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Get Ready To Skinny-Dip

Posted on March 21, 2013 by admin

The third World Record Skinny-Dip is set for July 13, just a few months away. This year’s  event is the first to be jointly hosted by AANR and The Naturist Society.

The first World Record Skinny-Dip in 2009 saw 13,674 people simultaneously skinny-dipping across North America. In 2010 we beat our own record.

Can you remember or guess the total number of people simultaneously skinny-dipping in the World Record Skinny-Dip of 2010? Post your answer in the comments section below. The person who guesses the correct number will win a 2013 World Record Skinny-Dip t-shirt.

This contest is not open to staff and volunteers who worked on the precious two events.

Good luck!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 32 Comments

A Nudists’ Meaning of March Madness

Posted on February 27, 2013 by admin

In a couple of days it will be the beginning of March. March, originally from the Latin word “Martius,” named for Mars, the Roman God of War, symbolizes a variety of things and experiences in modern society. For gardeners, it’s the start of spring planting season. For Northereners, it might hold a sign of warmer weather to come. But for college basketball fans, March means only one thing… it is just a few short weeks until March Madness!

Nudists, however, think of March Madness a little differently. Here are the top 10 March Madness words and their meanings to nudists:

1) NCAA – No Clothes Allowed Anytime

2) March Madness – A nudist’s state of mind after having been bundled up all winter long. Some northern nudists have even been known to have March Madness set in so bad, they run outside naked and make snow angels.

3) Free throw – Throwing your friend into the pool without them knowing it.

4) Point spread – The distance you have to walk from your nudist resort hotel room to the pool.

5) Guard – Covering your skin with lots of sunscreen.

6) Rebound – Regaining your sanity by relaxing, restoring, and rejuvenating your mental well-being by taking a Nakation.

7) 3 point play – Getting to play volleyball, play tennis, and play in the sand naked all in the same day.

8) Foul – Having to wear clothes all week long while waiting to get away to your favorite nudist resort.

9) Fouling out – Having to cancel your Nakation because your boss says you have to work overtime.

10) Tip Off – Telling all your friends about the fun nudist resort vacation you just came home from. And this will actually be the first time ever your friends will really want to see your vacation photos.

Posted in Nude Attitudes | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Misconceptions About Nudism

Posted on February 26, 2013 by admin

As nudists, we have all read and seen the misconceptions in the media about nudists whether in print or online. We may have heard them from friends, family, or acquaintances. Nudists are all overweight, nudists just want to show off their toned bodies, etc., etc., and the list goes on.

One of the best things about being a nudist is that we know the way we are often portrayed couldn’t be further from the truth. Nudists are just like everyone else, only more relaxed and have better tans.

Click here to read an article about the misconceptions of nudism.

Posted in Nude Attitudes | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The High Cost of Wearing Clothes

Posted on February 13, 2013 by admin

Last Sunday I read a book review in the New York Times by Avis Cardella of a new book called “Overdressed: The High Cost of Cheap Fashion” by Elizabeth L. Cline. Some of the points made got me thinking.

The review contains an astonishing fact, at least to me:  only 2 percent of the clothing U. S. consumers purchase today is manufactured in the United States, opposed to approximately 50% in 1990. Cline’s theory is that consumerism, fashion trends, and social media’s “relentless image consciousness” contribute to a desire for what the author terms “disposable clothing.” Any consumer can walk into a low cost clothing shop or big box store and purchase shoes and clothing for under $10 that will last long enough for the trend to pass.

Cline feels that this disposable clothing damages not only the economy but our environment and even “our souls.” According to Cardella, the book contains all the data to prove her point including the fact that “in 2010, Goodwill sold 163 million pounds of used clothes and household items.”

As a nudist, these facts are particularly disturbing because we already understand the danger to the environment that “disposable clothing” creates. AANR members across the continent regularly participate in activities to help protect the environment, a basic tenet of the nudist/naturist lifestyle. We have no need—or desire– for cheaply made clothing trends dictated by social media and the fashion industry. And, of course, we already recognize that wearing clothes creates a disconnect that damages our souls.

Besides living a clothes-free lifestyle, as we have done for decades, what can we, as nudists, do to bring attention to this disturbing trend and possibly help reverse it?

