Where are all the younger nudists/naturists?

[Bryony H]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here and I'm looking for help already!

Im 17f in the SouthWest UK and have started going with my boyfriend to a swim near home, the only thing is that I am the only person under about 50 (apart from my boyfriend) are there any other young people who I could meet with to share this part of my life with?

BTW It was my suggestion to start going nude, but I have to say that my first encounters with other nudes was a bit off putting... on a nude beach in Dorset our first time out was spoilt with loads of single men gawping and trying to take pictures, the swims are better but still no-one of my age.

anyone out there?

Bryony H

[Bryony H]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here and I'm looking for help already!

Im 17f in the SouthWest UK and have started going with my boyfriend to a swim near home, the only thing is that I am the only person under about 50 (apart from my boyfriend) are there any other young people who I could meet with to share this part of my life with?

BTW It was my suggestion to start going nude, but I have to say that my first encounters with other nudes was a bit off putting... on a nude beach in Dorset our first time out was spoilt with loads of single men gawping and trying to take pictures, the swims are better but still no-one of my age.

anyone out there?

Bryony H

[laggeri]

Somewhere on this Board I posted about Rios ("naturist spa") - in Kentish Town. Same nonsense older blokes following the women around.

Don't give in, if you were on a clothed beach you would probably have the same hassle.

Also look at the thread below this one. It ain't fashionable at the moment amongst your peers I partly blame the media.

[Bob S.]

Well Bryony, how did you hear of the nude beaches? Were either you or your boyfriend raised in a nudist home? If so, this helps to know where some of the hidden enclaves are. Others your age are usually not into nudism and those that are usually have other non-nudist friends who would never want to go to a nude beach.

If you want to find others your age, you are gong to have a difficult journey, but there are others around.

Good luck.

Bob S.

[Naked Bob 2]

Well, one possible solution would be to start to bring the subject up with your friends. Start by bringing it up as skinny dipping and gradually give them more info. I'm sure they will be quite interested. You may have to work on them a bit but the solution would be found. I was very secretive about this activity when I was your age but I found out as I got older the only things you regret in life are the opportunities that you never took. So take a chance get some of your friends at least curious about it eventually their own curiosity may bring them in.

[Roversfan]

Hey Bryony.

My name is Ben and Im the Youth OPfficer for British Naturism (CCBN). We have set up a group for Young naturists in the UK aged between 17 and 30 and we have close to 100 members since starting in January this year.

We go all over the UK and Europe arranging events at clubs, swims, beaches and pubs. The idea is to get Young people of (roughly) the same age who enjoy naturism together as there has been this feeling that it is practised by old people only and this is not true !feel freee to check out our website at
www.british-naturism.org.uk/youth1.htm (http://www.british-naturism.org.uk/youth1.htm)

and get in touch if you would like to find out more.

I hope to hear from you soon,

Ben Rose /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif
Youth Officer
CCBN.

[The Real Doodles]

I never tried going to nude beaches before (still a closet nudist), but some nudist friends of mine have repeatedly mentioned the gawkers issue. Still, as said, even on a clothed beach you might run in to the same kind of trouble.. try joining a local group, or maybe check chatrooms and forums ta meet more people of the same age.. try netnude.com message boards..

[The Real Doodles]

I never tried going to nude beaches before (still a closet nudist), but some nudist friends of mine have repeatedly mentioned the gawkers issue. Still, as said, even on a clothed beach you might run in to the same kind of trouble.. n welcome to the boards anyway!

[Bryony H]

Hi all,

thanks for the suggestions, i've been watching here and reading a bit more from other threads, I hope to go to one of the Stoke swims, there are apparently many people my age there.

Is there anyone who would like to meet to go to swims in the UK?

Thanks again

Bryony.

[Nude Ed]

I'm 17/m and live in the south-east UK, would love to go to a nudist swim event if it's not too far.

[roversfan1]

Hi Bryony.

