Jenny Pepper
Artist & Art Model & Poet
Youth Camps
I stumbled on a forum which was discussing real life experiences of life in the communist era in the soviet bloc countries of Eastern Europe when I stumbled on this post. It started me on a journey of discovery of a World that vanished quickly and silently. A world so different to today...
Camp Memories
Translated Forum post from a female Czech citizen who grew up in the communist era of what was then known as Czeckoslovakia in the 1980's:
"I was 18 that summer of 1985, just finished with my school exams, when I was directed to volunteer at the Pioneer camp near Brno in what was then Czechoslovakia . It was my last chance to wear the white shirt and red kerchief of the Youth movement before officially joining the Socialist Youth Union in the autumn for older girls. my father who was a devoted communist sent me off with the instructions that I must be a good girl and do exactly as I was told and set a good example. When our coach finally arrived, I saw thatThe camp was set in a pine forest, with rows of wooden cabins and a big field where we would hold our morning exercises and flag-raising ceremonies. There was also a large lake which although I did not know at the time I would have to swim naked every morning as part of our exercises.
My role was to lead a group of ten younger Pioneers, all around 15 or 16, during the two-week session. We wore the same uniforms—white shirts, red neckerchiefs tied neatly, and short skirts for us girls. when I was younger my big sister who was eight years older than me had worn the same uniform but her skirt was effectively a miniskirt which did not provide much modesty but was very much the fashion of the 1970s.
My days started early with a bugle call at 6 a.m., when we would be woken by one of the camp mothers and herded down to the lake for a wake up dip and swim in the very cold water. We literally ran from our cabin completely naked and every morning stood outside the main administrative cabin would be too older men in white sleeve shirts and dark trousers watching us. Naturally, we were very embarrassed being seen by two older men but if we tried to cover ourselves, we would be scolded by our camp mother and reminded that we should have no embarrassment among comrades. The dunking in the lake would be followed by exercises in the nude on the grass while we sang songs like ‘We Are the Pioneers of the Future.’ there must’ve been about a dozen girls of my age taking part all completely naked our breasts and buttocks bared and we would whisper amongst ourselves that the two men from the party were watching the whole time.
Following this morning routine, we would repeat this with the younger campus with us as supervisors. I was in charge of a troop of six boys and I taught them how to set up tents, play volleyball, and even how to draw posters praising the Party’s achievements. Naturally, those boys would find it very embarrassing running from their cabin naked in front of us down to the water and then having to do their exercises as we had done in front of us girls. Being the age we were us girls found this titillating and also fascinating as we were given a complete anatomy lesson on boys.
The political meetings were mandatory, of course. Every evening, we gathered around a campfire, and I had to explain the importance of building socialism and supporting the Soviet friendship. They listened, but I could tell some were more interested in the boys and girls around them who they were making friends with. It was exhausting but rewarding—I felt like a big sister to them, and they looked up to me.
The girls my age and a bit older were helping out as counselors. We’d stay up late in the counselors’ cabin, giggling about crushes back home or discussing the physiques and endowments of the boys under our charge. it was a power trip for girls of our age being able to see the boys completely in the way that we did and it felt very empowering and I don’t think an evening past without us discussing one or two particular boys who had been so embarrassed incurring erections in front of us during swimming or doing their exercises. We also in hushed tones would complain about the strict camp director, Comrade Vlasak, who always checked our uniforms for wrinkles or to ensure we were wearing clean underwear. One night, we sneaked out to the lake to stargaze, away from the watchful eyes of the Party leaders. Those moments felt like freedom, even under the red flag.
I’ll never forget the final day when the boys gave me a handmade card, thanking me for being their ‘Pioneer leader.’ I was actually moved at the time especially considering not one of those boys had to skate blushes and feeling totally embarrassed being naked in my presence. It’s one of my fondest memories, even if I sometimes questioned the endless speeches about collective duty. That summer shaped me, showing me how to lead, how to care, and how to balance the ideals we were taught with the dreams we kept hidden.”
Another forum post from a male camp participant earlier:
""I was in pioneer camp starting from middle 1970’s, in Brno region. Such a great time of my life! It was camp for worker's kids, my mama worked on a big state facility which provides equipments for university. So, I was lucky boy. The camp territory was huge, located in forest massive. There was perimeter fence, checkpoints. No one can go outside and inside without permission and pass. Camp staff and kids were delivered to the camp by bus from another city (about 80km away from camp). We traveled on buses. Each camp troop had approximately 12 kids. 1 bus = 1 squad. 1 squad 18-30 kids of same age. The camp was for kids from 16-18 yo. The usual camp lasted 21 days (3 weeks). First starting in May, last in September. But I usually went to camp during summer months. Younger campers lived in wood log buildings. Inside were 2 big rooms with about 10 or 12 beds for kids. Girls and boys separately. In each building was rooms with individual lockers. Older girls who were like counsellor lived in big wooden huts. rooms with limited numbers of beds - from 2 to 6, each rooms had lockers, tables and etc. Counsellors lived in the same building. Always girls not boys as boys were for to do service in army at that age. On territory we had big stadium for playing football, volleyball basketball. Space for beach volleyball. Trails for running, outdoor gym. Big lake for swimming which must be naked. Swims supervised by older girls which for us boys always high embarrassed times! 1 building - dining room, 1 building - mini hospital, some of administrative building for maintenance staff like cleaners, security, drivers, cooks. 2 building for hobby and dancing, 1 open stage for concerts, 1 where was public laundry room and drier room. Toilets were on camp territory in separately buildings. Outdoor showers which camp mothers and men staff could see nearly all ! Our usual day schedule: 7.15 - wake up (with loud funny music in each building), 7.20 swim naked in lake - 7.45 - public physical exercise also naked, 8.00 - making beds, 8.30 breakfast, 9.30 - sport activities or hobby groups, 11.30 - 12.30 - free time (for reading, picnics, walking, drawing, 12.30 - dinner, 13.30 - 16.00 -sleeping / rest time - TIHIY CHAS - "quiet hour", 16.30 - lunch/ snacks, 17.00 - 19.00 - squad time - group activity, 19.30 - evening meal, 21.00 - bed time.
