Counselors / volunteers? (21 year old)

[bgnaked]

I started getting into nudism/naturism when I was 13, but never could really go anywhere since my parents weren't nudists. All I could really do was take my swimsuit off when I got into the water at a regular, non-nude beach!

So, now that I'm 20-21, I really want to be a camp counselor or something during the summer. I think these programs are great but never had the chance to go to one -- is this a possibility for me? I have no idea where to start or who to ask.

[Journeyman]

I think the AANR (American Assoc for Nude Recreation) has a programme for youth and counsellors. Google it and search the site.

[bgnaked]

I think the AANR (American Assoc for Nude Recreation) has a programme for youth and counsellors. Google it and search the site.

I was checking it out and didn't really find much. It's kind of a shame since I really want to do this before I get older -- time flies by.

[usuallylurk]

I started getting into nudism/naturism when I was 13, but never could really go anywhere since my parents weren't nudists. All I could really do was take my swimsuit off when I got into the water at a regular, non-nude beach!

So, now that I'm 20-21, I really want to be a camp counselor or something during the summer. I think these programs are great but never had the chance to go to one -- is this a possibility for me? I have no idea where to start or who to ask.

The American Association for Nude Recreation offers a couple of programs -- one is Nude U, the other is the Youth Ambassador program. However, these are not paid jobs, but programs for spreading the word. In fact, YOU might have to pay tuition to attend -- but --- here's the link =

http://www.aanr.com/young_adults.html

AANR offers several summer camp programs for kids -- that is, children from nudist families. BUT --obviously, they won't just take anyone off the street and hire them as a counselor. They tend to take care of their own.

I might add -- the "nudist youth camps" that you heard about in the news are not summer-long programs, but short-term programs. They are run by nudists, at nudist facilities, for children from nudist families.

If you are an AANR member, look through the classifieds in The Bulletin. Many nudist parks hire additional staff for the summer season. They need cooks, maintenance people, handyman/woman types, plumbers, electrical, etc. BUT --- three things to keep in mind:

1) They will want references. Not just work-related references, but NUDIST references as well.

2) In most cases, you have to bring something to the table in the form of a set of skills. That is, just wanting to work in a nudist park isn't necessarily enough to get hired.

3) Nudist parks do not generally pay top dollar.

So, if you want to work in nudism -- do you have any specific skills that a nudist park or resort could use? Experience? Do you have ANY experience as a nudist, in a social and recreational nudist setting?

[EricNY]

All these points are valid.

The councelors are usually people that have attended the camps and gone through the AANR programs. Youth camp, Nude U, and the like.

As far as anything else. You can't get near these camps without extensive background checks etc...

[walter05]

at any camp, the kids are the customers. They need counselors that are comfortable and focusing on their needs and growth.

You shoug get used to being nude in social settings before you would be relaxed enough to be able to focus properly on the kids.

[usuallylurk]

All these points are valid.

The councelors are usually people that have attended the camps and gone through the AANR programs. Youth camp, Nude U, and the like.

As far as anything else. You can't get near these camps without extensive background checks etc...

Even the application for the youth ambassador program begins as a sort of background check.... they want NUDIST references.

There are times a nudist resort will actually put a non-nudist on the payroll -- example, they need a full-time carpenter, and can't find one, so they hire someone they know.

I think the important thing to note --- I said "they take care of their own" .... means = they will generally hire from within the club memberships' ranks, and usually only people they've known for awhile.

One of the facets of the AANR youth programs is that nearly all of the participants -- for better or for worse -- are from the families of nudists. There aren't too many 18-24-somethings that came into nudism on their own.

So I would say to my fellow Bostonian - if you can, go for it. We need young adults in this. But don't expect anyone to offer you a job this year.

I might also add -- that there are nine landed nudist parks in New England, that are open from May - October, and there are some facilities open in the winter. To add to that, there are at least three, formally organized non-landed groups that hold events year-round.

Contrary to what some people report on here, New England is a hotbed of organized nudist activity. I have been to five or six events since the "landed park" season ended, and we are going to another one tormorrow.

They will question your motives -- if you are 20-21, and have never been to a nudist event or activity and have no contacts in the *organized* nudist world --- they're going to wonder why you want a job as a nudist youth counselor.

This doesn't mean you're a bad person, but they will want to know you -- and know you VERY WELL -- before they put you in a position of counseling and supervising children.

My suggestion - try out ORGANIZED nudism , make a visit to Solair, or Berkshire Vista, or one of the non-landed groups. Join AANR. Apply to Nude U/Ambassador program. Then see if it's for you.

[nickuma09]

My suggestion - try out ORGANIZED nudism , make a visit to Solair, or Berkshire Vista, or one of the non-landed groups. Join AANR. Apply to Nude U/Ambassador program. Then see if it's for you.

quoted for absolute truth.

[bgnaked]

This is all great information and feedback --
I'm not 100% sure if working with kids is something I'd be the best person at, but I know that being a young person who still looks young.... I can definitely be a role-model. In addition, I can interact with and understand my family members and little cousins very well, but they're not naturists. However, I still feel happy to help guide them through their lives. (for what it's worth)

I'm a bit torn in my thoughts for all of the reasons mentioned because I understand them completely; right now nobody knows me. My naturism experience is fairly limited to the people I've met at Solair or at nude beaches, and I'm still a "roamer" I guess... no specfic place to call my "naturism home". Haven't found the perfect place yet.

So, I'm not sure what I should do. Maybe this isn't for me after-all.

[nickuma09]

i'd say find your nudist niche before going into something like counseling. Try Solair a few more times, Berkshire Vista..make those connections and then see.

[usuallylurk]

This is all great information and feedback --
I'm not 100% sure if working with kids is something I'd be the best person at, but I know that being a young person who still looks young.... I can definitely be a role-model. In addition, I can interact with and understand my family members and little cousins very well, but they're not naturists. However, I still feel happy to help guide them through their lives. (for what it's worth)

I'm a bit torn in my thoughts for all of the reasons mentioned because I understand them completely; right now nobody knows me. My naturism experience is fairly limited to the people I've met at Solair or at nude beaches, and I'm still a "roamer" I guess... no specfic place to call my "naturism home". Haven't found the perfect place yet.

So, I'm not sure what I should do. Maybe this isn't for me after-all.

Well, you DO have nudist experience (I didn't know if you had or not) but at least you can fill out the application, get it rolling, and think about whether you want to do it this summer or not.

[bgnaked]

i'd say find your nudist niche before going into something like counseling. Try Solair a few more times, Berkshire Vista..make those connections and then see.

I usually just do whatever I feel like doing... whether or not that's the beach, some hiking, or maybe a trip to a nudist area. Regardless, I can't wait for summer to come again and hopefully something will work out.

[Naturist Zoar]

When I was 9 years old, my bunk counselor at summer camp, slept naked. He was a junior in college. I always thought any one who went to college , slept nude.
Sure enough, when I went to college years later, I began sleeping nude and have never thought about it since.