QUESTION: Is nudism supposed to be a religion?

ANSWER: Of course not; nudism is neither a formal worship system, nor does it interfere with any religious preferences you may have.

QUESTION: Could you tell me what sort of people are nudists?

ANSWER: They are normal, healthy people who are better citizens than most. It has been found that nudists as a group are better educated, earn more money, enjoy better family relationships. A vast majority of nudists are happily married and go as family units to nudist parks or resorts.

QUESTION: Do you mean that youngsters go with parents to nudist parks?

ANSWER: Certainly! Youngsters enjoy nudism more than adults because they discover new and exciting things about out-of-door life; they also improve their ability to get along with others and take to clothesless living with exaltation.

QUESTION: Are most nudist parks considered about the same as far as accommodations and conveniences are concerned?

ANSWER: No. Some are modern resorts; many are still primitively constructed and managed. Many nudists like a back-to-nature, hardy existence. Others like modern conveniences. Some resorts accept single persons; many will accept only married couples.

QUESTION: Will there be many single women in nudist resorts?

ANSWER: Yes, more so than single men. The single nudist may be a working girl, nurse, teacher, doctor, professional.

QUESTION: I would like to correspond with other nudists. Could you give me their names and addresses?

ANSWER: No nudist park nor honorable nudist will give out names of friends. Your name is never given out, either, unless you request it be done, and then it is up to the discretion of the particular nudist resort.

QUESTION: When I make my first visit to a nudist park, must I remove all my clothes at once?

ANSWER: Generally speaking, no. You may gradually remove your garments as you progress. But when you mingle with other nudists, it is customary to be just as clothesless. When dances are held on public grounds, dress is required.

QUESTION: Why must nudists go entirely bare? Can’t they get a nice sunshine tan or nearly as much with briefs or panties or a jockstrap? Why do they have to expose everything?

ANSWER: Because nudism teaches that whatever is concealed gives rise to the idea of “indecency.” This is miseducation. It is a throwback to the foolish dictum that the body is “indecent.” Since we are created in God’s own image, we must not be ashamed of our bodies. The sooner we understand this, the sooner we enjoy a healthy attitude. Now, we know that lasciviousness and evil originate in curiosity. For example, we know that burlesque shows, striptease acts, stags, illicit films, obscenity all stem from the idea that the hidden privates are evil. To wear briefs or panties or a jockstrap is to invite evil thoughts! To go unclad is a wonderful freedom. Of course, a pair of sandals on the feet, or a pair of sunglasses to provide visual protection, is not a sexual stimulus. When you experience nude living, you will grasp how exhilarating the freedom of the body can be. It is a discovery that each new nudist enjoys and will continue to enjoy for as long as he sunbathes. Now, absence of clothing makes athletics easier. After a volleyball game, the first call for Sunday dinner comes from the loudspeaker system. The players and spectators alike step to the pool, brook, stream, or ccean; they kick off sandals, dive in naked, splash merrily. Soon they are refreshed, dried, ready to eat. You may so immerse yourself all day and thrill to the cleansing effect of nude bathing. Who wants to put on a wet bathing suit, or sit around in wet garments after a bath? Even in warm weather, it is unwise to sit in a breeze, wearing a wet garment.

Finally, garments are vulgar! A bikini, a pair of postage-stamp trunks, a figleaf bathing suit, a jockstrap—these focus attention on certain regions of the body that nudists take for granted. A nudist does not wear garments, because he does not want to be an object of scrutiny! The nudist has complete maturity of bodily understanding.

QUESTION: What must I tell a nudist park director about myself in order to be accepted?

ANSWER: Whatever will convince the director that you are a desirable guest. You need not talk about your personal or business life to the other guests,- that is up to you. A director is entitled to know more, since his park and other guests will come in contact with you—just as you would want only desirable guests to be in the nudist resort that you visit.

QUESTION: Okay, I want to join. Will news of my activities leak out and cause embarrassment?