Some days was activities like hiking outside the camp for whole day with tents, walking for local river or lake for swimming. NO PHONE, NO INTERNET, COMPUTERS! Only fresh air, sports, readings, friends, good memories and photos by Party officials only by the way!""
A forum post from a male named Perchik posted in 2008:
""I was 15 that summer in 1986, just old enough to be aware of my developments physically among the other Pioneers at the camp near Ostrava. I was more interested in sneaking cigarettes behind the cabins than in singing the Party anthems. Every morning, early, we had to run down to the lake for a swim, completely naked, our penises swinging in front of us watched by and bellowed at by 18 yr old senior girls in their white blouses, red neckerchiefs and short skirts. that’s where the real torture began every morning.
We had to run past this stone statue of Lenin down the path, the statue is still there today ( see photo), counsellor girls would be along the pathway shouting at us to 'run...run...double quick!'
The water was cold, the kind that bites your skin and makes you gasp, but that wasn’t the worst part. The worst part was the counselors, girls a little older than me, standing on the shore with clipboards and whistles, watching us like hawks. They were supposed to be in charge, making sure we didn’t drown or sneak off, but all I could think about was how they smiled wide eyed at us boys splashing around in complete nudity while they stood there, judging. I’d never been shy before, but something about their eyes, sharp and confident, like they’d already figured out life while I was still tripping over my own feet, made my stomach twist. One of them, Lenka, was the worst. She was tall, with her hair tied back so tightly it looked painful, and she’d shout, “Get your bodies clean comrades!” in that crisp voice that echoed over the water. I’d duck my head under, pretending to scrub my face, but really, I was hiding my red face. The other boys didn’t seem to care as much as me, at least outwardly, laughing and splashing, but I felt exposed. I’d catch myself glancing at them, then quickly look away, hoping no one noticed. By the time we trudged back to the cabins, shivering and dripping, I was relieved. out there in that lake, under their watchful gazes, I was just another clumsy boy Pioneer, tryingto hide my penis and hope i didnt get a stiffy like some other boys did. if a boy got a stiff, you could literally read it on the faces of the girls how cute they found that. I can still close my eyes and picture the smirks on the faces of the ghost whenever they saw a poor wretch trying to hide a vertical stiff iffy from them.""
A forum post from a male who was a young boy back in the 1980's when his mother was a volunteer cook at a Pioneer Camp:
"Of course, not all kids went to pioneer camp. My mother did every year, and she really enjoyed it. I used to overhear my mother talking to a lady who lived in the apartment next to us who was a good friend of hers and I would hear them giggle and laugh as my mother shared stories of seeing late teen boys swimming and doing their morning exercises in the nude. My mother volunteered as a cook and would prepare breakfast lunches and dinner for all the campers. The dining hall had big windows and the boys would have to run past the windows along the track down to the lake right past where the mothers would be preparing the breakfast. This happened every morning and I think all of the mothers enjoyed the parade of the young men as they ran past or as they had to walk back up the hill to their cabins completely naked . My dad didn't go, he spent vacations with his grandmother in the countryside.""
A forum post from a female who attended two pioneer camps in Russia:
" I didn't like camps and went to them only twice in my life. Once, when a out 12 or 13 and then when i was 16 to a large pioneer one owned by the local industrial enterprise, organised by my school. There were only two teachers and a handful of 16 year olds, all girls in our troop. We worked in the fields for half a day, and after that there was basically as little rules as possible, mainly "don't make problems to locals and return to the dorm before lights-off". Locals were friendly too. The amenities at our camp were very basic and were a hangover from the 1950s. The girl's showers were literally outdoors with a tiny wooden surround which gave no privacy at all. Whenever us girls took showers it seemed almost too coincidental that the older male men who were service personnel or groundsmen would appear and would enjoy themselves watching us taking our compulsory showers naked with them looking on from a distance. You were not allowed to take your towel outside to the shower and had to walk from the shower back into the cabin to get dried and dressed. We girls called it the walk of shame because the men would see every girl in the nude leaving the showers and going up the wooden steps into the cabin. There was nothing you could do about it. You just had to grin and bear it and face the smiling old men looking on, leaning on shovels and rakes.""
Recollection from a Russian male:
"The pioneer squad leaders ("пионервожатые") were almost always high school students and always girls. They were generally 17 or 18 at which age boys were conscripted. Thus, the age gap between the pioneer campers and their leaders wasn't big at all. Theoretically, they needed some training but, as far as I undestand, this was often neglected. for girls in the town where I grew up, getting invited to be a pioneer camp counsellor was a dream ticket. What is not often discussed is the fact that girls knew from about the age of 15 that a camp counsellor got to supervise senior boys in nude activities. These activities being swimming and morning exercise. Don’t forget these girls were only 17 and 18 and therefore were ultra curious about boys. They knew they would be put in a position of enjoying supreme eye candy and telling these boys what to do at the same time. There is no modern day equivalent and so you can imagine how excited a girl would be receiving an invitation to be a pioneer camp counsellor . Senior leaders ("старшие пионервожатые") who pursued professional careers as teachers or Komsomol leaders would have had more training though.
A forum recollection from a Russian Woman calling herself Irina from the 1970's:
"I remember that girls and boys were separated into separate rooms in the concrete buildings at the camp i went to. It was modern, built in the early 1970’s i think. I was there in 1978. I was 16, a real country girl! There would be close to a dozen beds in one small room. The night supervisors would be responsible for checking on us at night, but that would happen rarely. They were volunteers mostly, housewives escaping their boring domestic lives, smoking and drinking vodka together in another building. We would often stay up and tell stories, plot pranks. A classic of course was sneaking out of windows to meet boys. A very promiscuous girl in my dorm in the bed next to me came from a large town and she would sneak out of the window to go and meet a group of boys outside . She got expelled after a week and the rumour was that she had been caught naked having been stripped in the middle of a group of boys ! Another fun camp memory was evening disco; they would have a few loud speakers blasting pop, mostly Soviet, but also some western that was able to penetrate the iron curtain and everyone would be dancing. I loved that. I have very fond memories of being there.""
