Without specific elaboration this statement isn't helpful, so I wish you would give your reasons for making it. For what it's worth, I am a former AANR member who is not defending the organization's track record.... still, I think there are some fine people involved in trying to step things up.
It's easy to criticize the website as being out of date, but I think the bigger issue is that AANR needs to broadcast nudist culture. Basically setting out the policies/rules for what they stand for and communicating that to the public. Small things like "Do we censor photos?" to big things like "Why aren't we members of the INF-FNI?" It's a weak effort. Almost like they have a monopoly and think, "we can be lazy." When in fact you have a monopoly on an increasingly smaller population.
Why aren't we members of the INF-FNI? As a 36 year old this is a big one. The answer I get when I ask this on nudist/naturist message boards is "oh because it is useless, because people don't travel to Europe that often". But if you look at data, for millennials, that is not true. They travel more internationally then previous generations. Where, like myself they take part nude activities (public beaches/parks, resorts) there. And not just Europeans, that yes, we need to acknowledge they have a different culture to nudity in general than the US, but I saw some fellow Americans there too, who also say somewhat the same thing, besides a place like Bare Oaks (Canada but still this side of the Atlantic) or Cypress Cove, the places in Europe are better. And the reasons of that are plentiful.
Hi Charles - fascinating post. I am not really surprised that young people shy away from naturism - it just isn't 'funny' or associated with counter-cultural rebellion, as it was in my teens. I was 13 when I first got interested in nudism/naturism. It was England, 1960 and although there were no 'official' nudist beaches, there were several (eg Studland) where nudity had been tolerated for many years and, in general, where nudity occurred on beaches it was well away from the more frequented areas. As a teen without nudist parents I couldn't join a club because it would have wanted my parents' approval, which wouldn't have been given, but on an empty beach one could see anyone at a distance and cover up. Society now seems obsessed with the policing of bodily exposure, justifying restrictive rules on the need to 'safeguard' people because the naked body is now only acceptable as a tool to sell things - otherwise it is evidence of predatory intention. Prudes like Mary Whitehouse - who once counted nipples on TV shows - have succeeded in equating nudity with unbridled sexual licence so effectively that expressing an interest in naturism is tantamount to thought-crime...
I agree, but would like to add that the societal obsession with policing in order to 'safeguard' is not limited to nudity, not by a longshot. One thing I've noticed is that bizarre as it sounds, the prority sometimes seems to be the act of policing itself and not the 'safety' of those being 'safeguarded'. I'm not sure what to make of that.
Maybe it's beacuse most of the people in my life have recently or will soon turn 60, but comparisons between 1. life now vs 25 years ago and 2. Us vs parents vs grandparents have come up a lot since Covid. Several surprisingly (at to me) consistent themes have appeared irrespective of demographics.
1. For the same lifestyle our grandparents had with 40 hours/week worked outside the home, our parents worked 60 and we work 80.
2. Regardless of distance, mode of travel, or time of day/week, transit times have gone up ~50% in the last 25 years.
3. Largely due to #'s 1 & 2, our discretionary activities of EVERY type have take a major nose-dive in the last 25 years.
I don't know what the solution is, but I can promise you there're a lot of people who'd like to implement it......
There's a whole book about this. "Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community" It's takes time to build community. Which people seem to have less of nowadays.
I wrote an entire post about the book: https://naturistplace.substack.com/p/corrected-version-participation-in . And also a general book review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5249712305 . Putnam labels the cause for the rise and fall of many types of social activity as "generational differences". In short, the issue isn't "how old are people now, but when were they young?" What's been happening with naturism is a perfect example. But that doesn't mean all is lost. There are ways to promote naturism for people of any age. Our naturist organizations in the U.S. have simply failed to seriously tackle the problem. I'll be writing more about many things that can be done.
AANR is a resort promoting organization. Supporting the activities of activists does very little for the resorts and, is potentially determental.
Look at AANR's boards of directors. Exempting a few who push against the flow, most directors are placeholders who take advantage of the social benefits that directorship provides. I want to exempt Claudia Kellersh and Bev Price who have provided yeoman service.
AANR continues to obstruct international Nudism, although that's not a difficult thing to do. I believe that the arrival of Stephane Deschenes at the INF might shakeup things internationally.
As well AANR has represented itself to me as clothing optional, no5 Nudist.
There's nothing wrong with promoting resorts. Indeed, it should be one of the prime objectives of AANR. The fact that so many naturist resorts have been closing ought to spur AANR to work much harder. Unfortunately, the directors have no real incentive to do much. They all have resorts they can go to (that haven't closed yet). And, if they're paid at all, it's not based on how many resorts there are. A solution to this problem is simple - in principle. It's that naturists themselves have to form local organizations to promote naturism. There are, of course, non-landed clubs now. But there need to be MANY more of them. And they need to take seriously the job of promoting naturism.
Having a good non-landed club nearby directly benefits naturists themselves. But it won't happen without enough naturists making the effort. Such clubs could affiliate with a larger organization - if there were one willing to support local activity. I'll be writing much more about ways to do this on my own Substack.
You are correct that local development is the way. However, larger organizations absorb them and suck the incentive out of them with bureaucracy and political infighting. I believe the effective method is for local organizations to remain independent as part of a loose cooperative.
I can say from experience that AANR (a for-profit enterprise with association optics) isn't much interested in adapting to the next generation. Stéphane and I served as "elders" in a next-generation think tank of sorts that delivered a lot of intelligent advice to AANR that mostly or entirely fell on deaf ears there. I have no doubt that Stéphane's leadership of INF is invaluable. And to another comment that INF is Eurocentric, no, Canada, Mexico, and Latin America — New World nations other than USA — are INF-affiliated. AANR is an antique USA peculiarity.
Interesting piece. As a millennial, I think clubs need to ride the coattails of the fitness movement. People are spending $50-100 a month on gym memberships, why not a nude resort membership? Put in a gym, offer a few yoga classes and done! Also landed resorts need rental options. Young people don't have $250k for a trailer plus $300 a month for lot rent. Put in a few apartment blocks and watch the money roll in.
I have long thought that naturist organisations could market themselves as the environmentally responsible option. Given the ecological impacts of the fast fashion and cosmetics industries, a natural approach may appeal to a younger environmentally aware demographic.
Exactly! There are so many advantages to being a nudist! These aren't communicated in a way that aligns with current ideals. Most likely because there's relatively no money to be made with living with less.
The only way to charge $39.99 to be a nudist is owning a space, since taking off one's clothes is free. But then you have to attract people to that space, so that's why you have amenities. Finding the right amenity mix along with the right location is 99% of the battle.
The further away something is the bigger the attraction must be. Long story short. If you want this movement to grow you have to have spaces that are small and by the most people. Enough of these and you build a network effect that increases demand and then the (textile) market will respond and it's a snowball.
I have also thought that because there is little or no money to be made from naturism it is difficult to commercialise. You can be sure that if there was money to be made, some commercial organisation would have marketed the idea to us and we would all be walking around naked. I am quite happy that naturism is not commercially driven even though it would be more popular if it was.
