Parents with Daughters
-MAR members for 4 years-
My husband and I became nudists about 4 years ago. We had been to a couple of clothing optional resorts, and we wanted to find a club near us so we found Mountain Air Ranch. We have two daughters, and I was reluctant about exposing them to it so we decided to visit MAR and do some research first. We talked with other couples whose children had grown up at MAR and others whose children still came with them regularly. We were very pleased to hear how their children thoroughly enjoyed the place and how well the kids had accepted it. Everyone was very friendly and understanding because they had all been through the same thing with their kids. It was a relief to know we weren't the only ones!
We decided to have a discussion with our girls (who were 7 and 10 at the time) about MAR. We explained what it was like and how it was different from other places. Of course it had a pool, playground, activities and lots of other kids, which were the first things they wanted to know. When we told them how it was different they asked a few questions but didn't seem that concerned. The first time we took them they looked around and saw all the kids in the pool and running around having a good time. Before we knew it they were making new friends.
We did have a discussion with them regarding telling other people about MAR. We discussed how their grandparents, aunts and uncles wouldn't feel comfortable with it and would make incorrect assumptions about it. It wasn't something they'd grown up doing. Our girls are old enough to understand that unfortunately in today's time there will be people who judge you even though they don't know anything about nudity.
Grandparents with Grandkids
-MAR members for 8 years-
Our grandchildren have been going to MAR since they were both infants. They have a well-rounded sense of other people regardless of appearance, and also have a positive feeling about their own bodies. We have never observed any concern about being clothed or nude; it's basically a non-issue with them. We think they are like most kids and just want to play and have friends. Our grandson is almost nine and our granddaughter is six. MAR has an excellent family and children's atmosphere, and activities for children to participate in.
Mother with Sons
-MAR member for 5 years-
My twin sons and I love heading up to the Ranch! Even though at age three you would think that they would be too young to participate in the activities, they still enjoy the fun. The fenced play area is perfect for them with climbing structures, playhouses, sandbox and swings. It's great for me because I can actually enjoy my book knowing they can't get into anything unsafe. The older children at the Ranch are wonderful, always playing with the kids and helping them on the swings or in the sandbox. They love the pool and have learned to enjoy water safely. Every year we can't wait for the season to start to get back!
Parents with Daughter
-MAR members for 6 years-
We basically had no experience with nudism when we first came to Mountain Air Ranch. Our first and only nude experience had been at an adult-only resort in Key West, where the guests were quite colorful, but also nice and informative. Our Key West trip was a positive experience; we loved to lay out naked and decided we would return. However, Hurricane Katrina foiled our plans for a return trip to Key West.
Friends of ours many years earlier had told us about MAR, and we decided it was time to look into it. But we had absolutely no intention of ever including our daughter in our newly found hobby.
Our first year we didn't tell our daughter anything about MAR. Yeah, we saw the kid's room and the playground there, but we thought those must be for the "few" little children who were brought up until they were old enough for preschool or kindergarten. But when school let out that year, we saw more and more children frequent MAR. Not what we ever expected--little ones, elementary school age, high school, and young adults. Maybe we were wrong... We started to become more acquainted with the MAR kids and their parents and grandparents. That summer came and went, and but we still didn't tell our daughter.
Our second year was different. As the children started showing up once again, we became envious and started discussing bringing our daughter. We were so nervous it was pathetic, but one afternoon we asked her if she had any interest in going to a new pool we had joined. She said of course, but asked when had we joined and how long had we been going. When we told her since last year she was mad that we had not told her sooner. We then explained that it is a private pool, and you had to be members to swim there. She was in!
How were we going to explain the rest? We decided to figure it out on our drive up to MAR, and off we went. We were nervous and explained slowly. We started that since it is a private family club that people didn't have to wear clothes at the resort. We also explained to her that it wasn't a secret, just private. Our daughter was amazingly fine with that. What were we so worried about?
Once we got there, the next step was exiting the car and heading to the pool. We pulled her aside and said there is only one rule about clothes, and it was that no one could wear them in the pool or hot tub. She said she was fine with that but might not care to swim. It was a hot day, and the pool area was packed with naked MAR members when we walked in. Once again, our daughter seemed completely unfazed.
We were lying side by side at the pool. I told her if she wanted to just jump in the pool, I would hold her towel in front of her. We offered the same scenario again, and she again declined. Maybe five more minutes, and she said she wanted to get in the pool. Before I could get up and get her towel situated, she was naked and in the pool. She spent many days that summer naked at MAR and having a great time! We sure were nervous that first day, but it's just funny now!
We've been members for 6 years. It's been an enjoyable time for all of us. Our daughter has friends there, and it's safe: it's as if all of the parents are a type of surrogate parent to all of the kids, one big family. And most important, everyone is having a great time!!!!
Grandfather with Grandchildren
-MAR member 20 years-
After raising enough courage to tell my adult daughter that I was a member of MAR, I asked if I could take the two grandkids to MAR in 1996. Both are girls, then ages 4 and 3. They both at first seemed to enjoy MAR and looked forward to future visits. During the 2nd year the older granddaughter started to show a disinterest in visiting MAR, and I respected her choice. The younger granddaughter, however, was always asking to visit MAR, and now (soon to be 18), still loves to visit to this day.
Now I have two additional grandchildren, a boy and another girl, ages 8 and 5. The only time I get a rest from them asking me to take them to MAR is from Thanksgiving Day to about the time the last Christmas present has been opened!! It doesn't matter if it's a non-event weekend or a Family Day, they can't get enough of the place. MAR has an excellent program for kids, and the facilities are very kid friendly.
Parents with Daughters
-MAR members for 4 years-
We learned about MAR in some Nude Recreation book many years ago, in the late 90's. My husband introduced me to nudism back when we were in our 20's, and we had been to many free beaches over the years, but not to an actual resort dedicated to nude recreation. So we thought we'd give MAR a try.
I think the first time we went was in '98 and I was 7 or 8 months pregnant. I was comfortable immediately (as soon as I was comfortable enough to take my clothes off). We were welcomed and people came up to talk to us--an easy conversation piece was my big belly. Soon after I delivered we moved overseas for six years. By the time we returned back to Colorado I had another girl.
Time went by and we remembered MAR and decided to go again. This time we took our girls. They were about 5 and 9 years old. I was hesitant because we were comfortable, but what should we tell the girls or how should we prepare them? Well, we explained to them that "we are going to a place where it is ok to be naked and other people are too; it's natural; don't stare; women and men are all different looking; just like when mommy and daddy are home, you see us naked." We have told our girls that going to MAR is a private activity that we do as a family.
At first the girls were a little hesitant, but took their clothes off fairly soon after we arrived and were comfortable as the day progressed. Each day since then they have been fine with it and felt welcomed and that no one cared or stared at them. Over the last several years, we learned of Family Days. That sure helped us get acquainted with other parents, and the kids could get to know one another too. Plus our kids enjoyed most of the activities.
Over the last couple of years we have shared our interest in nudism and that we belong to MAR to some close friends and a few family members. The girls haven't shared it at all. They don't want to because they fear what the other kids will say because it's out of the norm. As a family we're not sure which other families will understand it--we have some friends and family members of a different generation who aren't very open minded to things. Plus, because of my husband's work we aren't able to 'advertise' that we are part of a nudist community.
We enjoy our time at MAR, being involved in the kid activities, and visiting with the friends we have made there.