A post from a Russian who lives in Odessa - 2009
"My mother and uncle went to these camps and apparently they really enjoyed it. By the time I was old enough the communist era had collapsed. Outdoorsy activities like fishing, hiking, swimming and three really good meals a day, And you got to meet and make friends with kids from other parts of the country. These were the plus points. My mother told me in her late years that the camp system was a hunting ground for male predators who were connected in the party. Modesty and privacy were not considered in the camps she told me and men walked around who were either camp servicemen or male party officials in suits and they would turn up whilst girls were showering or taking a swim naked. She said as a girl, you just had to deal with it because you didn’t dare speak up or complain that some man was ogling You while you were naked. She told me that one time, two men in suits appeared as she and two other girls were showering. She said she had to stand almost to attention in front of them while they asked them how they liked camp life etc. She said both men were looking the girls up and down from head to toe and were very embarrassed by it""
A group of 16 year old girls at a Pioneer Camp in the Crimea circa 1981
real life accounts - excerpts from a Russian blog (translated) on the Soviet system:
Alexandra Guzeva
My summer dreams have always been related to pioneer camp. For three years in a row, at the ages of 16, 17 and 18, I spent three weeks at the country camp named Raketa with my classmates. Honestly, the place we stayed looked very much like a pioneer camp from Stalin Soviet times. No one forgets things. We had morning swimming in the cold lake! Every morning , first thing to wake us up, we had to run naked in our shoes along a wooded path to the wood jetty at the lake. All of us in our dorm, about 20 girls, all 16. We formed a line and took off our shoes and our leader, a woman of approximately 30 years counted us and blew on a whistle – that meant we must go swimming. When she blew again, we had to immediately get out of the water. Then the shoes were put on again and we had to march shivering naked back to our dormitory building. Around the buildings would sometimes be men working, painting or fixing things or delivering things. They saw us naked and would wave and smile. We would giggle embarrassed but also a little thrilled by it. It was very innocent. This may sound weird and even harsh, but for us it was really fun! No one ever argued.
Elena Baborova
One thing that happened at camp really had an impact on my personality. In my first visit, when I was just 16, I won the “Beauty and Talent girls competition” My weakest part was singing, but then one of the girls who had a beautiful voice got sick, so in the end I came first. For the judging we had to wear a kind of bikini which was handmade and very minimal in what it covered . Mine was made of a very thin material which did little to hide your feminine parts . We had to parade in a line on a small wooden stage in front of men who were senior party officials and camp administrators. There was an official camp photographer who took photos of us, but we never knew where those photographs went. I remember having to stand in between two party officials who were men who must’ve been over 50 years old and both dressed in dark suits. We connected arms behind our backs and I remember one of the men rested his hand on my bikini on my buttock and he was squeezing me there gently and saying into my ear that I was a credit to the party and a beautiful young woman. I felt very embarrassed and I remember I was blushing. .Since most of those who went to the same camp every year, I was kind of famous for my victory with the boys, which is very important when you are a teenager. The best parts of camp, of course, were the discos and the farewell evening fire. At the discos, everyone waited for the slow dances (medlyaki, медляки) when the boys would ask girls to dance.
Anna Severinka
My most memorable summer camp was at Lake Seliger in 1987. That year, we spent one seek at the lakeside, living in tents. Our troop of 20 boys ranged in age from 14 to 15. We had no cell phones, no shops, no internet and no parents, just several teachers who were accompanying us, 2 males and 4 women. There were three girls of my age including Me, all 16. We assisted as counsellors. We made a bathroom in the forest and the boys (who were no older than 15!) made for us a portable shower by putting a water tank on a tree. When us girls took showers the boys were not allowed to be nearby but we knew they found ways to watch us from nearby but we didn’t care and giggled about it. The teachers lived the same way we did. One man teacher Mr Vulovarich would hang around when we took showers pretending to gather wood or be busy doing other things. We knew he watched us secretly but we could not say anything about it. Back then you just accepted it and got on with life. We were young, being outdoors was exciting after living in the city.
Maria Solzenistskai
I grew up in USSR, and I can assure you that there is nothing terrifying in these images to an ordinary Russian, only the misery that came with social and economic collapse. Now years later the camps can perhaps seem creepy to some, but looking at it myself, I get a feeling of looking at long lost home.. Its somewhat nostalgic, somewhat sentimental, somewhat sad. Art in USSR was quite expressive, surrealistic and very characteristic of its era. what must be remembered is that female nudity in the 1970s and 1980s was not considered to be something shameful what a boo but more an expression of freedom. Every every morning I walked to the lake at camp completely naked along with the other girls in my troop and found it fun and exhilarating to feel so free. We were at an age where we were becoming aware of our developed bodies and being a camp was so different from being at living in a Soviet era town or city. We were encouraged to be proud of ourselves as citizens which included our body dressed or naked. Yes, we had male teachers and yes they saw us naked walking around the camp between a dormitory and the waters of the lake but we felt no shame. I think this is important to point this out to contemporary readers who perhaps feel that these camps were structured in a way to somehow exploited us. It never felt that way. if we passed a male teacher whilst naked we would smile and say good morning in a very respectful way and he would smile back and say “ good morning girls enjoy your swim.” thats how it was.
A photo from a Soviet pioneer camp showing a counsellor possibly 18yrs at the side of a lake for morning swimming.
A 1970's Pioneer Camp poster which would have hung on the wall of the dining hall or similar extolling the virtues of outdoor healthy exercise..in this instance, nude swimming.
A photo from the 1980's showing counsellor girls 17/18/19 in their dormitory. All photos were taken by officially sanctioned party photographers, always male.
""When I was attending Pioneer camp in the 1970’s, activities were far from politics. There were lots of sport activities and clubs to join for the older girls like Me. It was a very liberal place. No parents or grandparents controlling us. I made a close friend in a girl, Ludmilla, and we remained friends all of our lives after. We were 16 together, a birthday each within six weeks of one another. In 1971 we met at Camp near Jezero Cice which at that time was remote with a huge lake there and woodlands. There in a girls troop we would swim and sunbathe, played sport games, organised different kinds of competitions, and fell in love with boys secretly.