Some naturist resorts do have gyms. The one closest to me, Laguna del Sol, does. But the problem is that most naturists don't live close to a resort. This is especially a problem in the U.S., compared to other countries, because population densities are relatively low (except in metropolitan areas, of course). So it's a long drive for most people to visit a naturist resort. (LdS is nearly a 2-hour drive for me.) Gyms that cater to the fitness movement are fine, of course, if they allow nudity - but hardly any do. That will change only if naturists in a particular area get together and insist on clothing-optional use. It's the same with yoga studios. There are a few for naked yoga - but very few. If naturists would simply form local clubs to support each other they could have more leverage persuading gyms and yoga studios to allow nudity (at specific times).
You know, it's sort of like union organizing. People must explicitly cooperate with each other to have any hope of getting what they want.
As a fellow Millennial, I agree, but would add a few points, don't make membership mandatory after a few visits or give a hard sales pitch on the first day of arrival while going over the ground rules. Keep in mind some people only want to visit for one day a year or a weekend a year. and that is okay. Build more cabins and tent sites for weekend visitors, and keep prices about the same as a textile campsite or resort. Also, do more outreach on social media not only to advertise the resort but to educate on what "family-friendly social nudity" is and isn't. Similar to what vegan places did 10+ years ago. And have events people would like to go see and be a part of, which would change based on the area. But they should have events every weekend.
I think in general naturist resorts have not promoted themselves effectively and certainly have not made a real effort to be attractive to younger people. If we are honest younger people don’t want to be a distinct minority in a sea of older people. An aging population and aging facilities as has been my experience oftentimes means a dying club. Also cost can be a deterrent for younger people. In the East $50+ day for admission is a hefty price for younger folks.
Yes, of course, young people don't want to be a minority among older people. But you know what? In the population at large there are MORE young people than old people. It's called population growth. The problem is that young people who might be interested in naturism don't find a way to locate others near their age who might share their interest. Establish formal or informal non-landed groups to organize naturist activities - hiking, camping, river rafting, parties, etc. And then go as a group to existing naturist resorts. There's strength in numbers. Individual by themselves have less influence.
A song that was very popular with "Boomers" back in the day has a refrain that goes like this: "Come on, people now Smile on your brother Everybody get together" Believe it! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xGxQXmu7Os)
One more thing. Young people aren't the only ones in a minority at naturist resorts. Genuine minorities of the population (based on race, ethnicity, gender orientation, etc.) do go to naturist clubs in spite of being minorities. But it's much easier if they find others like themselves to go together. And a group can carpool to save expenses if a resort's not close.
Where have all the nudists gone? To the beach! Depending on your definition, I'm technically a Boomer (I was born in 1960) but by every generational descriptor, I'm a Gen-X'er. I've been a nudist, sometimes card-carrying, since I went to my first nude beach when I was 25. Since then I've gone to more nude beaches than I can count, nude sailing, nude hiking/backpacking and canuding. What I've done very little of is visit resorts. You can count the number of times I've visited a nudist resort on one hand. Why? Because I find them boring. For me, the joy of naturism is being nude in nature. I have zero interest in sitting around a swimming pool (unless it were in my own yard and I didn't have to travel to get there). Judging by the number of young people who participate in events such as the WNBR's and other events where nudity is accepted/tolerated, I think there is as much interest in social nudity as ever, just not walled off in clubs. Yes, that is problematic for those who like to be nude in a controlled environment, and it may even be problematic for "organized" nudism, but as the young people of today gain power, I believe the acceptance of nudity as a part of normal, everyday life will increase, which, I believe, bodes well for the future of social nudity, if not "nudism."
As far as beach nudity goes, it's fine! That's how I got started myself. I don't know where you live, but as far as the U.S. is concerned, there aren't many acknowledged nude beaches, even on the coasts. Western European counties have many more, both because most people there don't live really far from good beaches, and because naturism is less controversial in Europe. In the U.S., a large proportion of the population isn't even within 500 miles of any coastal beach, let alone one that's clothing-optional. Of course, if you live in or visit Florida, you have more options for both beaches and resorts.
Things like naked sailing, hiking, backpacking, canuding, etc. are great too! Perhaps you have no difficulty finding people to accompany you, unless you're strictly solo. But it seems clear that most people - especially young people - don't actually know any naturists, let alone have some as friends. For people who like outdoor activities nude, where's the best place to find others like themselves? Probably not the local coffee shop or even the local Sierra Club chapter. But visiting naturist resorts provides a large selection! There are young people at naturist clubs, although more as you go up the age scale. However you look at it, a naturist resort is a better place to meet compatible people for naked outdoor activities than just about anyplace else.
Concerning activities like WNBR and San Francisco's Bay to Breakers run, I haven't participated, but my impression is that nude participation is down considerably. Fred Heiser, who often comments here, does both and could tell of his experience. The trends are probably better for naturists living in some countries other than the U.S.
One factor in the closing of naturist resorts that I haven't seen discussed much is the interaction ownership/management structure and property values. Most of the recent listings have been of resorts that were owned and operated by individuals/families. As they age and their health declines the value of the property has skyrocketed which by itself increases the cost of running the resort through increased property taxes. The stories I have seen about the work these people do to keep the resorts running is incredible seems 60-80hrs a week is common. At some point the joy from running the place is gone and the cashing in on the huge value of the property and retiring in comfort is the only thing left to do(Lupin Lodge was listed for $36 Million I believe). Anyway this was a long introduction to what I see as a fundamental problem for the long term survival of naturist resorts. I think that a more sustainable ownership model is something like a Co-op where the resort is own by the members. This would remove the single point of failure where an individual or small group has the potential to reap a huge financial gain by selling the property. It would also spread the responsibility for raising capital for needed maintenance/renovation/operating costs. This is of course easy for me to say but I do think that it is a fundamental issue for what is a low margin fairly capital intensive industry.
I also think that nudist/naturist have a visibility issue. I am 61 and have been a nudist all my life. I just became aware a few years ago of the whole social nudity thing. Its funny, as a young man I used to drive passed Elysium in Topanga canyon on my way to very unofficial nude beach we called Pirates Cove on the south end of Zuma beach. I never had any idea they were there and would be welcoming to me.
For the next 35 years I had no idea nudist resorts existed.
Anyway I wish there was more acceptance for nudity in our society, it's really annoying that I have to put on clothes just to take out my trash, I joined a nonlanded club and do what I can to promote the lifestyle.
The co-op model has a lot to recommend itself. In particular, no single individual or family should be in a position to sell the whole thing to a buyer who won't keep it naturist. But it's not a perfect solution. Increasing property values mean increasing taxes. Co-op owners tend to be older and retired, since many have belonged for a long time and it may be their main residence. They'll feel the increasing tax burden. Even if they can handle the taxes, they may have to spend less on property maintenance. And inflation may mean having to raise staff pay, so membership costs rise.
