«Practice of appearing completely naked in public, especially considering that nakedness complete is convenient for a perfect physical and moral balance», that is the definition of «nudism» from the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy.
But in Indian Hillsthe only one nudist park from Louisiana, United States, they have their own concept. The 22 hectare property is open to the public since 1971and under the camping modality it offers the possibility of spending the day, a weekend, or even a monthly stay.
Away from neighbors, it sits in a lush forest off Gause Boulevard West near Slidell. The complex has 45 residential plots, as well as parking for motorhomes and mobile cabins, with a total of 107 rental plots.
An area view of Indian Hills, the only nudist park in Louisiana, United States. (Photo: Facebook/IndianHillsNP)It was founded by Gottlieb Kogela man nicknamed «the Professor» for his work as a drawing teacher at Delgado Community College in New Orleans.
Kogel was also a magician and performed shows in the area for more than 40 years, including for visitors to the nudist park, who recognized him by his galley and loved his shows. He died in 2010 at age 93.
Gottlieb Kogel, the founder of Indian Hills, which opened in 1971. (Photo: www.louisiananudist.com)After her death, she left the property to one of her oldest employees and friends, Hilda Kraemer. Together with Selves, the father of her two children, Hilda took the reins of the administration of the property to fulfill the mission entrusted to her: the maintenance of a space for the nudist enjoyment.
The story of «Indian Hills»: social nudity as a flag
It is currently the only nudist park in the state, and they usually receive visitors from neighboring cities. There are even residents who chose to live there permanently.
Adherents of nudism define it as a form of freedom. (Illustrative photo Clarín Archive)The nudist community that attends daily will be the focus of the documentary Human: Naked and Free. It is still in the process of filming, and will be shared on YouTube in the coming months.
The British newspaper The Sun had an exclusive with the current owners, who are nothing more and nothing less than Tim and Stephanie, the couple’s children who inherited the park.
A couple of guests in the Indian Hills pool area. (Photo: Facebook/IndianHillsNP)Tim Kraemer He is 45 years old, and they nickname him «the naked Jesus«, because of his brown hair, beard and blue eyes. Today he leads the community with his mother, father and sister, but before worked as a school teacher for 15 years.
«I moved in eight years ago with my wife Beth and three teenage children, just like our parents did when we were old enough to understand what they did,» Tim revealed.
Timothy Kraemer, the «Naked Jesus» of Indian Hills, with his wife Beth. (Photo: FB @timothy.kraemer.9)Still a family business, because the Kraemers’ daughter, Stephanie Lasserre, handles the business’ accounting. Their parents told them that they had never practiced nudism before meeting «The Professor.»
«They were afraid of what we were going to think, but when we found out what it was about we really wanted to help them in the administration,» said the eldest son of Hilda and Selves Kraemer.
«Nudism is often misunderstood, and the main stigma y The big mistake is believing that being naked is something sexual.«Tim said. «There are no group orgiesthat’s one of the big ones myth. Nudism is not synonymous with sexneither as a couple nor in a group,» he stressed.
In the jacuzzi and pool area, nudity is mandatory, in the rest of the areas it is not. (Photo: Facebook/IndianHillsNP)«That doesn’t happen outdoors here because we have firm rules about it, and sexual activity of any kind must take place behind closed doors and not in community spaces,» he said.
And he provided his own definition: «I consider that social nudity is the freedom to feel comfortable with yourself in a safe and relaxing environment, while enjoying nature.
A day in a nudist park: what regulars say
Under the slogan «Let’s keep Louisiana naked«, have a schedule of activities for all residents who are committed to the experience, from naked yoga classeskaraoke nights, naked country and western music weekends, even Halloween-themed hikes.
Tim Kraemer is called the «Naked Jesus» in Indian Hills. (Photo: FB @timothy.kraemer.9)Pete, a long-time resident who has lived at the Indian Hills campground for 13 years with his wife, often enjoys daily rides on a pedal boat around the property’s lake. The detail is that he makes these escapades completely naked.
«I begged my wife to come live here for 30 years, and I finally got it when we retired,» he revealed. When asked about the alleged «sexual tension» that is in the air, Pete denied that this is the central issue when it comes to practicing nudism.
«Of course you can let sex be part of it: I do it four times a week with my wife, but that’s a personal decision,» he said.
Another retired couple, Sandra y Joshwho also lives full-time in the complex, agreed with Pete. «I find being naked relaxing, it’s about accept yourselfand one of the advantages of nudity is that it puts everyone in equal conditions«said Sandra.
«It’s pretty hard to be mean to someone when you’re naked. The people here are incredible, there is a feeling of belonging, kindness reigns and a magical aura,» Josh said.
The nudist park is located in a mountainous landscape in Luisana. (Photo illustration Shutterstock)The owner himself reveals that no matter how much they try to cultivate mutual respect, there is still a strong social stigma towards those who practice it. «There have been cases where an separated spouse discovered their partner’s tendency towards nudism and then used it against them in custody court and they were left without seeing their children,» he lamented.
He also knows teachers, who were his coworkers in the past, and are interested in learning more about nudism and naturism, but they do not consider it appropriate because they believe that such an activity would be judged negatively by the parents of their students.
«The prejudice is that it is a sexual place, when in reality it is not. It is a place where people want to disconnect and do something different; and not having clothes is something different they can do,» he explained.
«They are normal people between 18 and 93 years old.they are not a sect or anything like that. «People feel that there is some kind of brainwashing, which is definitely not the case because here we are all different and we live in harmony,» said the owner.
The rules and fees of a nudist campsite
Rates are posted on the park’s website. Couples must pay $50 to spend the day, and $40 if they are an individual guest.
To stay overnight there are options from $75 to $140 per day, and the rate for monthly tenants is $500 per month, not counting the electricity billed for consumption according to the meter.
Guests who are club members have additional discounts. What is the same for everyone is the agreement of basic, non-negotiable rules that they must sign as soon as they enter the place.
In the Bois de Vincennes Park in Paris there is an exclusive space for nudists. (Photo: AFP)«The Full nudity is optional anywhere in the park, and towels and robes are allowed, it is only mandatory to be naked in the pool and jacuzzi area,» they describe in their regulations.
Guests should bring a towel and use it to avoid sitting with bare skin on any common surface. «Always sit on a towel, never with your butt exposed,» they demand.
They ask that cell phone use be minimized, and that they put the stickers they are given at reception on the cameras of their devices, since photographs are not allowed.
«Sexual activity is not permitted in public areas. This will be grounds for immediate expulsion and prohibition of access to the park, without refunds of any kind; It will even be addressed as sexual misconduct and re-entry will be prohibited,» they clarify.
A nudist couple in «Yatan Rumi», a nudist reserve in the Sierras de Córdoba, Argentina.«Excessive drunkenness» is also not permitted, and drugs cannot be consumed. «Making comments about other people’s bodies, bullying, excessive drunkenness, profanity and rudeness will result in you being asked to leave the premises,» they warn.
«Indian Hills Nudist Park is open to any adult over the age of 18 who wishes to enjoy the freedom of nudism in a bias-free environment«, they indicate on their social networks.
For 54 years, from generation to generation, they took the reins and remained as leaders of nudism. Although they do not usually give interviews or advertise their campsite, the property has had followers uninterruptedly for more than half a century.