Every morning we had to run from our troop hut, a rustic wooden lodge with eight of us sleeping in bunks, down through the woods to the lake and had to jump in. This was done naked, entirely. Back then it was all about being healthy in nature. The first few days we girls found this very embarrassing. Around the camp grounds were males moving around, fixing things or administrators in work clothes. Sometimes we had to run past them. Of course they saw everything. Back then, we were expected not to be petty minded and prudish about our nudity, it was all about being a good, healthy comrade. After a few days of this You get used to it, and we would giggle and gossip about being seen. After morning swim and exercise ( still naked) we dressed for a parade when we were wearing pioneer uniform with a red tie. Then breakfast. Afterwards we reported what we did the previous day and made the plans for today with our camp mother. Some were praised and rewarded, some were threatened to be sent back home if they misbehave again. We especially liked camp bonfires which we had after dark. We were allowed to stay up late those nights. We were sitting around the fire shoulder to shoulder, singing songs and just talking. There was a great feeling of togetherness. The beautiful starlit sky and the red flames of the fire stimulated the imagination to dream of adventure and romance. Potatoes baked in hot ashes tasted absolutely delicious. These were romantic nights which we treasured. I think it was the bonfire that made pioneer camps so attractive because we mixed freely with the boys.""
The Enigma of the Boys Camp at Valalta/Croatia early 2000's
A new arrival is welcomed in the Nude as he emerges from the Welcome Room out in to the sunshine by the waiting camp mothers
Background: Around the year 2004, the Valalta area near Rovinj, Croatia, was primarily known for the Valalta Naturist Camp, a large naturist resort established in the late 1960s. While Valalta itself was not exclusively a youth camp, it offered family-oriented programs that included activities for teens, making it a choice for state sponsored, male youth camp programs in the area. Specific youth-only , behavioural boys camps in the Valalta vicinity are not well documented for that period, due to the recent war and little digital infrastructure for data retention. Many paper documents are lost from this turbulent era. Here are some orientation facts based on available information:
• Valalta Naturist Camp Programs: Valalta, located about 5–7 km north of Rovinj, was (and still is) a major naturist resort covering 120 hectares along the coast. By 2000, it catered to families with a strong emphasis on multi-generational activities.
The precise date of the first, all boy, behavioural camp being hosted there (either on Valalta or near to the grounds) is debated. One source (Croat) claims he attended an all boys camp there as early as 2002. Other accounts state camps of one week being run in 2003 to 2005. What is clear is that funding ended around 2005 and the programme was closed (to be investigated later)
Context and Limitations: Valalta’s naturist focus meant its youth programs were in essence, stand alone mini camps rather than integrated into the Valalta family areas but it is likely they shared the same support logistics. The post-war recovery limited the number of dedicated youth camps in the country, specifically, as tourism was still rebuilding. Most male behavioural programs were likely tied to Government, Charity or local community efforts. Exact names of smaller camps from 2000 are elusive due to minimal online records and the era’s focus on offline promotion via printed leaflets etc
Valalta Naturist Camp Teen Programs:
• Structured Activities for Teens: Valalta, located just north of Rovinj, was a large naturist resort that catered to families, including teenagers (roughly ages 13–17). By 2000, it offered supervised programs tailored for teens, such as:
• Sports and Recreation: Volleyball, basketball, tennis courts, and water sports like swimming or kayaking were available. Teens could join tournaments or casual games organized by the camp’s animation team. There are also mentions of female beauty competitions or pageants.
• Water-Based Fun: Access to a marina and activities like sailing or windsurfing appealed to adventure-seeking teens. The resort’s beachfront included areas where teens could socialize, with music and a relaxed vibe.
Animation Teams: A team of staff ran daily activities, likely including teen-specific games, quizzes, or creative workshops (e.g., art or drama). these programs functioned like a camp schedule during summer months and were hosted by females of a mature age (30 years and up). This is important as it formed one of the core operating principles for Valalta Boys camps later on *
Youth Policy Framework:
• In 2000, Croatia lacked a formal national youth policy or law defining “youth work.” The Ministry of Education and Sports and Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare handled youth issues, but no specific “National Youth Programme” existed until later (e.g., 2010). Efforts for troubled youth were fragmented, often tied to social welfare or education systems rather than dedicated camps. Male Juvenile Delinquency Programs: Croatia’s social pedagogy tradition, rooted in Yugoslav practices, addressed troubled youth (often boys) exhibiting “behavioral disorders,” a term sometimes equated with delinquency. Social pedagogues worked in schools or welfare centers, focusing on prevention or intervention for at-risk boys through counseling or group activities. The latter came to be experimented with the founding of the boys only nude experience Valalta camps aound 2002/3.
Why No Map Found?
• Digital Gap: In 2001–2005, Valalta’s maps were printed (brochures, reception handouts). Digital uploads were not a priority, and naturist privacy concerns limited online sharing.
• Archives: Historical maps may exist in Valalta’s records or European camping guides (ADAC, ANWB), but they’re not digitized.
• Modern Similarity: The current map reflects the early 2000s layout relatively closely, as expansions were incremental (e.g., wellness added ~2005).
Digital archiving was minimal in 2000–2005, especially for Croatia’s recovering tourism sector. Maps were printed (flyers, guides), not uploaded.
• Valalta’s naturist privacy may restrict detailed layout sharing, though Rovinj maps freely marked a ‘boys camp’ at its location on its periphery. It was small, consisting of a few small wooden huts and a main admin building also built of woods.
No specific map of Valalta or Rovinj from 2000–2005 is publicly available online, but printed matter showed a ‘ Boys campsite’ 6 km north of Rovinj in a 2004 leaflet in Czech language.
A cabin inspection carried out by two camp mothers with a nude camper. Attendees were marked for cleanlinesss and tidyness of bunks as part of their camp report.
Every boy had to have a 'one to one' in the nude with their Troop mother, responsible for his Troop comrades. Such topics as comradeship and attitude would be discussed including how he felt about being supervised by maternal authority.