However, Glen Eden in southern California is co-op and claims to be the largest member-owned naturist resort in the country. I haven't been there, and it's not clear that non-members are even welcome to visit without paying an annual fee regardless of number of visits. Evan goes there often, so he should be able to explain.
Another problem with the co-op model, is that non-members may be restricted to visiting at certain times of the week or seasons of the year or else pay an annual fee, as at Glen Eden. As a result, non-members may be less interested in visiting, so the place is less useful to naturists in general. The Sequoians, near the SF Bay area, is an example. I've visited a few times (non-members are limited to 3 times per year, except for special events). The people are friendly, but the physical condition isn't especially great. The parking lot is rather small. Early this year, when California had extremely heavy rains, the only road access partially washed out. Residents were mostly stuck for more than a month. I don't know how they got supplies. Perhaps by motorcycle?
Around that time, Laguna del Sol was heavily flooded. Except for the floods, it's open for all visitors, since it's not a co-op. The flood clean-up happened pretty quickly, with a lot of help from volunteers. Even though the facilities are very upscale - including 4 swimming pools, tennis courts, spas, gym, restaurant - the fees are quite reasonable - probably about the same or less than a KOA.
So anyhow, there are pros and cons for both models. The MUCH more serious problem is having enough naturists around to support the club operation, regardless of its type. And the more modern and well-maintained and equipped the place is, the more naturists will want to visit.
The problem is deeper than some of these other issues already mentioned. AANR is part of the problem, to me it's worthless. The main problem is peoples attitudes at these resorts. My wife and I drove to one this past June, our first going to one in over 5 years. We were supposed to stay over night, but left about 10 o'clock because of the people there. I doubt that we ever go again, as we have no need to waste the money. We have several acres where we go naked every day.
Supposedly people are "friendlier" at nudist places, they are not, they have cliche' just like back in high school. If you aren't rich, or in the social circle, you are ignored. We can stay home and have fun, rather than being around others who pretend that you don't matter, or exist. That is another reason that they are dying off.
It sort of comes down to whether one is interested just in nudity for oneself and family or whether one prefers social nudity. Either way is OK, but the latter is how naturism can persist, because it requires people who have something in common to cooperate in promoting whatever that thing is.
Humans are basically a social species. There's a reason they belong to tribes - though with that may come rejection of "outsiders". I don't think it's unfair to say that people who choose voluntary activities only within their private clan are missing an important aspect of life that involves friendly interaction with others having important interests in common. Naturism and social nudity is an example of the latter.
It's unfortunate that some naturist resorts and non-landed clubs aren't welcoming to newcomers. When that happens, they are rejecting the rewards of sharing clothesfreedom with a wider circle than their own little clique. Without being welcoming to new people, they are setting up for the eventual inevitable dissolution of their organization. This pretty much describes what's happened to the resorts and clubs that have ceased to exist in recent years.
Where have all the nudists gone? To the beach! Depending on your definition, I'm technically a Boomer (I was born in 1960) but by every generational descriptor, I'm a Gen-X'er. I've been a nudist, sometimes card-carrying, since I went to my first nude beach when I was 25. Since then I've gone to more nude beaches than I can count, nude sailing, nude hiking/backpacking and canuding. What I've done very little of is visit resorts. You can count the number of times I've visited a nudist resort on one hand. Why? Because I find them boring. For me, the joy of naturism is being nude in nature. I have zero interest in sitting around a swimming pool (unless it were in my own yard and I didn't have to travel to get there). Judging by the number of young people who participate in events such as the WNBR's and other events where nudity is accepted/tolerated, I think there is as much interest in social nudity as ever, just not walled off in clubs. Yes, that is problematic for those who like to be nude in a controlled environment, and it may even be problematic for "organized" nudism, but as the young people of today gain power, I believe the acceptance of nudity as a part of normal, everyday life will increase, which, I believe, bodes well for the future of social nudity, if not "nudism."
I think it's because many clubs have NOT done enough to attract the Younger generation and many clubs are stuck in the old rules that hinder in attracting the Younger generation. On top of that, the Younger generation is more accepting of LGBTQIA people than the older generation. It's why Nudism is dying in America.
Our place here in Mexico (mx.camp) hosts public events that might attract 150 to sometimes 300 people. Nudity is mandatory in our pool and sauna and few or none hesitate to comply, then they shower, dress, re-engage the event, and later, repeat. Because it's so uncommon for folks to hang around nude in our hostel (though they are allowed and encouraged to), Maybel and I mirror the population and put something on where it's not mandatory to be nude (it's uncomfortable to be the only nude person in a space).
Though we are adjacent to the only clothing optional beach in Mexico, if ours or any place here in Zipolite, were indeed "nudist," it would not thrive. Though many folks are nude on the beach, few or none would identify as Nudist if you asked them (except for a minority of older europeans or norteamericanos, like me).
Interesting insights, but our recent experience in Florida showed some more pain points...
It seems like most clubs/resorts seem to have the following hierarchy:
1. Residents
2. Members
3. Visitors
This reflects in who gets listened to and also in the price. We needed to pay between $80 and $120 USD per night as visitors. For a campsite... In low season... That's 3 to 4 times what you pay in France.
Residents typically don't want much change. When they get to say what happens, not much happens at all. Unless they see their property as an investment, but we found few cases like that.
Another big difference between the USA and Europe is the big scare of naked children. Ask a European naturist "So there are naked children among naked adults" and they'll all answer "yes, of course, it's family friendly". In the USA, this seemed like the worst question one could ask a naturist and many seem to prefer adult-only places just so there would not be a link...
It would be interesting to know, for all U.S. resorts, what the hierarchies are like (resident, member, visitor), rates, general policies, etc. It's probably true that European resorts are easier and less expensive to visit. Some of that may be due to the tendency of U.S. naturists to be older, and so more resistant to change and unwelcoming to newcomers. As far as kids are concerned, the age of U.S. naturists is also relevant (no children still at home). The U.S. is also very paranoid about children seeing nudity. Naturism in the U.S. has LOTS of problems. C'est la vie.
Excellent article..You have beautifully analysed the issue.. However it seems that no immediate solution is there for the reducing number of naturists..
Thanks for bringing that up. Let's get real, OK? There ABSOLUTELY IS an immediate solution to the problem of fewer naturists. It's simple: every naturist should tell other people they know personally about their participation in naturism, and why they enjoy it. Of course, people told about it and having it explained to them won't necessarily change their mind.
But the next step is to give people who are open-minded a chance to learn about naturism in person. If you're typically naked at home, stay naked when you have informed visitors - especially if you have a pool, sauna, or spa where nudity makes real sense. Your guests might not fully disrobe themselves, but they'll see that nudity isn't unpleasant or threatening.
And once you find people who won't balk at the nudity of others, invite them along for naturist activities - a clothing-optional beach, hiking or camping trip, or even an actual naturist club or resort.
