Today they are hype. For years we have been researching which tiny houses are best suited for Athena and how and where best to place them. Sustainability, experience and integration into the natural environment are paramount.
Our very first mini-house was installed at Athena Ossendrecht in May. In this charming and particularly sustainable Wraphouse provides additional office space, so we are even closer to our guests and our parks. Soon we will offer tiny houses as private vacation homes for naturists, in the future we will also rent them out.
Tiny living: simpler, more natural, more social
To get around the restrictive laws surrounding the minimum size of homes, people came up with the idea of building the structures on trailers. Thus was born the Tiny house movement. It landed in 2015 in the Netherlands and was immediately received enthusiastically.
The movement responds to the desire to live free of ballast and in harmony with nature. So it is more than just living, it is a complete lifestyle.
A simpler, more conscious life automatically brings a smaller carbon footprint. Less stuff and fewer distractions means more time for what really matters and more focus on your true passion.
Living in a mini home also makes it easier to go out and make contacts faster. More and more people need a solid social fabric in these digital and self-centered times. A tiny house gives enough independence and privacy but also invites you to form a caring community and to share things and services with each other.
Why tiny houses at our parks?
The philosophy of tiny living fits perfectly with Athena and our naturist vision and mission. After placing mobile homes, tiny houses are a logical next step. Although you cannot actually live in our parks, an ecological tiny house can become your place to unwind, enjoy nature, recharge and meet new friends.
Tiny houses are very nice but you can't and may not just place them. At Athena Ossendrecht it is possible within our current permit and under certain conditions. Soon we will start discussions with the municipalities of Kortenberg and Waimes to see what is possible there.
Wrap house as a valuable and creative solution
After much reading, looking and talking, Wikkelhouse turned out to be our favorite. Because of the construction method, the modularity, the durability but most of all the effect inside.
With one or two facades entirely in glass, the organic shapes and lots of wood, you are bathed in light and get an instant feeling of relaxation.
Design and development is done by Fiction Factory, an Amsterdam-based company full of creative minds and handy hands.
The design is groundbreaking. Around a mold in the shape of a house, 24 layers of cardboard are wrapped and glued together. Around this comes a waterproof foil. Inside and outside are finished with wood. The result looks fantastic and is as durable as sustainable as can be. Only renewable materials are used in the construction of a Wrap House and the CO₂-emissions is kept as low as possible. This tiny house is already three times more sustainable than a traditional home, and they continue to improve it.
Wraphouse is made entirely from sustainable materials and is well on its way to becoming 100% biodegradable.
These mini houses last an incredibly long time. Wraphouse is a lightweight, so it does not need a foundation. Thus, it can be easily placed and moved as a mobile vacation home. The modular concept consists of segments of five square meters that easily connect together. So you determine the size yourself.
On Saturday, August 19, we will organize a viewing day at Athena Ossendrecht.
Interested in a Tiny house at Athena? Come explore.
We'll hold open houses in our two Wrap Houses and you'll learn all about placing your own sustainable vacation home on our parks.
You are welcome from 10 a.m. to noon or 2 to 4 p.m.
Please do register in advance at info@naturisme-athena.org.
Why do naturists like a clothing-free lifestyle?
RTL met some of them at Athena Helios: here are their answers.
7,000 Belgians are members of the Belgian Naturist Federation. But there are more if you count those who go to Bredene or to the sauna for a day. This lifestyle is very popular in France, with 4 million naturists, but here in Belgium, it has attracted less attention. Yet the enthusiasts we met swear by it. What drives them to take off their clothes?
As soon as our team arrived at a campsite in Kortenberg, the tone was set: there was not a single bit of dust on their bodies. These nature lovers live naked from morning to night.
"There is no such thing as embarrassment here, we are all on equal footing. Naturism gives everyone a chance. Tall people, short people, fat people, thin people, we all enjoy nature together," one enthusiast confides.
Vianney is the campground manager. Every summer he guides up to 250 naturists a day. He can be found at the bar, on the terrace or in his garden by his beehives.
Under the arbor, the aperitif has already begun. A naturist club from Hainaut is sitting around the table. They are here for a day of complete privacy. "We are really free. When we go shopping and come back to our caravan, we don't empty the shopping bag, we undress. That's the first thing we do to really feel this freedom," one woman explains.
Once you see that people are not looking, you let yourself go.
For Charles, a nude vacation means a small clothing budget. "It's really nice to not have to do laundry when you get back from vacation, and only have a pair of shorts instead of the laundry you need for a ten-day vacation," he confides.
