Who are "the naturists"?
Broadly speaking, anyone who practices nude recreation, social nudity, or both. By that standard, there are many millions of naturists worldwide, especially in Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. According to a 2000 Roper Poll, one in four Americans—roughly 70 million people—have skinny-dipped or sunbathed in the nude. And while not all of them are naturists, the rapid growth the nude recreation industry has experienced in recent years suggests many are. No longer confined to small, secretive enclaves, today’s naturists have a variety of recreational and social outlets. Publicly owned sites like Miami-Dade County’s Haulover Beach, Long Island’s Fire Island, Toronto’s Hanlan’s Point, and San Diego’s Black’s Beach now welcome naturists, as do hundreds of clubs, resorts, and campgrounds across North America.

What do naturists mean when they talk about "social nudity" and "nude recreation"?
A number of things. But first, it’s important to know what they don’t mean. Misconceptions aside, naturism is not a code word for "sex" (see below). When naturists talk about "social nudity" and "nude recreation" they mean just that—nude group activities. The variety of activities varies tremendously. There are nude backpackers, canoeists, kayakers, scuba divers—even skydivers. For less adventurous types, there is everything from the traditional day trip to the nude beach or swimming hole to house parties, chartered cruises and weekend excursions to nude resorts or campgrounds. Most things that can be done clothed can be done unclothed—and usually it’s a lot more fun.

What about the law; isn’t "social nudity" illegal?
This gets a bit complicated, but the short answer is "no." As indicated above, there are public beaches where nudity is perfectly legal. So too are there private clubs and resorts that are either clothing-optional, or where nudity is actually required. Legality is seldom an issue at these places. Nonetheless, while laws that specifically prohibit nudity and equate it with "indecent exposure" are rare, that shouldn’t be taken as an invitation to get naked "anytime, anyplace." If you undress in the village square, you’re likely to get arrested for something—be it indecent exposure, disturbing the peace, or creating a public nuisance. Even if the law is on your side, public nudity is problematic in many jurisdictions. An arrest sometimes depends not on what the law says, but on what police or prosecutors think it says or want it to say. In some places, women are still harassed for breastfeeding in public, and parents are still prosecuted for taking innocent nude photos of their children. In more enlightened jurisdictions, a sharp distinction is made between lewd activity and simple nudity, such as sunbathing and skinny-dipping . Part of our mission is to highlight the difference between lewd and nude through education and community outreach.

Is naturism appropriate for families?
Absolutely! Naturism is about body acceptance and body awareness, which makes it appropriate for everyone. Therefore, families with children are welcome at naturist venues and events. Any venue or event that purports to be "naturist" but excludes children should be viewed with skepticism. Such exclusions are appropriate in some cases. A grueling nude hike or a late evening dance at a club or resort come to mind. But the exclusion of children is sometimes used as a signal that an event is sexual in nature. The Naturist Society has no interest in passing judgment on sexual activities among consenting adults; however, TNS adamantly rejects the use of the term "naturism" as a cover for sexual activity. Naturists do not deny the sexual nature of human beings, but they reject the all too prevalent view in our society that nudity and sex are synonymous, and that children should be "protected" from nudity regardless of context. To repeat: nude is not lewd.

How do I become a naturist?
Only you know if naturism is right for you. Some people enjoy being nude in the privacy or their own home or apartment, but can’t imagine being nude on a public beach or in a resort. That’s all right. Naturism is not something that should be forced, either on yourself or others. Perhaps the best way to "become a naturist" is with the help of a friend or spouse who is a naturist. Of course, that isn’t always possible. Another option is to contact a naturist organization near you. Most local and regional naturist groups welcome new members and do their best to ease them into the world of naturism. If all else fails, why not just check out your nearest nude beach, hot spring, or swimming hole? You don’t have to take your clothes off right away; do it gradually if you prefer. Or, if it simply doesn’t feel right, just leave. You can always come back and try again. But remember: if you go to a clothing-optional site and remain clothed for too long, people might start taking you for a gawker.

What if I’m ready but my spouse (partner, or friend) isn’t?
This is common. Typically, women are more wary than men of clothing-optional venues. But everyone, male and female, has "body issues." For some, the idea of being seen nude—and seeing others nude—is filled with psychological tension. A spouse, friend or partner can help reduce the tension, but only if caution and sensitivity are exercised. Remember, every naturist had a "first time." Many who were most reluctant initially are now avid naturists. And remember, too, that there is a line between encouragement and coercion. Don’t cross it if you want to introduce someone to naturism.

