First Visit
Welcome to Lake Edun!
This website contains a tremendous amount of information about us and about naturism. On this page, we have assembled the most common questions that people ask on their first visit.
- How long will it take to become comfortable?
- Do I have to undress right away?
- Do I have to be nude all the time?
- Where do I look when talking to someone?
- What if I meet someone I know?
- What should I bring?
- What if I get an erection?
- What if I am menstruating?
- Won’t it desensitize me to sexuality?
- What if I don’t look good enough to be nude?
- What is the difference between a nudist and a naturist?
- Are body piercings allowed?
- What are the rules?
- What about children?
- Where are you located?
- What are your hours?
- What is there to do while I’m there?
- I’m single, can you help me meet someone?
- I am looking to be more sexually adventurous, is this the place to do it?
- Helpful Resources
How long will it take to become comfortable?
Everyone is different. Some feel instantaneously comfortable when they shed their clothing. Others need more time to adjust. We all know that logically, there is no reason to be uncomfortable with our bodies. But emotionally that’s a different story. We have gone through years of socialization which has taught us to be embarrassed, ashamed and even offended by our own image. Naturism is a form of therapy to help us reconnect with ourselves. When it comes to our bodies, many of us have the symptoms of an emotional disorder called a phobia (gymnophobia: fear of nudity). To treat a phobia, you need to first recognize it. Then treatment is all about desensitization through exposure (pardon the pun). So it may take a person many visits to get comfortable and it may take some effort. Likely it will be an ongoing form of therapy since few of us live in a naturist world. In mainstream society, we are constantly bombarded with messages that reinforce gymnophobia. But naturism does provide an antidote. It should be taken liberally and frequently. Fortunately, it becomes quite delightful with time. In fact, it can be addictive but only with positive side effects.
For those with a strong religious foundation, God made man in HIS image. This would seem to be a good thing; something to be proud of. It is common for people to cover up or try to hide those things they are ashamed of. If we truly reflect God’s image, why would we possibly be ashamed of that?
Do I have to undress right away?
We understand that people new to naturism need some time to adjust. Our policy is if one member of a couple gets nude, the other may remain clothed on your first visit. Typically, the remaining clothed partner gets undressed after 10-20 minutes and enjoys the remainder of their visit nude.
Open House
During the summer, Lake Edun host a monthly Open House for those curious about experiencing Lake Edun and naturism.
Do I have to be nude all the time?
We believe that naturism is a life philosophy with physical, psychological, social and moral benefits. We try to live a naturist life and nudity is key to body acceptance and an integral part of our naturist creed. As such, we are not clothing-optional. Clothing is worn only for protection.
You may also want to read the page that explains Why Nudity is Required.
Where do I look when talking to someone?
Of course, the polite thing to do is to look at people in the eyes when you are talking to them. But it is okay and normal to look at the entire body. Out of curiosity you may initially look longer at others’ genitals and breasts when you are new to naturism. Just try not to stare. In time, you’ll be less curious about these areas and concentrate again on the face and eyes.
What if I meet someone I know?
They are there for the same reason you are so nobody should be embarrassed. They will probably be happy to see a friendly face that shares their interest in naturism.
What should I bring?
Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a towel to sit on and perhaps a second towel to dry off after swimming. You may also want to bring something to eat and drink (no glass or glass containers, please), a book to read, sandals or good walking shows to enjoy our miles of trails and a bag to carry everything around.
To register you will need to bring cash or pre-purcahse a day pass in our online shop and photo identification.
What if I get an erection?
This is the most common concern among men but it is also a very rare occurrence. The combination of the non-sexual environment and the unfamiliarity of a first-time visit serves to minimize the issue. But an erection is a natural part of life. Naturists realize this and will not take offense as long as it is not being flaunted. If you get an erection, a strategically placed towel, a dip in the lake, or rolling over on your stomach will take care of it.
What if I am menstruating?
Menstruation is a natural and accepted part of life. Many naturist women use tampons, which allow them to take part in naturist activities unhindered. Some women who are not comfortable with tampons use alternatives like menstrual cups. If you prefer to use sanitary napkins, wearing bottoms is perfectly acceptable. However, since wet pads lose all ability to absorb menses, expand, and begin to disintegrate, you cannot go into the lake or sauna while wearing your bottoms.
If you chose clothing to control your period, please make sure that the item is consistent with naturist values. In other words, it should not be enticing or suggestive. It should not serve as a fashion accessory. Please select an item that is subtle and functional.
Won’t it desensitize me to sexuality?
