Say the word “naked” and most people conjure up an image of what the late Lewis Grizzard called “unclothed and up to something.” But according to the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR), social nude recreation has become a $400 million global industry. In 2003, Forbes magazine reported that nude travel was showing profits, and Castaways Travel, a Texas-based company specializing in clothing-free vacations, made aviation history with a nude flight from Miami to Cancun. Even such highly regarded cruise lines as Windjammer and Carnival have jumped on the bandwagon and begun offering clothing-optional alternatives to their patrons.
     Social nudism had its beginnings in the early 1900's in Germany. Shedding clothes, participating in outdoor activities, and eating a healthy, and often vegetarian diet was touted as a way to beat the stress of both the urbanized and industrialized life. German immigrants in the late 1920's brought this lifestyle to the United States, and the struggle to legitimize nudity in social situations began.
     Today AANR has approximately two hundred and sixty affiliate resorts and boasts a membership of roughly fifty thousand, a seventy-five percent increase over the last decade. AANR serves the needs of North American nudists by creating a standard for member resorts. Their website, www.aanr.com , provides a listing of member clubs throughout the United States along with helpful tips for first-timers.
     Originally called the American League for Physical Culture, and later the American Sunbathing Association, AANR changed to its present name in 1995 as a more accurate indication of the activities of its membership. AANR is the oldest, largest, and one of the most respected organizations for nudists.
    Clubs range from rustic campgrounds to full-service resorts, with each type existing because of the facilities and intangibles they offer. There’s a club somewhere to meet every member’s needs and the intangibles range from long-term friendships to improved self-esteem.
     Membership cost ranges from $224 for a dual premier membership to $19.95 for an Internet membership. All memberships get access to a monthly publication called The Bulletin, which provides information on resorts, trip reports from members, news from clubs around the country, and the latest on legislation that may affect member clubs and more.
    Joining AANR allows its members to support the government affairs program, which explains nude recreation to government officials and makes every effort to protect it from legal interference. It also provides member discounts for an online florist service, car rentals, and insurance, along with a rate discount at other AANR-affiliated clubs and resorts.
    AANR is a democracy with an annual conference, which all members can attend. All officers are elected and each member has a vote and therefore a voice in the governance of this organization.
    AANR also employs the services of an international PR firm to help select locations for new resorts, provide helpful statistics to business journals, and maintain a positive presence in the media. It also makes sure that communities understand the difference between nude recreation and a sexually oriented business.   more >>