Nudist camps reach out to the young and buff

[ZeoBandit]

Nudist camps reach out to the young and buff
POSTED: 8:36 a.m. EDT, May 14, 2007
Story Highlights
• Nudist camps are seeking young members
• Discounts on membership fees offered to under 30 set
• American Association for Nude Recreation has 50,000 members
• 90 percent of them are over age 35

WOODSTOCK, Connecticut (AP) -- 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 on membership fees 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 northeastern 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, Florida-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, California, who is helping to plan a youth ambassadors workshop being held next month in Orlando, Florida. "Oftentimes they won't go back for that reason."

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, Massachusetts, 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.

"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.

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, Connecticut, 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."

[racefan8]

Ya know, there's nothing like the feeling of sunshine and a warm breeze on bare skin. Why do you think toddlers prefer to run around naked? Naked is goooooooood

[Kimmie5150]

Nudist camps reach out to the young and buff
POSTED: 8:36 a.m. EDT, May 14, 2007
Story Highlights
• Nudist camps are seeking young members
• Discounts on membership fees offered to under 30 set
• American Association for Nude Recreation has 50,000 members
• 90 percent of them are over age 35

WOODSTOCK, Connecticut (AP) -- 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 on membership fees 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 northeastern 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, Florida-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, California, who is helping to plan a youth ambassadors workshop being held next month in Orlando, Florida. "Oftentimes they won't go back for that reason."

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, Massachusetts, 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.

"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.

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, Connecticut, 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."

Ok, let's just be honest here. I'm a personal trainer and there are a lot of buff people at the gym I work at, but I have no desire to see any of the guys there or anywhere nude, no matter how hot they are. For me personally, I think it's much more attractive to leave some things covered, it would be bad enough to see someone in good physical condition nude, but it would be worse to see someone who is not. If I ever saw my dad or brothers nude, I think I would be scarred for life.

[voivod]

Of course, since this place is VERY local to me... I'll add that not only is Sesame Street's Big Bird is a member here, he's an owner...

[Red]

You can't tell me those old guys don't pop a boner just like every other guy in this world. Or at least, they want to.

Yeah, I know, it's all just purity and freedom. What's the real reason they want the younger membership? Because they're young and naked, that's why!

Talk about "livin' libido loco"

[LLFHS]

"Young" and "Naked"......two great tastes that go great together.

[Nostalgia Act]

QUOTE=Red;778889]You can't tell me those old guys don't pop a boner just like every other guy in this world. Or at least, they want to.

Yeah, I know, it's all just purity and freedom. What's the real reason they want the younger membership? Because they're young and naked, that's why!

Talk about "livin' libido loco"[/QUOTE]


Lol. He said " pop a boner"

[Axxman300]

I have..uh..hung out on a nude beach in a while but I used to.

75% old people (often retired Navy)

70% Male (50% of them are gay)

80% not so good looking naked

10% look better naked

10% make the day at the beach worth the hassle of driving though Santa Cruz and shelling out $10 worth it.

Best time of year to go:

Just after School lets out for Summer and Labor Day weekend before school starts. Why? Because you can count on groups of highschool grads (groups of 5 to 7 18 year-old females) who want to do something "Crazy". The best part is that the ugly ones chicken out.

Good times.

[muffdiver]

I heard that a guy went to the beach and got his sausage half lopped off from a hungry crab while he was tanning......very dangerous if ya ask me...

[Axxman300]

I heard that a guy went to the beach and got his sausage half lopped off from a hungry crab while he was tanning......very dangerous if ya ask me...

Nah, the trickiest part is putting on sun-screen. Not enough and you get a nasty burn, but applying enought lotion to your member can cause you ...uh.. raise the flag-pole. If you're a chick and you're over a C-cup, rubbing on too much lotion for too long can cause collateral boners for up to 70 yards in every direction. That's just cruel.

Note: Sudden exposure to cold water can cause an erection. That's how I was able to determin the percentage of gay dudes.

[Rebel]

"I think people think that we're all hippies," said Laura Groezinger, 22, of Billerica, Massachusetts, 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."

Damn hippies lol

[Kimmie5150]

Nah, the trickiest part is putting on sun-screen. Not enough and you get a nasty burn, but applying enought lotion to your member can cause you ...uh.. raise the flag-pole. If you're a chick and you're over a C-cup, rubbing on too much lotion for too long can cause collateral boners for up to 70 yards in every direction. That's just cruel.

Note: Sudden exposure to cold water can cause an erection. That's how I was able to determin the percentage of gay dudes.

lol