Nudists Rollick About Big Farm At Scotchtown
(Middletown Times Herald, 8 August 1933)

Tucked away in the rolling hills of Orange County, two miles above Scotchtown, is what is said by its proprietors to be the foremost nudist colony in the United States. A visit yesterday disclosed the fact that it has been operating quietly on the old Wickham Rockefellow estate since the middle of May. Yesterday there were half a dozen sun-tan males and at least one female disporting themselves in the small lakes and wandering about the shore with nothing but sun glasses to protect them from the burning rays of the sun or curious human eyes.

Entrance to the camp is through the carriage house of the farm, the huge rolling doors of which bear a legend instructing all who pass through to “Please close.” Down through the barnyard and across the gentle slopes of the farm automobile tracks lead to a small artificial lake some two or three acres in extent. On the other side of the lake are three or four bungalows.

Here, far from prying eyes of the world, those who believe in nudism enjoy the beauties of nature and offer their bodies to the healing rays of heavenly light. After making the journey unmolested to the far side of the lake a reporter finally was stopped and asked to remain in his car until Mr. Burke, in charge of the camp colony, could be summoned.

Mr. Burke appeared shortly, and after looking over the credentials of the reporter agreed to tell something about the colony, which is known as Camp Olympia. According to his statement, Camp Olympia (now in its second season) is the first American resort publicly dedicated to the practice of nudism.

Last year, Mr. Burke said, the camp was near Highland [in Sullivan County]. Within three weeks of its opening, he said, it became the most widely known camp in the United States. For the season of 1933, he continued, the management decided not to return to its location last year, primarily because of its distance from New York. As a result the 500-acre Rockefellow farm was chosen for this season’s activities, and since May fifteenth Camp Olympia has been within a few miles of Middletown.

“Camp Olympia should not be confused with the various sanatoria or rest cure resorts where sun bathing is practiced as part of the curative regimen,” said Mr. Burke. “Camp Olympia is concerned primarily with keeping people well; then, provided their presence at our camp does not endanger the health of others, with convalescence of semi-individuals.”

“The Olympian League, sponsor of Camp Olympia, is fundamentally a health organization. Our ideal is the achievement of a sane, balanced life in harmony with the laws of nature and its forces, as distinguished from man-made civilization.”

There was no attempt on the part of any of those present to conceal themselves. Three men were on the lakes, one in a boat and two on a raft. Another strolled around the far edge of the lake clothed in a pair of trunks. Another was at the entrance to the camp wearing only a pair of sun glasses. A few minutes later Mr. Burke appeared nude from head to toe. During the conversation a woman walked by without raiment of any kind except a beach coat carried over one arm.

As the reporter drove away three or four male members of the colony were engaged in a game of deck tennis near one of the dormitories.