Nudist Community

A nudist community (or in Europe, naturist community) is an intentional community comprising nudists/naturists who choose to live together on a permanent basis where it is understood that no clothes will be worn. Check out Naturist Community

The term nudist colony was once a term for nudist communities, especially among non-nudists, but is eschewed by most nudists/naturists due to negative connotations that became associated with the term. There are two objections to the term: the term nudist is not used by European naturists - it connotes a lack of the family-oriented cooperative philosophy, though this connotation does not seem to apply in North America, and the word colony is politically connected with imperialism and authoritarianism, and in such terms as leper colony - by implication, a place for undesirables. It is different in Francophone communities. In France, many communes invested in landed sites by the sea for summer recreation both by adults and children. These were named "colonie des vacances". Most French school children would spend a week or more each summer at a colonie, which are in many ways analogous to the American summer camp. The international links within naturism explain how the term arose.

Modern naturist resorts, camps and parks often cater to vacationers and/or day visitors and thus may not have a community of naturists who live on site on a permanent basis (other than possibly the owners/operators). Such places that cater to families all demand an INF card as identification and have child protection policies. Common activities in nudist/naturist centres include swimming and tennis or miniten.

A related concept is a naturist village, such as the one at Cap d'Agde or the CHM Montalivet, which has permanent residents.

A nudist colony features in the 1964 Inspector Clouseau film A Shot in the Dark.


Famous quotes containing the words nudist and/or community:

    Reporters for tabloid newspapers beat a path to the park entrance each summer when the national convention of nudists is held, but the cult’s requirement that visitors disrobe is an obstacle to complete coverage of nudist news. Local residents interested in the nudist movement but as yet unwilling to affiliate make observations from rowboats in Great Egg Harbor River.
    —For the State of New Jersey, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)

    I don’t think Dr. King helped racial harmony, I think he helped racial justice. What I profess to do is help the oppressed and if I cause a load of discomfort in the white community and the black community, that in my opinion means I’m being effective, because I’m not trying to make them comfortable. The job of an activist is to make people tense and cause social change.
    Al, Reverend Sharpton (b. 1954)