Nudists seek to attract younger members

[buttmunch]

Here's the naked truth about nude recreation: The people who practice it aren't getting any younger. To draw 20- and 30-somethings, nudist groups and camps are trying everything from deep discounts to a young ambassador program that encourages college and graduate students to talk to their peers about having fun in the buff.

"We don't want the place to turn into a gated assisted living facility," said Gordon Adams, membership director at Solair Recreation League, a nudist camp in northeast Connecticut that recently invited students from dozens of New England schools to a college day in hopes of piquing their interest.

The median age is 55 at Solair, where a yearly membership is $500 for people older than 40, $300 for people younger than 40 and $150 for college students.

The Kissimee, Fla.-based American Association for Nude Recreation, which represents about 270 clubs and resorts in North America, estimates that more than 90 percent of its 50,000 members are older than 35.

"If a young person is enlightened enough to go to a beach or resort, they'll find that they're outnumbered by people who are not like them," said Sam Miller, 32, a medical student in Riverside, Calif., who is currently helping to plan a youth ambassadors workshop being held next month in Orlando, Fla. "Oftentimes they won't go back for that reason. They may go once or twice, but going back becomes a lonesome kind of endeavor."

Miller got interested in nudism in his late teens and now tries to gently broach the idea with potentially like-minded friends by talking about skinny dipping or similar activities. If they seem amenable he suggests a trip to a nude beach; otherwise he backs off.

No one is quite sure why nudity, at least the organized version promoted by the AANR and similar groups, is such a tough sell for younger people.

"I think people think that we're all hippies," said Laura Groezinger, 22, of Billerica, Mass., who grew up visiting Solair with her family. "Other people, I don't know the right way to say this, but they think it's more sexual, kind of. They don't understand just the being free with your body and being comfortable."

Money is also an issue. As nudist resorts become increasingly upscale, catering to baby boomers and retirees with plenty of disposable income, they're less affordable for college students and young families on budgets.

"There's a financial barrier, and I think it's important for resorts, if they want young people around, to recognize that and cater to them with discounts or free days," Miller said in a phone interview. "In the end, of course, it's a business. It's important for the resorts to make money, but without a mixed crowd, what lies in the future? If young people aren't becoming interested, then what's the future?"

Only a handful of students attended Solair's recent college event, held on an overcast 60-degree day that prompted many to bundle up in sweaters rather than shed their clothes. But camp members such as Robyn Maguire, 27, of Manchester, Conn., who works in engineering administration and teaches dance, said they plan to try again.

"I hope to get the word out to younger people that hey, it is OK, and here's a safe place to be, a very accepting place," Maguire said. "Unlike any other place in life, people actually look at you when they talk to you."


FOXNews.com - Nudists Seek to Attract Younger Members, Finding it a Tough Sell - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News

OK, I went to a nude beach once in my youth and it was all I could do to not laugh as the men came out of the very cold ocean. Nudism definitely isn't about sex but it certainly can be amusing.

[Grimmlok]

They have a nude gay beach here in toronto.. too bad i's always full of old scary men either parading around in their decrepit glory or fucking in the bushes.

Yuck.

[shedevilang]

rofl we were talking yesterday about how my son is going to join a nudist colony when he grows up the kid stays in his underwear he strips as soon as he comes home and he does it at my moms too lol I will add he is 9 so way to old to be doing this but he claims clothes are hot lol

[effie2]

I ve been in a nudist beach at an iland here,by the third day i totally forgat i had no bathing suit on.
Never done it again.

[Tati]

I've gone skinny-dipping and have posed nude for an art class, where I definitely learned that nudity needn't be sexual - however, simply walking around or going to a beach nude doesn't really interest me. I like to run around and play sports at the beach, and I need a little support for that! Don't want to scorch the nips either - breasts are really sensitive to sunburn.

I will say that the sensation of swimming naked is definitely nice. I'd definitely consider going to a nude beach and just stripping down for the water, but, speaking as a member of their target demographic, a nude resort wouldn't have much to offer me.

[MgMMD]

I think I have a future member. My 4 year old insists she'd rather be "fwee and light" than wear clothes....lol. Thank GOD she knows better than to be naked in public. But if she could get away with it, she would.

[blissfullyunaware]

I am the only one that believes nudist beachs/resorts, etc. are just there so these people can oogle each other? I still think most nudists are trolling for sex.

[buttmunch]

Nah, I've been to one and no one seemed to be looking to score. I'm sorry to say it really was a bunch of hippies, young and old, and the hair/body ratio was astounding.

[blissfullyunaware]

^^^hahaha^^^
well, I guess its something I will never find out firsthand.Thanks

[Anne2007]

Originally Posted by MgMMD

I think I have a future member. My 4 year old insists she'd rather be "fwee and light" than wear clothes....lol. Thank GOD she knows better than to be naked in public. But if she could get away with it, she would.

I will send my 3 year old with yours. Thank you for sharing that, as it made me laugh because my girl does the same thing.

My positive is at least they don't have body hang ups.

I keep saying to my husband that she will be dragging me to Lady Jane beach soon. (It is a nudist beach in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney Australia)

[shedevilang]

hell with all these baby strippers coming up we are gonna all be running around nude lmao i can just see my son becoming president and making that the first order of buisness outlawing clothing

[AliceInWonderland]

all the nudists i've seen have been gross! my crazy aunt for instance