Nudist Core Values and Principles

Traditional naturist values emphasize a decent, moral, family-friendly atmosphere. This is exactly the environment that should be presented in order to educate the general public about wholesome nude recreation. This, the core philosophy of naturism must remain strong. Recently I read articles about a well-known clothing optional resort in Florida that has begun an aggressive marketing plan that targets “non-traditional” nudists. This decision has led to a great deal of dissatisfaction among the permanent residents of the resort and has in fact resulted in the resort being suspended by AANR for their decision to cater to “swingers”.

Many within the naturist community view swingers and others who use nudism as a guise for seeking sex as the biggest threat to nudism. When nudism is attacked, it is the linkage between nudity and sexual activity that is most often used to paint nudism in a negative light. Since the “nudity equals sex” misconception is the biggest issue nudists must overcome, this only adds fuel to the fire for those who already oppose nudism.

I have no quarrel with nudists who say adults deserve the right to have places for “adult” fun and activities. Also, I am not making any negative judgments about those who enjoy swinging activities even though it isn’t something that appeals to me personally. Yet I don’t apologize for my opinion that family oriented nudist resorts and venues are not the appropriate places for sexual activities. When sexual activity of any kind happens at a nude beach or a resort, those who oppose nudism use that to attack nudism and as an excuse to further infringe on the rights of nudists to responsibly enjoy nudist activities on public lands. Tolerance of open sexual activities in nude recreation fosters the misconception that nudity is an “adults only” thing, when in fact it should be a safe, wholesome atmosphere for the whole family that allows everyone to learn respect, positive body awareness and development of positive self-esteem. The only kind of nude recreation likely to catch on with the average family isn't the sexualized variety. Sure nudists enjoy sexuality as much as anyone but we cannot afford to cater to those who would sexualize nudism. It might be enjoyable by the minority and might make more money for some resorts but it can also destroy nudism starting at the very core of the nudist philosophy. In order for nudism to really grow and gain acceptance in the long run, it needs to be kept wholesome at all costs.

Our society seems obsessed with hiding what is termed the “indecent” body. Nudists must strive to present themselves as exemplary naturist citizens, fully abiding by wholesome standards of naturist behavior, etiquette and courtesy. They need to stand together to effectively discount that misconception by having and following a common standard of conduct. There are plenty of places for those who enjoy a sexualized nudist environment to indulge their interests and find acceptance so there is no need for the family friendly resorts and venues to cave into the pressure to accommodate the non-traditionalists.

A First Social Nudity Outing

All of the clubs and resorts associated with such organizations at the American Association of Nude Recreation (AANR) aim to provide a stress free, relaxed experience for first time visitors. AANR affiliated clubs and resorts are the perfect choice for those who have developed an interest in nudity and feel ready to move beyond simple home nudity to a first social nudity experience.

You can easily locate a club or resort near your home by referencing the helpful AANR Club Listings web page. You will find a map on the page and you simply click on your own or a nearby state and you will then be taken to a list of AANR clubs and resorts for that specific area.

One important thing to know and understand is that there are two types of nudist clubs. The first is a “landed club”. A landed club, often referred to as a resort has its own grounds and facilities. Landed clubs range from the very posh and luxurious to those that are more related to nature and rustic. Landed clubs are my recommendation for a first visit and first social nudity experience. It is not necessary to be a member of a nudist organization like AANR or The Naturist Society (TNS) before visiting a nudist resort but members of these organizations do receive discounts on fees and often on lodging as well.

Most clubs and resorts have web sites and you will find links to those on the club listing pages. Check out the web sites of those that are of interest to do a little preliminary research to find out general information about the club and the atmosphere you can expect if you choose to visit. It is always best to plan a head and to understand the type of club you will be attending and to familiarize yourself with their rules and regulations.

Most if not all require that you call ahead of time and make a reservation so that they will be expecting you. This is a good time to ask any questions that you may have and to put yourself at ease over anything you might feel uncomfortable about. Be sure to let the club representative know that this will be your first visit to a nudist club. The representative will then do his/her best to make sure you understand all you need to know about their club.

Here are a few suggested questions to ask:

• What are the club’s admissions policies?
• What are the fees involved?
• What recreational facilities does the club offer?
• If you are planning on more than just a day visit, you will want to ask them what type of accommodations they have to offer if any. Some offer standard motel rooms and nearly all have camping facilities to accommodate both RVs and tents.
• Ask if there is an adjustment period before first timers are expected to take off their clothing. AANR affiliated clubs are very sensitive to the fact that a first time visitor is going to feel a bit nervous and uneasy at the prospect and generally will allow you to remain clothed while you are given a tour of the grounds and make up your mind about staying. There are “clothing optional” and “clothes free” resorts so make sure you understand the policy of the specific club or resort that you select. Clothing optional clubs allow and encourage nudity but full nudity is not required except when using pools or hot tubs. Clothes free resorts on the other hand have a clothes when necessary (inclement weather) but nude when possible policy. Some clubs have different rules based on gender, appreciating the fact that women are sometimes more ill at ease when visiting a nudist club for the first time than men. So women may be allowed “clothing optional” while men are expected to be nude. Still, it is pretty much a common rule with all that full nudity is required for those who wish to use the pools or hot tub.
• If you intend to take pets for an overnight stay, make sure to inquire about pet policies. Many nudist clubs are very family oriented and pet friendly and do allow pets but expect that you will have them on leash when in the common areas.

There are a few things you will want to make sure that you take along for your first visit;

• Photo identification.
• A couple of towels as nudist rules of etiquette require that a towel be used for sitting on any furnishings for personal hygiene reasons. It is nice to have a second towel to use after swimming or showering.
• Sun block to prevent sunburn on areas where you normally don’t get sun.
• Camping equipment if you will staying overnight and are not renting a room.

Every club or resort has its own rules but here are some rather common ones that you might encounter;

• Sitting on towels is a common courtesy and expected.
• Always ask permission before taking photographs if cameras are allowed.
• Use of vulgar language or any other unseemly behavior is prohibited.
• Parents must supervise their children at all times.
• Body acceptance is the theme at nudist clubs and resorts and everyone is encouraged to be nude most of the time but it is not mandatory at all places.
• No overt sexual activity is permitted. No sexual propositions of any kind allowed. Basically, any behavior that might cause others to feel uncomfortable is forbidden.
• Piercing jewelry below the waist is usually not permitted.
• Overuse of alcohol and any use of illegal drugs is not tolerated.
• Politeness and respect for the property of others is expected.

As far as costs go, most resorts charge a “day rate fee” and there are additional charges for lodging or camping. Many offer special rates and discounts to first time visitors so be sure to ask about them. Day rate fees vary but tend to range from $ 20 - $30 per day.

Getting Started as a Nudist

While I didn’t start this blog as previously mentioned for the purpose of converting anyone to the nudist/naturist lifestyle, perhaps you have been following this blog and some of what I’ve said seems to resonate with you. Perhaps you have found yourself interested in exploring nudism but don’t quite know how to start.

If you had the same type of conservative upbringing that I did, you first inclination is not to head for the nearest nude beach or resort. My well meaning parents imbued me with a good bit of shame about nudity and as a consequence for years I struggled with body issues. When I first came to look at nudism and began to see that this was something I wanted to experience, I needed a very low key and non-threatening introduction to it. The same is likely true of many others.

