with them forever.

“People who come here understand why our motto is "Come for a visit; stay for a lifetime,'” Ronna said.

 Those who attend the camp said they come from all walks of life. Some are doctors, teachers, judges and police officials.

But they said once the uniforms and clothing come off, they’re all the same.

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