Debate Over Jasmine Trail Nudist Resort

Debate Over Jasmine Trail Nudist Resort

Topic Author: Dave Jordan

Posted: 3:54 PM Jul 3, 2009

Replies Posted: 13 comments

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There has been a fair amount of debate since my story Thursday night about the Jasmine Trail Nudist Resort that allows kids.

While viewers debate the pros and cons of allowing kids to attend nudist resorts with adults, I want to clarify one point.

Some of you are asking why we did this story. We took our questions about Jasmine Trail to District Attorney Scott Thomas and D.S.S. Director Bob Johnson after we learned a school psychologist, who's interests include naturism and social nudism, and who's online profile includes Jasmine Trail, was arrested and charged with taking nude photos of a boy.

Johnny Clevinger is charged with taking indecent liberties with a minor and first degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Lawmen say they found hundreds of photos of several other children at Clevinger's home and also seized three computers, two from his house and one from a school where he worked in Carteret County.

Clevinger's son told us his father had a trip planned to Jasmine Trail for he and his younger brother, which subsequently didn't happen because of his arrest.

Is what's going on at Jasmine Trail appropriate or not? That's not for us to decide. But it is our duty to explore the issue and raise questions when a school psychologist, arrested on charges of taking indecent liberties with a minor and first degree sexual exploitation of a minor, lists it as an interest of his and plans a trip there.

Post Your Comments

Posted by: william Location: goldsboro
I appears to me that this reporter is being bias and inserting his personal opinion only. This is not the proper way to report a story. You do not search for the answers you want only. There are millions of nudist who are all hard working people who just enjoy the freedom of being nude. They simply do the same things nude in approved public places people with cloths on do. You find one prevert and put all the others in the same basket. That ain't right. There are more preverts wearing cloths in this country than nudist. Read the newspaper.

Posted by: Ken Location: CA
With all due respect to those who disagree, to say just being nude, whether you are old or young, is "repulsive" is narrow minded and prudish. This attitude of the majority of parents today is why students would rather stink than take a shower at school. Nudists resort do not even allow cameras, so I see no problem. What about kids skinnydipping at beaches in the past? Were they being "repulsive?"

Posted by: F/W Location: Local NC
We feel that you were just looking for ratings & sansationalism. You failed to give a balanced report. Failed to mention that nudists resort have a strict policy regarding cameras & photography. It WITN wern't the local station, we wouldn't tune in to you at all. Scott Thomas asking the FBI to look into it. How ridiculous is that guy? Maybe your next expose should include weather forecasters.

Posted by: Liza Location: Kinston
Historically, anytime a group of people became more civilized, "the putting on of clothes followed". For those who see no difference in humans and animals I guess it is acceptable. It is not acceptable to me. It is repulsive!

Posted by: Concerned Location: Concerned
I think that according to the Bible, parents should raise children in the way they should grow. Although, individuals have different methods and strategies to raise their children, it is not for us to judge. No matter whether or not a child, adult, or teen is allowed to go to a nudist camp, it is the ultimate responsibility of the parents to protect and care for their children. And that means individuals who will take this opportunity to continue their exploitation of young children and their bodies. IT IS NOT LEFT UP TO ME OR WITN; BUT TO THE PARENTS. THE BALL IS IN THEIR COURT.

Posted by: Marilyn Location: Tampa FL
There is nothing wrong with children at nudist resorts. Children are perfectly safe at a nudist resort. Seems to me that they better take a look a certain churches and the environment at those places. Nudists are natural, comfortable and very friendly folks. You can find all types of individuals such as high professionals to just normal business people who enjoy the same freedom.

Posted by: Jenny Location: AZ
I heard somewhere that, before his arrest, Bernie Madoff was planning to write a blog on WITN.com. Does that mean WITN should be investigated?

Posted by: naturalist Location: Goldsboro
How many children are taken advantage of in School by teacher, but yet we still send them there. And I am aware that this is why the story was first told.

Posted by: nudiarist Location: United States
Not one complaint has ever been lodged against Jasmine Trail, but just because one man, who has never even been to the campground, is charged with the sexual exploitation of a minor", the DA and the local TV station go on a crusade to discredit the nudists. It's like George Bush invading Iraq after it was actually the Saudis who carried out the attacks on 9/11. Why not investigate the school which hired this alleged child abuser? After all, they hired him and provided him with access to children. Let me tell you, had this man actually gone to Jasmine Trail, he would have been asked for an ID, made to fill out a form, been subjected to an interview, given a tour of the grounds, and only after all that allowed to roam the park. Had he shown the slightest abnormal interest in children, or made any sort of sexual advance, or attempted to take photographs, he would have been thrown out, and perhaps even reported to authorities.

Posted by: voter Location: nc
a logical followup to a related local story. as usual,,good job reporting the news witn. carry on.

Posted by: Sue Location: NC
How many of my friends were sexually abused as kids in church and in Boy Scouts? Where's the outrage?

Posted by: Ian Location: UK
Far more children have been sexually abused by members of the Catholic church, but you don't ask for children to be banned from attending church, which would appear to be a far more dangerous environment.

Posted by: Paul Rapoport Location: Canada
You might try fixing the grammar in some of what you wrote. Let me clarify something. When I wrote (over yonder) that pedophile criminals don't go to nudist parks, I was largely correct (that's a summary, not an absolute). The main point is that nudist parks don't increase pedophile crime, which takes place rarely enough but almost always unconnected to such places. WITN has the right to report anything; but it's putting a lot together in ignorance, just as Scott Thomas is. Naturists may have lots of nude photos of people of every age. Having "nude photos of a boy," as you described it, is not a crime. There are whole books of photos of naked people, including of children. Like others, WITN has to get rid of its assumptions that nudity probably means sexual immorality. With a more informed attitude, you'd report this better --- all of which says nothing about the case you mention, because there's not enough information to draw any conclusions.

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