Lifesyle dying off?

[dakref]

Went to the annual Nude Car Show at the club near me yesterday. Granted the weather was only 70 degrees and overcast, so it may have played a part in attendance, since I had second thoughts myself. I have never seen so many big huge RVs in one place other than and RV convention. There were the most cars in the parking area I've ever seen there, but they must have belonged to some of the RV crowd because there really didn't seem to be that many people there. Speaking of the people, you could count the number of people under 50 on the fingers of one hand. I used to say people under 40, but they all seem to have aged as much as I have. Even the tent camping area was older folks. I have raised this issue before, but have to wonder what the future of clubs and organized nudism/naturism is after this crowd dies off.

[Guest]

So, from my awareness and of the naturist movement, while there a few proponents prior to WWIII, the greatest generation started the movement in the US, the baby boomers accepted and ran with it, and generation next has yet to fully appreciate it. The thing I see about nude recreation is that is a recreational active first...meaning you have to have the desire and resources to participate. With all of the economic turmoil of the past 10-20 years, the post baby boomers are still not ready to commit too many resources toward an all inclusive recreational life. As a result there is a declining customer base. However, I think that as time moves forward, the next generation of nudists will uncover the beauty of the life and start participating in what we all know to be the best form of relaxation known to man.

[EltonJ]

Nudkin has made some valid points. Although in the future, man will finally know the truth of himself and will adopt nudity as natural and normal. More than enough people will participate in it that people will begin to expect it defacto. In certain religious texts, using clothes to denote your status in society is not a valid way to use clothes, although everyone should have the option to feed and clothe the hungry and naked. It's going to take time and education for the next generation to adopt nudity as the norm and to use clothes for their proper use.

I say this because my girlfriend is a nudist, and she's 25 years old. 15 years younger than I. So there is hope for the younger generations.

[NudonyII]

I may be wrong (and frequently am), but it seems to me nudism may be skipping a generation. As nudkin said, and I quote: "the baby boomers accepted and ran with it, and generation next has yet to fully appreciate it." My generation, the Xers, seem to have very little interest in organized nudism. Maybe it has to do with a distrust of organizations in general; or maybe my peers have a dysfunctional perspective on nudity. Millenials, on the other hand, seem to be much more accepting of alternative viewpoints and anything that appears to be "fun."
I don't know what will happen to organized nudism if it skips a generation. My fear is that there will be few nudist options left when the Millenials come of age.

[EltonJ]

I may be wrong (and frequently am), but it seems to me nudism may be skipping a generation. As nudkin said, and I quote: "the baby boomers accepted and ran with it, and generation next has yet to fully appreciate it." My generation, the Xers, seem to have very little interest in organized nudism. Maybe it has to do with a distrust of organizations in general; or maybe my peers have a dysfunctional perspective on nudity. Millenials, on the other hand, seem to be much more accepting of alternative viewpoints and anything that appears to be "fun."
I don't know what will happen to organized nudism if it skips a generation. My fear is that there will be few nudist options left when the Millenials come of age.

Well, the face of Nude Recreation is changing, that much I know.

[Guest]

As a follow up to earlier post....I see the industry holding at current levels for about 15-20 years. Then, the last of the boomers will be phasing out of independent living and winding up at the nursing homes of their children's choices. So, the generation nesters will need to evolve the nude industry for themselves and the future. The future is in their hands.

[Agde]

I may be wrong (and frequently am), but it seems to me nudism may be skipping a generation....

As a college prof watching generations pass through, there was definitely a GeorgeXX.Bush generation that had issues, but it is becoming a distant memory, just as FKK-post-war fitness nudism and flower child revolutionary nudity have passed. Over here in Europe, organized nudist clubs have dwindling attendance, but the beaches (like this last weekend) are full of YNA-type millenials just hanging out with friends with no special "lifestyle" agenda. Similarly with hiking, it used to be textiles vs nudists, but now its not unusual to pass mixed groups on the trail where everybody seems to be wearing or not wearing whatever they find comfy. Personally, I'm not feeling any nostalgia for high fences.