Earlier in the week a cookout at our house had turned into an impromptu nude swim session in our pool. We discovered while not ’social nudists’ per se that we all spent a lot of time that way around home.

To make a long story short we agreed to visit in their home with the idea we’d be nude from the start. I spent a lot of time thinking about this and Saturday morning called up Karen to make sure she and Mike were still ‘OK’ with the idea. She reassured me that she was and looking forward to it.

I was looking forward to it, also, but was still somewhat nervous. At our home it had evolved in a ‘natural way’. Here we were planning on going to another couple’s home - we’ve known them for sometime - and in essence ‘ strip on arrival’.

Not to belabor the story with details, but one of my biggest decisions was what to wear to some place where I was going to wear nothing. It must be a gal thing because Elliott just through on a pair of shorts and a polo shirt. Finally, I decided on a simple ‘T-shirt’ type dress (it’s really a bathing suit cover-up). No bra/underwear, and slide sandals. This way I could get naked quick - but if they had changed their minds I would still be well covered.

They only live a few minutes away so the drive was a short one. Walking up to their front door, my heart was pounding. I was carrying a cake that I had baked for dessert. Elliott had a bottle of sparkling grape juice (neither family drinks).

Mike answered the door wearing only a towel. I was somewhat relieved when Karen came out of the kitchen to greet us. She was completely nude - I felt a lot more at ease because she was the one who had appeared to hesitate at the pool party. Then came my hard part - stripping in front of friends. Someone once suggested that one should get it over with quickly so the awkwardness would pass quickly. So I took a deep breath and said, “Since we won’t be needing them where can we put our clothes ?”

They showed us to a guest bedroom off the main entrance I quickly kicked off my sandals and pulled the dress over my head. Elliott took off his shirt and shorts and laid them with my stuff on a chair. I’m glad they offered the room - it was easier to walk out already naked than it would have been to get that way in front of them. By this time Mike had tossed his towel and so we were ready for our nude evening.

There were a few nervous laughs but after about five minutes we went about making sandwiches and settling down for an evening of old movies from Mike’s collection. In reading about "nude etiquette" Karen had put out big oversized towels on the couch and chairs.

To tell you how much fun we had I think I honestly forgot I was nude. When it was time to leave, I kissed Mike and Karen on the cheek and thanked them for a wonderful evening. As I was heading toward the door Elliott asked, “Forgetting something ? Or are you going home that way ?”

I had forgotten to dress. A streak of daring hit - and since it was after 1:00 a.m. I took him up on it. He put on his shorts but carried my clothes to the car. I rode home nude and stayed that way until sometime Sunday afternoon. (It really wasn’t that daring. You can’t see the street from their driveway or ours and the ride was all of five minutes.)

Now that we’ve had nude encounters in each other’s homes I don’t know if we’ll have to plan them - I think we’ll just take them for granted.

There are nudist beaches, nudist resorts and nudist hotels. It was only a matter of time before an enterprising travel agency came up with nudist charter flights. Step aboard the charter flight, take off all your clothes and stow them along with your hand luggage in the overheard compartment. Then take your seat, fasten your seatbelt and enjoy air travel in the all-together.

You do have to wear clothing in the departures and arrivals lounges and in transit to your nudist destination. But for die-hard "naturists" this is all together the dream of travelling in the all-together. "People are booking flights like crazy," says Enrico Hess, the travel agent in the eastern German city of Erfurt who came up with the gimmick only a couple of weeks ago. "Word has spread like wildfire around the world. There’s a naturist network and they have been calling me day and night," the 34-year-old travel agent says.

The first flights for next summer to the German Baltic Sea island of Usedom have already been booked out — six months in advance. "Actually, it was not my idea to start with. A customer came in and said he was a lifelong nudist and enquired as to whether there were any charter flights for nudists," Hess says. "I thought he was joking, but he was dead serious. He said naturists love to kick off their kit any time they can. If you have a plane load of nudists on their way to a nudist resort - then why not let them do their thing in the confines of an airliner cabin at 32,000 feet where they are not going to disturb anybody on the ground?"Hess’s Ossi Reisen travel agency caters to East Germans, who call themselves "Ossis."