Many people have told me that they don’t tell anyone that they enjoy Nude Recreation. The reasons typically have to do with the belief that those around them are too conservative/ too religious, wouldn’t understand, or they’re scared of how this conversation might effect their work status. I can appreciate these concerns, sadly, though I don’t necessarily see things that way.

For me, I’m ok with people knowing that I’m a nudist. Why? Because it’s simply the way I choose to live my life- it’s legal, social, healthy, fun, and within my morals. What is there to be embarrassed about or afraid of? The first person who I told about joining Nude Recreation was my best friend Laura. She laughed to the point that I thought she was going to fall off her chair- me? A nudist? She thought it a joke. It was not.

My family members learned about it soon thereafter. Again, they thought I was joking but when I explained that I wasn’t, they were fine with it, though it is something we joke about. One sister (I have five sisters- I’m the youngest of six girls and truly believe that my parents stopped having children because they “got it right” when they had me. Lol) didn’t understand what I was saying as I told her. The phone call was boring until I mentioned that I’d been to the beach and had gotten sunburned all over. She assured me that I wasn’t burned all over but I told her that I was. Then she said, “Well, you’re not burned where your bathing suit was.” That was a great lead-in to telling her that I wasn’t wearing one.

Through the years, I’ve honed my technique of talking about Nude Recreation. Where I once sat someone down and explained my choice to them, now it’s far more natural. For example, I freely talk about how much I love my campground and I tell of the wonderful pool, conversation pool, game room, and facilities. Many times someone has asked where the campground is and whether they can come. Of course, I tell them. Several people have looked up my camp after hearing the name and location and got a bit of a surprise. Others learn that it’s a clothing optional camp when I mention that we don’t bother with soggy swimsuits, we dry our selves off and all is well.

Nude Recreation is natural and comfortable. It’s nothing shocking, nothing strange… it’s just a way of experiencing life. The more I tell people about it naturally, the more it’s accepted. And, I’ve found, people accept my choice to participate in it without flinching- with something so wonderful, so healing, and so comfortable, it’s a wonder that not all of my friends and acquaintances have tried it!

Juniper Woods is a beautiful campground on 75 acres of land in the heart of the Catskill Mountains. While the facilities are fantastic, including a super conversation pool and a must-have heated swimming pool, what makes Juniper Woods so wonderful is the people. Within the camp you’ll always find a friend with whom you can talk, play petanque, or simply enjoy the scenery. Further the members help in so many ways to make the camp run efficiently and, more importantly, contribute to making everyone who comes out to the camp part of our Juniper Woods family.

In many ways, the people of Juniper Woods ARE my family. They’re there for me when I need help, they are a source of great laughter, and they provide the backbone of my life. Friends? Family? They’re all the same at Juniper Woods.

So many of the AANR landed clubs (landed clubs are simply those with land, as opposed to non-landed clubs that rent spaces or meet in people’s homes) are friendly and caring places to be. I’ve yet to go to a clothing-optional camp or resort without befriending “the locals” within a few minutes. That’s what makes nude recreation so special- we’re a family that can be found in nude places all over!