Camp Memories
Translated Forum post from a female Czech citizen who grew up in the communist era of what was then known as Czeckoslovakia in the 1980's:
"I was 18 that summer of 1985, just finished with my school exams, when I was directed to volunteer at the Pioneer camp near Brno in what was then Czechoslovakia . It was my last chance to wear the white shirt and red kerchief of the Youth movement before officially joining the Socialist Youth Union in the autumn for older girls. my father who was a devoted communist sent me off with the instructions that I must be a good girl and do exactly as I was told and set a good example. When our coach finally arrived, I saw thatThe camp was set in a pine forest, with rows of wooden cabins and a big field where we would hold our morning exercises and flag-raising ceremonies. There was also a large lake which although I did not know at the time I would have to swim naked every morning as part of our exercises.
My role was to lead a group of ten younger Pioneers, all around 15 or 16, during the two-week session. We wore the same uniforms—white shirts, red neckerchiefs tied neatly, and short skirts for us girls. when I was younger my big sister who was eight years older than me had worn the same uniform but her skirt was effectively a miniskirt which did not provide much modesty but was very much the fashion of the 1970s.
My days started early with a bugle call at 6 a.m., when we would be woken by one of the camp mothers and herded down to the lake for a wake up dip and swim in the very cold water. We literally ran from our cabin completely naked and every morning stood outside the main administrative cabin would be too older men in white sleeve shirts and dark trousers watching us. Naturally, we were very embarrassed being seen by two older men but if we tried to cover ourselves, we would be scolded by our camp mother and reminded that we should have no embarrassment among comrades. The dunking in the lake would be followed by exercises in the nude on the grass while we sang songs like ‘We Are the Pioneers of the Future.’ there must’ve been about a dozen girls of my age taking part all completely naked our breasts and buttocks bared and we would whisper amongst ourselves that the two men from the party were watching the whole time.
Following this morning routine, we would repeat this with the younger campus with us as supervisors. I was in charge of a troop of six boys and I taught them how to set up tents, play volleyball, and even how to draw posters praising the Party’s achievements. Naturally, those boys would find it very embarrassing running from their cabin naked in front of us down to the water and then having to do their exercises as we had done in front of us girls. Being the age we were us girls found this titillating and also fascinating as we were given a complete anatomy lesson on boys.
The political meetings were mandatory, of course. Every evening, we gathered around a campfire, and I had to explain the importance of building socialism and supporting the Soviet friendship. They listened, but I could tell some were more interested in the boys and girls around them who they were making friends with. It was exhausting but rewarding—I felt like a big sister to them, and they looked up to me.
The girls my age and a bit older were helping out as counselors. We’d stay up late in the counselors’ cabin, giggling about crushes back home or discussing the physiques and endowments of the boys under our charge. it was a power trip for girls of our age being able to see the boys completely in the way that we did and it felt very empowering and I don’t think an evening past without us discussing one or two particular boys who had been so embarrassed incurring erections in front of us during swimming or doing their exercises. We also in hushed tones would complain about the strict camp director, Comrade Vlasak, who always checked our uniforms for wrinkles or to ensure we were wearing clean underwear. One night, we sneaked out to the lake to stargaze, away from the watchful eyes of the Party leaders. Those moments felt like freedom, even under the red flag.
I’ll never forget the final day when the boys gave me a handmade card, thanking me for being their ‘Pioneer leader.’ I was actually moved at the time especially considering not one of those boys had to skate blushes and feeling totally embarrassed being naked in my presence. It’s one of my fondest memories, even if I sometimes questioned the endless speeches about collective duty. That summer shaped me, showing me how to lead, how to care, and how to balance the ideals we were taught with the dreams we kept hidden.”
Another forum post from a male camp participant earlier:
""I was in pioneer camp starting from middle 1970’s, in Brno region. Such a great time of my life! It was camp for worker's kids, my mama worked on a big state facility which provides equipments for university. So, I was lucky boy. The camp territory was huge, located in forest massive. There was perimeter fence, checkpoints. No one can go outside and inside without permission and pass. Camp staff and kids were delivered to the camp by bus from another city (about 80km away from camp). We traveled on buses. Each camp troop had approximately 12 kids. 1 bus = 1 squad. 1 squad 18-30 kids of same age. The camp was for kids from 16-18 yo. The usual camp lasted 21 days (3 weeks). First starting in May, last in September. But I usually went to camp during summer months. Younger campers lived in wood log buildings. Inside were 2 big rooms with about 10 or 12 beds for kids. Girls and boys separately. In each building was rooms with individual lockers. Older girls who were like counsellor lived in big wooden huts. rooms with limited numbers of beds - from 2 to 6, each rooms had lockers, tables and etc. Counsellors lived in the same building. Always girls not boys as boys were for to do service in army at that age. On territory we had big stadium for playing football, volleyball basketball. Space for beach volleyball. Trails for running, outdoor gym. Big lake for swimming which must be naked. Swims supervised by older girls which for us boys always high embarrassed times! 1 building - dining room, 1 building - mini hospital, some of administrative building for maintenance staff like cleaners, security, drivers, cooks. 2 building for hobby and dancing, 1 open stage for concerts, 1 where was public laundry room and drier room. Toilets were on camp territory in separately buildings. Outdoor showers which camp mothers and men staff could see nearly all ! Our usual day schedule: 7.15 - wake up (with loud funny music in each building), 7.20 swim naked in lake - 7.45 - public physical exercise also naked, 8.00 - making beds, 8.30 breakfast, 9.30 - sport activities or hobby groups, 11.30 - 12.30 - free time (for reading, picnics, walking, drawing, 12.30 - dinner, 13.30 - 16.00 -sleeping / rest time - TIHIY CHAS - "quiet hour", 16.30 - lunch/ snacks, 17.00 - 19.00 - squad time - group activity, 19.30 - evening meal, 21.00 - bed time.
Some days was activities like hiking outside the camp for whole day with tents, walking for local river or lake for swimming. NO PHONE, NO INTERNET, COMPUTERS! Only fresh air, sports, readings, friends, good memories and photos by Party officials only by the way!""
A forum post from a male named Perchik posted in 2008:
""I was 15 that summer in 1986, just old enough to be aware of my developments physically among the other Pioneers at the camp near Ostrava. I was more interested in sneaking cigarettes behind the cabins than in singing the Party anthems. Every morning, early, we had to run down to the lake for a swim, completely naked, our penises swinging in front of us watched by and bellowed at by 18 yr old senior girls in their white blouses, red neckerchiefs and short skirts. that’s where the real torture began every morning.