This is not rocket science. It's just how people introduce friends to new experiences that can be shared together. I know, there's the fear of personal rejection by others. Some others will react negatively, so use common sense about who you speak with. But with people you know well - including relatives - you should have some idea of how they might react. Could it be that every single person you know will react badly? Probably not.
I guess most naturists think that promoting naturism is someone else's job. They're wrong.
My wife has come to accept my particpation in naturist clubs and being nude around the house when I can be safely invisible to the neighbors. But, she has absolutely forbidden me from sharing it with our adult children or anyone else we mutually know. She cannot break her Catholic, stern Irish upbringing. Frankly, I have given up trying to convince her the world will not come crashing down.
Nice, well written article Charles. I hate to say it’s an enjoyable read, since it addresses a bit of a sad topic, but still....
I commented on Evan’s recent post about Berkshire Vista, generally along the same topic lines. So, I won’t regurgitate that here. But I’ll simply say what is a generally unpopular and potentially pessimistic view -- the era of the US nudism being rooted in organizations, landed clubs, and resorts is coming to an end. US nudism is evolving, maybe to its complete demise. I think the jury is still out on that one.
Society evolves, cultures change, individual philosophies and values morph. The US is no different. Even those that embrace non-sexual nudity and naturism, whether as a casual hobby or a passionate philosophy or lifestyle, resorts and clubs just don’t seem to scratch the itch anymore. What they offer just isn’t in line with where US naturism is headed, if it’s even a thing you can define and track.
I’m fairly neutral on the subject. While I value naturism as part of my life, I fully realize it is far from mainstream in the US. I wouldn’t expect such places to thrive in US society today. I value nude beaches and access to nude friendly activities on public lands. I don’t like to see naturism attacked by forces looking to score political points. But resorts and clubs? They were never in the cards for me. Too expensive, not welcoming, not where I want to spend the small bit of time and budget I manage to carve out for recreation.
This is a complicated issue. U.S. society these days is in a very unhealthy state, with many people bent on suppressing the rights of others who have minority beliefs and lifestyles - such as naturists. Then there's the matter of economics. Land prices in places close to metropolitan areas are high, forcing naturists clubs and resorts to be located inconveniently far from where most people live.
However, one thing is clear. It's essential for naturists to have convenient ways to meet other naturists and establish friendships. If that opportunity isn't available, most people who want to enjoy a nonsexual clothesfree lifestyle are mostly limited to their own homes and, perhaps, the homes of a few other naturists they know of. One possible and practical solution is some way to stimulate the establishment of many active non-landed clubs that meet regularly - not just a few times a year. This makes it possible for individual naturists themselves to organize social events.
These can be social gatherings and parties in private homes or naturist activities outdoors - hiking, camping, river rafting or canoeing, etc. Beyond that, naturists in semi-rural areas who own a few dozen acres of land could also open some part of it for naturist camping and outdoor gatherings. A similar thing already exists for traditional camping where private property owners allow short-term camping on their land for a small fee. There are online directories for that sort of thing. "Boondocking" is similar, where people can camp on suitable public lands, by themselves or in semi-organized groups. If enough naturists would simply cooperate and use their ingenuity to make such things happen, naturism would be much better off.
Perhaps, David, those of us with naturist newsletters should do some brainstorming on how to devise new naturist opportunities and "make it so". If there are other naturists with a little land to share, we could provide a way to review and publicize such efforts.
Our existing naturist organizations and non-landed clubs haven't been up to this task. There's a need for a new organization with credibility to implement new opportunities for naturist activities. I don't want traditional landed naturist clubs and resorts to disappear. But to prevent that, it's necessary for there to be many more people who have convenient ways to enjoy social nudity - and therefore are eventually interested in visiting traditional landed facilities.
There's a culprit that didn't make your list: technology.
I'm an Xer. I didn't grow up with technology, but I did start in the workforce with technology. I planned a wedding on the earliest bulletin boards. My babies starred as some of my first social media profiles. I interspersed conversations with long- distance friends with emails. Then with local friends. Then posted on walls, DM'd and texted.
When I became a single mother, I found others going through a similar life experience and built new virtual friendships. I raised boys with cyber savvy and virtual street smarts. My days filled with work, childcare, housecare, maintenance, shoveling, lawnmowing, and I enjoyed the availability of asynchronous conversations. Video killed the radio star, blogs and online news killed the newspaper, attention spans were destroyed by apps and everyone developed a false sense of knowing everything and judging everything. The internet made images forever and revenge porn became a credible threat.
Many of the people I encounter in naturism are seeking respite from all this noise. It's ironic that when a group is small and scattered, digital tools enable connection, but in this case, they have worked against it, too. Remember when 3 weeks by mail order used to seem fast? Now we need insta-gratification and brains have become completely rewired in a way that gets positive hits in a way very different from how naturism delivers it, especially social nudity.
That's really what it's about isn't it? The feeling when people are together in that state of nudity. The zeitgeist of it. Whatever feeling you get is attuned to the individual, but it's all about a feeling. If it were about ethics or politics or something else, you could join a religion or activist group. But it's not. It's a feeling, and we've been conditioned to not feel anymore. We've been conditioned to seek positive hormone hits, consume, live a fake best life to document on social media and to keep so busy trying to get it all, be the perfect everything, that actual feeling is gone.
Try marketing feeling, slowness, freedom from tech and pictures, and just simply being alive. And see how things will change.
I think this is a very good point, but I'm having trouble seeing how to "market" feeling, slowness, and freedom from the onslaught of tech-supplied stimulation. Marketing is about grabbing attention by any available means. Kind of the opposite of contemplation and peacefulness. Also, people in the younger generations are having a difficult time just getting along due to needing to focus on paying the rent and all the other expenses (like college loan payments). How many have the time to relax and "go with the flow"?
So perhaps economics is as much the problem as technology. I would hope not, but I wonder whether the possibility of AI taking over many lower-level jobs exacerbates the problem. But it's worth remembering that U.S. naturism got its start in the Depression years of the 1930s, when life was anything but easy. Perhaps naturism could be promoted as a means of relieving stress, given how much there is these days. There shouldn't be a good reason not to be naked while gorging on TikTok, YouTube, or whatever. And perhaps if young people can work from home there's another opportunity - thanks to technology - for time to be naked.
Great questions. The mindfulness gurus as well as things like the slow food movement have marketing down-pat for no-tech appeal. And people want it. Demand is there and relatively easy to cultivate.
The stimulation of those under 25 is important because of succession planning and around where I live, many of those have special pricing. However, in a niche area that is looking for growth, it's important to remember that demand can come from multiple generations. The millennial are set to be recipients of the largest wealth transfer in history as the boomers pass on inheritance. Feeling is a more psychographic proposition that might overlay on various socioeconomic factors but isn't limited to them.
Unfortunately, I don't think that the value of nakedness will be found while goofing on socials because of the lack of embodiment.
The reason that Nudism is failing in the USA is AANR.