I really would suggest you have a look at our website listed above as the group we set up was done so in order to give young people in the UK the opportunity to meet others of the same age and attend events - such as Stoke. (incidently, we will be going to Stoke and taking a mini bus from London for all those in the South.

The average age of the group is 25 (dead on) and there are currently 99 members. We attend swims all over the South East and our events for next year are also listed on the website.

Have a look at it and use the email address on there to contact me and let me know what you think.

I hope to hear from you soon,

Ben Rose
Youth Officer
CCBN

[MaxUK]

Hi Bryony,

I am hoping to get out to a few beaches in the south when it gets warm enough, along with a couple of friends of mine who will be getting married in May next year. My wife is also more than willing to come along though has not gone completely nude yet, even though we have all been skinny dipping a few times together.

We are an average age of about 28 and definitely up for having a good laugh on a beach and pub etc. afterwards. Basically we are nice folk! who enjoy good company - you and your boyfriend would be most welcome to come along, wherever we go, whenever that might be.

I am annoyed to hear about the trouble you had in Dorset (studland??) as I have been a few times and not really noticed anything like that before, although I did spot a few gawkers loitering at the far end of the nude section. Ignore them is what I say - their problem, not ours/yours.
However, we did go up into the dunes though where there is a little more privacy.

Anyway - let me know if you'd like to get in touch.

regards
Max

[roversfan1]

Hi Max.

The group of freinds you have there sound very similar to what we are trying to do. Please have a look at our website:

www.british/naturism.org.uk/youth1.htm (http://www.british/naturism.org.uk/youth1.htm)

and get in touch if you want to know more.

Ben Rose /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
Youth Officer
CCBN

[Bryony H]

Hi Max,

saw your post and yes, Studland was the venue that we encountered more than a few people who were not there to enjoy a naturist lifestyle! as for the dunes, there were more than a few 'meercat' watchers there who would bob up and down hoping to see and maybe not be seen.

My boyfriend and myself now attend several swims and still seem to be the only ones of our age in the area.

Ben,

We have sent off our CCBN membership form so we should meet soon! It is good to see that there are people who are looking out for the needs of the younger people among us.

Seasons greetings to everyone, we're looking forward to our first nude christmas so we better take care with the carving knife!

Bryony.

[MaxUK]

Bryony,

Yes - the dunes at Studland can be great for getting a bit of privacy but can also be 'great' for the 'meercats' as you amusingly call them!!!

We only saw a couple of these very obvious bobbers (both aged about 50 I might add) which was irritating although on a beach people look at people - its the same on a 'clothed' beach. My better half is not yet comfortable with what I would call 'social' nudity on a beach etc. but is perfectly happy at home.

I guess being male I can just take the attitude 'so what, let them look, the sad gits' but it's not men these guys generally stare at - if I was female I might be a little more unsettled.

Hence my extreme reluctance to go to a nude swim etc. on my own. One I enjoy doing things with my wife and two, I would want her to be with me both to enjoy it and to kind of 'prove' to other people that I am not a single nudist gawker, even though I hope that would become obvious after a while.

She is not ready to go and I haven't even broached the subject with her, as I'm pretty sure I know what her answer would be. She is just not bothered by the whole 'deal' of being nude and enjoys wearing her latest swimsuit!!

Just out of interest, where do have you been to swim - places in the south ??

Max

[Rik]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MaxUK:
...(both aged about 50 I might add)... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Hey Max, it's my turn to ask you 'why did you post that?'. On the face of it, it seems like a slur on people aged 'about 50' based on just two people you witnessed skulking in the dunes.

And why do they do that? I've seen it too at Morfa Duffryn but I find it difficult to understand quite what their up to. Are they looking for sex, or are they simply looking? Answers on a postcard please. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Rik

[MaxUK]

Hi Rik,

Apologies - it came out all wrong and did sound bad !! I guess I meant to say that I was surprised that the two guys we saw obviously gawking were in their 50's - I would have hoped that people of that respectable age would act with a little more maturity !!