Getting started is actually very simple, just take your clothes off and get naked right there in the privacy and safe environment of your own home. That is exactly how I started. If you are anything like me, the first thing you do when you arrive home is to remove your shoes. Why? Because it just feels more comfortable. Getting naked just takes that a step further and believe me it does feel a lot more comfortable. I have reached the point where I never wear clothes at home and am always nude unless I’m answering the door or entertaining non-nudist friends. I feel so comfortable with it now in fact that on more than one occasion I have just caught myself at the last second before walking out on my patio completely naked. That would not be a good thing since I live in an apartment complex where anyone who happened to look would have seen me. This is just an illustration of how comfortable I have grown with being nude and now I actually don’t really even think about it or notice that I’m not wearing clothes.

Another way to get comfortable with living clothes free at home is to spend time doing routine household chores and activities in the nude: house cleaning, laundry, cooking, eating, etc. I use to hate cleaning my apartment and candidly, I still don’t actually enjoy it but it is one of those things that must be done. Now that I do it in the nude, it doesn’t seem nearly as much a chore because I’ve combined something not inherently pleasurable with something very pleasurable, spending time nude. Everything I do at home, I do while naked and this I think is an excellent way to gain comfort with your own nudity. At first anytime I walked past a mirror, I’d notice my nakedness but now I don’t give it a thought.

Once you get comfortable being naked inside your home, if you happen to have a backyard with a privacy fence, I’d encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to get comfortable with being nude outdoors. You could sunbathe, just sit out on your patio nude reading a good book or if you have a pool, try some skinny dipping. I think you will find the feel of the warm sun and breeze on your bare skin to be most delightful. I think you will be surprised how quickly you will become comfortable living in just your own skin.

At some point after getting comfortable spending time naked at home, many people will then become interested in trying social nudity and spending time naked around others. The others might be family, close friends, people you live with, or perhaps total strangers (which is often easier) by way of a visit to a nude beach or nudist resort. If you do live with others, be sure to respect their feelings. It’s better to discuss things with them beforehand as they may find it a little odd if you just start going naked around the house. Once they find out you like to be naked and get accustomed to it, they may not have any problem with it even if they don't choose to go along. Once you are comfortable with being nude at home and on your own property and if you do decide to try social nudity among strangers, in a later article I will discuss how you go about finding a nudist venue and what to expect on your first visit.

Some people will learn to enjoy spending time at home nude but that may be where their interest in nudism ends and being a “home nudist” may fulfill all the needs they have as a nudist. If that is the case, then there is certainly nothing wrong with it. Just as nudism isn’t for everyone, social nudism also isn’t. There is no hierarchy among nudists. If you enjoy being a home nudist, you are every bit as much a nudist as those of us who enjoy social nudism and are comfortable spending time nude while socializing with other like minded people.

A Case for Tolerance

My purpose for starting this blog wasn’t to convert anyone to nudism. Primarily I started the blog for two reasons.

• To document my own personal experiences and immersion into the nudist lifestyle.
• To present factual information on the nudism/naturism lifestyle, to dispel myths about it and to increase awareness and hopefully more tolerance if not acceptance of the lifestyle among non-nudists who may visit this blog.

Tolerance is simply reasonable indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own. Tolerance doesn’t mean that you need to subscribe to or adopt those beliefs or practices, but merely permit those who hold them to do so without interference. Religious tolerance is a good example of what I’m speaking of. Generally in this country we allow people to embrace whatever religion they choose or no religion at all without interference or without trying to convert them to our own beliefs. Is there any compelling reason why we can’t show the same tolerance towards nudism? If you happen to have strong moral, cultural or religious beliefs that for you cause nudism to be wrong or offensive, I respect that. I ask only the same respect in return.

Showing tolerance towards nudists doesn’t mean that you agree with them or that you give consent for people to appear nude anytime and in any place or in any manner force you to view their nudity. If nudity is offensive to you then you have the right not to suffer exposure to the nudity of others. It means only that you acknowledge that those who enjoy nudity have the right to be nude at appropriate times and in appropriate settings when there is no infringement upon the rights of non-nudists. Limiting the rights of others is a slippery slope in any democratic society. In a very real way when we limit the rights of someone else, we have in effect limited our own.

Let’s look at some practical examples of tolerance in action. Say you happen to notice your neighbor passing a window in their home completely nude. The neighbor was careless of course in not making certain to close the blinds or curtains to prevent accidental exposure to someone and causing offense, but it was an accident and not something done with the intent of exposing themselves to you. Or say you live in a two story home and happen to look out an upper floor window into your neighbor’s backyard and observe him or her nude sunbathing beside their pool. Tolerance simply means that instead of the knee jerk reaction that some would have in this situation, picking up the phone and calling the police to complain, a reasonable person would simply acknowledge that their neighbor had been careless or was unaware they were within someone’s view. If you felt strongly enough about it and felt offended, then by all means it is your right to contact the offending neighbor, tell them what had occurred and ask them to be more careful in the future. As a nudist I’d have no problem with that and would be sensitive to the concerns of a neighbor who brought something like that to my attention and would in the future exercise greater care.

On the other hand, if someone seems to be repeatedly and purposely exposing themselves in your observation or say besides exposing themselves they are also engage in some “lewd” behavior then perhaps calling the authorities would be the logical action to take. Not everyone in the nude is a nudist. You could be dealing with a garden variety exhibitionist or at the very least someone who has absolutely no respect or concern for the rights of others. Even as a nudist, I don’t want to watch others having sex or engaging in lewd behavior. No one has the right to make you feel uncomfortable. One person’s rights end where they begin to encroach upon and to infringe upon the rights of another. Tolerance has only the expectation that you will evaluate each situation separately and make your decision to act based on the specific circumstances. In any of the examples I provided you may honestly feel offended, but I ask you to consider the circumstances. Was it the result of carelessness or was the act that caused you offense purposeful? Then decide what action you feel is appropriate for that specific circumstance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Nudism

No nudism informational site would be complete without a frequently asked question section. For those who aren’t familiar with nudism but who might have an interest in learning about it, it is understandable that there are many questions. I developed this list of frequently asked questions from perusing lots of other naturist sites and so I don’t claim credit for them being original. Still they are I think representative of the questions that many might have.

Why be nude?

Nudity is often more comfortable and practical than clothing. There are times when clothing is physically uncomfortable. Nudity, on the other hand, is often more comfortable and for many activities nudity is often far more practical than clothing. The practice of nudism is, for nudists, an immensely freeing experience. In freeing oneself to be nude in the presence of others, including members of the other sex, the nudist also gives up all the social baggage that goes along with the nudity taboo. Being nude just feels good and the sense of freedom that comes from the nudist experience is consistently rated as one of the main reasons that people feel attracted to nudism. Nudists are not against clothing. Rather, we believe that you should dress only when necessary and appropriate.

Isn't nudity offensive?

Nudists are obviously not offended by nudity but there is no question that some people do find nudity offensive for a variety different reasons: moral, cultural, religious or a combination of one of more of those reasons. However, that people should be offended is debatable. Most often the basis for taking offense is the linkage between nudity and sex which permeates our society but is simply false. Nudity is not, by itself erotic and nudity in mixed groups is not inherently sexual. Sexuality is a matter of intent rather than state of dress. Nudity promotes social equality, feelings of unity with others, and more relaxed social interaction in general. Clothing locks us into a collective unreality that prescribes complex responses to social status, roles and expected behaviors. As the artificial barrier of clothing is done away with, social class and status disappear. People can then begin to relate to each other as they are, and not as they seem to be. In a free society, people should be free to do what they want as long as they are not infringing on the rights of others or causing others harm. It is difficult to understand how looking at the human body may harm anyone. Nonetheless, one intent of nudism is not to offend which is why nudists seek out areas where they may enjoy being nude without offending or bothering anyone.