When we come, it's barbecue time. Even by the fire, you don't have to dress up. "It's complicated to be naked because the prudish side always gets the upper hand, that's part of today's society. But once you see that people aren't looking, you let yourself go," Charles says.
More fans
This year, 7,000 Belgians are members of the Naturist Federation. But the number is constantly rising. For Roger, there is one explanation: the number of activities you can enjoy naked is much greater these days.
"Petanque, table tennis, dancing - there are activities almost all year round. We are happy here, it's a paradise," he tells us.
In the pool, to hell with modesty. In the water, they feel free, safe from prying eyes. "You feel submerged, like a fish," says one man. "The freedom of movement without clothes. Being in harmony with Mother Earth, I'll put it this way," another confides.
-> external link and video: RTL (French-language)
-> link: homepage Helios
In the immediate vicinity of Athena Le Perron you can do trailrunning and Nordic walking à volonté. With its five permanently marked trails, Extratrail Malmedy belongs to one of the largest networks in Europe.
Solid infrastructure and carefully selected trails over more than 750 kilometers and 22,000 positive altimeters. Free access and of various lengths - from 5 to 157 kilometers - including one ultra trail course and one vertical track.
Each distance has its own distinctive color code and the signage also mentions the village or town where the trail passes. The total of 30 continuous trails depart from the tourism offices in Malmedy, Spa, Stoumont, Jalhay, Stavelot, Theux or Trois-Ponts. In short: Extratrail is highly recommended.
"One single condition: you cover the trails on foot, respecting the fauna and flora."
The routes are compiled based on geolocation software. So you can download maps and track your progress on your smartphone or watch with GPS.
Adventure in nature
The trails in Malmedy run through handsome, varied landscapes and represent a wide range of technical levels. This thanks to a team of passionate trail runners and organizers of famous races such as the Trail des Hautes Fagnes and the Trail des Idylles. Real adventurers dive into the forest from Le Perron and quickly find connections to the black and red trails.
distance 8 km
height difference + 310 m
duration 1 to 2.5 hours
difficulty ++
distance 18 km
height difference + 492 m
duration 2 to 3.5 hours
difficulty ++
distance 27 km
altitude difference + 740 m
duration 3 to 5 hours
difficulty +++
distance 39 km
altitude difference + 985 m
duration 5 to 8 hours
difficulty ++++
Ultra Tour des Sources (UTDS).
distance 157 km
height difference + 4,140m
duration 20 hours to 5 days
difficulty +++++
Retrieved from extratrail.comyou will find all the info about the courses, precautions to take, weather conditions and any closures due to storms or hunting. In case of fire danger (or strong snowfall) you may not enter the High Fens. Check in advance hautesfagnes.be.
Important!
- Bring plenty of drinks and food.
- Keep a fully charged cell phone handy.
- Be careful when crossing the national road.
- Never stray from the marked trails. Fog and snow can be treacherous, but there is also a chance of getting lost in summer.
France's Céline and Jérémy make a lovely couple in life and a close duo in music. And they are naturals. Perfect for catchy performances at Athena, then. This summer, they will also be including our parks in their tour. We are already applauding loudly.
Just Married Band is a pop and folk cover band. Originally inspired by the soundtracks of Tarantino's films. They love cowboy atmospheres and songs with a naughty twist. But every song in their selection also has something profound. Meanwhile, they are working on songs of their own. They will release those one by one this year, but under a different label.
Saturday, July 22: Athena Helios, 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 23: Athena Ossendrecht, 4 p.m.
The performance itself is free. Non-members pay 9 euros for their day admission to the park. For members, it is 6 euros.
More dates, in other places? Check www.justmarriedband.com and the group's social media.
The nice name already gives it away, with the ZeBraroute zuid you connect Zeeland and Brabant in a swift manner. Near Athena Ossendrecht, 43 wonderful kilometers await you.
Yes, the days are getting longer and the sun's rays warmer. Nature is reviving, and so is our desire to ride. Time for a little tour around Athena Ossendrecht. You start about five kilometers from our park, towards Zeeland. Tip: you can follow the route, or make your tour even more fun by deviating left and right to discover an extra piece of natural beauty.
Exciting spectacle in the Bight of Bath
When you cross the Scheldt-Rhine Canal, you land on a special piece of South Beveland: Reimerswaal or the Land between the two Scheldes. This is Zeeland at its narrowest: a strip between the Oosterschelde and the Westerschelde. With cute villages, wonderfully connected by dikes, fields, meadows and orchards.