Max

[Rik]

Max

LOL. Respectable age? Huh! Life begins at fifty! At that age you can start to grow old disgracefully - so much more fun. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Rik

[Bryony H]

Hi Max,

We have attended swims in Somerset, Wiltshire and South Wales, some are more family orientated than others and I have yet to meet others our age ( that was why I started this thread!) We will be going to some swims near Glouster in the new year and also to the Stoke waterworld if we can book soon enough!

All the best

Bryony.

[roversfan1]

Hi Bryony.

Great to hear that you are joining BN and so will soon be a member of YBN. We now have over 100 members and about 10 events that we will be attending (including 1 in Holland and 1 in France) during the summer and we attend swims all over the UK in the Winter.

We have had a great first year and it is now quite clear that young people in the UK are interested in naturism and that there was a need for a group like YBN to be set up. Hopefully, with yours and everyone elses support we can continue to get bigger and continue to progress in 2003.

As for the mere-cats at Studland, yes they are annoying and not naturists (in my opinion). When we have been in a big group they tend not to bother us, so if you are going in the summer hopefully we can all go as a group /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

Anyway, I hope to hear from you soon. When you are a member, please email me at the address on the website and Ill get all the info sent to you.

Bye for now,

Ben Rose
Youth Officer
CCBN
www.british-naturism.org.uk/youth1.htm (http://www.british-naturism.org.uk/youth1.htm)

[MaxUK]

Hi Ben,

What do you consider 'young' or youthful ?? I only say that because I am 32 and my wife 26 - do you take an average !!! Seriously, do you have a cut off point at 30 or something?? I know people who are 28 going on 55 and I would consider myself a very 'young' 32 !!

I and probably my wife would definitely feel more inclined to participate in events etc. with people nearer our own age, but it seems I may be nudging the level at which I become no longer 'youthful' (boo hoo!!)

Max

[roversfan1]

Hi Max.

I am pleased to say that although you are 32 the fact that your wife is 26 would mean that you are BOTH welcome to attend events.
The cut off age is 30, however it would seem foolish to try and break up a couple because one was slightly to old ! As long as one person is within the age range then both parties are welcome to join YBN. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

If you want to know more about what we do etc either see the website or email me on the 'contact us' button on there.

We need more members and if you both want to join you would be more than welcome... /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

I hope to hear from you soon,

Ben Rose
Youth Officer
CCBN
www.british-naturism.org.uk/youth1.htm (http://www.british-naturism.org.uk/youth1.htm)

[roversfan1]

Hi all.

Just writing to see how Max and Bryony are doing and to see what came of their interest in YBN ? Are you guys still keen to join ?

Would love to hear from you either here or on email (address on website).

Ben /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Bryony H]

Hi!

Still waiting for my BN stuff to come through :-( will post here and to the BN e-mail when it gets to me.

I'm going to the waterworld doo in Stoke on the 22nd of Feb. Are you going?

Some one at my club said it can take time for the membership to come through, I hope not too long though!

have fun!

Bryony

[roversfan1]

Hi Bryony.

If you email me your full name(s) I can find out from BN what the membership number will be and then add you to the YBN mailing list straight away. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

As for the Stoke swim, yes there will be a load of YBN members going up to the Stoke swim in Febuary and we will hopefully have a lot of info with us to hand out. Hope to see you there, /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

Ben Rose
Youth Officer
CCBN
www.british-naturism.org.uk/youth1.htm (http://www.british-naturism.org.uk/youth1.htm)

[nudist_in_Tn]

The cut off age is 30????? What is wrong with you people are you afraid you might learn something from older and more mature individuals?
I find this whole discussion objectionable!!!

