Sunsport Gardens Youth Camp

Naturist Society Youth Camp

By Sandra Reamer

If you are a family with children 18 and under and are looking for 8 fun-filled days of acceptance, growth, freedom and fun, all you need to do is come to Sunsport Gardens Family Naturist Resort in July. Each year in July Sunsport Gardens in Loxahatchee Groves, Florida, hosts The Naturist Society’s youth camp. Last summer we hosted the Third Annual Naturist Society Youth Camp.

As Youth Camp Director, each year I have learned ways to do things better for the next year. The Youth Camp is not just a place for children to learn new things, learn body acceptance, play games, go to the beach, or even embrace a lifestyle. I have learned that this experience is a family reunion. This year we had a total of 18 children which included all of the children and families that attended last year’s Youth Camp. With everyone returning and new families joining, I have learned that this is the one time as parents we can watch and experience this lifestyle choice with our children to its fullest potential. All the families that come to Youth Camp express their struggles with finding a place that accepts families with children and more specifically a place where many families gather in one place so that the children have other children with whom to do things. Youth Camp is this time! Families from all over the country gather together to embrace our lifestyle choice to its fullest. Campers enjoy reuniting and meeting friends from all over the country - and all the activities that are planned are just a bonus!

There are so many activities that it is hard to say that any one was more fun than the next because all the activities had a different kind of fun. All week we enjoyed the pool, activities all over camp, canoeing and kayaking. We even had a canoe in the pool. Every day of the week we also enjoyed telling stories, making s’mores and tenting around the campfire. Somehow, every day we managed to get our bodies covered in paint. From body imprints to a slip-n-slide that required paint not bubbles! If it wasn’t paint we had syrup on us from a twisted game of twister! Oh, and let’s not forget tye-dye! Each day we enjoyed an ice cream social which was cool and refreshing. The final ice cream social had us with more ice cream on us than in us! Throughout the week we participated in workshops that included body acceptance, being proud of who we are, conflict resolution, getting along with pets, existing with nature, first aid, animation, 2 nights of karaoke, a dance, movie night, water balloon fights, and one very fun filled day at Haulover Beach (with a great lunch provided by South Florida Free Beaches), which was followed by a pizza party and a swim back at Sunsport.

At the camp, all the children grow in self-confidence, independence, creativity and skills while having great fun. Leading the Youth Camp is a joyful experience. At the end of each year I am filled with pride for each camper, sadness that it is over, and glee that it all will happen again next year. Our Family Reunion.

Check out Sunsport’s website, www.sunsportgardens.com, for Youth Camp photos and a great claymation video created by the campers. Next summer’s Naturist Society Youth Camp will be held Sunday, July 18, through Sunday, July 25. Campers are welcome with or without their families. For information and registration, check Sunsport’s website or contact me at youthcamp@sunsportgardens.com or (561) 215-5718. There will also be a Mini-Youth Camp during the Midwinter Naturist Festival, February 11-16, at Sunsport Gardens.

Welcome to our Third Annual
Sunsport Gardens Family Naturist Resort Youth Camp
July 18 through July 25, 2010

Attention all naturist youth campers: here we go again! Bring your bug spray and a whole lot of sunscreen because this is a clothes-free camping experience. Sunsport Gardens Family Naturist Resort in Loxahatchee Groves, Florida, is proud to be hosting The Naturist Society’s Third Annual Youth Camp. We invite you to come enjoy eight fun filled days at Sunsport Gardens Family Naturist Resort. The camp program emphasizes body acceptance and the development of a positive body image which will enhance self-esteem. Campers will also develop positive relationships and learn naturist ideals.

During this fun filled week, campers will be living in tents. Campers will participate in workshops that will help them to feel good about themselves, encourage team work and develop new friendships. Activities during this fun filled week will include body acceptance games, sing-a-longs, swimming in Sunsport Gardens pool, arts and crafts, outdoor sports like wiffle ball, tug of war, and slip-n-slide (all with an interesting messy twist), dancing, karaoke, a ten foot sundae, nightly campfires with s’mores, and many opportunities to explore Sunsport Gardens’ 40 acres of natural beauty. We also have a planned day trip to clothing optional Haulover Beach. This is to just name a few!

The camp is designed for young people of all ages. For the very young special arrangements will need to be made with the parents to ensure a positive camp experience. For the older camper, we encourage your help as counselors. Parents, especially those of young campers, are encouraged and welcome to stay at Sunsport Gardens during the week of Youth Camp.

Without exception campers will grow in independence, self-reliance and creativity and will develop strong bonds and lasting new friendships, all while having a wonderful fun-filled time that they will always remember.

Sunsport Gardens Family Naturist Resort, located 14 miles west of West Palm Beach, offers volleyball, tennis, horseshoes, and petanque, an 87 degree heated swimming pool, hot tub spa, sauna, restaurant, fishing and kayaking ponds, a children’s playground, and a jungle nature trail on 40 acres of lush, tropical vegetation.

Accommodations include: tenting around the camp fire for children attending camp (if you have a tent please bring one, if not some will be available). Parents/Guardians accommodations include RV sites, tent camping, a limited number of cabins, all at an affordable rate. There are also affordable rates at nearby bed and breakfasts and motels. Parents, if you plan to stay at Sunsport Gardens during this exciting event please call our office to make arrangements for your stay.

Sunday July 18
Check In, Registration and Reservations

Registration: The registration fee is small per child for eight fun-filled days of fun, growth and community; this includes all meals. (Financial aide may be available: no one will be excluded due to finances.) The deadline for enrollment will be July 1, 2010. If your have any questions, need to make financial arrangements, miss the enrollment date, or want to volunteer to help, please contact Camp Director Sandra Reamer.

Grounds Fees: During Youth Camp, Sunsport Gardens Naturist Resort grounds fees per day are charged per adult (unless other arrangements have been made with the camp director). Included in this packet is a list of camping fees for parents that wish to stay at Sunsport Gardens during this event. Advanced registration is needed to aide in the planning of this event. Mail the pre-registration form along with the applicable fees to: Sunsport Gardens, 14125 North Road, Loxahatchee, FL 33470. When you arrive, you will first check-in at our Main Office located at the entrance of the grounds, parking is across from the Office trailer. Even if you have sent an advance pre-registration parents or guardians will be expected to show photo identification.

Camping: Children attending Youth Camp will be tenting at our fire circle. If you have a tent, please bring it with you, if not, don’t worry, we will have some to spare. Any parents/guardians who wish to stay at Sunsport Gardens Naturist Resort during Youth camp should make reservations now. Sunsport has limited on-site lodging in cabins and small trailers and will be reserved on a first come first serve basis. Call Sunsport Gardens at 1-800-551-7217 to check availability and rental prices. Payment for camping or lodging and grounds fees at Sunsport should be included with your registration.

Meals: All campers will have meals provided for them. Lunches will be available for any field trips. Please inform Sunsport Gardens of dietary needs such as food allergies. Parents/Guardians are welcome to join us (at an additional cost) at our on site restaurant “Le Behr Café”.

Sunsport Information: All buildings are smoke free. Alcoholic beverages are not available: adults may bring their own. Naturist etiquette is expected. Sports equipment is available. Sunsport Gardens is wheelchair accessible. During the Youth Camp nudity is required by all. For more information on Sunsport call 1-800-551-7217 or look at our web site www.sunsportgardens.com. For more information on Youth Camp leave a message for Sandra Reamer, Youth Director, or e-mail her at youthcamp@sunsportgardens.com.