We had to run past this stone statue of Lenin down the path, the statue is still there today ( see photo), counsellor girls would be along the pathway shouting at us to 'run...run...double quick!'
The water was cold, the kind that bites your skin and makes you gasp, but that wasn’t the worst part. The worst part was the counselors, girls a little older than me, standing on the shore with clipboards and whistles, watching us like hawks. They were supposed to be in charge, making sure we didn’t drown or sneak off, but all I could think about was how they smiled wide eyed at us boys splashing around in complete nudity while they stood there, judging. I’d never been shy before, but something about their eyes, sharp and confident, like they’d already figured out life while I was still tripping over my own feet, made my stomach twist. One of them, Lenka, was the worst. She was tall, with her hair tied back so tightly it looked painful, and she’d shout, “Get your bodies clean comrades!” in that crisp voice that echoed over the water. I’d duck my head under, pretending to scrub my face, but really, I was hiding my red face. The other boys didn’t seem to care as much as me, at least outwardly, laughing and splashing, but I felt exposed. I’d catch myself glancing at them, then quickly look away, hoping no one noticed. By the time we trudged back to the cabins, shivering and dripping, I was relieved. out there in that lake, under their watchful gazes, I was just another clumsy boy Pioneer, tryingto hide my penis and hope i didnt get a stiffy like some other boys did. if a boy got a stiff, you could literally read it on the faces of the girls how cute they found that. I can still close my eyes and picture the smirks on the faces of the ghost whenever they saw a poor wretch trying to hide a vertical stiff iffy from them.""
A forum post from a male who was a young boy back in the 1980's when his mother was a volunteer cook at a Pioneer Camp:
"Of course, not all kids went to pioneer camp. My mother did every year, and she really enjoyed it. I used to overhear my mother talking to a lady who lived in the apartment next to us who was a good friend of hers and I would hear them giggle and laugh as my mother shared stories of seeing late teen boys swimming and doing their morning exercises in the nude. My mother volunteered as a cook and would prepare breakfast lunches and dinner for all the campers. The dining hall had big windows and the boys would have to run past the windows along the track down to the lake right past where the mothers would be preparing the breakfast. This happened every morning and I think all of the mothers enjoyed the parade of the young men as they ran past or as they had to walk back up the hill to their cabins completely naked . My dad didn't go, he spent vacations with his grandmother in the countryside.""
A forum post from a female who attended two pioneer camps in Russia:
" I didn't like camps and went to them only twice in my life. Once, when a out 12 or 13 and then when i was 16 to a large pioneer one owned by the local industrial enterprise, organised by my school. There were only two teachers and a handful of 16 year olds, all girls in our troop. We worked in the fields for half a day, and after that there was basically as little rules as possible, mainly "don't make problems to locals and return to the dorm before lights-off". Locals were friendly too. The amenities at our camp were very basic and were a hangover from the 1950s. The girl's showers were literally outdoors with a tiny wooden surround which gave no privacy at all. Whenever us girls took showers it seemed almost too coincidental that the older male men who were service personnel or groundsmen would appear and would enjoy themselves watching us taking our compulsory showers naked with them looking on from a distance. You were not allowed to take your towel outside to the shower and had to walk from the shower back into the cabin to get dried and dressed. We girls called it the walk of shame because the men would see every girl in the nude leaving the showers and going up the wooden steps into the cabin. There was nothing you could do about it. You just had to grin and bear it and face the smiling old men looking on, leaning on shovels and rakes.""
Recollection from a Russian male:
"The pioneer squad leaders ("пионервожатые") were almost always high school students and always girls. They were generally 17 or 18 at which age boys were conscripted. Thus, the age gap between the pioneer campers and their leaders wasn't big at all. Theoretically, they needed some training but, as far as I undestand, this was often neglected. for girls in the town where I grew up, getting invited to be a pioneer camp counsellor was a dream ticket. What is not often discussed is the fact that girls knew from about the age of 15 that a camp counsellor got to supervise senior boys in nude activities. These activities being swimming and morning exercise. Don’t forget these girls were only 17 and 18 and therefore were ultra curious about boys. They knew they would be put in a position of enjoying supreme eye candy and telling these boys what to do at the same time. There is no modern day equivalent and so you can imagine how excited a girl would be receiving an invitation to be a pioneer camp counsellor . Senior leaders ("старшие пионервожатые") who pursued professional careers as teachers or Komsomol leaders would have had more training though.
A forum recollection from a Russian Woman calling herself Irina from the 1970's:
"I remember that girls and boys were separated into separate rooms in the concrete buildings at the camp i went to. It was modern, built in the early 1970’s i think. I was there in 1978. I was 16, a real country girl! There would be close to a dozen beds in one small room. The night supervisors would be responsible for checking on us at night, but that would happen rarely. They were volunteers mostly, housewives escaping their boring domestic lives, smoking and drinking vodka together in another building. We would often stay up and tell stories, plot pranks. A classic of course was sneaking out of windows to meet boys. A very promiscuous girl in my dorm in the bed next to me came from a large town and she would sneak out of the window to go and meet a group of boys outside . She got expelled after a week and the rumour was that she had been caught naked having been stripped in the middle of a group of boys ! Another fun camp memory was evening disco; they would have a few loud speakers blasting pop, mostly Soviet, but also some western that was able to penetrate the iron curtain and everyone would be dancing. I loved that. I have very fond memories of being there.""