Without specific elaboration this statement isn't helpful, so I wish you would give your reasons for making it. For what it's worth, I am a former AANR member who is not defending the organization's track record.... still, I think there are some fine people involved in trying to step things up.
It's easy to criticize the website as being out of date, but I think the bigger issue is that AANR needs to broadcast nudist culture. Basically setting out the policies/rules for what they stand for and communicating that to the public. Small things like "Do we censor photos?" to big things like "Why aren't we members of the INF-FNI?" It's a weak effort. Almost like they have a monopoly and think, "we can be lazy." When in fact you have a monopoly on an increasingly smaller population.
Why aren't we members of the INF-FNI? As a 36 year old this is a big one. The answer I get when I ask this on nudist/naturist message boards is "oh because it is useless, because people don't travel to Europe that often". But if you look at data, for millennials, that is not true. They travel more internationally then previous generations. Where, like myself they take part nude activities (public beaches/parks, resorts) there. And not just Europeans, that yes, we need to acknowledge they have a different culture to nudity in general than the US, but I saw some fellow Americans there too, who also say somewhat the same thing, besides a place like Bare Oaks (Canada but still this side of the Atlantic) or Cypress Cove, the places in Europe are better. And the reasons of that are plentiful.
I think AANR needs to LEARN Nudist culture before contaminating the USA with their current approach.
Hi Charles - fascinating post. I am not really surprised that young people shy away from naturism - it just isn't 'funny' or associated with counter-cultural rebellion, as it was in my teens. I was 13 when I first got interested in nudism/naturism. It was England, 1960 and although there were no 'official' nudist beaches, there were several (eg Studland) where nudity had been tolerated for many years and, in general, where nudity occurred on beaches it was well away from the more frequented areas. As a teen without nudist parents I couldn't join a club because it would have wanted my parents' approval, which wouldn't have been given, but on an empty beach one could see anyone at a distance and cover up. Society now seems obsessed with the policing of bodily exposure, justifying restrictive rules on the need to 'safeguard' people because the naked body is now only acceptable as a tool to sell things - otherwise it is evidence of predatory intention. Prudes like Mary Whitehouse - who once counted nipples on TV shows - have succeeded in equating nudity with unbridled sexual licence so effectively that expressing an interest in naturism is tantamount to thought-crime...
I agree, but would like to add that the societal obsession with policing in order to 'safeguard' is not limited to nudity, not by a longshot. One thing I've noticed is that bizarre as it sounds, the prority sometimes seems to be the act of policing itself and not the 'safety' of those being 'safeguarded'. I'm not sure what to make of that.
Maybe it's beacuse most of the people in my life have recently or will soon turn 60, but comparisons between 1. life now vs 25 years ago and 2. Us vs parents vs grandparents have come up a lot since Covid. Several surprisingly (at to me) consistent themes have appeared irrespective of demographics.
1. For the same lifestyle our grandparents had with 40 hours/week worked outside the home, our parents worked 60 and we work 80.
2. Regardless of distance, mode of travel, or time of day/week, transit times have gone up ~50% in the last 25 years.
3. Largely due to #'s 1 & 2, our discretionary activities of EVERY type have take a major nose-dive in the last 25 years.
I don't know what the solution is, but I can promise you there're a lot of people who'd like to implement it......
There's a whole book about this. "Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community" It's takes time to build community. Which people seem to have less of nowadays.
I wrote an entire post about the book: https://naturistplace.substack.com/p/corrected-version-participation-in . And also a general book review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5249712305 . Putnam labels the cause for the rise and fall of many types of social activity as "generational differences". In short, the issue isn't "how old are people now, but when were they young?" What's been happening with naturism is a perfect example. But that doesn't mean all is lost. There are ways to promote naturism for people of any age. Our naturist organizations in the U.S. have simply failed to seriously tackle the problem. I'll be writing more about many things that can be done.
AANR is a resort promoting organization. Supporting the activities of activists does very little for the resorts and, is potentially determental.
Look at AANR's boards of directors. Exempting a few who push against the flow, most directors are placeholders who take advantage of the social benefits that directorship provides. I want to exempt Claudia Kellersh and Bev Price who have provided yeoman service.
AANR continues to obstruct international Nudism, although that's not a difficult thing to do. I believe that the arrival of Stephane Deschenes at the INF might shakeup things internationally.
As well AANR has represented itself to me as clothing optional, no5 Nudist.
Thanks. These are valid points.
There's nothing wrong with promoting resorts. Indeed, it should be one of the prime objectives of AANR. The fact that so many naturist resorts have been closing ought to spur AANR to work much harder. Unfortunately, the directors have no real incentive to do much. They all have resorts they can go to (that haven't closed yet). And, if they're paid at all, it's not based on how many resorts there are. A solution to this problem is simple - in principle. It's that naturists themselves have to form local organizations to promote naturism. There are, of course, non-landed clubs now. But there need to be MANY more of them. And they need to take seriously the job of promoting naturism.
Having a good non-landed club nearby directly benefits naturists themselves. But it won't happen without enough naturists making the effort. Such clubs could affiliate with a larger organization - if there were one willing to support local activity. I'll be writing much more about ways to do this on my own Substack.
You are correct that local development is the way. However, larger organizations absorb them and suck the incentive out of them with bureaucracy and political infighting. I believe the effective method is for local organizations to remain independent as part of a loose cooperative.
I can say from experience that AANR (a for-profit enterprise with association optics) isn't much interested in adapting to the next generation. Stéphane and I served as "elders" in a next-generation think tank of sorts that delivered a lot of intelligent advice to AANR that mostly or entirely fell on deaf ears there. I have no doubt that Stéphane's leadership of INF is invaluable. And to another comment that INF is Eurocentric, no, Canada, Mexico, and Latin America — New World nations other than USA — are INF-affiliated. AANR is an antique USA peculiarity.
Interesting piece. As a millennial, I think clubs need to ride the coattails of the fitness movement. People are spending $50-100 a month on gym memberships, why not a nude resort membership? Put in a gym, offer a few yoga classes and done! Also landed resorts need rental options. Young people don't have $250k for a trailer plus $300 a month for lot rent. Put in a few apartment blocks and watch the money roll in.
I have long thought that naturist organisations could market themselves as the environmentally responsible option. Given the ecological impacts of the fast fashion and cosmetics industries, a natural approach may appeal to a younger environmentally aware demographic.
Exactly! There are so many advantages to being a nudist! These aren't communicated in a way that aligns with current ideals. Most likely because there's relatively no money to be made with living with less.
The only way to charge $39.99 to be a nudist is owning a space, since taking off one's clothes is free. But then you have to attract people to that space, so that's why you have amenities. Finding the right amenity mix along with the right location is 99% of the battle.
The further away something is the bigger the attraction must be. Long story short. If you want this movement to grow you have to have spaces that are small and by the most people. Enough of these and you build a network effect that increases demand and then the (textile) market will respond and it's a snowball.
