SCNA Frequently Asked Questions

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What is a Nudist/Naturist?

Naturism is not a radical new idea. The philosophy is thousands of years old. In ancient cultures as diverse as the Japanese, Roman, Hawaiian, and Greek, non-sexual social nudism was common. Skinny-dipping, or swimming without suits, was also common in many parts of the United States until the early 20th century.

Among those who practice this way of life, the consensus of opinion says just doing housework alone in the nude, doesn’t really qualify as being a nudist. Changing and showering in a locker room probably does not qualify either. What all practitioners agree is that exposure to other unclothed persons outside the home is usually seen as the defining moment that causes one to be able to declare he/she is a social nudist or naturist.

Many non-nudists believe that being naked with other people is necessarily always sexual, or that nudism is morally wrong or pornographic. Nudists/Naturists generally reject these views. Objections against being nude are often religiously motivated, even when they start out as a cultural taboo. Some peoples have started wearing clothes only after missionaries argued that that is more civilized. However, there are many devout nudists who attend services regularly and argue that they do not need to shed their morals with their clothes. Also there is a Christian sect that practiced religious nudism, the Adamites. There also are several Christian-based nudist resorts and travel clubs scattered across America.

At one end of the spectrum is unorganized naturism in which there is nothing to join, no one to pay, and only civil, common and criminal law to serve as rules of etiquette. Many people get their first exposure to the naturist movement through this kind of informal nudism (e.g. a clothing optional beach, a friend’s place in the woods, a party on the shore; skinny dipping).

Among organized nudists, the need to exist in as crime-free an environment as possible is taken very seriously, and potential members often go through strict screening procedures before being allowed inside. Persons who think of nudity as foreplay are more correctly defined as swingers and not nudists. These people are warned that solicitation for sex is strictly taboo and will get you tossed out of a club or resort very quickly. As a result nudists claim that their children (and spouses) are far safer from potential sex predators in a nudist environment than they are in the textiled world. Nudist organizations maintain and try to enforce a no sex in public policy. The common mantra is Nude is Not Lewd It is rare to see obvious signs of sexual behavior (including staring or gawking) at most sites. When sexual or drug misbehavior occurs it is usually done by non-nudists in unorganized environments, such as by people (usually men) up on the cliffs looking down on the nude beach-goers.

Some nudist organizations do not allow people with body jewelry below their neck on their premises, as these often have sexual connotations. The same applies to certain tattoos, although both these rules seems to be less and less enforced since body piercings and tattoos are now becoming more commonplace in the general public. Almost all clubs accept people of all sizes, shapes, ages, and types including those with surgical scars, or interestingly trimmed (or absence of) hair. Some nudist organizations do not allow unaccompanied men, or have established quotas in order to better achieve gender balance at their venues. The same policy does not usually apply to single women, and some see this as hypocritical in a subculture which promotes acceptance. This topic is often debated within naturist circles.

Remember, the terms colony and camp are now considered arcane and are no longer used except by the uneducated public press. Read some additional nudist terminology.

About Naturism

Nude Etiquette

A Guide to Courtesy & Common Sense Behavior at Beaches and Hiking Trails Supporting Clothing-Optional Use Free beach etiquette is not much different from the same good manners that you should exhibit wherever you go. Be polite and respect the rights of others and others will do the same for you.

GAWKING IS IMPOLITE
Gawking, or staring at nude sunbathers, is impolite. It is always rude to stare at others, but it is especially so when you use binoculars or a camera to look at nude people. If you came to a clothing-optional (CO) beach to see for yourself what the experience is like, please, join in. You will have a great time. If you came to "look at the nudies," do yourself a favor and buy a magazine and read it at home.

OBEY ALL PARKING RULES AND REGULATIONS
Park only in designated areas. In some areas parking is limited and fills up early. If this is true at your beach you can: Arrive Early - before the crowds. Carpool - saving both gas and parking spots. Help others carry their stuff from the parking area to the beach. Someone may do the same for you.

RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT
Keep out of areas that may be environmentally sensitive. Leave any wild animals (seagulls, sea lions, etc.) alone. We can loose access to CO areas by impairing the environment or preventing the wild animals from roaming free.

HELP KEEP THE AREA CLEAN
Bring and use trash bags. Always try to carry out more trash than you carried in. Leave nothing but footprints, take only memories.

GET DRESSED WHEN LEAVING ESTABLISHED CO AREAS
Many of the clothing optional beaches, while not strictly legal, are accepted by the local population. To avoid offending people, do not go nude into parking lots or textile beaches. Always be dressed if taking a stroll outside the boundary of the CO area.

AVOID ANY SEXUAL ACTIVITY
Avoid any hint of sexual activity in clothing-optional areas. Complaints about sex in public have caused problems at some CO beaches. Please, do not give the prudes an excuse to close down another CO recreation site.

RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY
Show respect for the private property of others as you go to and from the beach. Don't litter or park on private property. That means don’t park your blanket directly alongside or below another person if there is plenty of other space left on the beach. Respect the privacy of others. Many folks come to the beach to enjoy nature and do not want to be disturbed. It is OK to be friendly, but if someone doesn't seem to respond, please respect their right to privacy. It is okay to ask someone to apply sunscreen to areas you cannot reach. It is not okay to ask to apply sunscreen to another without them asking you first. Remember: “No” means “No!”

AVOID TAKING PHOTOS OR MOVIES
We recommend you leave the camera at home - including the one in your cell phone. If you insist on taking a picture, confine it to just the people in your party, and that means avoiding having anyone in the background without their verbal (if not written) consent. Also, totally avoid taking photos of nude under-age children at the beach as it just isn't worth the confrontation you will be inviting.

BE PREPARED
Most CO beaches are remote and do not offer the services and amenities found at textile beaches. Therefore you should bring everything you may need including: water/beverages, food, cooler, sunscreen, towel, chair or mattress. Use the bathroom in the parking lot before coming down the ramp to the beach.

SPEAK UP FOR STANDARDS
If you see someone who is violating the accepted standards, please explain to them clearly and politely just how they are violating the rules and just what the proper behavior is. You will find most voyeurs will leave immediately after being discovered.

KEEP CALM WE’RE JUST NAKED

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Southern California Naturist Association

A 501(c) California Non-Profit Corporation

23679 Calabasas Road Suite 940

Calabasas, CA 91302

(818) 225‑2273

scna@socalnaturist.org

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