Isn't nudity sexual?

Most of the people who visit a nudist gathering for the first time are surprised by the lack of sexuality. Some expect a sexually charged atmosphere, since in America a strong connection is assumed between nudity and sex due to the proliferation of “sex sells” advertising and pornography. However, the link between nudity and sexuality is arbitrary and capricious. Why should we choose to hide some parts of the body and not others? Our lips, for example, are probably as involved in sexuality as our genital areas yet people walk around exposing their lips without fear of causing sexual arousal. Also, our “sexual” parts are actually used for other things much more frequently than they are used for sex. The fact is you would likely find that suggestively clothed people are more sexually arousing than completely nude people. It can be easily be more sexual to wear clothing which subtly hides and emphasizes certain parts of the body. That nudity implies sexuality is the biggest misconception that nudists have to fight. This is not to say that nudists are against sexuality or that they make judgments about how others choose to express it. We just believe, like most of society, that there is an appropriate time and place for it and believe it should be expressed in privacy.

Aren't all nudists exhibitionists/voyeurs?

Exhibitionists expose themselves primarily to shock others or for the purpose of their own sexual arousal. Exhibitionism is not a part of nudism. Exhibitionists find no thrill in nudist environments because of the lack of overt sexuality and their inability to shock anyone. Nudists just want to be nude and they like to be with others because as humans we are social creatures. The same is true with regards to the issue of voyeurism. Since nudity in the norm at a nudist gathering, most nudists would tell you that they actually aren’t even consciously aware of nudity, there own or that of others. True nudists emphasize a decent, family atmosphere and morality.

Isn’t being nude illegal?

When and where a person may be lawfully nude of course varies greatly by jurisdiction. In most western jurisdictions (including the U. S.) it is legal to be nude on private property so long as you can't be seen by others outside the property. Consequently, it is legal to be nude within the confines of your own home and even in your own backyard as long as you are not in view of anyone outside your property. Also, nudity is legal for the same reason at all nudist resorts, landed clubs and at public, clothing-optional beaches where nudity is permitted by the authorities.

Mere nudity is not in itself lewd or “indecent exposure”, a distinction upheld by extensive legal precedent nationwide. Still due to the fact that most jurisdictions do not have laws on the books specifically addressing mere nudity, nudity is managed under the laws that do exist, such as laws prohibiting “indecent exposure” or “lewd conduct.” This is truly unfortunate in that it can result in a law-abiding person having an innocent act such as nude sunbathing in their own backyard criminalized in instances where a neighbor peeks through a knot hole or crack in a privacy fence, becomes “offended” and makes a complaint to law enforcement.

Clearly, it isn’t lawful to appear nude in any place at any time as has been mentioned, some people are honestly shocked and offended by nudity.

Doesn't nudity violate religious beliefs?

Many nudists are devoutly religious people and find no contradiction between their beliefs and nudity and some Christian naturists report feeling closer to God when they are nude in nature. Directives against nudity are generally not part of the basic philosophy of any religion. Rather, they have been added to the doctrine of the religion out of fear that nudity will lead to indiscriminate sexual activity which is prohibited by the doctrines of many religions. True nudists know that such fears are groundless because the practice of nudism is not sexual and is neither shameful nor obscene.

Are there rules of conduct or etiquette observed at nudist gatherings?

Yes, nudists do observe a few rules of etiquette which are simply the same common-sense guidelines for behavior that apply in the clothed world. Be polite and respect the rights of others. When visiting a resort or club, make sure you understand the rules specific to that organization. Here are a few general rules to observe when attending a nudist gathering…

• Gawking is impolite. It is okay to look and you may at first from mere curiosity but it is always considered rude to stare. Making eye contact with a person you are speaking with is expected.
• For sanitary reasons always sit on a towel when using any furniture, public seats or benches.
• Respect the environment. Help keep the area clean. In clubs, use the trash cans and cigarette butt receptacles if you smoke. Always leave an area cleaner than when you arrived.
• Do not engage in any overt sexual activity.
• Respect the privacy of others. Never photograph anyone without getting their permission first. Resorts and clubs often have specific rules about when and where cameras may be taken and used.

What if I get an erection?

This is the most common concern among men new to nudism. However, it is most unlikely that anyone would have an erection on a first visit to a nudist gathering. The combination of the non-sexual environment and the unfamiliarity of a first-time visit serve to minimize the issue. That being said, an erection is a natural part of life. Nudists realize this and will not take offence as long as it is not being flaunted. If an erection does occur, covering up with a towel, taking a dip in a cool pool, or rolling over on your stomach until it subsides will take care of the situation.

What if I don't have a good body?

The concept of the perfect body is a myth and nudists believe that the stress caused by the unrealistic expectations of society is very damaging. Nudists practice body acceptance and are accepting of all regardless of body shape, size, age, color, etc. If you visit a nudist environment, you will find all types of bodies. What you will likely discover is that you look pretty much like everyone else without clothing.

Is naturism appropriate for families?

True nudists believe nudism is appropriate for all regardless of age. Resorts and clubs who are members of organizations like the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) agree to keep their facilities wholesome and family oriented. Nudists believe that it is healthier for children to grow up comfortable with their own bodies and don't see any advantage in teaching them to be ashamed and embarrassed by certain parts of their bodies. Children are not born with any shame about nudity and it is only in later years that people are pressured into feeling self-conscious and as a result adopt other people's phobias about the body. Although good parenting is by far the most important factor in raising children, naturism helps to promote their confidence and understanding about their bodies.

Semantics: Nudism versus Naturism

Discerning observer that you are, you have likely noticed that I use the terms nudism and naturism; nudist and naturist interchangeably in my writings here. Is there a real difference in these terms? Does it matter which is used at any given time? I don't think so. In the United States, naturism and nudism have very similar meanings and people tend to use the two terms interchangeably. Nudism is perhaps used with a slight bit more frequency here and it is the older of the two terms used to describe the cultural lifestyle of a person who practices, advocates and defends social nudity in private and in public. In Europe, the term naturist is the most common. If you reference the Oxford English dictionary you will find that the two words are synonymous.

Still some feel quite adamant about this subject. Some nudists don't wish to be called naturists and some naturists don't like to be called nudists. Depending on whom you ask, some will say that the terms define two different philosophies which simply have nudity in common. Those who find a difference define naturists as closer to nature and more interested in practicing nudity in outdoor settings: forests, mountains and beaches while nudists are people who practice nudity more in urban and club settings.

Not all people who practice nudity like any label at all. They don't see themselves as different from anyone else and may not espouse or subscribe to any naturist/nudist philosophy.

As you can see the usage and definition of these terms varies geographically and historically. So while in the United States, naturism and nudism have very similar meanings, in Britain there is a clear distinction. Nudism is the act of being naked, while naturism is a lifestyle which embraces nudity in conjunction with nature, the environment, respect for others, self-respect, healthy eating, vegetarianism, teetotalism, non-smoking, yoga, physical exercise and pacifism as well as nudity.

Despite the distinctions that some like to draw, I think if you can see the elements: lifestyle, harmony with nature, social nudity, self-respect, respect for others and respect for the environment, you are really talking about the same thing regardless of which term is used. I don’t really have a preference for one term over the other perhaps because I can see myself easily moving between the two definitions when a distinction is made. While I do enjoy nudity in conjunction with nature, I also enjoy the social nudity practiced within urban and club settings.