[Bob Miller]

I do too. Do we just jump off a bridge when we reach 30? What ever happened to age acceptance along with body acceptance? How about just people acceptance, all ages. I know young people who look forward to hanging out with their friends over 30. I can understand wanting to meet others your own age, but why exclude everyone else?

[nudist_in_Tn]

I geuss next you will exclude persons because of their weight or nationality or maybe if they are just too ugly to suit your standards. "GET REAL"

[Bryony H]

To Bob miller and Tn

'Get Real?'

Did you take the time to read the original post? did you read why I started this topic? from the tone of your replies I think not, let me re-write the points for you.

I asked the group where all the younger people were, not to exclude older people but to feel more included myself. I am 17 and like to be around people who are my age and share my outlook and would like to share my enjoyment of naturism. I noted that my experiences with swims showed that of those I have attended the average age is over 50, I wanted to meet more people of my age group, I already have many new friends at the club who are older, many of them are older than my parents!

Going to beaches has been, for me, very disapointing and I have felt very ill at ease, mainly due to older men leering and trying to take pictures. I would feel happier with people my age who could go to beaches with me as there is safety in numbers.

A feeling of belonging is very important to everyone and we all gravitate to people and groups where we feel that belonging. A young peoples group can make some more comfortable and as with any group there has to be a cut off. Would we have the same arguement if it was an over 50s group, would those just below that age feel embittered because they cannot join? or is it that we live in a society that is so youth obsessed that those over the cut off feel that they are excluded or even inferior to the 'youth'.

There is a place for all, we should all be accepted for who we are. Some of us are young and at the moment in my experience, a minority. why begrudge us the chance to promote the lifestyle to others who might otherwise be scared away by the experiences that my boyfriend an I had to endure last summer.

to those who want to knock me and others like me who want to do something positive for the young I would give a challenge: How else are we to encourage people to join this ageing movement?

Bryony.

[acescribe]

Well said Bryony, my sentiments exactly. Like you, I have just joined CCBN/YBN because - even as a young male I found that all naturist clubs, get togethers and generally everything were for over 50's - I get on well with anyone, but its still better doing things and going on things with people of your own age group doing the things that appeal to you. So, with that I think the YBN is a great thing and I'm looking forward to being part of it.

Steve :-)

[Ian ftlotlwc]

Well I'd like to say without the older people in my life I would never of been comfortable being nude at the beach. And now I encourage others to try the same, it is a shame that you end up splitting such a small group of people into different ages. 100 members in the youth group after a year in the whole of England, its a cold country I know but that is a very small proportion of the whole population isn't it.

[Ian ftlotlwc]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bryony H:
To Bob miller and Tn

'Get Real?'

Did you take the time to read the original post? did you read why I started this topic? from the tone of your replies I think not, let me re-write the points for you.

I asked the group where all the younger people were, not to exclude older people but to feel more included myself. I am 17 and like to be around people who are my age and share my outlook and would like to share my enjoyment of naturism. I noted that my experiences with swims showed that of those I have attended the average age is over 50, I wanted to meet more people of my age group, I already have many new friends at the club who are older, many of them are older than my parents!

Going to beaches has been, for me, very disapointing and I have felt very ill at ease, mainly due to older men leering and trying to take pictures. I would feel happier with people my age who could go to beaches with me as there is safety in numbers.

A feeling of belonging is very important to everyone and we all gravitate to people and groups where we feel that belonging. A young peoples group can make some more comfortable and as with any group there has to be a cut off. Would we have the same arguement if it was an over 50s group, would those just below that age feel embittered because they cannot join? or is it that we live in a society that is so youth obsessed that those over the cut off feel that they are excluded or even inferior to the 'youth'.

There is a place for all, we should all be accepted for who we are. Some of us are young and at the moment in my experience, a minority. why begrudge us the chance to promote the lifestyle to others who might otherwise be scared away by the experiences that my boyfriend an I had to endure last summer.

to those who want to knock me and others like me who want to do something positive for the young I would give a challenge: How else are we to encourage people to join this ageing movement?

