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40 years, 'no risk of tan lines'

Crocus Grove resort marks anniversary

By: Arielle Godbout

19/07/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 6

Naturalists Bill and Mary lounge at the pool at the Crocus Grove RV Park and Campground.

MIKE.APORIUS@FREEPRESS.MB.CA Enlarge Image

Naturalists Bill and Mary lounge at the pool at the Crocus Grove RV Park and Campground.

In 1985, Susan Upton-Ryynanen and her husband Ray Ryynanen set out on an eight-hour trek from Thunder Bay to Crocus Grove, Manitoba's oldest clothing-optional resort, located in Beausejour.

"We have a Finnish background, and the Finns go to sauna with family members. We go with our parents when we're kids and we're nude in the sauna, so nudity really isn't a big deal in our culture," Upton-Ryynanen explained.

Her husband was the one who first heard about Crocus Grove, and the couple set off to visit and see if the resort was a place they could bring their children and have the same positive experience with nudity.

"We wanted to investigate and see if the culture that we grew up in, this wholesome culture, was really what (Crocus Grove) was about," Upton-Ryynanen said. "When we met the owners, we immediately knew they were very genuine in their naturism and their support of naturism."

And while the years have passed -- with Crocus Grove celebrating its 40th anniversary this year -- Upton-Ryynanen and other longtime members said the family-friendly atmosphere has remained.

Crocus Grove was opened in 1969 by Leon Prucyk and his wife Evelyn, who established the Crocus Grove Sun Club -- the social arm of the resort -- at the same time.

Cabins, RVs and tents are nestled together in one corner of the 45-acre property. At the other end there's a minigolf course and a sand-filled volleyball court, where a group of unclad players serves and dives for the ball, leaving nothing to the imagination.

Smack in the middle sits the Crocus Grove clubhouse with a hot tub inside and a crystal-blue pool outside.

It's here that most people gathered on a bright Saturday afternoon -- some lounging fully naked in the sunshine, others sitting by the poolside in T-shirts and shorts, and others in a stage of undress somewhere in between.

"No risk of tan lines," quips one nude sunbather.

Most members are couples who join in their late 30s, and often the women are more reluctant to disrobe, said Upton-Ryynanen.

"Body image is the most important thing that people seem to be worried about these days, because everyone is supposed to be young and slim and beautiful, and this is the most accepting place you'll ever find of personal body image because we all accept that everyone is different."

She said another common fear among first-time patrons is they'll be unable to stop themselves from gawking at the unclothed bodies surrounding them -- but those who do show up find their concern is often unfounded.

"When you talk to someone, you look at their eyes and their facial expressions," Upton-Ryynanen explained.

Rita L. joined Crocus Grove with her family when she was just 15 in 1977. At the time the Sun Club ran winter events at a Winnipeg YMCA when the campground closed down for the season.

"We were, as kids, a little unsure of what to expect when we went to the first swim," she said. "Right away you felt comfortable with these people, you got to go swimming and didn't have to wear a bathing suit. There was a very welcoming atmosphere."

When she got married and had children, she brought her kids to Crocus Grove, and now her grandkids come, too.

Rita was one of many Crocus Grove patrons who spoke openly about the freedom that comes with going nude, but didn't want to be identified by her last name because the reaction from acquaintances is sometimes filled with confusion when she reveals her pastime.

Upton-Ryynanen said that same confusion sometimes surfaces about Crocus Grove in general.

"There's a lot of misconception about what we might be," she explained. "It's simply camping with the option to camp nude or swim nude, and that's really the only difference between us and any other campground."

arielle.godbout@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 19, 2009 A4

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6 Commentscomment icon

I agree with Lady204. You always wander in clothing optional centres who is the true naturist and who is not. I have been naturist now for 38 yrs and we, my wife and I, visit naturists camps only. If you are not ready to shed your clothes, then, stay home. But in places like Manitoba, where I think there is only one club,you don't have the option. Anyways, it was a great article and I have to say naturist life is so natural. It is amazing to hear all the comments, prejudices, jokes and the negative attitudes of our clothed materialistic society. We accept the people the way they are, scarred, amputated, with mastectomy, stretch marks, beautifull, old, young, physically normal, etc. Yes, we accept them in all their humility and simpleness. We raised our kids as naturists, now adults and spread over this globe, and we do not regret this one bit. They are even gratefull to us that we did.
Félicitations, Arielle pour cet article. Each year, the Fondation naturiste du Québec, the Federation of Canadian Naturists and the Fédération québecoise de naturisme awards a prize to the best article published in a non naturist paper or magazine, one in english print and one in french print. Your's will be sent for evaluation next year among others printed this year. The 2008 winners in english and in french will be announced at the Canadian Naturist Festival held at Bare Oaks near Toronto at the beginning of August.

Lady204: Let me address your concerns. Before someone can join, they must obtain what's called a Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Search Certificate from the law enforcement agency in their place of residence, the Winnipeg Police Service for most of us. Such searches include any pardoned morals offences that a standard search would not report. The same type search is required for employees or volunteers working with children or the handicapped. Prospective members put their certificates in sealed envelopes and these are passed to our Security Monitor who is an ex-military type. The verification process can involve more than meets the eye. Certificates are returned to the submitter in a sealed envelope. Also, cameras are forbidden in camp, and cell phones with built-in cameras MUST be left in vehicles. Further, overt sexual behaviour of ANY kind in the open, even between spouses/partners is prohibited, though obviously what goes on between consenting adults in the privacy of their accommodation is permissible. 'Male arousal' with others present results in immediate eviction and banning. Many men fear this happening spontaneously, especially when they're new out there, but it's a non-sexual setting and somehow that makes all the difference in the world. I've never seen it happen, even with new young males. Also, all members police the rules.
On a lighter note...you're absolutely right about nude swimming. It's quite a treat to be free of chafing, binding swimwear.


I think it would be much more comfortable to swim in the buff. But I have to ask: Is there any type of screening for members? I just wonder if the resort is ever tainted by someone who is there for the wrong reasons. Ex. pediphials or other sexually disturbed persons...

Yo 'margoon'! As someone whose skin crawls (figuratively) when 'lubed up' with sunscreen, I ease into tanning but have still gotten a few sunburns at Crocus, including some lying flat on my back. Oddly enough, 'down there' has never been a problem. Check out our website http://www.crocusgrove.com/index.html and pop out for a visit. Visitors are always welcome! See for yourself that that area is not a high risk zone.

Too bad it wasn't pointed out that Sue & Ray's odyssey recently culminated in their purchase of Crocus Grove or that none of Freep photographer Mike Aporius' pics were used. About 60 people from infants to seniors sat down to devour the celebratory 85 pound roasted pig, perogies, salads, cake, ice cream and fruit. Miraculously, the weather cooperated.

There is a downside to being naked during the summer (this is for the men). Sunburn in the 'you know where' can be most unpleasent.

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