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The Alltogether

Breaking News Update on Bagby Hot Springs

August 28th, 2009

As of 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time today, AANR’s Public Lands Liaison Steve Hubbard had an opportunity to speak directly with the Forest Supervisor and Chief Ranger of the Mt. Hood Forest jurisdiction where Bagby Hot Springs is located. The Chief Ranger has been clear in communicating that it is NOT their intention to have a total ban on nudity within the Springs. However, there may be clarifications on locations where nudity is and is not permitted. They are in the process of preparing new communications containing clarifications, and have invited AANR to review, comment on, and suggest possible changes to those communications.

In the meantime, the Forest Service has agreed to send e-mails to personnel to explain the state of flux in which circumstances are at the moment. We encourage users to observe caution per the notice below but are also very optimistic that an accord is reachable in the near future.

Please return to this site for the latest status on conditions.

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Important Information Regarding Bagby Hot Springs

August 28th, 2009

The American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) has been working with volunteers over the last several weeks regarding nudists being cited for merely being nude at Bagby Hot Springs in the Mt. Hood National Forest. In addition to at least two known citations, numerous other individuals have been threatened with citation for merely being nude in public at the Bagby Hot Springs.

Information has been related to the nudist public by those outside AANR that the United States Forest Service (USFS) officials do not have an “order” granting them the authority to cite for nudity at Bagby. The situation is unfortunately not quite so clear-cut. An apparently valid order has been in place regarding the prohibition of nudity, subject to limitations, in the Mt. Hood National Forest of which Bagby Hot Springs is a part since July 1992. However, as recently as August 5, 2009, the USFS, on its official Web site, has stated that nudity is allowed in the immediate area of the hot springs but not in the “developed” area adjacent to the hot springs. This is NOT what nudists are being told by Forest Service employees on the site.

We confess to being puzzled as to the change in the enforcement policy, as for decades the USFS has had a practice at Bagby that has been not one of prohibition but of support and management of nudity at the hot springs that did not result in citations or threats of citation in the hot spring area.

AANR is actively working to attempt to reverse this change in practice. An AANR team is working at a local level as well as at a national level to quickly resolve this situation.

However, we need your help. Numerous volunteers have stepped forward and have been supplying us with information regarding the day-by-day circumstances at Bagby. In addition, we could use a clear picture of the signs that showed management of nudity at the hot springs that existed prior to the change in practice there. If these signs are still posted we need that documented. If the signs have been taken down, any information as to when this happened would be helpful.

We also need to know if you have had any additional contact with Forest Service employees that may shed light on what brought about this change in practice as well as any ongoing information that is relevant. This information should be forwarded to your regional Public Land Liaison Shirley Gauthier at sherbog@msn.com.

The USFS has historically, while giving autonomy to its local districts, closely followed local and state laws in these areas. Given the nudist friendly laws in Oregon and the statements posted on the USFS official site, we are hopeful that this will work in our favor in resolving this issue.

However, in the meantime, INDIVIDUALS DO RISK CITATION FOR MERELY BEING NUDE IN ANY DEVELOPED AREA IN THE MT. HOOD NATIONAL FOREST. THIS IS CURRENTLY BEING INTERPRETED BY THE OFFICALS ON THE SCENE AS INCLUDING BAGBY HOT SPRINGS THEMSELVES.

Updates will follow, as information is available. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Respectfully,

Steve Hubbard, Public Land Liaison

American Association for Nude Recreation

steve@nearlybare.com

(Please see the Order Occupancy and Use of Mt. Hood National Forest below.)

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Order Occupancy and Use of Mt. Hood National Forest

August 28th, 2009

usfs-anti-nudity-order1

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AANR Suspends Paradise Lakes Club Charter

August 24th, 2009

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (August 20, 2009) - The American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR), the oldest, largest and most credible organization supporting social family nude recreation, has issued a motion to temporarily suspend the charter of Paradise Lakes Resort of Land O’Lakes, Florida.

This action was taken by the Board of Trustees following an investigation of certain advertising and marketing activities undertaken by Paradise ownership and management that increasingly sexualized the nudist experience. These actions were deemed to be entirely inconsistent with the Principles and Standards of AANR.

The temporary suspension will remain in effect until the AANR Board reconvenes, when a decision on whether to make the suspension permanent is made.

It is important to recognize that many Paradise Lakes members strongly support the family nude recreation principles of AANR and are not connected with the actions of the owner and management of the club.