Bryony. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I dont want to knock you or your boyfriend and I'm sorry that you had such a bad set of expereicnes this summer. A lot of beaches are better than what you have deescribed but you are right.... there is a growing suspicion of people with cameras on the beach. We used to chase them off.

[roversfan1]

Hello all.

I did not want people to get the wrong impression, YBN is not about segregating Young and Old but there was a general feeling amongst alot of young people in the UK that nothing was being organised for them and they wanted to meet others of the same age. This is why YBN was set up.
We dont have anything against older people but young people do like to socialise with people theyre own age - as do older ones. We do mix with everyone at the clunbs that we visit but we did need to have an age limit as YBN is a group for younger people - regardless of looks, size etc

This sort of bickering and bitterness is, to me, a pointless waste of energy and does nothing to promote naturism. YBN on the other hand actively promotes the naturist lifestyle to young people encouraging them to give it a try. This is something I would have thought naturists the World over, young and old, would welcome.

Also, 113 members in one year is not bad but yes we would like it to improve. Expecting the entire 60milion population is somewhat optimistic but we shall give it a try

Ben Rose /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[JonR]

As someone who's too old by some 10 years to join YBN, from what I've read in BN Magazine, Naturist Life and on various websites, I think that Ben is doing an excellent job in promoting naturism to the under 30 crowd. Previous attempts to encourage the younger members of CCBN have not been successful, and to have got over 100 members in the first year is good news indeed.

In my teens and twenties, the last thing I would have wanted to do is mix solely with people who were at least 30 years older than me. Had I actually taken the plunge into naturism earlier than the ripe old age of 35, then I would undoubtedly joined YBN if it had been around and got involved with their activities.

As it is, I shall be at Stoke Waterworld on 22nd February (I've been to almost every swim there for the last four years) so hope you won't mind if I say "hi"! I'll bring along a walking stick and zimmer frame so you can recognise me! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Cheers

Jon.

I got into social nudism as a 55-year-old granddad. The nudist club I joined looked like a retirement home for nudists. I was actually one of the youngest ones there.

As a teen I preferred being with adults because I felt safer with them. My peers weren't very accepting of anyone who was different in any way, and that included the clothes I had to wear.

I have no age preference but like to see all ages at the nudist resort where I now go--not the one I mentioned above. This one has everyone from babies to old people--not just the old like the other one.

I can socialize with anyone who is sociable. Not everyone is friendly toward the unmarried men as all unmarried men, and married men who go alone, know.

I've never been to a nude beach since there aren't any in Michigan, and I don't have the funds to travel. I do know that I've heard of more inappropriate behavior on nude beaches than at nudist clubs and resorts. That's probably because anyone can be on the beach, but behavior is supposedly watched more closely in resorts and clubs. I was told I would be watched.

Please don't judge real nudists according to what you encountered on the beach. Those were just perverts looking for sexual kicks--and a few photos.

Everyone looks but gawking and leering are not acceptable behavior. If I see a nice female body I take a quick look and then look away, but I don't gawk or leer. I'm not looking for photos, sex, or anything other than to be nude. Unfortunately, there are those who are looking for those things and more. They are the people who make a bad name for nudists because they are the ones who are noticed, and we're all judged by their behavior. No one notices the man who is quietly sitting there minding his own business and bothering no one. They notice the pervert who is staring at or taking photos of the children, teens, women or other men. Then all nudists are labeled because of those people.

[Mic]

Why not ask a friend?

