Nudism, as a way of life, has flashed across the big screen in films such as “Eurotrip” and “Wanderlust” since the 1960s. But like most things, nudism in real life is different than nudism in Hollywood.
“If I go to the grocery store, generally I will be wearing something to the grocery store,” Margie Cantlon said. “Going to church, we’ll probably wear clothes. If we are cold, we’ll put something on.”
Cantlon, a practicing nudist, said her mother cried when her daughter took up the no-clothes lifestyle. Mike and Teri Capshaw received a sympathy card, when they declared their nudist ways.
Northern Idaho may not be known for its free spirit tendencies, but Worley, Idaho — approximately an hour north of Moscow — is home to a nudist community.
Sun Meadow Family Nudist Community and Resort is located on 75 acres of wooded land just outside the small town.
“We grew up in Idaho,” said Mike, co-founder of Sun Meadow. “The Northwest is our home.”
Sun Meadow almost fell apart before it got started. When the Capshaws began the community in 1998, a local citizen brought a lawsuit against them, Teri said. This local believed the Capshaws and their resort were breaking zoning laws. Teri said she thinks they just wanted to avoid development in the area.
But the court ruled with the Capshaws and their community came into existence.
Everyone is comfortable by themselves nude, Teri said, but being nude in front of others is something people lose touch with as they age.
“You have to teach children shame,” Teri said. “If you are not taught that the body is something to be ashamed of, then they are as unafraid as anybody. They are enthusiastic to go without clothes.”
Teri said she thinks of nudism as any other aspect of being healthy. It is the same as good nutrition and exercise, and she does not see it as any more odd or fringe than being vegan.
“It’s just naturism,” Teri said. “It’s good for your body, and it’s good for your soul.”
Cantlon, a partner in the resort, said that without the protection of clothing, people are more vulnerable, but they are also more willing to share their stories. She said there is no way of telling a janitor from a doctor without their respective attire.
“They are just all people so you share yourself — what you have inside, your own core,” Cantlon said. “Nudity becomes insignificant. You just don’t notice it after a while.”
The Capshaws agreed that without clothes, or “borders and barriers,” people look normal. Whether they are short, tall, skinny or fat, they just look normal, Teri said.
And no one is judging them, Mike added.
“When you take your clothes off you feel rather vulnerable, especially women,” Teri said.
In a nudist community, though, women do not need to feel vulnerable, Teri said. Men are not looking at them with any lewd intent, she said.
Mike said that when people ask him about nudism he tells them to imagine going to the beach on a beautiful day, but then someone says to wear boots.
“It’s not a bad day on the beach with boots, but it sure would be a whole lot nicer barefoot,” Mike said.
“It’s a really big dream to have a home right in a nudist community,” Cantlon said. “We don’t have to drive three or four hours just to relax.”
Sun Meadow is open year-round to anyone willing to leave their clothes at the door.
Written by Claire Whitley
Robby
I’m new to trying to be a nudist. But as a young male in college, it is looked at as being creepy. How do I find communities to try to connect to?
Max
Beautiful place