“For over three-quarters of a century AANR has represented and advocated for the highest standards of social family nude recreation,” said John Kinman, AANR President. “Our clubs are expected to meet and enforce these standards, and we can accept no compromise.”

AANR’s Principles and Standards state clearly that “Any club that deliberately advocates, endorses, encourages or promotes sexual activities or sexual enterprises is subject to revocation of its charter with AANR.” Allegations of actions by a club that might meet this description are carefully investigated, and a decision to revoke a club’s charter is only taken after careful deliberation and investigation of all available facts.

“We are proud of our AANR clubs and the nudist experience they provide,” said Erich Schuttauf, AANR’s Executive Director. “As a father of four as well as an employee of the Association, it is vitally important to me that the world knows that AANR clubs represent the best in healthy clothes-free living and recreation, for all ages.”

AANR has been an aggressive advocate for nude recreation rights and a strong promoter of public education. “When we speak to legislators or contribute to positive mainstream media recognition including the New York Times, Today show, Time magazine and others, they know AANR has earned the reputation as the credible voice for nude recreation,” said Schuttauf.

AANR’s mission is to advocate nudity and nude recreation in appropriate settings, and educate and inform society of the value and enjoyment of such through on-going member growth. It is the credible voice of reason, representing the millions of people who enjoy clothes-free recreation and nakationing throughout North America. For further information on nude recreation and the Association’s affiliated clubs, contact AANR at 1-800-TRY-NUDE or visit the Association’s website at www.aanr.com.

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Skinny-Dip Figures Released

August 18th, 2009

The AANR count for The AANR World Record Skinny-Dip was announced at last weeks’s AANR Convention. The final results? 13, 648 people simultaneously skinny-dipped across North America on July 11 as the grand finale to Nude Recreation Week. Thanks to all who participated and to those who were there in spirit. We’re hoping for an even bigger number next year, so stay tuned.

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78th AANR Convention A Wrap

August 18th, 2009

A successful 78th annual American Association for Nude Recreation Convention wrapped up Sunday after a weeklong mix of business and cameraderie. Over 300 nudists from across the continent visited Oaklake Trails in Depew, Oklahoma, to discuss association business and refine AANR’s vision for 2010.

The convention was covered by local media, such as The Journal Record, based in Oklahoma City, and received support from neighboring chambers of commerce. The influx of attendees brought a welcome boost to local businesses. Stroud City Manager Steve Gilbert told The Journal Record, “Like most small communities, when a significant amount of people from out of town come to visit, they make a big economic impact. We welcome that busniess activity.” Gilbert went on to describe Oaklake’s operators and visitors as “very discreet, very nice people,” some of which he considers personal friends.

Besides helping boost the local economy, AANR spokespersons helped get AANR’s key messages across to non-nudists who may have not considered such aspects of nude recreation in the past, such as the family-friendly standards set by the association and the promotion of body acceptance nudism brings to adults and young people alike.

All in all, it was a successful convention and everyone is looking forward to next year’s AANR Convention to be held in the AANR-Northwest region at Sun Meadow Resort in Worley, Idaho.

Read the Journal Record article here.

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Young French Women Say No To Nudity

August 11th, 2009

Postcard: Paris in the August 17 issue of Time magazine reports there is a new trend among young French women: prudishness. For decades, the French have viewed Americans as puritanical while nudity and toplessness prevailed on French beaches. These days, young women in France are more apt to cover up than their American counterparts, Time reports.

A survey titled Women and Nudity by polling agency Ifop found that young French women are proud to call themselves prudish. Eighty-eight percent of the women surveyed thought of themselves as “prudique”–a word that translates as anything from modest to prudish. Fifty-nine percent avoid being nude around their children, 63% refuse to undress around female friends and 22% consider a woman naked if she’s in her underwear.

Some consider the new trend a response to concerns about skin cancer or possibly a return to conservative values among young women. The majority of nude female sun worshippers seen on French beaches these days are older women. Young women–mostly those ages 18-24–have strong opinions and consider themselves very prudique, rejecting their mothers’ and grandmothers’ lack of inhibitions regarding nudity.

The difference is pronounced between these young French women and American women who visit French beaches. Many American women have no problem going topless and enjoy the freedom to do so. With this growing trend, maybe Americans might not seem so prudish after all.

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It’s AANR Convention Time

August 7th, 2009

Monday August 10 officially kicks off the 78th annual American Association for Nude Recreation Convention. This year the convention is being held at Oaklake Trails in Depew, Oklahoma. The event, running through August 16, promises to be a celebration of nude recreation with an exciting mix of fun and association business.

For last minute updates, check the convention website.

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