 

Posted in Nude Attitudes | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Your First Nudist Experience

Posted on February 11, 2013 by admin

Today on Facebook we posed the question “What has been your best nudist experience?” As of this writing, there have been over 30 comments on the AANR Facebook page. Reading about how people experience life similarly to us is fascinating for most people. The Facebook responses are interesting and varied, and the majority of comments center on the place where that best nudist experience took place.

As nudists, we know that feeling we get from nude recreation goes deeper than location. Like a first kiss, every nudist remembers that first nudist experience, who shared the experience with them, and how they felt afterward. For just about every everyone, that first experience was a defining moment when they knew there was no turning back. Maybe there was a feeling of nervousness at first. Perhaps you knew even before you took your clothes off that this was something you were meant to try. That liberating feeling of the wind and the sun on your bare skin was enough to make you never want to look back.

For me, it was the friendliness of the people at the resort I visited. I was exercising my option to stay clothed and I noticed people were not as friendly as I thought they would be. On the other hand, my then-husband took off his clothes immediately and people were much friendlier and talkative with him.  So I just went for it. In no time, I was having one of the best times I had ever had. The long term effect is that I felt more accepting of my body after that experience and had a different appreciation of nature as well.

What are the reasons you remained a nudist after that first experience and would never even consider giving up the nudist lifestyle?

Posted in Nude Attitudes | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What Does Body Acceptance Mean To You?

Posted on January 30, 2013 by admin

We live in a time when people are paying more attention to health and physical fitness. Childhood and adult obesity is at an all-time high, which can lead to Type-II Diabetes and other health concerns. Studies show that a sedentary lifestyle at home or at the office is unhealthy even if we exercise.

Nudism and naturism grew from the roots of a health-conscious and environmentally friendly lifestyle.  The ancient Greeks performed feats of strength and skill while nude during the first Olympics, the earliest documented form of nude recreation.  As the colonial era gave way to an independent United States of America, free thinkers such as Benjamin Franklin publicly lauded the benefits of daily naked walks, or as they were called, “air baths.” Other nudists of note included President John Quincy Adams, who regularly bathed nude in the Potomac, and Henry David Thoreau.  The health benefits of nudity, both physical and mental, were woven so deeply into the American fabric that the much beloved fictional characters of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn skinny-dipped with joy and abandon in Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, arguably the quintessential great American novel of that time period. AANR has promoted both the physical and mental health benefits of nudity since its beginnings through policy and events such as the World Record Skinny-Dip. And one of the main tenets of nudism is “body acceptance.”

At the same time, we are inundated by unattainable images of beauty in the media and advertising. Although men are affected too, women and girls in particular are sent the message that unless you look like Kate Upton or Jennifer Lopez, you are not beautiful. Sometimes we read an article or blog post that describes nudists’ appearance in unflattering language, clearly based in ignorance and miles away from body acceptance.

So, what exactly is body acceptance? We read about it and we talk about it. But what does it really mean in the context of non-sexual nudity, and how do we achieve it? As nudists, we do not judge others by appearance but do we extend that way of thinking to ourselves?

It seems, at least to me, that body acceptance has an emotional as well as a physical component. Are we able to look in the mirror and accept ourselves without seeing the skinny or overweight adolescent we once were? Does body acceptance mean being content with our bodies the way they are without trying to attain at least a modest level of fitness or does it mean honoring our bodies enough that we see the importance of a healthy lifestyle? Does accepting our bodies mean shutting out the images of the supermodel du jour and being content with who we are? Or is the definition of body acceptance different for each of us?

Share your thoughts. What does body acceptance mean to you?

 

Posted in Nude Attitudes | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Nudist’s Guide to the End of the World

Posted on December 19, 2012 by admin

This month, a press release was sent out as a tongue-in-cheek response to predictions the world will end on December 21 according to the Mayan calendar.  The supposed event has gotten a lot of play from companies (Shock Top brewing company’s End of the World Ale) to a wealth of media stories. So we thought, why not add a nudist perspective to the conversation.

AMERICAN NUDISTS’ VIEW OF THE MAYAN END OF WORLD CALENDAR  PROPHESY

And how you can step out of your clothes to make the most of the rest of your life

The debate rages on as to whether the Mayan calendar is prophesizing “the end of time,” or rather a time of transition from one World Age into another, i.e. “the end of a time” this December 21st.

