AANR - assuring family-friendly nudists' experiences
A couple of weeks ago, a reader challenged my assertion that resorts endorsed by the American Association for Nude Recreation supported only family-friendly resorts and held those resorts to high standards of behavior. Her specific point was in regard to a resort in Florida – Paradise Lakes, located in Land o’ Lakes, not far from Orlando. She said that the resort condoned overtly sexual behavior publically and that, perhaps, the AANR endorsement didn’t mean as much as I said it did.
Turns out, we were both right. Paradise Lakes, which opened in 1981 and was associated with AANR for more than 20 years, recently promoted a “Miss G-string Competition” to be hosted by a Penthouse cover model. This event certainly doesn’t seem like the kind to which families would flock.
Apparently, AANR agreed. Upon learning of the competition, AANR voted to temporarily suspend Paradise Lakes’ membership. Resort owner, John Forier reacted to this news by withdrawing from AANR altogether. (Fox, 2)
According to Carolyn Hawkins, spokesperson for AANR, “"When a club receives a charter they make a commitment to uphold our standards." The organization offers marketing and lobbying muscle to its members. AANR's principles state: "Any club that deliberately advocates, endorses, encourages or promotes sexual activities or sexual enterprises is subject to revocation of its charter."
In 2008, a neighboring resort, Caliente, also withdrew its membership to AANR after investigation and subsequent suspension by that organization. Caliente’s alleged ties to a swingers’ organization breached the agreement with AANR.
The moral of this story? If you’re nakationing with your family, be certain that your destination is AANR endorsed; you’ll be able to count on naturism at its best.
Fox, Geoff. Tampa Tribune. 21 August 2009. http://familynaturism.ning.com/profiles/blogs/paradise-lakes-no-longer-an
Comments
Counting on AANR for a nude vacation is not that simple. There are many good locations AANR does not endorse because they don't pay to be a member of the organization.
South Florida Free Beaches is an example of a well run nudist club that doesn't belong to AANR because the cost of membership doesn't make sense for nude beach users, especially considering the lack of value for the money spent.
The Naturist Society has year over year become increasingly the relevant representative of nudists in the US.
BeoWolf and Paul: Thanks for the input. I certainly didn't mean to imply that the only good destinations for nudists are AANR member destinations. However, I do believe that if a club or resort has an AANR charter, you can count on it to be a place that upholds a "family" and not a "swingers" lifestyle.
I will be more than happy to report on The Naturist Society in the future! Stay tuned...
Maryland Area Naturist Association, a travel club based in Baltimore promoting nude recreation commends AANR for taking swift action!
marnaswimsinmd@yahoo.com
Does anyone know what it takes to be an AANR member? It ONLY takes paying the membership fee! They do not background check new or renewing members SO sexual preditors can be AANR members too!
I think nudism is just natural and I think it's horrible that its so frowned apoun, hidden, and outlawed in the majority of places.
I am always naked when I can be and when I can be is only when Im alone in my room. My family doesn't allow it in the rest of the house and the law doesn't allow it outside. I think it has nothing to do with sex, when naturists want to appear more sexual they change the way they are acting and you view them in a whole different way.Imagine a Place like www.naturistspace.org, where You can Get Away from it all. Relax and Unwind in a Serene Setting and Have Fun!
This is a two part comment:
As for Paradise Lakes having sexual overtones, I had heard that before many years ago when I went to Cypress Cove in Kissimmee, which is very family oriented. People there gave me a heads-up of what to expect if I ever went there. I'm surprised this action took this long, considering what most people knew of the place.
To respond to Sara, I will agree that being nude is more comfortable than being restricted by clothing, but here in the U.S., values of Christianity have been a powerful force in establishing standards of our accepted behavior. Different movements in U.S. history (ie; the Hayes Codes, McCarthyism, and the so-called 'moral majority) reinforce those standards and those barriers are what keep social nudism from being accepted across the board. Hustler Magazine is a result of that oppression. We need TNS and AANR to help maintain the places that we still have left to go to so we can relish the freedom and openess of social nudism.
Ir's easy for you to start your nudist life now... Find friends on www.naturistlive.com to share nude fun and go nude with... And you have the chance to meet your love...Just go for it...
The RV park at Paradise Pines need to get a life.
The owner,Jacquie Puxty, has been trying to evict my friend Brandon Barger for being disabled.
Get a life lady! You are over 50 so why not have a bit of charity.
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