Questions for writing research

[Potterdude1991 a.k.a. Josh]

Just for fun I'm writing a naturist story, and I have a few questions about the normalcy of naturist clubs to try and make my story realistic.

Is it possible for non-members to pay an entrance fee to access the grounds, or would one have to come as a guest of a member to join? And do all clubs have a gender-balance policy or do just some of them do?

I also am wondering how teenagers interact with each other while naked at a club, because the main characters of my story are several teenagers. What are the rules of Public Displays of Affection at a naturist club, in other words, in what ways are and aren't hugging, kissing, holding hands, etc. acceptable at a naturist club? I of course already know that sexual behavior is definately off-limits, though, I'm not that stupid http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/goofy.gif

Thanks!

[Potterdude1991 a.k.a. Josh]

Just for fun I'm writing a naturist story, and I have a few questions about the normalcy of naturist clubs to try and make my story realistic.

Is it possible for non-members to pay an entrance fee to access the grounds, or would one have to come as a guest of a member to join? And do all clubs have a gender-balance policy or do just some of them do?

I also am wondering how teenagers interact with each other while naked at a club, because the main characters of my story are several teenagers. What are the rules of Public Displays of Affection at a naturist club, in other words, in what ways are and aren't hugging, kissing, holding hands, etc. acceptable at a naturist club? I of course already know that sexual behavior is definately off-limits, though, I'm not that stupid http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/goofy.gif

Thanks!

[brainyguy9999]

I'll answer what I can...

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Is it possible for non-members to pay an entrance fee to access the grounds, or would one have to come as a guest of a member to join? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Each club/resort has its own rules. There are resorts/clubs where anyone can come to the office unannounced, provide valid ID, pay a grounds fee, and be permitted to enter. Other clubs require that you contact them first and they will give you the rules that they use over the phone. Some clubs are by invitation only and you can only visit as a guest of a current member. Some resorts allow you to visit an unlimited number of times as a guest and just pay the day visitor grounds fees, while others limit "guest" visits to 2 or 3 times before requiring that you become a member to continue visiting.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> And do all clubs have a gender-balance policy or do just some of them do? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not all clubs/resorts have a gender balance policy. Sure, I would say a majority of people would like to see a fairly equal balance of men and women at activities, but only some clubs/resorts formalize that requirement. Some enforce it only against single males or married males wishing to visit alone. Usually these clubs/resorts don't restrict the number of single or unaccompanied females, although some do require that married couples visit together.

Again, each club is different and they all play by their own rules.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> I also am wondering how teenagers interact with each other while naked at a club, because the main characters of my story are several teenagers. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The teenagers that I have seen usually interact as they do when they are clothed (if they are used to the lifestyle). They play volleyball, race remote-control cars, swim, listen to music way too loud, laugh and joke with each other, and generally hang out (no pun intended) and talk.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> What are the rules of Public Displays of Affection at a naturist club, in other words, in what ways are and aren't hugging, kissing, holding hands, etc. acceptable at a naturist club? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Again, the rules vary by club/resort. From what I have seen, typical contact doesn't go any farther than holding hands, rubbing suntan lotion/sunblock on each other's back, a brief hug (close friends or significant others), a peck kiss, or standing side-by-side with arms around each other.

Again, this varies widely. Although I've never been to one, I hear that close dancing occurs at some dances. If I were writing the story, I would refrain from any public displays of contact. What people do once away from others is anyone's guess. Also, I wouldn't focus on the nudity, but would tell the story with nudism/nudity as just a fact; an 'Oh, by the way, everyone is nude.'

From one writer to another -- Good luck!

Hope it helped.

bg

[NakedGary]

Adding what hasn't been mentioned....

Most clubs and nude resorts in the U.S. are affiliated with national associations such as AANR American Association of Nude Recreation or TNS, The Naturist Society. Very few are non-affiliated.

The minimum age for admission is 18 years of age at most all nudist facilities unless you’re with your parents or have a signed legal guardian release and accompany an adult.

If a single person, couple, or family has never been to a nude resort its normal policy to be screened, fill out a questioner, be clear of any sexual offences on record nationally or with the state you’re in, and usually take a tour or introduction to the resort. Then you can pay the un-discounted regular day/gate fee for the rest of the day.

If a family, couple or single is a member of one of the national nudist organizations and have an active membership card they usually waive the tour, and background check, and qualify for the standard discounted entrance fee.

I have heard of very few, but some clubs do not accept tourist, or stop by visitors or allow day visits or have a limit on very few visits unless you become a member. As mentioned above some clubs and resorts have gender quota, and some will not allow a married single spouse alone without the other.