A post from a Russian who lives in Odessa - 2009
"My mother and uncle went to these camps and apparently they really enjoyed it. By the time I was old enough the communist era had collapsed. Outdoorsy activities like fishing, hiking, swimming and three really good meals a day, And you got to meet and make friends with kids from other parts of the country. These were the plus points. My mother told me in her late years that the camp system was a hunting ground for male predators who were connected in the party. Modesty and privacy were not considered in the camps she told me and men walked around who were either camp servicemen or male party officials in suits and they would turn up whilst girls were showering or taking a swim naked. She said as a girl, you just had to deal with it because you didn’t dare speak up or complain that some man was ogling You while you were naked. She told me that one time, two men in suits appeared as she and two other girls were showering. She said she had to stand almost to attention in front of them while they asked them how they liked camp life etc. She said both men were looking the girls up and down from head to toe and were very embarrassed by it""
A group of 16 year old girls at a Pioneer Camp in the Crimea circa 1981
real life accounts - excerpts from a Russian blog (translated) on the Soviet system:
Alexandra Guzeva
My summer dreams have always been related to pioneer camp. For three years in a row, at the ages of 16, 17 and 18, I spent three weeks at the country camp named Raketa with my classmates. Honestly, the place we stayed looked very much like a pioneer camp from Stalin Soviet times. No one forgets things. We had morning swimming in the cold lake! Every morning , first thing to wake us up, we had to run naked in our shoes along a wooded path to the wood jetty at the lake. All of us in our dorm, about 20 girls, all 16. We formed a line and took off our shoes and our leader, a woman of approximately 30 years counted us and blew on a whistle – that meant we must go swimming. When she blew again, we had to immediately get out of the water. Then the shoes were put on again and we had to march shivering naked back to our dormitory building. Around the buildings would sometimes be men working, painting or fixing things or delivering things. They saw us naked and would wave and smile. We would giggle embarrassed but also a little thrilled by it. It was very innocent. This may sound weird and even harsh, but for us it was really fun! No one ever argued.
Elena Baborova
One thing that happened at camp really had an impact on my personality. In my first visit, when I was just 16, I won the “Beauty and Talent girls competition” My weakest part was singing, but then one of the girls who had a beautiful voice got sick, so in the end I came first. For the judging we had to wear a kind of bikini which was handmade and very minimal in what it covered . Mine was made of a very thin material which did little to hide your feminine parts . We had to parade in a line on a small wooden stage in front of men who were senior party officials and camp administrators. There was an official camp photographer who took photos of us, but we never knew where those photographs went. I remember having to stand in between two party officials who were men who must’ve been over 50 years old and both dressed in dark suits. We connected arms behind our backs and I remember one of the men rested his hand on my bikini on my buttock and he was squeezing me there gently and saying into my ear that I was a credit to the party and a beautiful young woman. I felt very embarrassed and I remember I was blushing. .Since most of those who went to the same camp every year, I was kind of famous for my victory with the boys, which is very important when you are a teenager. The best parts of camp, of course, were the discos and the farewell evening fire. At the discos, everyone waited for the slow dances (medlyaki, медляки) when the boys would ask girls to dance.
Anna Severinka
My most memorable summer camp was at Lake Seliger in 1987. That year, we spent one seek at the lakeside, living in tents. Our troop of 20 boys ranged in age from 14 to 15. We had no cell phones, no shops, no internet and no parents, just several teachers who were accompanying us, 2 males and 4 women. There were three girls of my age including Me, all 16. We assisted as counsellors. We made a bathroom in the forest and the boys (who were no older than 15!) made for us a portable shower by putting a water tank on a tree. When us girls took showers the boys were not allowed to be nearby but we knew they found ways to watch us from nearby but we didn’t care and giggled about it. The teachers lived the same way we did. One man teacher Mr Vulovarich would hang around when we took showers pretending to gather wood or be busy doing other things. We knew he watched us secretly but we could not say anything about it. Back then you just accepted it and got on with life. We were young, being outdoors was exciting after living in the city.
Maria Solzenistskai
I grew up in USSR, and I can assure you that there is nothing terrifying in these images to an ordinary Russian, only the misery that came with social and economic collapse. Now years later the camps can perhaps seem creepy to some, but looking at it myself, I get a feeling of looking at long lost home.. Its somewhat nostalgic, somewhat sentimental, somewhat sad. Art in USSR was quite expressive, surrealistic and very characteristic of its era. what must be remembered is that female nudity in the 1970s and 1980s was not considered to be something shameful what a boo but more an expression of freedom. Every every morning I walked to the lake at camp completely naked along with the other girls in my troop and found it fun and exhilarating to feel so free. We were at an age where we were becoming aware of our developed bodies and being a camp was so different from being at living in a Soviet era town or city. We were encouraged to be proud of ourselves as citizens which included our body dressed or naked. Yes, we had male teachers and yes they saw us naked walking around the camp between a dormitory and the waters of the lake but we felt no shame. I think this is important to point this out to contemporary readers who perhaps feel that these camps were structured in a way to somehow exploited us. It never felt that way. if we passed a male teacher whilst naked we would smile and say good morning in a very respectful way and he would smile back and say “ good morning girls enjoy your swim.” thats how it was.
A photo from a Soviet pioneer camp showing a counsellor possibly 18yrs at the side of a lake for morning swimming.
A 1970's Pioneer Camp poster which would have hung on the wall of the dining hall or similar extolling the virtues of outdoor healthy exercise..in this instance, nude swimming.
A photo from the 1980's showing counsellor girls 17/18/19 in their dormitory. All photos were taken by officially sanctioned party photographers, always male.
""When I was attending Pioneer camp in the 1970’s, activities were far from politics. There were lots of sport activities and clubs to join for the older girls like Me. It was a very liberal place. No parents or grandparents controlling us. I made a close friend in a girl, Ludmilla, and we remained friends all of our lives after. We were 16 together, a birthday each within six weeks of one another. In 1971 we met at Camp near Jezero Cice which at that time was remote with a huge lake there and woodlands. There in a girls troop we would swim and sunbathe, played sport games, organised different kinds of competitions, and fell in love with boys secretly.
Every morning we had to run from our troop hut, a rustic wooden lodge with eight of us sleeping in bunks, down through the woods to the lake and had to jump in. This was done naked, entirely. Back then it was all about being healthy in nature. The first few days we girls found this very embarrassing. Around the camp grounds were males moving around, fixing things or administrators in work clothes. Sometimes we had to run past them. Of course they saw everything. Back then, we were expected not to be petty minded and prudish about our nudity, it was all about being a good, healthy comrade. After a few days of this You get used to it, and we would giggle and gossip about being seen. After morning swim and exercise ( still naked) we dressed for a parade when we were wearing pioneer uniform with a red tie. Then breakfast. Afterwards we reported what we did the previous day and made the plans for today with our camp mother. Some were praised and rewarded, some were threatened to be sent back home if they misbehave again. We especially liked camp bonfires which we had after dark. We were allowed to stay up late those nights. We were sitting around the fire shoulder to shoulder, singing songs and just talking. There was a great feeling of togetherness. The beautiful starlit sky and the red flames of the fire stimulated the imagination to dream of adventure and romance. Potatoes baked in hot ashes tasted absolutely delicious. These were romantic nights which we treasured. I think it was the bonfire that made pioneer camps so attractive because we mixed freely with the boys.""