I'm Hardly a Nude Activist

I’m new to nudism but like most nudists I believe I am quite conventional and not at all a nude activist. We have likely all read about the nude activist at some point or seen him or her on television. The nude activist demands the right to go naked at all times with no restrictions on where and when. To make the point, the nude activist may stroll or bike down the public streets protesting for their cause or march along a busy highway in the buff to protest the war in Iraq. The nude activist views any restriction on nudity as a violation of his or her very civil liberties, conveniently ignoring the human rights of those who don't wish to see naked bodies outside McDonalds. In order to obtain maximum exposure the nude activist is prepared and seemingly anxious to go to jail for the cause.

Personally, I have no sympathy for nude activists. I support organizations who work hard for nudist rights, but I'll never be a nude activist. Many people consider nudity, even their own to be sinful, shameful or offensive. I personally find this hard to understand but I respect each person’s right to their own beliefs and opinions. Sometimes there are deep-rooted moral, religious or cultural beliefs that are at the foundation of these negative feelings towards nudity that just aren’t going to be changed by reason. Such people are genuinely upset at public displays of nudity and I respect their right not to see me naked. Certainly, I have a right to be nude, but there is a time and place for everything, and common sense tells me that Main Street is not it.

Unlike the nude activist, I don't care to be arrested, fined, jailed or subjected to lawsuits. In Texas and I suspect most other places, inappropriate public nudity inevitably invites predicable law enforcement intervention. Jails are from what I can tell very dispiriting places and thus places I'd rather avoid. Being expected to wear clothes in situations where it is considered the norm is not a denial of my basic human rights and my personal well-being or happiness are not materially effected by it. I wouldn’t enjoy being gawked at in public by those who don’t share my affinity for nudity or being thought of as a pervert or the “weird” guy who walks around bare ass naked.

I don’t believe that the antics of nude activists advance the cause of nudism. If anything I think they merely reinforce the negative opinions (perverts, exhibitionists) that many people already have about nudism and nudists in general. Conventional nudists, a group with which I identify, want to enjoy the right to hold our values and beliefs and to spend time nude but only under appropriate circumstances and within appropriate locations. We want the right to responsibly enjoy nudity within our homes and property without worrying that an ultra-prudish person peering through a knot hole in our backyard fence or using a telescope or binoculars to spy us through a window of our own home, will become offended and then call the police and make a complaint. We want the right to be parents and to exercise reasonable decision-making in the upbringing of our families in a manner consistent with our beliefs and without interference by others. We want the right to responsibly enjoy private property like our clubs and resorts in a state of nudity without interference. We want the right to enjoy nature by having separate but equal access to public lands like backcountry areas, national parks and beaches. We want the right to be free from adverse or retaliatory actions by our employers as a result of our lawful enjoyment of nudity when away from work. Finally, we want to be treated as law-abiding citizens rather than as criminals. There are plenty of resources available to be used by all and nudists and non-nudists could enjoy outdoor activities with just a little planning, signage, forbearance and mutual respect. It works in other countries, so why not here?

As a nudist I don’t want you or your family to be subjected to my nudity or anyone else’s if you find nudity to be offensive. It is your right to have your own morals and beliefs and I have a duty to respect them. But I have the right to enjoy my lifestyle responsibility as long as it doesn’t interfere with someone else’s rights. It may be surprising that I would be in favor of more laws regulating nudity but I am. There should be laws enacted for that specific purpose. Right now, nudity is regulated by sexual offense laws designed for dealing with indecency and lewdness. I think specific laws regulating nudity designed along the same lines of say the regulation of smoking in public. If a person is found smoking in a public no smoking area, they generally are not arrested for it or forced to register as a sex offender but that frequently happens to nudists. The smoker is usually told to extinguish the tobacco, possible even made to leave the area but unless they willfully persist in their inappropriate behavior, they are not arrested or even fined in most instances. In comparison to Europe, we are still a very young country but I feel it is high time that we grow up and develop a little more tolerance for people who happen to be different from the way we are and have different opinions and perspectives. I think we have a lot more important issues to spend our time worrying about than whether someone else enjoys spending time sans clothing.

Why Nudism is Good

There is a dreadful anxiety surrounding nudity among many in the general public. A rather common opinion is that nudity is wrong, sinful, and offensive and best left practiced behind closed doors if people must engage in nudism so that they do not offend others by exposing themselves. Some object to any public exposure of a naked human body on moral, religious or decency grounds and regard the exposure of a naked body as inherently sexual. Societies, especially here in this country have enacted laws that criminalize nudity on the basis of an indecency theory. Such laws imply that it is reasonable to associate emotions like disgust and shame with the nude human body. As many other countries across the world know and many societies in the past have proven, this is simply not true. Nudity is a natural and normal state of being that should be embraced and supported in all of its positive forms.

Like pretty much any activity or state of being, nudity has good and bad forms. Good forms of nudity and nude activities include but are not limited to sunbathing, swimming, enjoying nature and simply socializing. Naturism is the philosophy of living in harmony with nature. This includes an affinity and respect for wildlife and the natural environment, an attempt to live a healthy lifestyle, and the acceptance of the human body as naturally good and wholesome, hence a rejection of the culture of lust and shame regarding the nude human body.

Nudity also has its bad forms and these include most of what the mass media ties to nudity: harassment, molestation, exhibitionism, voyeurism and hedonism. Much of the fear and sensationalism surrounding nudity in American society stems directly from the publicly held belief that nudity is somehow necessarily or at least usually connected with sex. Many advertisers contribute to this notion by producing risqué commercials and popularizing bare sex appeal as a virtue. For the most part, these advertisers are following a “sex sells” mantra and disregard the effects that their messages have on society and the people who see them and the conceptual images of nudity and sex in the eyes of those people.

There is, of course, no necessary connection between nudity and sex, but rather only a coincidental one. Nudity does not need to imply sex in the least. There are forces in American society that have made a fortune endorsing and reinforcing that causal link, but that doesn’t make it any truer. That nudity implies sexuality is the biggest misconception that naturists have to fight and this connection between nudism and sex is the biggest reason why so many in society view nudism in a negative way. There is a difference between displaying genitalia in a mixed social setting and sexual behavior. All conventional nudist organizations reject the use of the terms “nudism” or “naturism” as a cover for sexual activity. Most nudists are very conservative and monogamous in their sexual behavior. Family-oriented nudist resorts have policies regarding displays of physical affection, restricting any manner of public sexual conduct. This is not to say that nudists are against sexuality or passing judgment on sexual activities among consenting adults. Nudists simply believe as most of society does that there is an appropriate time and place for it. Naturists enjoy social nudity, but like everyone else they keep their sex life private.

Nudism is a wholesome, healthy lifestyle and there are innumerable reasons to be nude when you can. Being nude in a comfortable and relaxed situation is a serene and wonderful experience and offers the freedom to be happy, healthy, active, productive, sane, social, bold, unashamed, and truly alive. Social nudism is an interesting and effective way to communicate and bond with others. Nudity is relaxing and stress-relieving, which is healthy for the body and mind. Nudity also has other positive physical health benefits. Moderate exposure to sunlight increases Vitamin D intake and actually improves many aspects of skin health, discouraging fungal and bacterial infections. In fact, sunlight exposure is even sometimes prescribed for people with some skin diseases. Nudity allows more exposure and gets sunlight to body areas normally neglected.