ANSWER: This is highly unlikely. Nudists observe etiquette and rarely, if ever, talk about themselves off the grounds.

QUESTION: Wouldn’t it make me feel strange to appear naked in mixed company for the first time?

ANSWER: Yes—there is some emotional response, but you’ll be amazed how quickly you’ll adjust to social nudism. It soon becomes the natural thing.

QUESTION: That seems unlikely, and I don’t believe it.

ANSWER: You’re not the first one to doubt it. You’ll have to experience that first time; nothing else will equal nor substitute for that first day in a public nudist park.

QUESTION: My wife and I will go, but we want to leave the kids home. What do you say about that?

ANSWER: Have fun—but you’ll be sorry. Kids enjoy nudism more than adults and help grownups adjust to it. We guarantee you’ll want to bring your kids on the second trip.

QUESTION: Newspapers and magazines frequently publish pictures of nudist conventions. What’s the point of it all?

ANSWER: Nudists hold regional or national conventions; here, rules, regulations, and policies are arrived at by a voting or democratic process. Also, most nudists enjoy conventions because it means a rallying of old friends—and a place to meet new nudists and exchange information. Conventions are really a “must’

QUESTION: What shall I bring along on my initial visit to a nudist park?

ANSWER: In a word-COURAGE! Also, bring an open mind. Remember: you will be as naked as the others, so join in! You could also bring sunglasses, hats, sandals or slippers. Bring a light garment to be worn like a tent or poncho if you’re not tanned. Remember that your skin isn’t ready for nudism at the very start.

QUESTION: How may someone learn the real truth about nudism? So many have given me some rather wild opinions.

ANSWER: Who are the “so many”? They’re not nudists, I’ll venture, so how can they talk about it? You’ll learn about sunbathing from a sunbathing magazine such as this one. You may read factual convention reports in newspapers and magazines; if you have a close friend or relative who tells you about nudism, that is good, too.

QUESTION: I am a young fellow of Dan-ish-Swedish ancestry with white-blond hair and pink skin. Can I become a nudist?

ANSWER: Of course. But use tanning lotion and caution. I might also add that the healthiest looking nudist is a tanned blond!

QUESTION: Shall I bring along a camera?

ANSWER: Not at first. Before bringing along any photographic equipment, first acquaint yourself with the fellow nudists, the park, any rules and regulations. Discuss this with the camp director.

QUESTION: Somewhere I read of a traveling nudist club. How is it possible for a nudist camp to move about?

ANSWER: Let me set you straight. A nudist park does not move. Nudists, themselves, may join up with certain types of organizations that do take trips (usually for a week, or just a weekend) to different parks. This provides variety of scenery and an opportunity to meet new friends and expand your knowledge of sunbathing. Ask at any camp about such moving organizations. There are several of them.

QUESTION: I’m a young Tarzan type and want to rough it. Must I live in a comfortable cabin?

ANSWER: Live like Adam, if you like. Most sunbathers like a portable tent, station wagon, or bed-in-the-car automobile. Accommodations vary; you have complete freedom. No one compels you to accept modern or ancient conveniences. Before going to a resort, write and ask about facilities to determine if they have what you seek.

QUESTION: Oh, you mean I can bring all my gear with me?

ANSWER: Bring your house, if you want. However, the management is usually concerned with well-being and safety. Such rules are simple. Some sun lovers like camping out, some go for a day or a month and bring a toothbrush or a retinue of suitcases. It’s up to you—as long as your fellow sunbathers are not inconvenienced.

QUESTION: You know something, I’ve seen crowds of nudists in convention photographs. I’ll bet there’s more to nudism than just a suntan. Am I right?

ANSWER: As right as you’ll ever be! There’s comradeship, health, freedom at nudist camps. You’ll join other families and make many acquaintances. It’s a rewarding experience. Does this sound like Utopia? It’s very close.

THE AMERICAN SUNBATHER
ISSUE: Number 1, March 1967
Publisher: American Sunbather and Nudist Review