I have also thought that because there is little or no money to be made from naturism it is difficult to commercialise. You can be sure that if there was money to be made, some commercial organisation would have marketed the idea to us and we would all be walking around naked. I am quite happy that naturism is not commercially driven even though it would be more popular if it was.
Some naturist resorts do have gyms. The one closest to me, Laguna del Sol, does. But the problem is that most naturists don't live close to a resort. This is especially a problem in the U.S., compared to other countries, because population densities are relatively low (except in metropolitan areas, of course). So it's a long drive for most people to visit a naturist resort. (LdS is nearly a 2-hour drive for me.) Gyms that cater to the fitness movement are fine, of course, if they allow nudity - but hardly any do. That will change only if naturists in a particular area get together and insist on clothing-optional use. It's the same with yoga studios. There are a few for naked yoga - but very few. If naturists would simply form local clubs to support each other they could have more leverage persuading gyms and yoga studios to allow nudity (at specific times).
You know, it's sort of like union organizing. People must explicitly cooperate with each other to have any hope of getting what they want.
As a fellow Millennial, I agree, but would add a few points, don't make membership mandatory after a few visits or give a hard sales pitch on the first day of arrival while going over the ground rules. Keep in mind some people only want to visit for one day a year or a weekend a year. and that is okay. Build more cabins and tent sites for weekend visitors, and keep prices about the same as a textile campsite or resort. Also, do more outreach on social media not only to advertise the resort but to educate on what "family-friendly social nudity" is and isn't. Similar to what vegan places did 10+ years ago. And have events people would like to go see and be a part of, which would change based on the area. But they should have events every weekend.
I think in general naturist resorts have not promoted themselves effectively and certainly have not made a real effort to be attractive to younger people. If we are honest younger people don’t want to be a distinct minority in a sea of older people. An aging population and aging facilities as has been my experience oftentimes means a dying club. Also cost can be a deterrent for younger people. In the East $50+ day for admission is a hefty price for younger folks.
Yes, of course, young people don't want to be a minority among older people. But you know what? In the population at large there are MORE young people than old people. It's called population growth. The problem is that young people who might be interested in naturism don't find a way to locate others near their age who might share their interest. Establish formal or informal non-landed groups to organize naturist activities - hiking, camping, river rafting, parties, etc. And then go as a group to existing naturist resorts. There's strength in numbers. Individual by themselves have less influence.
A song that was very popular with "Boomers" back in the day has a refrain that goes like this: "Come on, people now Smile on your brother Everybody get together" Believe it! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xGxQXmu7Os)
One more thing. Young people aren't the only ones in a minority at naturist resorts. Genuine minorities of the population (based on race, ethnicity, gender orientation, etc.) do go to naturist clubs in spite of being minorities. But it's much easier if they find others like themselves to go together. And a group can carpool to save expenses if a resort's not close.
Where have all the nudists gone? To the beach! Depending on your definition, I'm technically a Boomer (I was born in 1960) but by every generational descriptor, I'm a Gen-X'er. I've been a nudist, sometimes card-carrying, since I went to my first nude beach when I was 25. Since then I've gone to more nude beaches than I can count, nude sailing, nude hiking/backpacking and canuding. What I've done very little of is visit resorts. You can count the number of times I've visited a nudist resort on one hand. Why? Because I find them boring. For me, the joy of naturism is being nude in nature. I have zero interest in sitting around a swimming pool (unless it were in my own yard and I didn't have to travel to get there). Judging by the number of young people who participate in events such as the WNBR's and other events where nudity is accepted/tolerated, I think there is as much interest in social nudity as ever, just not walled off in clubs. Yes, that is problematic for those who like to be nude in a controlled environment, and it may even be problematic for "organized" nudism, but as the young people of today gain power, I believe the acceptance of nudity as a part of normal, everyday life will increase, which, I believe, bodes well for the future of social nudity, if not "nudism."
As far as beach nudity goes, it's fine! That's how I got started myself. I don't know where you live, but as far as the U.S. is concerned, there aren't many acknowledged nude beaches, even on the coasts. Western European counties have many more, both because most people there don't live really far from good beaches, and because naturism is less controversial in Europe. In the U.S., a large proportion of the population isn't even within 500 miles of any coastal beach, let alone one that's clothing-optional. Of course, if you live in or visit Florida, you have more options for both beaches and resorts.
Things like naked sailing, hiking, backpacking, canuding, etc. are great too! Perhaps you have no difficulty finding people to accompany you, unless you're strictly solo. But it seems clear that most people - especially young people - don't actually know any naturists, let alone have some as friends. For people who like outdoor activities nude, where's the best place to find others like themselves? Probably not the local coffee shop or even the local Sierra Club chapter. But visiting naturist resorts provides a large selection! There are young people at naturist clubs, although more as you go up the age scale. However you look at it, a naturist resort is a better place to meet compatible people for naked outdoor activities than just about anyplace else.
Concerning activities like WNBR and San Francisco's Bay to Breakers run, I haven't participated, but my impression is that nude participation is down considerably. Fred Heiser, who often comments here, does both and could tell of his experience. The trends are probably better for naturists living in some countries other than the U.S.
One factor in the closing of naturist resorts that I haven't seen discussed much is the interaction ownership/management structure and property values. Most of the recent listings have been of resorts that were owned and operated by individuals/families. As they age and their health declines the value of the property has skyrocketed which by itself increases the cost of running the resort through increased property taxes. The stories I have seen about the work these people do to keep the resorts running is incredible seems 60-80hrs a week is common. At some point the joy from running the place is gone and the cashing in on the huge value of the property and retiring in comfort is the only thing left to do(Lupin Lodge was listed for $36 Million I believe). Anyway this was a long introduction to what I see as a fundamental problem for the long term survival of naturist resorts. I think that a more sustainable ownership model is something like a Co-op where the resort is own by the members. This would remove the single point of failure where an individual or small group has the potential to reap a huge financial gain by selling the property. It would also spread the responsibility for raising capital for needed maintenance/renovation/operating costs. This is of course easy for me to say but I do think that it is a fundamental issue for what is a low margin fairly capital intensive industry.
I also think that nudist/naturist have a visibility issue. I am 61 and have been a nudist all my life. I just became aware a few years ago of the whole social nudity thing. Its funny, as a young man I used to drive passed Elysium in Topanga canyon on my way to very unofficial nude beach we called Pirates Cove on the south end of Zuma beach. I never had any idea they were there and would be welcoming to me.
For the next 35 years I had no idea nudist resorts existed.
Anyway I wish there was more acceptance for nudity in our society, it's really annoying that I have to put on clothes just to take out my trash, I joined a nonlanded club and do what I can to promote the lifestyle.
The co-op model has a lot to recommend itself. In particular, no single individual or family should be in a position to sell the whole thing to a buyer who won't keep it naturist. But it's not a perfect solution. Increasing property values mean increasing taxes. Co-op owners tend to be older and retired, since many have belonged for a long time and it may be their main residence. They'll feel the increasing tax burden. Even if they can handle the taxes, they may have to spend less on property maintenance. And inflation may mean having to raise staff pay, so membership costs rise.