Sexuality is in the mind, after all our brain is the largest sex organ. People are aroused at seeing nudity because their minds have been trained that way. But if that was the only source of sexual arousal, couples would lose their sex drive very quickly. Yet couples still report a satisfying sexual relationship even after decades together. Naturists dispense with the artificiality of a sexuality based on hidden body parts. Instead they can focus on a complex and intimate sexuality. For some, this can actually improve their sexual relationship. Furthermore, naturists are comfortable with nudity so they don’t experience any self-consciousness about their body.
What if I don’t look good enough to be nude?
The fact you are asking yourself the question is exactly why you need to experience naturism. Naturists take their clothes off for themselves and out of respect for others. Each person is unique and there’s no such thing as a perfect body. Naturism is a form of therapy that will help you realize that bodies comes in all shapes and sizes. With time, you’ll come to appreciate that older bodies also reveal the marks of a well-lived life.
What is the difference between a nudist and a naturist?
Which term is used depends partially on where you are. In Europe, the term “naturist” is used almost exclusively while “nudist” is often derogatory. In the United States, most people who attend clubs call themselves nudists because they belong to the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) who uses the term “nudist”. Americans who go to free beaches tend to prefer to identify themselves as “naturists” because historically, the Naturist Society (TNS) has been the biggest defender of free beaches in the United States.
At Lake Edun, we believe that naturism more accurately conveys what the movement is all about. Our philosophy is much more than just taking your clothes off and the term “nudist” suggests that it is only about nudity. It is a life philosophy with physical, psychological, social and moral benefits. Furthermore, we argue that it is not about nudity. It is about respect for self, for others and for nature. It is about being more natural. But clearly nudity is a critical tool that we use to achieve those goals.
Yet many people who call themselves nudists still clearly hold naturist values. So what matters most is what a person believes and how they act. For some of our members/visitors, it is simply a recreational activity because they enjoy being free of clothing.
Are body piercings allowed?
Members of the Lake Edun Foundation are interested in promoting body acceptance. Jewelry and body piercing is done to draw attention to ourselves; earrings, for example, are worn to frame one’s face. Since the cornerstone of body acceptance is the ability to be happy with the body nature or our God gave us, it should be unnecessary to enhance this gift. Enhancing one’s genitals with jewelry or piercing of the genital area does not serve to further our goal of body acceptance. Therefore, members, visitors and guests may not wear piercing below the waist, genital jewelry, or sexually suggestive clothing while visit our special place.
What are the rules?
Not that different from what you would find at any campground or country club. Please read our Policies.
What about children?
Children are the most natural naturists. They benefit from naturism in many ways. But people do have many concerns. Which is why we created the page about Children in Naturism.
Where are you located?
Lake Edun is located a few miles southwest of Topeka, Kansas. Visit our Contact page for directions.
What are your hours?
Day visitors are encouraged to make arrangements prior to arrival by emailing nude@lakeedun.com or texting the foundation phone 785-940-0476. The lake is not open every single day especially during the winter months. Please visit our Contact page to arrange your visit if texting is not an option.
Registered overnight visitors (campground) have full access during their stay.
Members have access to the facilities 24 hours per day and 7 days per week.
What is there to do while I’m there?
We have a wide variety of activities available. Please visit our Facilities and Events pages for details.
I’m single, can you help me meet someone?
Lake Edun is a special place where people come to relax and enjoy the benefits of naturism. While there are single adults who visit, they are not likely there because they are trying to meet anyone. In fact, they may be looking for seclusion and an escape from the dating scene. If you do visit Lake Edun, you should be mindful of this possibility when approaching them because your advances could easily be misinterpreted as harassment.
I am looking to be more sexually adventurous, is this the place to do it?
NO!! Despite a century of naturists telling people that naturism is not about sex, this fallacy remains. That’s likely because naturism and nudism have also been continuously exploited. Or, it may be because society seems to equate nudity with sex. Eg. Playboy and other salacious magazines. From the very beginning of the movement, there have been people who have exploited naturists. They go against the very core values of the naturists movement. They objectify naturists bodies and sexualize naturists activities. They turn naturists philosophy into a source of personal gain. (money, sex, power, pride, etc…) Some of them even pander to deviants but conceal themselves beneath the cloak of legitimacy that naturism provides.
People are inherently sexual but a true naturist environment is no more sexual than walking down the street. In the May 1987 edition of the Journal of Sex Research, Dr. Marilyn D. Story concluded that nudists had a lower incidence of deviant sexual behavior than the general population.
Everybody has a first time!
Read about others first time naturist experience.
Adapted from Bare Oaks and The Naturist Society