The Enigma of the Boys Camp at Valalta/Croatia early 2000's
A new arrival is welcomed in the Nude as he emerges from the Welcome Room out in to the sunshine by the waiting camp mothers
Background: Around the year 2004, the Valalta area near Rovinj, Croatia, was primarily known for the Valalta Naturist Camp, a large naturist resort established in the late 1960s. While Valalta itself was not exclusively a youth camp, it offered family-oriented programs that included activities for teens, making it a choice for state sponsored, male youth camp programs in the area. Specific youth-only , behavioural boys camps in the Valalta vicinity are not well documented for that period, due to the recent war and little digital infrastructure for data retention. Many paper documents are lost from this turbulent era. Here are some orientation facts based on available information:
• Valalta Naturist Camp Programs: Valalta, located about 5–7 km north of Rovinj, was (and still is) a major naturist resort covering 120 hectares along the coast. By 2000, it catered to families with a strong emphasis on multi-generational activities.
The precise date of the first, all boy, behavioural camp being hosted there (either on Valalta or near to the grounds) is debated. One source (Croat) claims he attended an all boys camp there as early as 2002. Other accounts state camps of one week being run in 2003 to 2005. What is clear is that funding ended around 2005 and the programme was closed (to be investigated later)
Context and Limitations: Valalta’s naturist focus meant its youth programs were in essence, stand alone mini camps rather than integrated into the Valalta family areas but it is likely they shared the same support logistics. The post-war recovery limited the number of dedicated youth camps in the country, specifically, as tourism was still rebuilding. Most male behavioural programs were likely tied to Government, Charity or local community efforts. Exact names of smaller camps from 2000 are elusive due to minimal online records and the era’s focus on offline promotion via printed leaflets etc
Valalta Naturist Camp Teen Programs:
• Structured Activities for Teens: Valalta, located just north of Rovinj, was a large naturist resort that catered to families, including teenagers (roughly ages 13–17). By 2000, it offered supervised programs tailored for teens, such as:
• Sports and Recreation: Volleyball, basketball, tennis courts, and water sports like swimming or kayaking were available. Teens could join tournaments or casual games organized by the camp’s animation team. There are also mentions of female beauty competitions or pageants.
• Water-Based Fun: Access to a marina and activities like sailing or windsurfing appealed to adventure-seeking teens. The resort’s beachfront included areas where teens could socialize, with music and a relaxed vibe.
Animation Teams: A team of staff ran daily activities, likely including teen-specific games, quizzes, or creative workshops (e.g., art or drama). these programs functioned like a camp schedule during summer months and were hosted by females of a mature age (30 years and up). This is important as it formed one of the core operating principles for Valalta Boys camps later on *
Youth Policy Framework:
• In 2000, Croatia lacked a formal national youth policy or law defining “youth work.” The Ministry of Education and Sports and Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare handled youth issues, but no specific “National Youth Programme” existed until later (e.g., 2010). Efforts for troubled youth were fragmented, often tied to social welfare or education systems rather than dedicated camps. Male Juvenile Delinquency Programs: Croatia’s social pedagogy tradition, rooted in Yugoslav practices, addressed troubled youth (often boys) exhibiting “behavioral disorders,” a term sometimes equated with delinquency. Social pedagogues worked in schools or welfare centers, focusing on prevention or intervention for at-risk boys through counseling or group activities. The latter came to be experimented with the founding of the boys only nude experience Valalta camps aound 2002/3.
Why No Map Found?
• Digital Gap: In 2001–2005, Valalta’s maps were printed (brochures, reception handouts). Digital uploads were not a priority, and naturist privacy concerns limited online sharing.
• Archives: Historical maps may exist in Valalta’s records or European camping guides (ADAC, ANWB), but they’re not digitized.
• Modern Similarity: The current map reflects the early 2000s layout relatively closely, as expansions were incremental (e.g., wellness added ~2005).
Digital archiving was minimal in 2000–2005, especially for Croatia’s recovering tourism sector. Maps were printed (flyers, guides), not uploaded.
• Valalta’s naturist privacy may restrict detailed layout sharing, though Rovinj maps freely marked a ‘boys camp’ at its location on its periphery. It was small, consisting of a few small wooden huts and a main admin building also built of woods.
No specific map of Valalta or Rovinj from 2000–2005 is publicly available online, but printed matter showed a ‘ Boys campsite’ 6 km north of Rovinj in a 2004 leaflet in Czech language.
A cabin inspection carried out by two camp mothers with a nude camper. Attendees were marked for cleanlinesss and tidyness of bunks as part of their camp report.
An experience account from a camp attendee named Pavel
" One to one's with a camp mother were very personal and very embarrassing. She would take You to a quiet place sit and discuss your feelings about camp life. Particulary how you felt about taking orders from the camp mothers and being seen by them. It was an interrrogation and she would take notes for your camp report.
My Troop mother at one point looked straight at my penis between my thighs as i sat next to her. She asked Me did it bother Me her and other camp mothers seeing my penis? I told her I found it very embarrassing. She told me that was natural for a young man of my age but she asked Me did I understand it was for my own good? I said i think so. She told Me she had a husband waiting for her back home as many of the other camp mothers did and that I should not feel ashamed being seen in such a way. Talking about my penis in the open air and her looking at me caused me to go stiff. She noticed but carried on the one to one and said i should not be embarrassed by such a natural thing. Many times her eyes dropped to look at my penis standing up, I was very very embarrassed!"
Every boy had to have a 'one to one' in the nude with their Troop mother, responsible for his Troop comrades. Such topics as comradeship and attitude would be discussed including how he felt about being supervised by maternal authority.