To this end, members of the American Association for Nude Recreation (www.aanr.com), being comfortable in their own skin, whatever the calendar date, share some positive insights regardless of what 11:11a.m. Greenwich Mean Time, December 21st brings:

 

  • Try sleeping in the nude on Dec. 20th, you may wake up to find clothes are a non-essential in the ever-after
  • Hang around the house in the nude, on the 22nd you may find continuing the practice on Earth is quite heavenly
  • Promise yourself if the world survives through the 21st that you’ll take a Nakation (vacation to a nudist resort) in 2013
  • If you live in the sunbelt or plan a warm weather winter getaway, make sure you take a skinny dip – it’s how the Mayans enjoyed frolicking in the sea
  • Strip down and enjoy the sunshine radiating through your windows. It is widely accepted that sunlight counteracts the Winter Blues, in fact, studies indicate your body needs at least 20 minutes a day of sunshine over at least 75% of your body to help prevent a vitamin D deficiency – of which one notable side effect is depression
  • Multiple recent studies have linked weight gain and obesity to lack of sleep. One of the most popular ways that people are getting a better night’s sleep is by sleeping in the nude. Those who have shed their pajamas and inhibitions are reporting that they sleep better due to increased comfort.
  • Make New Year’s resolutions to go “textile-free” when housecleaning, gardening and doing other dirty jobs.  Makes clean up a snap, just jump in the shower or hose off!

The press release was picked up by popular travel blog, Cheapflights.com, and renamed a Nudist’s Guide to the End of the World.

Feel free to add your own ideas to the list!

Posted in Nude Attitudes | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Today is National Mammography Day

Posted on October 19, 2012 by admin

In 1993, President Clinton proclaimed the third Friday in October as National Mammography Day. Today, October 19, is this year’s National Mammography Day.

There are many jokes about mammograms. For example, describing preparing for one by laying down on a cold garage floor and lowering the garage door on your breast.

But it isn’t that uncomfortable. And it is worth it. I love life and having such a small procedure done at regular intervals is a small price to pay for reducing my chances of dying from breast cancer.

I think that mammograms are easier for nudists. Unlike many women, we aren’t afraid that someone might see our breasts. I am always amused during a mammogram when the technicians are so very, very careful to keep my breast as covered as possible. I usually tell them that I am a nudist, but they don’t really get it.

So, if you are a woman, do yourself a favor today. Call your doctor and make an appointment for your mammogram if it is due. And if you are a man, remind the women in your life that you love that they take good care of themselves — and to schedule a mammogram when it is due.

Posted in Nude Attitudes | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

AANR and AANR-East Android Apps Make Their Debut

Posted on July 30, 2012 by admin

AANRmobile: The Official AANR Android App

AANRmobile is the official Android App of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) and it upholds the association’s principles and standards. AANR is about social family nude recreation in appropriate settings. Only nudist clubs and resorts that are affiliated with AANR are included in the Club Directory in this App.

The American Association for Nude Recreation is the largest, most long-established organization of its kind in North America. With roots dating to 1931, it has grown from humble beginnings to an organization representing nearly 50,000 members and their families throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and beyond as well as over 260 nudist resorts and affiliates. AANR’s commitment to fostering wholesome, nurturing environments that promote body acceptance and respect for all persons has not changed. Members recognize the essential wholesomeness of the human body and that life is enhanced by the naturalness of social nudity.

AANR invites you to explore the world of social nudity in this App as well as on the website (http://www.AANR.com). AANRMobile includes:

  • a list of Frequently Asked Questions and their answers
  • an affiliated Club Directory
  • a listing of events across the continent
  • a news page that contains the most recent stories from the Alltogether Blog

The Club Directory lets you browse clubs alphabetically or by state (plus Canada and a few other countries). From the club detail view you can call the club from your phone, send them an email, link to their website and start navigating to their club.

If you are already a nudist, AANRMobile will help you find events as you travel and close to home. If you are not yet a nudist, AANRMobile will help you learn about the enjoyment and benefits of nudism.

 Get the app here

AANR-East App

By Steven Stoller, AANR-East webmaster and app developer

I am excited to announce the availability of the new AANR-East Android phone app on Google Play.