One of the most compelling principles of nudism is the ideal of body acceptance. Mainstream society and mass media makes harsh judgments about and often discriminates against those who don’t match the unrealistic air-brushed and digitally enhanced ideal promoted by Madison Avenue. In the past women have born the brunt of being made to feel shame by not living up to these unrealistic ideals of the body, but now many younger men are also being made to feel insecure because they don’t match up to similar unrealistic ideals. Most nudists and naturists make you feel welcome no matter what you look like. Nudists have developed some very positive ideas about what nudity should be about and promote acceptance. This in turn helps many to develop a better self-image and improved body image.

Nudity is not an activity or act or a behavior, but simply a lifestyle in the absence of clothing. Participating in social nudist gatherings is not an event, it’s just an opportunity to feel free, be comfortable and healthy. I think it is always important to remember that you are not getting nude for others, but getting nude for yourself. Nudism shows people can be nude with dignity. The human body should be considered sacred and beautiful. Nudism is a way to enjoy nudity the highest level. We should be proud and feel pure while nude, not ashamed or dirty-feeling.

A Special Place

I have a few days off here at the beginning of the week and was seriously planning to visit another resort. I have been in contact with another resort by email and they agreed to allow me to come during the week even though they normally only welcome visitors on the weekends. Generally I work weekends so weekdays work best for me even though I know I do miss out on the social aspects of nudism by going during the week. Still I feel like I am more in the mold of a naturist as what I most enjoy about nudism is just the chance to be outdoors without clothing – walking, jogging, hiking and just enjoying the feel of the wind and the sun on my bare skin.

Well, unfortunately the forecast didn’t cooperate with me having some available time. While not really cold, it has been very windy and rain seems almost a certainty for the next few days. I will see how things shape up tomorrow, but right now I have a plan for finding some outdoor nude recreation time even though I decided the resort visit wasn’t going to work out this week. It’s funny but I actually can tell I’m getting much bolder the more into nudism I get. I have taken to spending time out on my deck nude even though I live in an apartment and don’t have any real expectation of privacy. I am conscious and considerate of the neighboring textiles however, and am only going out on the deck after dark so I won’t be observed and won’t be offending anyone.

While I live in the midst of urban sprawl, there is a large state park a short distance away and initially I was planning on trying to visit there tomorrow as a possible place to enjoy some outdoor nude time. Spring break has ended and since it’s still early Spring, I thought maybe I could catch some freehiking time without too much of a risk of running into anyone. But given the chance of rain by tomorrow afternoon I was beginning to give up hope on even that idea. Then this evening I happened to read a personal experience story written by another nudist which sparked an idea. She is a runner too and her story was about finding, quite by accident a nice secluded meadow with privacy along one of her favorite running routes and now enjoys that as her “special place” for nude sunbathing and just enjoying some nude time outdoors close to home. Like me she lives a good distance from any nudist facilities and so she was missing the chance to get outdoors in the nude on a regular basis. It occurred to me that there is a large, linear park and greenbelt area behind my apartments that runs along both sides of a local river. Surely there must be a spot in the vicinity that I could find and adopt as my own special place. I know already that infrequent trips to the resorts are not going to satiate my need for outdoor nude time. It’s funny I never would have considered going nude anywhere but at an established nudist facility but again I guess I’m feeling bolder about things. So tomorrow I’ll be going exploring to see what I might find. I had a pretty good base tan going after last week and my visit to the resort and already it is starting to fade. It would be nice to have a place right near home to continue working on my tan this summer. If nothing else, it will give me a chance to do a little hiking.

Emerging Nudist

Recently I read an article which used the term “absolute nudist”, suggesting it referred to someone unhesitant and unashamed to openly reveal his or her chosen lifestyle as a nudist to anyone and everyone - someone willing to lay it all on the line for the cause - not just about living without clothing but about living without fear of being judged by others in society who might not be pro-nudism.

By that definition I certainly am not even close to being an “absolute nudist”. Candidly, I guess I’d have to admit to being closer to being a “closet nudist” than an absolute nudist. None of my family members and few of my non-nudist friends know about my passion for nudism. While I’m open about my naturist tendencies on a nudist site I belong to as a member and here, both are places I feel comfortable doing so. On the nudist site, I’m communicating with others who also are into social nudism and nude recreation, so they understand. Here I am afforded the protection of anonymity. I’m just not yet at a point where I feel comfortable talking about or revealing my interest in nudism to just anybody.

Since my views about naturism and my practice of it are continually evolving so I’m not actually sure exactly what kind of naturist I am. Here based on the title of my blog, I’m an “emerging nudist” which I suppose is as good a label as any to apply to myself if a label is even needed. I have incorporated and adapted the naturist lifestyle, philosophies and practices into my life where I can. I do however remain practical about it and realize that nudity doesn’t fit into every situation. While I prefer to be nude whenever possible, I don’t feel I’m compromising myself when I must wear clothing. At least I have arrived at the point where wearing clothes is no longer an automatic decision but is now a conscious choice.

I sometimes find myself daydreaming about the opportunity to live the nude lifestyle all the time. Perhaps someday I might move somewhere where social nudity is more accepted by society in general and have that chance. Until then I will just have to be content with incorporating naturism into my life where it fits. Interestingly, even when I’m fully dressed, I still feel like a naturist. Am I an absolute naturist? No. Am I an emerging naturist? Yes, I think so and for now, I’m happy being that.

The Legality of Nudism

The following does not constitute legal advice. In order to arrive at legal understanding, it is necessary to know much more than the words in the criminal codes (some of which have been around for well over a hundred years) or those contained in excerpts from court opinions.

Of course whether practicing nudism can be done legally, and where it can legally be enjoyed are issues that vary dependent upon where a person lives. At the present time at least, in my home state, Texas, public nudity is lawful on private property at the several nudist resorts and venues within the state. These are open, advertised locations and not operated in any secretive, clandestine manner. But even at these sites, nudity must be confined away from locations where people outside the facility might view and be offended by nudity as this could result in criminal complaints.

In the Texas the statute that is most of interest with respect to nudism is found in Section 21.08 of the Texas Penal Code. Here is the statute in its entirety.

INDECENT EXPOSURE (a) A person commits an offense if he exposes his anus or any part of his genitals with intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person, and he is reckless about whether another is present who will be offended or alarmed by his act. (b) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor.

The language of this statute does not per se criminalize public nudity. As the law reads, a person exposing his (her) anus or any part of his (her) genitals is only guilty of an offense if he (she) does so for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of “any” person. But a couple of things need to be considered. First, “any person” includes persons exposing themselves and second, while intent can never legally be assumed but is an element that must be proven in court, for some reason, unlike other laws, enforcement officials will often impute the intent when it comes to the indecent exposure statute. In other words they will often assume the reason a person would expose his (or her) anus or genitals in public is because they were seeking to arouse or gratify their own sexual desire and are not at all hesitant to take enforcement action (i.e. make arrests). As a result, a person is well served by erring on the side of caution in Texas and refraining from engaging in public nudity anywhere other than resorts or other clothing optional venues where it is known to be lawful conduct.

Other jurisdictions are more lenient and some more restrictive on where a person may engage in public nudity. In California for example, the California State Supreme Court has ruled that nudity alone is not illegal or criminal unless accompanied by acts of lewdness. Again what constitutes “lewdness” varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction but again from the Texas Penal Code, here is the governing statute from Section 21.07.

PUBLIC LEWDNESS (a) A person commits an offense if he (she) knowingly engages in any of the following acts in a public place or, if not in a public place, he (she) is reckless about whether another is present who will be offended or alarmed by his (her): (1) act of sexual intercourse; (2) act of deviate sexual intercourse; (3) act of sexual contact; or (4) act involving contact between the person's mouth or genitals and the anus or genitals of an animal or fowl. (b) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.