Your first fabulous vantage point is the Bight of Bath, where gigantic ships are meticulously making their way to the open sea. Nestle a little further on a bench or just in the grass. With some patience and luck, you'll spot a seal or two.
On to a geological wonder
Cross the land from the Westerschelde to the Oosterschelde and drive through the Rattekaai toward Brabantse Wal. That striking hump is a steep ridge with a height difference of more than twenty meters. An abrupt transition from high-lying sandy soil to low-lying polder clay. Hidden in the depths: layers of soil dating back to the Ice Age. Yep.
Above you enjoy beauty all the way to the horizon. On the way down, you see trenches from World War II. Below, the beautiful polder awaits. Recommended: the first viewpoint in Woensdrecht.
Pick up a piece of the cyclocross World Cup
Now head towards Hoogerheide, recently featured extensively during the cyclocross World Cup. On the way to Calfven you will find a viewpoint with a panorama table. Also worth a pit stop.
Then you pass through nature reserve the Noordpolder. The transitions of high and low, dry and wet, sand and clay create a unique landscape with special plants and animals. Many meadow birds breed there. Numerous pools are a paradise for dragonflies and amphibians. Chances are that you will also spot a marsh harrier, a roe deer or a grazing barnacle goose. In this season, the colors of the kingcup, the true cuckoo and the butterflies are a feast for the eyes.
And there is Ossendrecht again. Settle down on our terrace on De Baar or take a refreshing sauna in our renovated wellness.
external link: ZeBra route
For the summer period, we are looking for vacation workers, job students, temporary cleaning workers at our 3 parks. And campers who would like to spend their free time at one of our parks during the summer season of 2023, as well as occasionally roll up their sleeves to help keep our sanitary buildings tidy.
WORKING STUDENT/HOLIDAY WORKER
Are you looking for vacation work or a fun side job at one of our naturist Campsites?
For our cool naturist campsites we are still looking for help for the upcoming summer season. We offer a good hourly wage depending on your age.
If you are 16 years old or older, are employable for a minimum of 16 hours and see yourself working at one of our parks, please respond quickly.
👉 JOB STUDENT/HOLIDAY WORKER VACANCY
TEMPORARY WORKER FOR THE SUMMER SEASON
Are you still looking for work during the summer season at one of our naturist Campsites?
For our cozy naturist campsites we are still looking for help for the upcoming summer season. We offer an hourly wage according to scale.
If you are 18 years or older, are employable for at least 16 hours and see yourself working at one of the ATHENA parks, please respond quickly.
- Grounds employee cleaning, reception and bar 16 - 38 hours per week
👉 VACANCY TEMPORARY WORKER
CAMPERS VOLUNTEERS
We are looking for active naturist campers who like to spend their free time at one of our parks during the summer season and also like to roll up their sleeves from time to time to help keep our washrooms tidy.
The summer season runs from early July to mid or late August. Athena prefers helpers who come to camp with us for a long period of time. However, you must stay for a minimum of 3 weeks.
You must only own your own accommodation in the form of a caravan, camper or tent. We will provide a nice spot on our park.
You will stay for free at the park during the period that you roll up your sleeves.
👉VACANCY CAMPER VOLUNTEER
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"A day's naturist vacation at home" Sunday we will again host our annual Open House. On Athena that day, you can VISIT OUR PARKS for FREE. Everyone is welcome then. Members, friends and family of members and non-members. A quick swim, pure enjoyment of the sunshine, going for a terrace, it's all possible. Just sign up, on the day, at the front desk. See you on Sunday! |
Thursday our new Wellness opens.
The sauna, in a whole new look, got a beautiful panoramic window and the company of a soothing steam room and a virtuous infrared cabin.
On Wednesday, we'll all roll up our sleeves to welcome you on Thursday.
OPENING HOURS
all year round
Wednesday: 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday: 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Sunday: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
holidays*: 2pm-6pm
(*excluding Christmas and New Year)
WELLNESS TICKET
Premium Members
Day visit + Wellness: 10 €
Basic Members
Day visit + Wellness: 14 €
Non-members
Day visit + Wellness: 17 €
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
(for premium members only -> ask for information at the reception desk)
annual subscription: 228 €
or 19 € per month via direct debit/automatic authorization
annual subscription family: 348 €
or 29 € per month via direct debit/automatic authorization
TICKETS AND SEASON TICKETS AVAILABLE AT RECEPTION
At Athena Ossendrecht there are 3 weekends coming up full of fun and sporting activities. Ascension in the sign of Wellness, Pentecost traditional with band, volleyball and barbecue and the of course! NFN VolleyFest on July 1 and 2.
