“It’s a feeling of freedom, naked and vulnerable, but also very powerful in a natural environment, what more could you ask for?” If it is up to chairperson Elly Kaats, many more people should use the Naturist area Zon en Leven in Starnmeer. The association is struggling with an aging population and is looking for young recruits. During an open day, the association literally exposes itself tomorrow to recruit new members.
The site, in a wooded area in the middle of the polder with no less than 80 camping pitches, a swimming pool and a sauna, is maintained by the members themselves. And those members are slowly getting older by the day. “That is starting to play a role,” says Kaats. “We are therefore looking for active, young members who want to roll up their sleeves.”
Why then do those young members stay away until now? Kaats believes that social media in particular play an important role in this. With those phone calls everywhere, you are suddenly on the internet before you know it. However, Kaats reassures future holidaymakers: “You don’t have to worry about that with us, there is a strict ban on photography and filming. And whether you’re fat or thin, old or young, everyone is welcome here.”
NH was given a tour of the campsite – albeit with clothes on.
Naturist association Starnmeer exposes itself during open day – NH News
Zon en Leven in Starnmeer is not the only naturist site that opens its doors to the public. The association participates in the National Open Day Nude Recreation. This day is organized annually by NFN Open & Bloot, the advocate for nude recreation in the Netherlands.
The open day in Starnmeer takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Everyone is welcome, with or without clothes,” says Kaats. “We hope we can receive a lot of people.” With an expected temperature of 30 degrees, it will certainly not be due to the weather.
prudery?
About 2.5 million Dutch people sometimes spend their free time naked. For example on a nudist beach, on vacation, in the sauna or in the backyard. Interest organization NFN Open & Bloot therefore contradicts that there is increasing prudishness in the Netherlands.
A study in 2019 shows that the number of Dutch nude recreationists has been stable for years. The membership of NFN has also increased in recent years. People have become a bit more careful about exposing themselves in front of others.
The advent of phones with cameras and increasing body shaming social media are important causes of this, according to NFN on their website. “That has nothing to do with prudishness in itself, but everything to do with digital vulnerability and a judgmental society.”