I and I think the majority of nudists do not wish to offend anyone or force other unwilling persons to observe us in the nude. At least for me, having other people see me naked or seeing other people naked is not a part of what nudism is about. I for instance simply want access to locations where I can enjoy simple, normal, every day activities in the nude; like sunbathing, swimming, hiking, running, etc. Certainly I am not an activist when it comes to pressing the issues and winding up on the wrong side of a public exposure or lewdness complaint. So I do refrain for the most part from enjoying time spent in the nude anywhere but within the privacy of my own home or at recognized venues where public nudity is lawful. At times I may enjoy spending time nude in remote backcountry areas when camping or backpacking, but I certainly take reasonable precautions like keeping a pair of shorts handy that I can quickly put on should someone happen along who might be offended.

Is naturism appropriate for families?

As a newcomer to nude recreation this is one issue that I haven’t really made up my mind about even though all nudist/naturist organizations stress that since nudism is about positive body acceptance and positive body awareness, it appropriate for everyone. Families with children are encouraged to visit naturist venues and events. One organization goes so far as to say that any venue or event that purports to be “naturist” but excludes children “should be viewed with skepticism” because in their opinion such exclusions are sometimes used as a signal that an event is sexual rather than naturist in nature.

I have no interest in passing judgment on how other people choose to raise their children and to a large degree the arguments presented by nudist organizations about the wholesome family orientation and nurturing environment of their sponsored venues and activities make a good deal of sense. Still embracing their beliefs that children need not protected from nudity in the context of nude recreation is the most difficult part of social nudism for me to accept for a number of reasons.

First, it would be disingenuous for me to deny that I wouldn’t be uncomfortable at a resort or activity where I was nude in the presence of children. Perhaps it is true that it is my ultra conservative upbringing and background that makes this the case. I have actually talked with several adults who were raised in nudist families and who were taken to resorts and other venues since childhood and all told me that it was a very positive part of their upbringing. While I know I and the majority of other people care about children and that it breaks our heart and makes us angry to hear or read about children being abused, exploited or harmed in any way by sexual predators, given the kind of society in which we live it would be most unrealistic to believe that within the nudist community, pedophiles and predators do not exist just as they do in every other avenue of society. Recently in fact, an owner of a Texas based nudist resort was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography, apparently as a result of photographs he had taken of children visiting his resort with their families. Another thing that really drives home this point for me is a recent series that aired on one of the major networks on the subject of pedophile stings. I was amazed at some who were caught. Many of them certainly did not “look” like a pedophile and did not meet the stereotypical image we often have of a child molester.

I’m not sure who is right on this issue but I know personally, for the time being I will restrict my participation to public venues designed for consenting adults and avoid the more family oriented resorts because this is simply right for me. In some respects, I understand the arguments about nude recreation being good for the entire family and that children in naturist families learn to appreciate the body as part of their natural environment and grow up with healthful attitudes accepting the physical nature of both sexes and all ages without fear or shame. But on some level I think this hurts nude recreation because it is an issue that the non-nudist community often points to as the reason why nudity is “lewd”, immoral and shouldn’t be permitted.

My First Public Nudity Experience

On March 15, I experienced my very first visit to a nudist resort and my introduction to nude recreation. After deciding that social nudity was something I wanted to experience and explore, I had been eager to visit a resort but of course was a little nervous about it too. I packed my gear along with towels and other items that were suggested on the resort’s web site and then I was on the road around 12:30 p.m.

It took me about an hour and 20 minutes to reach the resort, Bluebonnet Naturists Resort. As the gates came into sight I was still feeling nervous, but committed to trying this. I stopped the car and took a couple of deep breaths before pushing the intercom button.

I chose this particular time for my visit day specifically because the owner of resort during our telephone conversation had told me he didn’t expect a very large crowd since it was early in the season and the weather had been cool and rainy during the past week. Since this would be my very first casual public nudity experience, I really thought not having to face a huge crowd might be a little less intimidating and would help me feel comfortable with it a bit faster. After identifying myself at the intercom, the gates swung open to admit me and I continued on to the Welcome Center, located just inside the entrance.

Stepping out of the car I was immediately greeted by the owner. I suppose I was somewhat surprised that he was dressed as I guess I just assumed the staff would be naked. It was however still a bit cool when I arrived. The owner spent a good deal of time talking with me after I arrived, telling me about the history of the place and about some of the facilities and activities available. I felt he was trying to help me feel at ease and get over feeling nervous but also could tell that he was sort of “checking” me out to make certain I was a stand up guy (which he later confirmed he was). I didn’t mind that at all because it demonstrated that he has a lot of consideration for his membership and wasn’t just profit driven.

After our discussion, the owner checked my identification, made a copy of my driver’s license and had me complete some brief paperwork to officially check-in. He went over the resort rules and then gave me some preliminary information on memberships and costs. After taking care of the financial end of my visit, he then escorted me to a building (which I later learned was the clubhouse). On arrival, he had me remove my clothes before starting the tour and he removed his as well, I think to make me feel more comfortable.

I was actually amazed by how nice and well equipped the clubhouse was. There was a spacious dining room, dance floor, big screen television with satellite service, a Wii setup, a game room, a sun room with lots of comfortable seating and a fully equipped commercial type kitchen. Adjacent was a pool area, with two pools, spacious sun decks with lots of loungers and chairs, a large hot tub and sauna. Across the street there were tennis courts and a sand volley ball pit. Everything was very clean and well kept and the grounds were well maintained with lots of landscaping evident.

After a thorough tour, the owner invited me to walk around a bit, explore the grounds and to choose my camp site. He also invited me to use any of the facilities I wished even the kitchen as long as I cleaned up after myself. I had my pick of sites as there were no other tent guests during my visit and there were lots to choose from. The fee for all tent sites, even those with electric and water are very reasonable, only $5 per day.

After walking around a bit and then setting up my camp site, I headed straight for the nature trails for my first nude hike. The sun was bright and the conditions were near perfect by that time and it was amazing how nice the sun felt on my skin. I was actually surprised with how quickly I became comfortable being outdoors completely nude. While there weren’t any other short-term guests during my stay, the resort has a good number of permanent residents and so I did encounter other people from time to time. Without exception everyone was friendly and didn’t even seem to notice I was naked and so I didn’t feel at all uncomfortable.

The first day I pretty much spent exploring the facilities, hiking on the groomed nature trails and took time for my first ever nude run. Following a restful night I awakened the following morning at about 8:30 a.m. It was a bit too chilly for clothing optional so I had to throw on a fleece jacket and a pair of sweat pants while I had breakfast and coffee. But by 10:30 a.m. it had started to warm up and was once again comfortable to go clothes free. I spent the morning taking a second jog around the resort roads then sunbathed beside the pool until lunch time. After lunch I showered and then enjoyed a dip in the hot tub. The hot tub was fabulous and my first hot tub experience without wearing swim trunks. I also tried out the sauna, my first time in one of those. I did a little more hiking on the nature trails and then grabbed a book and spent some more time lounging by the pool. By 4:00 p.m. I was starting to feel the effects of the sun, especially on those areas where I never get sun and decided I better get packed up and headed home. I rounded up my things and was all packed up by 5:00 p.m. I really hated the thought of having to put clothes on again after more than 24 hours of being nude. Finally I forced myself to put on a polo shirt and pair of shorts and not surprisingly it felt as bad as I expected.