Book your spot or cottage early! (click here)
ASCENSION WEEKEND
Wednesday, May 17 through Sunday, May 21
The last works will be carried out in the next 2 weeks 🤞. Probably we will reach Ascension and then you can be one of the first to discover our completely renewed sauna and real wellness with Finnish sauna, hammam and infrared sauna.
Wednesday, May 17:
- Sauna/Wellness: 17h - 21h
- Small kitchen: 17h - 18h30 (order)
Thursday, May 18:
- Start photo quest
- Gym: 10:30 a.m.
- Art and Cream Market: 11am - 5pm
- @duck: children animation 14h - 15h30
- Sauna/Wellness: 15h - 21h
- Small kitchen: 17h - 18h30 (ordering)
Friday, May 19:
- Kubb tournament: 14h - 16h
- @duck: children animation 14h - 15h30
- Sauna/Wellness: 15h - 21h
- Small kitchen: 17h - 18h30 (order)
Saturday, May 20:
- Aquagym: 10h30
- @duck: children animation 14h - 15h30
- Sauna/Wellness: 15h - 21h
- Small kitchen: 17h - 18h30 (order)
- Spring menu 35 €: 18h - 19h
(3 courses spring on your plate with local ingredients - register until Friday, May 19, 12h)
Sunday, May 21 :
- Aquagym: 10h30
- @duck: children animation 14h - 15h30
- Sauna/Wellness: 14h - 18h
- Small kitchen: 17h - 18h30 (order)
Pentecost weekend
Friday, May 26, through Monday, May 29
Traditionally with volleyball, barbecue and a party 🥳 with live band on Sunday night
Friday, May 26:
- Sauna: 17h - 21h
- Small kitchen: 17h - 18h30 (ordering)
Saturday, May 27:
- Kubb tournament: 14h - 16h
- @duck: children animation 14h - 15h30
- Sauna: 15h - 21h
- Small kitchen: 17h - 18h30 (ordering
- Traditional BBQ 24 €: 18h - 19h (registration until Friday, May 26, 19h)
2x meat or veggie - vegetables - dessert
Sunday, May 28:
- Volleyball tournament 4 against 4: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Aquagym: 10h30
- @ duckling: children animation 14h - 15h30
- Sauna: 15h - 21h
- Small kitchen: 17h - 18h30 (ordering)
- DeWitt & Koo Live Band 21h - 24h (pizza sharing and frying)
Monday, May 29:
- Volley tournament 4 against 4 - lotto: 10am - 4pm
- @ duckling: children animation 14h - 15h30
- Sauna: 14h - 18h
- Small kitchen: 17h - 18h30 (ordering)
@duck: bouncy castle weekend Pentecost
NaturallyNFN! VolleyFest
Friday, June 30 through Sunday, July 2
Super fun volleyball tournament for all naturists from all over the Netherlands in cooperation with NatuurlijkNFN! 🏐🎸😎
Friday, June 30:
- Sauna: 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
- Nightswimming 22h30
- Small kitchen: 17h - 18h30 (ordering)
Saturday, July 1:
- Volleyball tournament 4 against 4: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Aquagym: 10h30
- @ duckling: children animation 14h - 15h30
- Sauna: 15h - 21h
- Small kitchen: 17h - 18h30 (order)
- Traditional BBQ 24 €: 18h - 19h (registration until Friday, May 26, 19h)
2x meat or veggie - vegetables - dessert
- DeWitt & Koo Live Band 21h - 24h (pizza sharing and deep fry)
Sunday, July 2:
- Volleyball tournament 4 against 4: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Aquagym: 10h30
- Workshop Basic Massage Techniques: 14h
- @duck: children animation 14h - 15h30
- Sauna: 14h - 18h
- Small kitchen: 17h - 18h30 (ordering)
@ducky: bouncy castle
Oh, how we look forward to those warm months ... Here you can already discover what fun things to do in our parks in July and August.
including performances by the Just Married Band, Wellness Weekend, of courseNFN! VolleyFest, Dewitt & Koo, barbecues, bike rides, petanque tournament and much more.
and with established values such as, @duck kids club, gym, sauna, line dance class, hiking, ...
👇👇👇
CHECK HERE FOR OUR FULL CALENDAR
That's not all folks!
Pleasant surprises are still being added to the program. So be sure to keep an eye on the activity boards at our parks and check the calendar on our site