American Association for Nude Recreation

The American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) is a naturist organization based in the United States.

The AANR is the largest, longest-established organization of its kind in North America. It was founded in 1931 and went under its previous name American Sunbathing Association. Approximately 200 nudist resorts, clubs, and businesses choose to affiliate with AANR, and AANR serves over 30,000 members in the United States, Canada, Mexico, French West Indies, Virgin Islands, and St. Martin.

The AANR promotes the benefits of nude family recreation and works to protect the rights of nudists in appropriate settings, such as sanctioned nude beaches and public lands set aside for that use; as well as homes, private backyards, plus AANR-affiliated clubs, campgrounds and resorts.

The AANR uses a portion of its collected membership fees to be politically active by campaigning and lobbying governments fighting to allow nudism in the US and Canada.

History

In 1929 Kurt Barthel started the first American nudist club known as the American League for Physical Culture (ALPC). A couple of years later, in December, 1931, a second organization was founded as the International Nudist League, renamed quickly to the International Nudist Conference, further renamed a few years later as the American Sunbathing Association. Ilsley Boone was listed as General Secretary.

The Association was established with its office at Mays Landing, NJ. During the Second World War, the nudist movement was disrupted as many went off to war resulting in the closure of several nudist resorts / clubs. After the war by 1946, Boone was seen as controlling and micro-managing the organization resulting in many dissatisfied members. He controlled mailing lists in order to receive enough proxy votes to keep control of elected votes and elected officials.

In 1951, new bylaws were instituted and a change was made to the governing board. After a year, the changes were again accepted by the 1952 convention, following a court ruling. Boone left the organization, but continued to stay active in the nudist movement by founding the National Nudist Council and starting the magazine S.U.N. (Solair Union Naturisme).

The ASA moved to Orlando, Florida, and then to its present location in Kissimmee, Florida. The organization changed names again in 1995 to its current name of American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR). The organization changed to a one member, one vote election and is now governed by a 10-person board with seven voting trustees and three officers.

Member Associations

The AANR also belongs to several other organizations such as: ARC (American Recreation Coalition), National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, and others.

Membership

Clubs

AANR-affiliated (chartered) clubs include both nudist resorts and naturist social clubs that agree to AANR principles and standards. There are a wide range of various types of nudist resorts and clubs affiliated with AANR that are as individual as their members and visitors. They must meet AANR principles and standards and endeavor to provide a friendly, stress free atmosphere where people enjoy social nude recreation with their family and friends. Clubs range from clothing optional to no clothes allowed. Chartered clubs also range from land-based clubs to beach clubs and even travel clubs, known as non-landed (not site-based).

Many AANR-affiliated clubs and resorts are also affiliated with The Naturist Society, and the TNS membership card usually has equal status to the AANR membership card at landed clubs and resorts.

People

Individuals typically become members on an annual basis usually via paid annual memberships at chartered clubs which includes partial fees for AANR membership, although lifetime memberships are also available. There is also a direct membership option through AANR as well as a discount to younger single members. Membership in AANR includes a subscription to ''The Bulletin'', AANR's monthly magazine. ''The Bulletin'' contains articles on naturist activities and issues related to naturism. ''The Bulletin'' began as an insert in the ''Sunshine & Health'' magazine in the 1940s, and became a standalone publication in 1952.

References

Further reading

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Clothing free organizations
Naturism in the United States
1931 establishments in the United States
Organizations established in 1931
Non-profit organizations based in the United States