By the end of my visit, I had encountered quite a few people some naked ones and some clothed and never once felt out of place or uncomfortable. It was a fabulous experience and such a relaxing and pleasant two days. I had finally felt the freedom and naturalness that I’ve read about. It was such a nice feeling walking about with nothing on but my tennis shoes, sunscreen and a towel around my shoulder. Overall, I’d say my first nudist experience was perfect and I was actually amazed at how quickly I felt comfortable in this new environment. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and plan to visit the resort again soon as well as a couple of others I’ve read about. It was the perfect low key introduction for me but next time I’ll go when the season is in full swing so there will be more guests to socialize with since this first experience has I think allowed me to get over the inevitable shyness as a newcomer.

A History of American Nudism – Part III

For years nudists have been were content to remain behind fences aware that these barriers serve a dual purpose. They protect the non-nudist public from having to view nakedness but they also kept voyeurs and people who were unsympathetic to nudity from harassing them. Today the nudist community is “coming out of the closet” and beginning to speak out for nudism in an attempt to acquaint non-nudists with the importance of body-acceptance and the joy of nude recreation. With these “outreach” efforts, beginning along the Eastern seaboard American naturism began to spread west.

Nudism continues to grow in popularity and acceptance as it has become to be seen as more mainstream. Actively and effectively promoting the ideals that human bodies are good and worthy of acceptance, and that nakedness is not synonymous with sex, there has begun a change in the perspective of mainstream Americans. More and more non-nudists are adopting a more tolerant view of nudists even if they are not themselves interested in participating, as the understanding develops that there is no wholesale debauchery, sex orgies or perversion going on inside the fences of nudist clubs and resorts. Normal people are simply enjoying a game of tennis, a hike, swim, sunbathe sharing a meal in the nude with the same friendliness as other normal people do the same activities while clothed. As the nudist movement goes beyond its early “underground” character and becomes more mainstream and as attitudes and legislation unfriendly to the practice of open nudity become more accepting, nude recreation continues to expand beyond the privacy of fences to include activities such as the expansion of nude beaches and nude cruises.

Change is always a slow process, and to date the establishment of nude beaches has been far more successful in Europe than in America, given the more relaxed attitude that Europeans have towards nudity. Still there are many reasons to feel positive about the fact that public social trends seem finally to be catching up with social nudism. For example, in 1972, the California Supreme Court ruled that “nudity” was not in itself illegal or criminal unless accompanied by acts of lewdness. This ruling opened a crack in the dike of anti-nudity laws and has served as a model for changes in anti-nudity laws in other states. Today there is no ban on nudity while on federal land, although at the discretion of local park superintendents rangers may issue citations under local state and county laws if they so choose.

Nudity outside the confines of the established clubs and resorts still remains far from common even with changes in official policy and laws. But there has been progress. Organized nude river rafting on the Colorado River is now common at the Grand Canyon and nude house boating no longer turns any heads at Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Bed and Breakfast inns and motels catering exclusively to nudist vacationers have sprung up from Palm Springs to Palm Beach. By the end of the 1990’s, Forbes Magazine estimated that the nudist tourist industry was generating over $800 million in business annually. “Hippie Hollow” on Lake Travis near Austin, Texas, has a long tradition of nude recreation with no legal trouble. Despite frequent court victories by nudist supporters there are still enough people in America who consider nudity offensive that the nudist movement still has a long ways to go before gaining the acceptance or at least tolerance of the majority of mainstream America. Yet things are slowly looking better. It is much easier today than ever before for nudists to enjoy backcountry travel, cruises and other travel and recreational opportunities with the advent of travel agencies that specialize in clothing optional recreation. A growing tolerance in society for nudity and awareness of the naturalness and wholesomeness of nudism continues to move forward. Those who practice social nudism/naturism look forward to the day when their chosen lifestyle no longer has to be confined to tall privacy fences or remote beaches.

A History of American Nudism – Part II

Modern naturism had its beginnings during the late nineteenth century. During this time, the medical community had neither explanation nor cure for the debilitating diseases that were commonly believed to be the result of living in the crowded and unsanitary cities, tenement housing, restrictive Victorian clothing, and oppressive working conditions in evidence during this “Golden Age” of industrialization. Some medical practitioners concluded that what people needed was exposure to the natural healing elements or fresh air, sunlight, and water preferably in the absence of clothing. So if you were under the impression that nudists were produced by the sixties movement, you were mistaken. Certainly the turbulent sixties was an era where a rigid culture, unable to contain the demands for greater individual freedom, broke free of the social constraints of the previous age through extreme deviation from the norm – even an era of great irresponsible excess and flamboyance. Toward the later half of that decade, younger generations rebelled against the conservative norms of the time, disassociated themselves from mainstream liberalism, turned away from the high levels of materialism which was so common during the era and created a counter-culture that eventually turned into a social revolution throughout much of the western world. The counter-culture movement was marked by drug use (including LSD and marijuana), psychedelic music, “free love” and yes, a good deal of nudist expression. Still this was not the roots of nudism/naturism. Public nudity was simply a vehicle used during the sixties as one more dissociative act of rebellion against “the system.” This actually rather pointedly makes the case for how strong the Puritanical and Victorian opposition to nudity still was in America during this period of history as it was seen something worthy of rebelling against.

The modern nudism movement continued in America patterned on the similar naturist movement in Europe when Bernard MacFadden, an early pioneer of health reform, began to promote natural living in his Physical Culture magazine and at his Physical Culture City, as did William Call in his Common Sense Club. In 1929 the first real nudist outing in American was organized by a group of German-Americans who were familiar with European naturism. Led by Kurt Barthel, they rented a piece of remote property over the Labor Day weekend and enjoyed a pleasant weekend outdoors celebrating nudity. The following spring, Barthel formed a regular club, The American League for Physical Culture. A year later, the American League for Physical Culture opened a permanent site near Spring Valley in Rockland County, New York, named Sky Farm. Over 200 new members joined that first year. Police raids soon followed as word of Sky Farm spread. When the case came to trial at the end of 1931, to everyone’s surprise, the judge acquitted the entire group. He ruled that not only were they doing all they could to maintain their privacy they were not guilty of any lewd behavior. This unexpected victory gave the nudist movement a tremendous boost and the publicity alone attracted many new converts. What had started as an attempt to stop American naturism instead nurtured it and helped it to grow.

Within a short time, American minister, Ilsley Boone, wrested control of the nudist movement away from Barthel. Boone would transform the American Nudist Movement and lead it off in a new, more daring direction. Rev. Boone fought successfully to win official recognition for the First Amendment rights of nudist publications. Immediately after assuming the presidency of the American League for Physical Culture, Boone renamed the group The American Sunbathing Association. Boone preferred to call his members “nudists” to differentiate them from the European term “naturist.” He began chartering new clubs affiliated with his own across America and by the mid 1930s there were eighty-one nudist camps across America.

By the mid-1980’s, the national organization Boone had founded, the ASA, grew to its peak of over 50,000 members throughout the United Sates, Canada and Jamaica. One last name change occurred in 1995 when the ASA became the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) – to better reflect the purpose and goals of the organization. The “Golden Age” Nudism in America soon followed the favorable 1958 Supreme Court decision which ruled that nudist (and men’s skin magazines) were protected under the First Amendment. In 1959, The State Supreme Court of Michigan ruled that nudists had the right to practice nudism within private resorts. Many of the post World War II primitive “nudist camps” were replaced by newer locations featuring swimming pools, clubhouses and restaurants. Nudists were no expected to “rough it” in order to enjoy nude recreation. They began to enjoy comparable luxuries to those enjoyed by their clothed friends at their summer resorts.