[scrptman]

If the steady closures of nudists resorts here in California are any indicator, then i would say yes, we are on the decline (as far as organized nudism goes.) With that said, there are still quite a few people who go to Black's Beach on weekends, so maybe it's just the resort environment/cost that is declining. The remaining clubs still cling to antiquated discrimination practices so they are doing nothing to entice new membership that doesn't fit their ideal mold. The glut of "naked" TV shows are not really promoting nudism as much as gimmickry so that doesn't help either. There will always be a certain number of people who count themselves as full time nudists (as opposed to the occasional beach goer), but as they age and die off, there might not be enough to carry the torch to the next generations.

[FireProf]

I'm not buying into the cost thing. I see these same young people, day after day, at Starbucks buying their expensive drinks, at the mall in the trendy stores, most of them driving new cars ... even if they are leases. They are spending money and they have it. It's okay that they don't want to spend it on club memberships, dues for organizations ... but I'm not buying the argument that it's a "cost" issue.

[Agde]

... I see these same young people, day after day, at Starbucks buying their expensive drinks...

Maybe offering discount latte's would both attract newbies and help finance naturist clubs?! Like "Empire Haven Nudist Park Proudly Serves Starbucks Coffee." It is just that it is so far to drive to Moravia for a coffee break!

Put a clothing-optional rooftop "Empire Haven Coffee Shop" on 5th Avenue and I bet me and the crowds would be there this afternoon!

[jasenj]

Maybe offering discount latte's would both attract newbies and help finance naturist clubs?! Like "Empire Haven Nudist Park Proudly Serves Starbucks Coffee." It is just that it is so far to drive to Moravia for a coffee break!

I think this goes directly to what the younger crowd wants from their recreation dollars. They expect a froo-froo coffee bar. They expect craft beers. They expect menu choices beyond burgers & fries. They want smoothies and a juice bar and locally-sourced, organic, free range whatever.

Bud Light, a horse shoe pit, and a pool don't cut it.

[jasenj]

I'm NOT buying into the cost thing. I see these same young people, day after day, at Starbucks buying their expensive drinks, at the mall in the trendy stores, most of them driving new cars ... even if they are leases. They are spending money and they have it. It's okay that they don't want to spend it on club memberships, dues for organizations ... but I'm NOT buying the argument that it's a "cost" issue.

You forgot the word "not" in there a few times.

[FireProf]

Thanks for the proof read!


I count 2 ... are there more!?

[EltonJ]

I'll have to discuss with my girlfriend what she wants from a naturist resort these days. Perhaps they do have to modernize to appeal to a certain taste in the younger generations.

[FireProf]

I'll have to discuss with my girlfriend what she wants from a naturist resort these days. Perhaps they do have to modernize to appeal to a certain taste in the younger generations.

I think many of us veteran nudist know that clubs and resorts have to make drastic changes in policies, activities and events to attract the younger generation. I current pay $269.00 a year for a membership to our club for my wife and I ... that includes our annual AANR dues. That's approximately $22.40 a month. It's not as expensive as some younger people would think. You could also join AANR for $58 and get into AANR affiliated clubs for a reduced rate. Example; we pay $12.50 for day use fees as AANR members.

I don't think it's a cost issue as much as it's a "older crowd" mentality. I happen to love some of the stuff our club has and offers but ... I'm 62 and that caters to what we like. The younger crowd isn't that interested in "Nudestock" type music. It's okay for a short while but not all day long. Shutting down the club, rec center, music, fun ... at 10 pm because the older crowd wants quiet ... another strike against being in the young crowd.

Antiquated policies concerning tablets, cell phones, picture taking ... all things that the younger crowd does and wants to do without someone climbing down their throats for using these items. Hell ... I see just as many old nudists using these things but for some reason, it's okay for them but not for others. Just more reasons why the younger crowd is staying away. The veteran nudists want new people, younger people ... change your ways of thinking!