Mic

[Jamesb]

Hi Guys.... Its not to like me to throw my two cents worth in on a subject like this, but I will on this ocasion. I visited a resort for the first time in a few years last week, while I found everyone there to be extremly nice, the problem was I was atleast 20 years younger than anyone else except the children that were present. I was rather shocked at this. I belive the reason we need a cut off age for these groups is so we can have some form of undioluted talk about youth issues, however this is not to say the input of older people is not valid. People 15-30 whom are naturists need some medium in whihc to communicate soley with other naturists that are of the same age group, to organize events and exchange ideas.
JB

[Jamesb]

Sorry not to include this in the last reply, About the single male problem, I found people to be warry of me at the resort but very quickly warmed up to me after they realised I was genuine, caution such as that has to be expected with the reputation some people have gained for us as single males.
JB

[florida-david]

hello,
here's my two cents as a 35 year old male -
the best way to reach the under 30 crowd (and we all agree that our cause will die with us if we do not get the younger generation involved) is to help and encourage the under 30 crowd reaching people like themselves. obviously the over 30 crowd is doing a POOR job of encouraging the young people to get involved, so lets support the younger bunch instead (let them do the work).

why are all the older folks getting on the young naturist board here and whining about age discrimination? let's stop whining about this and let them do their job!!!! maybe the older crowd needs their own board to post the whining!

[luvnaturism]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by florida-david:
hello,
?and we all agree that our cause will die with us if we do not get the younger generation involved? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I'm a strong supporter of efforts to involve young adults, and that can only be effective with large numbers when they can find ways to be in the company of their own peers. That's the way it is.

However, I don't agree with the above quote. There are numerous activities in life that attract few young people, and they don't die out because of it. Some activities really don't become appealing until later in life. Sometimes the demographics of the available market determine that the crowd will always be older (see the above post about a naturist facility located near a retirement residence).

Naturism as it has developed in the US has more appeal for older people, perhaps because it takes a while to grow out of the body shame that our culture inflicts. I'd like to see that change, and I'm in favor of any reasonable step to create a change. However, I think naturism will continue to attract older people whether younger ones join in or not.

[Danny Boy]

Hi, I am from Bristol, is that anywhere near were you live? I agree it would be nice to have social swims with people our age. hope you get in contact, email if you like.

Dan

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bryony H:
Hi everyone,

This is my first post here and I'm looking for help already!

Im 17f in the SouthWest UK and have started going with my boyfriend to a swim near home, the only thing is that I am the only person under about 50 (apart from my boyfriend) are there any other young people who I could meet with to share this part of my life with?

BTW It was my suggestion to start going nude, but I have to say that my first encounters with other nudes was a bit off putting... on a nude beach in Dorset our first time out was spoilt with loads of single men gawping and trying to take pictures, the swims are better but still no-one of my age.

anyone out there?

Bryony H <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Bryony H]

Hi Danny

There are a number of swims in the Bristol Area, I would be happy to meet at one of them, are you a member of one of them?

keep nude!

Bryony

[sw-uk nudist]

Bryony,
hey, I've been trying to join BN for 2 months now and i've read on the net that im not the only one... anyway I've trying to set up the same sort of thing as you. I know 2/3 ppl under 21 who want to do something as a group like going 2 the beach or something. I'm from the southwest + live in the south so I know quite a few semi private /secluded beaches along the south coast that have plenty of privacy from pretty much everyone (except the occasional yacht). if anyone is interested in doing something email me @ dominicwells at hotmail dot com, and every time someone else emails me i'll circulate the email addresses amongst everyone ( if u want). let me know! D

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bryony H:
Hi!

Still waiting for my BN stuff to come through :-( will post here and to the BN e-mail when it gets to me.

I'm going to the waterworld doo in Stoke on the 22nd of Feb. Are you going?

Some one at my club said it can take time for the membership to come through, I hope not too long though!

have fun!

Bryony <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Trailscout]

Bryony,

Sorry that your first experience at the nude beach was marred by peepers and creepers.

When you said there was safety in numbers you said it all.

In America we have plenty of rude onlookers at the beaches, so many of us go in big groups, we form beach patrols, use walkie talkies, call police if necessary, whatever it takes to keep the beach a safe friendly place.

I understand the need for a young nudist group. In general, young people have more energy for sports, whilst the oldsters more often want to rest somewhere.