-- To be continued

A History of American Nudism - Part I

My nudist adventure was postponed by a day due to unavoidable conflicts so instead of the promised trip report, I am posting Part I of "A History of American Nudism." This article is quite lengthy and knowing firsthand how quickly the eyes tire while reading from a computer screen resulting in the ability to maintain interest, I will present this article in three parts.

For most of human history, nudity was a natural and normal part of life. People were nude when conditions favored it. In Ancient Greece, students exercised and received their education in the nude. Also, most athletes competed in the nude during the early Olympic Games. History shows that there is ample proof to support the fact that both the Greeks and Romans lived in a clothing optional society. Both cultures wore clothing when necessary or for certain social functions, but bathing and sports were openly enjoyed while naked. As exhibited by their sculpture and ceramics, the Greeks and Romans revered youth and physical fitness. To them the body was truly a work of divinity to be admired in its entirety.

A 16th century Christian group of Puritans strongly opposed the religious tolerance of the Church of England and with their exile to New England; they became the non-pleasure, morality enforcing people associated with Puritanism. They were so afraid of the lust that they refrained from bathing because in their eyes it promoted nudity. The Victorian Era that followed was also not accepting of nudity. In these times it was very common for persons to be expected to cover the legs to prevent sexual arousal. Oddly enough, this practice was even extended to the covering of piano legs and chair legs for the same reason. With the growth of industrialization and the continued “advancement” of civilization, along with the anti-nudity opposition among puritanical conservative and religious groups, humans in North America were slowly but surely conditioned to believe that they should be ashamed of their own bodies. Nudity was to be zealously covered, hidden and shaped at all times by clothing because it was considered an object of shame. The swimsuit, designed for “decency” purposes, first appeared in France in 1830 although it did not gain popularity in America until the 1890’s. These first bathing suits covered the entire body of both men and women, going all the way from the wrists to the ankles and up to mid-neck.

During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a few famous Americans resisted the societal prohibition against nudity. Henry David Thoreau took daily naked walks which he called “air baths” and believed that they contributed to improved health. Benjamin Franklin was also in the habit of taking “air baths” each morning in his room. He made efforts to induce others to adopt the practice speaking highly of the benefits he derived from the activity. Franklin also particularly desired to spend time in the nude when doing mental work because he believed this practice made him a more effective thinker. Another nudist of note was President John Quincy Adams who reportedly regularly bathed nude in the Potomac River.

-- To be continued

So Who Are Nudists Anyway?

Actually naturists come from every walk of life. You don't have to have smoked pot during the sixties, listened to a single Bob Dylan album, ever identified with the “hippie” movement, or attended Woodstock. Naturists are doctors, lawyers, housewives, clerks, business owners, teachers, and even members of the clergy. There are rich nudists, poor nudists, blue-collar, white-collar, self-employed, unemployed...anyone can be a naturist. In fact the only thing keeping you from being a nudist is the clothes you are wearing. As someone once observed, we are really all nudists beneath our clothing. The only qualification needed to become a naturist is a sincere desire to enjoy a clothes optional lifestyle.

As mentioned previously, certainly it is very likely you might meet a “strange” nudist just as you can meet strange people in any area of life, but nudists in general are not actually strange at all. In fact, there is a very good chance that you are acquainted with a nudist but are simply not aware of it. Nudists are not exhibitionists and generally are laid back, unassuming types. We do not wish to offend others by “over exposure” nor do we wish to be gawked at by perverts anymore than anyone else would. For this reason we practice social nudity in controlled, private environments for the most part, like nudist resorts, clubs and in some cases private homes. As an ardent backpacker, I do sometimes enjoy spending time nude in remote backcountry areas where there is no danger of encountering and inadvertently offending others. It is a marvelous way to interact with nature and the environment.

I have never been one to attempt to convert someone to my way of thinking or to dissuade anyone from following their own conscience. So my purpose for writing this blog is not to convince you to become a naturist. Frankly, nudism is not for everyone. Nor is this blog an attempt to “defend” nudism or my enjoyment of a clothing optional lifestyle because I don’t think it requires any defense. I am merely presenting my own perspectives and sharing my experiences as information which you may choose to read and consider or disregard.

It might seem a bit disingenuous for me to identify myself as a nudist when I have yet to appear naked in the presence of others at a public gathering of nudists, such as a resort area or club. Frankly, long before I was even very well educated on what nudism/naturism is and what it is about, I already knew that I enjoyed the peace and tranquility that comes from spending time nude. For most of my adult life I have enjoyed sleeping in the nude and being nude in the privacy of my own home. I even spent time nude outdoors a few times on the remote backpacking trips I mentioned. I’ve been skinny dipping more than once and enjoyed relaxing dips in natural hot springs too. So it is on this basis that I feel I can honestly identify myself as a nudist. But as far as the other, communal observance of social nudity, hopefully in my next post I will be able to share with you my first public, social nudity experience since weather permitting, I plan on visiting my very first nudist resort this afternoon.

An Introduction

Recently, for reasons I don’t completely understand, I have found myself interested in the exploration and experience of the clothing optional lifestyle. In this country generally it is known as Nudism and in Europe more frequently termed Naturism, but there is really no difference in meaning so in this blog I will use both terms interchangeably.

I’m actually a very ordinary, normal and as people often tell me a likeable guy. If you happen to have a negative view of nudists and you knew me personally, I would likely be the last person you would ever imagine being involved in it. Unfortunately, nudism often carries a stigma, born largely of ignorance of the truth. In the still pretty much puritanical society we live in, nudists are often thought of as swingers, hedonists, sex maniacs, perverts or worse – persons of generally low, immoral character. I understand why many non-nudists hold this view because for many people, the only time they are naked with another person is before, during and after a sexual experience. It's understandable that they would equate nudity with sex and have difficulty separating the two. But separate they are. Given that nudists are a product of society as a whole, I strongly suspect just like in any sample of the population it is entirely likely there is the odd sex maniac among us. The law of averages makes it likely that there are also several perverts, a healthy quota of gay men and lesbians, one or two celibates and a handful of swingers. There are probably also quite a few naturists who gain a sexual thrill from being seen naked or seeing others in the nude. But all of this ignores one very important point – Nudism has nothing to do with sex.

Nudity is the most natural thing in the world. There is nothing lewd, crude or distasteful about the naked human body. I like many people, am the product of a very conservative upbringing where I was conditioned and taught that exposing my nakedness in the presence of others was shameful and wrong. I was not born feeling ashamed of my nudity - it was systematically instilled in me by my parents. As a result I grew up feeling a deep sense of shame about my own nudity and with a good bit of sexual repression. I don’t of course hold this against my parents because as a parent myself, I fully understand the pressure parents feel to raise their children to follow the mores of society so that they don’t end up in trouble with the authorities. Still the result is that children are raised to become adults who predictably come to hold the opinion that whenever a person exposes his or her nakedness to another person or persons, he or she clearly intends to elicit sexual excitement and arousal and is an exhibitionist. Granted there are exhibitionists in our society who do expose themselves because they receive sexual gratification from doing so, but those individuals are not practicing nudism. They likely became the way they are as a result of the repressive conditioning they received during their “normal” rearing from childhood. Naturism isn't about looking at bodies - naturists are not exhibitionists. It's just about enjoying the freedom that a clothes optional atmosphere brings. Nudism is about accepting the human body for what it is - nothing to be ashamed of.