You can click on the screenshots here to enlarge them before downloading or if you are curious and do not have an Android smartphone.

The following modules appear in our Android app:

1) Who are We?

Identifies all the AANR Regions

2) Our clubs

Lists each club affiliate’s name, city, state, phone (if available), and email (if available)

3) Club map (selected clubs)

Plots each club on an embedded Google map.  Note that since some landed clubs do not want their exact location plotted, they are excluded from the map.

4) Calendar

Lists upcoming events.

5) Newsletter

Displays previous issues of our “Speaking Naturally” newsletter with a link to subscribe right off of your Android smartphone.

6) Facebook

Displays the AANR-East Facebook page.

7) Twitter

Displays the AANR-East Twitter feed.

8) Selected landed club signs

Displays photos of signs of some of the clubs I have visited.  Additional submissions are welcome.  We are presently exploring how to include other photos on our app (e.g., obtaining proper permissions for photos of people, etc.).  At present, the app is configured so photos cannot be saved or shared.  According to its Terms of Service, Google does not allow nudity.

9) Video

Selected relevant YouTube videos.

10) Audio (except podcasts)

These are audio interviews which do not include dedicated audio podcast modules.

11) The Naturist Living Show (podcast)

Includes tens of excellent informative audio podcasts on various aspects of nudism and naturism (sponsored by Bare Oaks in Toronto, Ontario).

12) Nude news

This is a Google RSS feed which automatically displays news stories that match certain specified search terms.  We are presently looking into the option of including Nudist News stories as an RSS feed off of the Nudist News public page at http://www.aanr-east.com/t_pages.php?id=33.  (Our Web site also has a Nudist News page in the Members Lounge which incorporates news stories with more varied subjects and viewpoints.)

13) AANR’s Altogether blog

Blog entries by AANR National.

14) Become a volunteer

Prepopulates an email with questions to be answered by prospective volunteers.

15) Donate online

This page includes information on how to make donations to help defray our costs including the initial and recurring costs of the AANR-East Android app.  These costs are presently absorbed by the developer (me).

16) AANR-East office

Clicking on this link connects you by phone to the AANR-East office.

17) AANR-East.com

Clicking on this link transports you to the AANR-East Web site.

18) App tips

Includes various tips on how to use this phone app.

19) Contact Developer

Includes information on how to contact the developer (me) by phone or email.  The Web site link on this page transports you to my AANR-East Web site Webmaster profile page.  The Contact Developer page encourages app suggestions and offers assistance to affiliated clubs seeking to develop an Android phone app.

20) Similar apps

At present, clicking this link transports you to the My Nude World ($6.99) application download page on Google Play.  If you know of any clubs that have phone apps on Google Play (even if they are not in AANR-East), it would be appreciated if you can let me know so we can also list them.

URL to download: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=aanr-east

 

 

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AANR 2012 Election Results–Meet The New Board

Posted on June 27, 2012 by admin

For the fourth time in AANR’s history, members have voted directly for the officers and trustees of the Association. Here are the results of the election. Congratulations to the new Board. Thanks to the thousands of AANR members who voted.

Meet your new Board of Trustees who will serve you for the next two years:

President

Susan Weaver

Vice President

Robert Roche

Secretary/Treasurer

Sharon McLeod

Club Trustees Group 6  & 7

Pamela Pelc

Michael (Mike) Parker

Club Trustee Group  5

Brenda Spangler


Club Trustee Group 4

Dave Landman

Club Trustee Group  3

Kathy Watzel

Club Trustees Group 1 & 2

Suzanne Schell

Van Bradley

Member Trustee AANR-East

Audrey Weber

Member Trustee AANR-Florida

Richard Warblow

Member Trustee AANR-Midwest

Harvey Hanna

Member Trustee AANR-Northwest

Kathy Smith

Member Trustee AANR-Southwest

Lucy Heide

Member Trustee AANR-West

Tim Mullins

Member Trustee AANR-Western Canada

David Jackson

Motions

Motion 1

Passed

Motion 2

Passed

Motion 3

Failed

On further review of the election results, Motion 3 did not pass with the required number of votes.

Motion 4

Passed

Download the results (PDF)

 

Posted in 2012 AANR Elections Forum | 9 Comments