I hope to hear that nudists in your universities will someday soon form nudist outdoor adventure clubs. It would be a risk-free way for someone to give nudism a try, maybe get a lot of questions answered.

Best wishes!
Trailscout

[ginger]

Hey there,
My names greg i'm 18m from the north west i have the exact same problem as you. My user name is ginger, post me a message if you wish to. xx

[FireProf]

Because this thread has taken a right/left turn and gotten alittle off track, I will add my two cents to what we think is an obstacle for younger people to try nudism/naturism.

We really think it, nudism/naturism, is a mature mind set. Meaning that younger people not raised as nudists have a hard time disassociating nudity and sex. If there are some young people out there who are comfortable with social nudity, they are not the norm for the teenage thru 30 year olds that this topic is trying to entice to trying nudism.

We have been to beaches and resorts where being friendly and saying hello either gets a return hello or a stare like, "dirty old man". Especially at the beach. My wife and I frequent a beach and can tell when newbies, usually young women or couples, are a litte uncomfortable. We usually tell them if they are uncomfortable they can sit by us and ask questions, or at least keep the gawkers and picture takers at a safe distance.

We usually are looked at like we are alittle nuts and that we must have some alterior motive. On the other hand, a more mature couple or female looks at this as a welcomed relief to have someone to converse with and learn more about social nudism.

I really think the younger crowd is not quite able to look at social nudity the way the older crowd does. Too many hang ups about the way they look. When that maturity level increases, and these younger people can just enjoy being nude like the rest of us and feel comfortable with nudists of all ages, then we will see more younger nudists enjoying naturism. /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[Aaron]

Although it does seem to discriminate a little on the age factor. I think that it is great because it does help to get the younger generations into the lifestyle. As you can see in the other posts many kids in them ask for input on how to introduce their friends, family, ect.. These clubs and/or events that promote youthful naturism make it a perfect introduction for the younger crowds. Infact, we hear at INA have some ideas in the works for an all weekender at a central California naturist club. Part of our ideas is to offer a student discount just to try and get more kids and young adults to attend. /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[FireProf]

Aaron,

What's your take on the whole idea of getting more young people interested in trying nudism. Do you think it's a maturity issue? I agree that concessions should be made, like discounts, activities, web sites and forum for younger people but is that all it's going to take?

Those younger people you encounter that are not quite ready to embark on the nudism ship, what are their main concerns regarding nudity or social nudity.? Are they comfortable with nudity by themselves but not around a crowd? /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[Aaron]

Fire Prof.,
The majority of younger people that I have met and tried to get into the lifestyle have felt more akward getting naked in front of friends. It seems that kids feel more comfortable getting naked in a large crowd of strangers. I think that is because they feel more confident in numbers and they don't have to worry about people that they know passing judgment.(Everyone is doing it.) type of thing.
As far as being comfortable in crowds and/or by themselves, I feel that kids tend to wierd themselves out by getting naked alone. If they were to experience a large younger age grouped gathering they might feel a little more comfortable.
/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[roversfan1]

The people that I have met here in the UK through YBN have had no problem being naked in front of others at their first event. The real reason they thought twice about 'getting involved' was that there was nothing for them. /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif
The minute activities were thought up and there were things planned with them in mind the interest was stirred. I think that we should put the emphasis on having a laugh and making friends with the added bonus that if its sunny/warm etc the people can undress without feeling embarrassed. By having the nudity as an added bonus rather than a main theme, it removes it from the front of peoples minds and they have less time to stress about it.

Anyway, that is my imput.... /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Ben Rose
CCBN
www.british-naturism.org.uk/youth1.htm (http://www.british-naturism.org.uk/youth1.htm)

[New2itall]

Im 17 and live in a Town in Suffolk on the east coast of the Uk. Im new to this all and still a closet naturist to everyone, so i would like to know if anyone in this area?