Hi Travelers, 

The dawn of 2026 heralded in not just a new year and the 250th anniversary of American Independence, but also marks another milestone in independence -- the 95th anniversary of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR), which has tirelessly and staunchly protected the freedoms and rights of those who participate in wholesome, family-style naturism.

Here’s a bit more background on AANR:  Kurt Barthel, acknowledged as the founder of American nudism, was acquainted with other German nudists here in the U.S. late in the 1920s and allowed his name to be used as a local New York contact. On Labor Day of 1929, Kurt led a small group of individuals to a picnic in the buff in the Hudson Mountains near Peekskill, New York. Thus, organized nude recreation in America was born with his dues-paying club, called the “American League for Physical Culture” (ALPC). The first official nudist club opened soon after on June 21, 1930, near Spring Valley in Rockland County, New York, and by 1931, ALPC was welcoming over 200 new members and moved to an area near Dover, New Jersey.

In October of 1931, the charismataic Ilsley Boone, the ALPC’s Executive Secretary replaced Barthel as leader of the ALPC, in the newly renamed American Sunbathing Association, the precursor to AANR. The ASA grew to nearly 50,000 members throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. One last name change occurred in 1995 when the ASA became the American Association for Nude Recreation – to better reflect the activities of its membership.

Boone’s concept of the nudist lifestyle was that “a nudist is one who believes and practices that one may freely go without clothes unless for some specific reason – such as bodily comfort or social requirements – it is essential to wear them. This definition contemplates that there is nothing shameful in nakedness per se; that there is no need for discrimination between the several parts of the body as regards their respectability and acceptability; that for many forms of outdoor and indoor work, for outdoor sports, for swimming, possibly for life within the home, nudism offers a much more wholesome and healthy way of life than does clothed society. Nudists do not advocate a clothesless social order in the twentieth century, though such an eventuality is not inconceivable.”

After 95 years, nude recreation continues to reach new enthusiasts, as more people choose clothes-free and clothing optional Nakation vacations. To find a club, resort, or campground to Nakation in this year just click: https://www.aanr.com/club-locator/.

Yours Naturally,