At the largest membership resort in California I go to teenagers of residents or members are usually always fully textile unless they participate in sports or use the wet areas such as playing water volley ball, or want to use the indoor/outdoor pools, hot tubs, conversation pools or sauna. The teens usually hang out with each other fully clothed at the river beach, or the small Island and sit around talking on their cell phones, listening to music or gabbing. Its unusual to see one nude unless their by them selves or with their family and not many even with families are nude except the smaller children who you see riding their bikes around or at what’s called the children’s pool or the preferred pool for families with small children. I only know of one teenager who visits his mother who is a resident, and goes nude sometimes by himself around the resort. He was raised in a nudist family. So, younger teens and peer pressure to conform with the rest keeps all of the teens textile when in groups with rare exception.

While in Southern California at an association national convention at the second largest membership club I notice more teenagers solo and in groups being nude together or mixed textile and nude together than in Northern California.
It could be that club has more activities or encourages nudity for all more than other clubs. I have heard a few clubs have mandatory nude regulations on the grounds with exception for weather conditions, or protection from further sunburn or skin conditions.
.

[Liam]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Potterdude1991 a.k.a. Josh:
Just for fun I'm writing a naturist story, and I have a few questions about the normalcy of naturist clubs to try and make my story realistic.

Is it possible for non-members to pay an entrance fee to access the grounds, or would one have to come as a guest of a member to join? And do all clubs have a gender-balance policy or do just some of them do?

I also am wondering how teenagers interact with each other while naked at a club, because the main characters of my story are several teenagers. What are the rules of Public Displays of Affection at a naturist club, in other words, in what ways are and aren't hugging, kissing, holding hands, etc. acceptable at a naturist club? I of course already know that sexual behavior is definately off-limits, though, I'm not that stupid http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/goofy.gif

Thanks! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You might as well use your imagination. As others have pointed out there is so much variance in policies that there is NO standard. Teenagers act as all teenagers do no matter if they are clothed or nude. Due to thier body changes the nudity of teenagers varies wildly.

Your last sentence is not exactly correct. There are a wide variety of deffinitions of "sexual behavior". The most strict definition is not universally accepted by a great number of nudists no matter how they plead in public. I have been to resorts that reject sexual activity and found a great variety of sexual activity in actuallity. Personally I find that a good thing. It is not, in that case, pervasive but is away from the main activity areas.

I am not talking about the Nudist Culture's fear of "wife-swaping" (aka swingers) nor orgys but open affection in a social setting. I find it liberating. Others might be fearful of the intimacy.

To bring this to a faster conclusion: There is too much variation to make a general statement. Teens are teens. Sexual behaviour is not always off-limits. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

[emsdude]

What I have seen at the nudist culb that I go to,that everyone acts if they had clothes on normal, and you don't have to have clothes on to do it. Like no big deal it just the outside world just don't understand they think if it nude it has to have sex. I have seen what you don't see at the world beach's that everyone talks and has better fun that the nudist culb's. The young nudist have just as much fun doing what young poeple do but they don't have clothes on , it like they get along beter no hang ups and nothing to hide. You could say being nude bring out the kid inside of you. It would be great if we had nude world day and evryone was nude , I would just like to see if all of us would get along and less sress for one day. I don't know why places have the gender balance thing , the place I go is you call on the phone gate, and you are asked you been here before come up Sun Ridge in CT great place. I have try to go to place in RI but you have a gender balance thing , like the 3Rd degree if you come single, my wife is not so much into be nude as much as I am. Josh hope you do well on your report.

[Bob S.]

Josh, first I want to commend you for writing a nudist story. We need more of them around. I also want to commend you for asking about what is normal. Doing your homework is a great way to understand things.

My replies:

I would go ahead and have the character make a call ahead. And expecuially if the person is a single male. It would be almost impossible for a single male to be admitted to a park with no previous contact.

Also, upon arrival, the guest will usually fill out a form with all usual vitals: name, addy, e-addy, tel #s, etc. Then they will be asked about previous experience in organized nudism, read the rules, and possibly given a tour. The tour can be done either naked or not depending on the park. Many parks have an open house where grounds fees are lifted for first timers, but that usually happens during National nude Week.

Some clubs require membership within a few visits, others do not allow membership until after a few visits. Gender policy is varied, with most having at least a 60-40 ratio preference.

In terms of behaviours, nudist venues generally act just like any other kind of membership-required facility in that PDAs are allowed when they are innocent and not too much. If someone needs to take the hose out, it's too much.

Again, the teen behaviour is generally the same as in the textile world. Their dress code, however, is more lax than that of the general membership. There are places where teens are dresed most of the time and others where teens just fit in fine with their nudity. Remember, teens who were raised in a nudist home view nudity as just another part of their wardrobe and does not allow it to affect the way they behave.

One last thing to remember, no one under the age of 18 is allowed at a nudist park without a parent, their legal guardian, or, as Gary pointed out, a signed release for another adult to accompany the teen.

Good luck.

Bob S.