However, Glen Eden in southern California is co-op and claims to be the largest member-owned naturist resort in the country. I haven't been there, and it's not clear that non-members are even welcome to visit without paying an annual fee regardless of number of visits. Evan goes there often, so he should be able to explain.
Another problem with the co-op model, is that non-members may be restricted to visiting at certain times of the week or seasons of the year or else pay an annual fee, as at Glen Eden. As a result, non-members may be less interested in visiting, so the place is less useful to naturists in general. The Sequoians, near the SF Bay area, is an example. I've visited a few times (non-members are limited to 3 times per year, except for special events). The people are friendly, but the physical condition isn't especially great. The parking lot is rather small. Early this year, when California had extremely heavy rains, the only road access partially washed out. Residents were mostly stuck for more than a month. I don't know how they got supplies. Perhaps by motorcycle?
Around that time, Laguna del Sol was heavily flooded. Except for the floods, it's open for all visitors, since it's not a co-op. The flood clean-up happened pretty quickly, with a lot of help from volunteers. Even though the facilities are very upscale - including 4 swimming pools, tennis courts, spas, gym, restaurant - the fees are quite reasonable - probably about the same or less than a KOA.
So anyhow, there are pros and cons for both models. The MUCH more serious problem is having enough naturists around to support the club operation, regardless of its type. And the more modern and well-maintained and equipped the place is, the more naturists will want to visit.
The problem is deeper than some of these other issues already mentioned. AANR is part of the problem, to me it's worthless. The main problem is peoples attitudes at these resorts. My wife and I drove to one this past June, our first going to one in over 5 years. We were supposed to stay over night, but left about 10 o'clock because of the people there. I doubt that we ever go again, as we have no need to waste the money. We have several acres where we go naked every day.
Supposedly people are "friendlier" at nudist places, they are not, they have cliche' just like back in high school. If you aren't rich, or in the social circle, you are ignored. We can stay home and have fun, rather than being around others who pretend that you don't matter, or exist. That is another reason that they are dying off.
It sort of comes down to whether one is interested just in nudity for oneself and family or whether one prefers social nudity. Either way is OK, but the latter is how naturism can persist, because it requires people who have something in common to cooperate in promoting whatever that thing is.
Humans are basically a social species. There's a reason they belong to tribes - though with that may come rejection of "outsiders". I don't think it's unfair to say that people who choose voluntary activities only within their private clan are missing an important aspect of life that involves friendly interaction with others having important interests in common. Naturism and social nudity is an example of the latter.
It's unfortunate that some naturist resorts and non-landed clubs aren't welcoming to newcomers. When that happens, they are rejecting the rewards of sharing clothesfreedom with a wider circle than their own little clique. Without being welcoming to new people, they are setting up for the eventual inevitable dissolution of their organization. This pretty much describes what's happened to the resorts and clubs that have ceased to exist in recent years.
Where have all the nudists gone? To the beach! Depending on your definition, I'm technically a Boomer (I was born in 1960) but by every generational descriptor, I'm a Gen-X'er. I've been a nudist, sometimes card-carrying, since I went to my first nude beach when I was 25. Since then I've gone to more nude beaches than I can count, nude sailing, nude hiking/backpacking and canuding. What I've done very little of is visit resorts. You can count the number of times I've visited a nudist resort on one hand. Why? Because I find them boring. For me, the joy of naturism is being nude in nature. I have zero interest in sitting around a swimming pool (unless it were in my own yard and I didn't have to travel to get there). Judging by the number of young people who participate in events such as the WNBR's and other events where nudity is accepted/tolerated, I think there is as much interest in social nudity as ever, just not walled off in clubs. Yes, that is problematic for those who like to be nude in a controlled environment, and it may even be problematic for "organized" nudism, but as the young people of today gain power, I believe the acceptance of nudity as a part of normal, everyday life will increase, which, I believe, bodes well for the future of social nudity, if not "nudism."
I think it's because many clubs have NOT done enough to attract the Younger generation and many clubs are stuck in the old rules that hinder in attracting the Younger generation. On top of that, the Younger generation is more accepting of LGBTQIA people than the older generation. It's why Nudism is dying in America.
Our place here in Mexico (mx.camp) hosts public events that might attract 150 to sometimes 300 people. Nudity is mandatory in our pool and sauna and few or none hesitate to comply, then they shower, dress, re-engage the event, and later, repeat. Because it's so uncommon for folks to hang around nude in our hostel (though they are allowed and encouraged to), Maybel and I mirror the population and put something on where it's not mandatory to be nude (it's uncomfortable to be the only nude person in a space).
Though we are adjacent to the only clothing optional beach in Mexico, if ours or any place here in Zipolite, were indeed "nudist," it would not thrive. Though many folks are nude on the beach, few or none would identify as Nudist if you asked them (except for a minority of older europeans or norteamericanos, like me).
Interesting insights, but our recent experience in Florida showed some more pain points...
It seems like most clubs/resorts seem to have the following hierarchy:
1. Residents
2. Members
3. Visitors
This reflects in who gets listened to and also in the price. We needed to pay between $80 and $120 USD per night as visitors. For a campsite... In low season... That's 3 to 4 times what you pay in France.
Residents typically don't want much change. When they get to say what happens, not much happens at all. Unless they see their property as an investment, but we found few cases like that.
Another big difference between the USA and Europe is the big scare of naked children. Ask a European naturist "So there are naked children among naked adults" and they'll all answer "yes, of course, it's family friendly". In the USA, this seemed like the worst question one could ask a naturist and many seem to prefer adult-only places just so there would not be a link...
It would be interesting to know, for all U.S. resorts, what the hierarchies are like (resident, member, visitor), rates, general policies, etc. It's probably true that European resorts are easier and less expensive to visit. Some of that may be due to the tendency of U.S. naturists to be older, and so more resistant to change and unwelcoming to newcomers. As far as kids are concerned, the age of U.S. naturists is also relevant (no children still at home). The U.S. is also very paranoid about children seeing nudity. Naturism in the U.S. has LOTS of problems. C'est la vie.
Excellent article..You have beautifully analysed the issue.. However it seems that no immediate solution is there for the reducing number of naturists..
Thanks for bringing that up. Let's get real, OK? There ABSOLUTELY IS an immediate solution to the problem of fewer naturists. It's simple: every naturist should tell other people they know personally about their participation in naturism, and why they enjoy it. Of course, people told about it and having it explained to them won't necessarily change their mind.
But the next step is to give people who are open-minded a chance to learn about naturism in person. If you're typically naked at home, stay naked when you have informed visitors - especially if you have a pool, sauna, or spa where nudity makes real sense. Your guests might not fully disrobe themselves, but they'll see that nudity isn't unpleasant or threatening.
And once you find people who won't balk at the nudity of others, invite them along for naturist activities - a clothing-optional beach, hiking or camping trip, or even an actual naturist club or resort.
