My wife and I will make our first ever trip to Orient Beach next June, and are thinking of staying at Club Orient. Its website describes it as "a family friendly clothing optional beach resort." What does this mean in reality? How many guests actually bring minor children with them? Especially considering June is summer vacation for most US schools?

Thanks in advance for any insight!

The answer is 'not many'. The average demographic of those who stay at Club O is quite a bit older than those who have minor children.

Over December and January there were several children. I'd guess a 2 and 5 year old, as well as an 8 year old in the mini suite circle, two 17 year olds and a 12 year old in the chalets, and two others, 8- 10 in a beach front chalet.

But, considering the number of units at Club O, I'd still say my answer of "not many" is pretty close.

It is true ... not many kids (under 18). We took our daughters, a SIL and our 4 grandkids to Club O. They loved it and the guest loved them. That was in June.

It would be great to have more families visit but there aren't many. One friend has said that, at one time, there were more parents bringing their kids but then stopped because they became bored with just the beach to keep them busy.

We made due. Taught the kids to snorkel and they collected shells, did some exploring ... we kept them busy enough. We even put on some clothes and went into Merigot and Phillipsburg. They had fun there too.

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We usually go in August, and have seen what we thought were locals, bring their children to the Club O beach. We usually stay on the end near the watersports bldg, and have seen several different families with younger children, some school age. Not being familiar with the local school schedule, I guess we see more local children due to them not being in school.

We've seen babies, toddlers grade and high schoolers

When we were there in late June there were less than 6 the whole time. I guess that would be in the category as 'not many'. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> Friends of ours that come every year decided to not come this year because they wanted to know how their young daughter would do on the beach clothed or not. If I were young I would want to be on the north side of the beach because of the activity. At those ages clothed or not doesn't mean as much.

I would agree--especially on the weekend--when one sees a family with children on the beach at Club O, it is more likely to be a local family than someone staying at Club O.

That raises a interesting question, local customs do not frown on the nudity but allow natives to in fact partake? Was curious as on other Caribbean islands that is not the case i.e. St. John USVI.

We've seen very few during June. mid-July thru mid-August Club O runs a family special. During that time period we've seen as many as 30-40 minors there.

We just returned last night (sigh) from 2 weeks at Club Orient and there were more families with children (mostly guests) than I had ever seen there. From mid-July through mid-August, they get a free room upgrade if bringing a school-aged youngster.

It is never the majority, but remember the majority I see is 45+ adults. I've seen all ages. I certainly didn't count, but I remember off hand 5 during our last visit. 2 English speaking teens were with there grandparents, 2 grade schoolers were with parents who were with there parents from Holland (3 generations).A walking baby from France.

What is the total guest population of Club O.

I believe there are approximately 100 units at Club O. At double occupancy, 200 people.

I want to thank every one who has taken the time to respond to my post.

We are both in our 60s, and plan to go to Orient Beach to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary next June. Neither of us is especially comfortable with minor children present at nudist facilities, so this information really helps. (And no, I'm not trying to re-open the debate on this issue.)

Thank you one and all!

We were on the beach today, must have been 10 kids or so in several different groups playing together. They are all having fun on the beach and I don't think any of them care about who is naked or how old you are.

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That non- reaction has always been our experience.

Love the free spirit!

was there in june. saw one kid. 100s of "older peoples"

It does seem to make sense that the kids will be seen during times when school is not in session, doesn't it?

I realize you are a long-time member here. However the tone of your post is somewhat like a neophyte nudist who expects to find a collection of Victoria's Secret Angels basking on Orient beach, only to discover the sand filled with old codgers from the Visiting Angels commercials: "help with meals or light house keeping."

Really? You could discern a "tone" from eleven words?

I've fallen and I can't get up...

The fact is ... there may not be "many" kids at Club Orient but there are definitely parents and grandparents that take their more than willing children/grandchildren to Club Orient for vacation. We've taken ours and they ask constantly, "when are we going back."

IF it bothers someone that much to see children in a nudist environment, you have a couple of choices ... 1) don't go or 2) ignore that fact that they are there and continue to have a good and relaxing time regardless of "some" children around.

Of course there is always the option of calling and talking to the front desk and asking if they have "any" families booked for the timeframe you are looking at and you can make other arrangements.

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Off topic (Carol) maybe but with us all aging - me too -maybe we need ads on TT for a Life Alert call in system that works in a foreign country ?
do those even exist?
I dont think the small number of kids at club is an issue- its a big beach

Uhmn, yes, way off topic.

Kids are only cute if they are yours. It does not matter if its a clothed or unclothed environment. Screaming kids on a beach is not a peaceful environment.

Nor are loud, obnoxious adults...who SHOULD know better, but sadly, no other adults rein them in.

A thoughtful post FireProf. In truth I can't recall any noisy or crying kids disrupting our visits at Club-O. The simple logistics of a trip to the Caribbean eliminate huge numbers of the junior Brady Bunch invading anyone's immediate beach real estate.

If kids at Club Orient are getting to you, perhaps it's time to take a late afternoon breather and derive over to the Sunset Bar & Grill and join the throng at Maho beach to watch if Captain Wi Tu Lo is on the seniority list of any European carrier flying in to Pricess Juliana. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

Perhaps I should log on next time and type slower.

How could happy children on a beach be bothersome?

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> It's called intolerance- my way, or the highway.

This is funny... want a "peaceful environment" ... stay home!

Must have been weird coming out of the womb at 60+ yrs old and being so grouchy! Stay away from "family nudist" venues ... you'll be in good company with the rest of the curmudgeon's and ol' farts!

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Mercy. I think the OP's question has been answered and time to put this one to bed.