Excellent piece with salient points on how these kinds of events are breaking ground while the naturist establishment struggles. There’s a lot for the establishment to learn, but also a lot of opportunity for other grassroots groups to embrace this model. Thanks, Linda!
Enjoyed this skillfully written article exposing a new innovation in helping naturism reach another audience. Often organizations fail to modify and adapt to changes that would help invigerate their group with new people. Naturism/Nudism is no different. Your article, like some others on Planet Nude, point out additional paths to bring a younger and wider group of devotees to social nudity. These kinds of ideas are crucial in establishing a larger base of support to sustain naturism/nudism in a modern world.
"The reluctance of naturist organizations to evolve and consider out-of-the-box ideas jeopardizes their future relevance."
And that is almost the complete story. Nudists are generally risk averse. Nudist organizations are, in their own way, very conservative. Change is more frightening than cultural extinction.
Innovation almost always comes from outside established organizations and is almost always viewed with suspicion. Yet a turtle must stick its neck out if it is to get anywhere.
Fred - I completely agree with everything you stated. As a Director for the Western Region of AANR, I have not been shy when it comes to mentioning what needs to be done to keep the organization on track to celebrate its 100th Anniversary. Change is uncomfortable; however, what worked before and maintaining the status quo is no longer relevant.
Dec 8, 2023·edited Dec 8, 2023Liked by Linda Weber
AANR West may run into problems with all the clubs and resorts and activities we've lost in California. It feels like the list grows every time I check. The aging demographic should have been sounding alarms a decade ago.
The resorts being sold to non-nudists appears to have been a wake-up call for family-owned resorts and perhaps now action will finally happen. Unfortunately, it took several losses to sound the alarm.
Dec 9, 2023·edited Dec 9, 2023Liked by Linda Weber
I am not sure what action they can take.
I live north of Los Angeles. I have to travel a hundred miles to get to the nearest club. Unfortunately, Olive Dell has been listed. The owner says it isn't up for sale; he just wants to know how much he could get. I do not feel reassured. I enjoy the Naked Beer Mile and all the hiking trails.
It has been brutal in Southern California. Given the price of real estate and how small the nudist market is out here, "travel clubs," (SCNA) scattered nude beaches, rare events like the WNBR, and at-home naturism may soon be all that is left. I'd love to see a paradigm shift but I am not holding my breath.
Dec 8, 2023·edited Dec 8, 2023Liked by Evan Nicks, Linda Weber
THIS! Dang, I have been feeling this for so, so long. Thank you Linda for an excellent opinionated piece and for opening me up to this grassroots movement that I had no idea existed. And I completely agree with your argument- The generation of today no longer finds labels necessary but instead, restrictive. They prefer diversity, inclusion and belonging; living by revolving experiences; interactive, intimate, and local; and most of all, fun! In a time where we no longer trust institutions to feel safe and instead look toward each other, having these major resorts and organizations are only attractive to the demographic they unknowingly target. I think we're going to see more of these non-landed movements that want nothing to do with organizations, popping up everywhere outside of the nudist institutions, no matter how politically and financially beneficial these organizations can be.
Kane - I have been saying for the past couple of years that "non-landed" or "social/travel clubs" will be one of the fastest growing sectors for nudity. Between the cost of resorts, geographical barriers to a resort close to home, and the resistance to change, will force organizations and resorts to re-think their business plans. I am hoping it will be sooner rather than later.
Excellent piece with salient points on how these kinds of events are breaking ground while the naturist establishment struggles. There’s a lot for the establishment to learn, but also a lot of opportunity for other grassroots groups to embrace this model. Thanks, Linda!
Thank you, Timothy!
Enjoyed this skillfully written article exposing a new innovation in helping naturism reach another audience. Often organizations fail to modify and adapt to changes that would help invigerate their group with new people. Naturism/Nudism is no different. Your article, like some others on Planet Nude, point out additional paths to bring a younger and wider group of devotees to social nudity. These kinds of ideas are crucial in establishing a larger base of support to sustain naturism/nudism in a modern world.
Thank you, Jeffrey!
"The reluctance of naturist organizations to evolve and consider out-of-the-box ideas jeopardizes their future relevance."
And that is almost the complete story. Nudists are generally risk averse. Nudist organizations are, in their own way, very conservative. Change is more frightening than cultural extinction.
Innovation almost always comes from outside established organizations and is almost always viewed with suspicion. Yet a turtle must stick its neck out if it is to get anywhere.
Fred - I completely agree with everything you stated. As a Director for the Western Region of AANR, I have not been shy when it comes to mentioning what needs to be done to keep the organization on track to celebrate its 100th Anniversary. Change is uncomfortable; however, what worked before and maintaining the status quo is no longer relevant.
AANR West may run into problems with all the clubs and resorts and activities we've lost in California. It feels like the list grows every time I check. The aging demographic should have been sounding alarms a decade ago.
The resorts being sold to non-nudists appears to have been a wake-up call for family-owned resorts and perhaps now action will finally happen. Unfortunately, it took several losses to sound the alarm.
I am not sure what action they can take.
I live north of Los Angeles. I have to travel a hundred miles to get to the nearest club. Unfortunately, Olive Dell has been listed. The owner says it isn't up for sale; he just wants to know how much he could get. I do not feel reassured. I enjoy the Naked Beer Mile and all the hiking trails.
It has been brutal in Southern California. Given the price of real estate and how small the nudist market is out here, "travel clubs," (SCNA) scattered nude beaches, rare events like the WNBR, and at-home naturism may soon be all that is left. I'd love to see a paradigm shift but I am not holding my breath.
Heavy sigh!
THIS! Dang, I have been feeling this for so, so long. Thank you Linda for an excellent opinionated piece and for opening me up to this grassroots movement that I had no idea existed. And I completely agree with your argument- The generation of today no longer finds labels necessary but instead, restrictive. They prefer diversity, inclusion and belonging; living by revolving experiences; interactive, intimate, and local; and most of all, fun! In a time where we no longer trust institutions to feel safe and instead look toward each other, having these major resorts and organizations are only attractive to the demographic they unknowingly target. I think we're going to see more of these non-landed movements that want nothing to do with organizations, popping up everywhere outside of the nudist institutions, no matter how politically and financially beneficial these organizations can be.
Kane - I have been saying for the past couple of years that "non-landed" or "social/travel clubs" will be one of the fastest growing sectors for nudity. Between the cost of resorts, geographical barriers to a resort close to home, and the resistance to change, will force organizations and resorts to re-think their business plans. I am hoping it will be sooner rather than later.