This is not rocket science. It's just how people introduce friends to new experiences that can be shared together. I know, there's the fear of personal rejection by others. Some others will react negatively, so use common sense about who you speak with. But with people you know well - including relatives - you should have some idea of how they might react. Could it be that every single person you know will react badly? Probably not.
I guess most naturists think that promoting naturism is someone else's job. They're wrong.
My wife has come to accept my particpation in naturist clubs and being nude around the house when I can be safely invisible to the neighbors. But, she has absolutely forbidden me from sharing it with our adult children or anyone else we mutually know. She cannot break her Catholic, stern Irish upbringing. Frankly, I have given up trying to convince her the world will not come crashing down.
Nice, well written article Charles. I hate to say it’s an enjoyable read, since it addresses a bit of a sad topic, but still....
I commented on Evan’s recent post about Berkshire Vista, generally along the same topic lines. So, I won’t regurgitate that here. But I’ll simply say what is a generally unpopular and potentially pessimistic view -- the era of the US nudism being rooted in organizations, landed clubs, and resorts is coming to an end. US nudism is evolving, maybe to its complete demise. I think the jury is still out on that one.
Society evolves, cultures change, individual philosophies and values morph. The US is no different. Even those that embrace non-sexual nudity and naturism, whether as a casual hobby or a passionate philosophy or lifestyle, resorts and clubs just don’t seem to scratch the itch anymore. What they offer just isn’t in line with where US naturism is headed, if it’s even a thing you can define and track.
I’m fairly neutral on the subject. While I value naturism as part of my life, I fully realize it is far from mainstream in the US. I wouldn’t expect such places to thrive in US society today. I value nude beaches and access to nude friendly activities on public lands. I don’t like to see naturism attacked by forces looking to score political points. But resorts and clubs? They were never in the cards for me. Too expensive, not welcoming, not where I want to spend the small bit of time and budget I manage to carve out for recreation.
This is a complicated issue. U.S. society these days is in a very unhealthy state, with many people bent on suppressing the rights of others who have minority beliefs and lifestyles - such as naturists. Then there's the matter of economics. Land prices in places close to metropolitan areas are high, forcing naturists clubs and resorts to be located inconveniently far from where most people live.
However, one thing is clear. It's essential for naturists to have convenient ways to meet other naturists and establish friendships. If that opportunity isn't available, most people who want to enjoy a nonsexual clothesfree lifestyle are mostly limited to their own homes and, perhaps, the homes of a few other naturists they know of. One possible and practical solution is some way to stimulate the establishment of many active non-landed clubs that meet regularly - not just a few times a year. This makes it possible for individual naturists themselves to organize social events.
These can be social gatherings and parties in private homes or naturist activities outdoors - hiking, camping, river rafting or canoeing, etc. Beyond that, naturists in semi-rural areas who own a few dozen acres of land could also open some part of it for naturist camping and outdoor gatherings. A similar thing already exists for traditional camping where private property owners allow short-term camping on their land for a small fee. There are online directories for that sort of thing. "Boondocking" is similar, where people can camp on suitable public lands, by themselves or in semi-organized groups. If enough naturists would simply cooperate and use their ingenuity to make such things happen, naturism would be much better off.
Perhaps, David, those of us with naturist newsletters should do some brainstorming on how to devise new naturist opportunities and "make it so". If there are other naturists with a little land to share, we could provide a way to review and publicize such efforts.
Our existing naturist organizations and non-landed clubs haven't been up to this task. There's a need for a new organization with credibility to implement new opportunities for naturist activities. I don't want traditional landed naturist clubs and resorts to disappear. But to prevent that, it's necessary for there to be many more people who have convenient ways to enjoy social nudity - and therefore are eventually interested in visiting traditional landed facilities.
There's a culprit that didn't make your list: technology.
I'm an Xer. I didn't grow up with technology, but I did start in the workforce with technology. I planned a wedding on the earliest bulletin boards. My babies starred as some of my first social media profiles. I interspersed conversations with long- distance friends with emails. Then with local friends. Then posted on walls, DM'd and texted.
When I became a single mother, I found others going through a similar life experience and built new virtual friendships. I raised boys with cyber savvy and virtual street smarts. My days filled with work, childcare, housecare, maintenance, shoveling, lawnmowing, and I enjoyed the availability of asynchronous conversations. Video killed the radio star, blogs and online news killed the newspaper, attention spans were destroyed by apps and everyone developed a false sense of knowing everything and judging everything. The internet made images forever and revenge porn became a credible threat.
Many of the people I encounter in naturism are seeking respite from all this noise. It's ironic that when a group is small and scattered, digital tools enable connection, but in this case, they have worked against it, too. Remember when 3 weeks by mail order used to seem fast? Now we need insta-gratification and brains have become completely rewired in a way that gets positive hits in a way very different from how naturism delivers it, especially social nudity.
That's really what it's about isn't it? The feeling when people are together in that state of nudity. The zeitgeist of it. Whatever feeling you get is attuned to the individual, but it's all about a feeling. If it were about ethics or politics or something else, you could join a religion or activist group. But it's not. It's a feeling, and we've been conditioned to not feel anymore. We've been conditioned to seek positive hormone hits, consume, live a fake best life to document on social media and to keep so busy trying to get it all, be the perfect everything, that actual feeling is gone.
Try marketing feeling, slowness, freedom from tech and pictures, and just simply being alive. And see how things will change.
I think this is a very good point, but I'm having trouble seeing how to "market" feeling, slowness, and freedom from the onslaught of tech-supplied stimulation. Marketing is about grabbing attention by any available means. Kind of the opposite of contemplation and peacefulness. Also, people in the younger generations are having a difficult time just getting along due to needing to focus on paying the rent and all the other expenses (like college loan payments). How many have the time to relax and "go with the flow"?
So perhaps economics is as much the problem as technology. I would hope not, but I wonder whether the possibility of AI taking over many lower-level jobs exacerbates the problem. But it's worth remembering that U.S. naturism got its start in the Depression years of the 1930s, when life was anything but easy. Perhaps naturism could be promoted as a means of relieving stress, given how much there is these days. There shouldn't be a good reason not to be naked while gorging on TikTok, YouTube, or whatever. And perhaps if young people can work from home there's another opportunity - thanks to technology - for time to be naked.
Great questions. The mindfulness gurus as well as things like the slow food movement have marketing down-pat for no-tech appeal. And people want it. Demand is there and relatively easy to cultivate.
The stimulation of those under 25 is important because of succession planning and around where I live, many of those have special pricing. However, in a niche area that is looking for growth, it's important to remember that demand can come from multiple generations. The millennial are set to be recipients of the largest wealth transfer in history as the boomers pass on inheritance. Feeling is a more psychographic proposition that might overlay on various socioeconomic factors but isn't limited to them.
Unfortunately, I don't think that the value of nakedness will be found while goofing on socials because of the lack of embodiment.