Naturist park near Ottawa teases new day for first-timers

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Don’t bother dressing up for orientation day at Sunward Naturist Park. You’re expected to wear nothing at all.

On August 17, newcomers to the outdoor retreat 90 minutes from Ottawa can dip a toe — and more — into life au naturel. The invitation is simple: come as you are, leave your inhibitions (and your pants) at the gate.

If the thought of being naked around strangers makes you blush, it could be an opportunity to confront those feelings. Advocates say naturism, or practicing non-sexual social nudity, is about shedding societal norms as much as clothes.

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“You leave your stresses behind with this type of lifestyle. You don’t have biases, you don’t have barriers, physical or emotional, because you’re not clothed,” said Susan W., a long-standing Sunward member who prefers not to give her full name for privacy reasons. (Even in a world without clothes, some covers are still needed). She will lead the park’s first-ever introductory session.

Susan’s plunge into naturism a decade ago was as unexpected as it was transformative. Inspired by an MTV reality show about dating in the buff, she visited Sunward with her husband to see what outdoor activities might be like in a state of undress. “I was nervous, of course,” she said.

“We all carry preconceived ideas of what (naked) people should look like. But the atmosphere at Sunward was so relaxed and welcoming that by the end of it, we knew we’d found our place.”

Naked ambitions in the Great North

Naturism in Canada, initially part of broader back-to-nature movements like vegetarianism and cycling, carved out a niche as a health-focused lifestyle from the start, according to Mary-Ann Shantz, author of What Nudism Exposes: An Unconventional History of Postwar Canada.

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“The movement emerged in Europe in response to the crowded and polluted cities that came with industrialization,” Shantz explained. “But it didn’t take off in Canada until after World War II, driven largely by European immigrants.”

In its early days, naturism was a small and cautious movement. “Initially, a lot of clubs were quite secretive because they worried that if they were exposed, they might face discrimination or efforts to shut them down,” Shantz said. That fear wasn’t unfounded, especially in Quebec, where nudist activities faced opposition. In the early 1950s, a sting operation in Montreal led to the shutdown of a club under the pretext that the gathering of six non-family member adults constituted a public assembly. As a result, Quebec naturists often travelled to Ontario or south of the border to find more accepting environments.

Clubs mostly formed in urban areas, where privacy was limited, and communal solutions were necessary. “You didn’t see them in the countryside where people could be nude on their own land,” Shantz said. Instead, city dwellers would band together, sometimes renting out pools or finding lakes where they could gather socially, naked. Meetups were also promoted as ways to help members’ children become “well-adjusted” adults, comfortable in their own skin.

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“These clubs built themselves as respectable and not rebellious. They tried to assert, ‘Hey, if you’re parents and you care about your kids, we’re a respectable movement. We’re a safe place.’”

By 1960, there were about 20 clubs nationwide, where strict guidelines often governed behaviour to maintain a polished image. “A lot of them banned physical contact,” Shantz noted, citing concerns over the potential implications and public opinion. “Many also banned alcohol because they didn’t want the perception of inappropriate behaviour.”

Some clubs out west even hosted open house days where local politicians, clergy, and community members could see what they were about and show they had nothing to hide.

Meanwhile, places like Meech Lake became hotspots for more informal nude bathing, reflecting the era’s growing desire for personal freedom. Clothing-optional Wreck Beach in B.C. and Hanlan’s Point on Toronto Island embraced a laissez-faire approach to nudity. “They had the attitude, ‘I’m not hurting anyone; I should be able to take my clothes off in this space if I want to,” said Shantz.

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While the naturist movement operates through clubs that maintain a regulated environment with membership screening and structured social engagement, casual locations attract those seeking a more spontaneous and individualistic experience. Although they share common themes of freedom and body positivity, formal clubs and informal bathing spots are “related but distinct,” Shantz said.

Despite the movement’s emphasis on health and community, public perceptions can still skew toward the sensational, she added.

Sometimes, less is more

Common misperceptions of naturism range from benign confusion to outright scandal. “A lot of people think that it’s a cult. They think it’s pornography or a religion… that it’s like exhibitionism, and it’s not,” Susan explained. At Sunward, the focus is on comfort, health, and respect for oneself and the environment — it’s not salacious in any way, she said.

Susan finds it exhilarating to be outdoors, soaked in sunshine or swept by the elements. “There’s nothing like swimming in the lake when it’s raining,” she said. “You don’t have to worry.”

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Connection to nature is reflected in how the park operates, powered by solar energy and governed by principles of sustainability. “We’re pretty much environmentalists in our community. Anything that we do on the lake has to be pollution-free,” said Susan.

Keeping active or unwinding is easy at the park near Calabogie. “We have kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards available for anyone who wants to be out on the water,” Susan said. There are also potluck dinners, bonfires, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness sessions. The only required cover-up is a towel — for the seats, not the bodies. Modesty may be optional, but hygiene isn’t.

New members undergo a vetting process, including a questionnaire and a discussion with the camp’s owners. Everyone who visits has to understand and respect the community’s values. “There are security measures in place to make people feel secure, and the owners always keep an eye (on the site),” said Susan.

Orientation day will ease visitors into the lifestyle. The cost for the session is $50, which aligns with the day or overnight camping fee for regular members, tax included, and no additional fees.

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The day begins with a talk outlining the principles of naturism, followed by a Q&A session where newcomers can address any lingering doubts or curiosities. Activities like volleyball and swimming are woven into the schedule. “We don’t expect everyone to dive in headfirst,” Susan said. “There’s plenty of encouragement and support, and people can participate as much or as little as they feel comfortable.”

Throughout the day, newcomers will find opportunities to connect with long-time members. As the sun sets, participants will gather to discuss their experiences. “We’ll have a debriefing session where everyone can share their thoughts and feelings,” she said.

All undressed with somewhere to go

Aside from environmental benefits, naturism is touted by its advocates for mental and physical health advantages. Exposure to sunlight is celebrated for its vitamin D benefits, and for battling conditions like psoriasis and eczema.

Inclusivity is also a point of pride. The park welcomes individuals of all backgrounds, which Susan said facilitates a rapid dismantling of prejudices: “We have every walk of life — scars, tattoos, you know breasts missing because they’ve had mastectomies… You get very comfortable very quickly because you realize, ‘Oh, it isn’t the way bodies are portrayed in magazines.’”

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Strict rules regarding photography help maintain a secure environment, and all members go through a registration process. “We don’t allow cameras. Cell phones are not to be anywhere where they could be pointing at anyone,” Susan said.

It’s within this framework of trust and openness that Sunward’s orientation day is designed. Susan views the event as a key step in destigmatizing a lifestyle that she believes offers profound benefits. “Our objective is to introduce more families, couples, and singles to an alternative approach to their struggles — whether it’s with body image or mental health,” she said.

Historian Mary-Ann Shantz notes that in recent years more naturist clubs are grappling with the “greying of their membership” and striving to appeal to “generations who may favour individualism over communal experiences.”

Clubs are focusing on drawing in younger participants, including those with children, she said, to ensure the future of the movement. “Some have managed to adapt, attracting new members looking for safe and inclusive spaces,” she said.

As Susan prepares for Sunward’s first orientation day, her hope is that more people will find a place of leisure and a community where they can be themselves, unencumbered by the layers that society so often demands we wear.

smisenheimer@postmedia.com

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