I have been a members of The Naturist Society Foundation for 35 years., and have been going to the gatherings for almost as long. I am proud to be a member of this fine organization. It is a wonderful way to celebrate the human form. The magazine is one-of-a-kind. Filled with moving stories, travel articles, profiles on wonderful people, and much more. Check out the web site at naturistsociety.com
I was introduced The Naturist Society in 1997 when my husband took me to my first nude beach. I was very uncertain about going au naturel on the beach in front of [literally] hundreds of people. I was uncomfortable with my body, though I was fine with everyone else. As soon as I saw all the people who were happy in their natural state I was all in.
We attended our first Eastern Naturist Gathering together in 1999, in western Massachusetts. We met a lot of new friends, enjoyed workshops that ranged from silly to educational, and danced. We danced a lot. Attending the gatherings every year became a must-do on our calendar.
As the years marched on we volunteered more and more. Our passion for the movement that naturism represents -- your body not defining who you are and the freedom to express yourself without clothing -- gives us the drive and dedication to want to do more.
My experience with naturism, guided largely and lovingly by the many members of TNSF and by the staff of the organziation, has formed who I am today. I am more confident in myself and my value as a person that I was 20 years ago. I have experienced unexpected kindness and love from strangers (and friends) that are often absent outside of our community.
The Naturist Society was run as though it were a non-profit for over 25 years until it officially became a non-profit in 2017. The organization works to expand membership and increase social acceptance of appropriate public nudity for social good.
**Disclaimer: I am the current Chairman of the Naturist Society Foundation Board of Directors.
I've been a member of the Naturist Society for over 20 years, and they are a superb organization! Young people today need to know that they are beautiful just as they are, and the Naturist Society Foundation's message of body acceptance and openness to all is clear and compelling. I love this group!
My husband and I have had a family membership with TNS since the early 90's. During that time, we've volunteered in different ways, attended Gatherings and enjoyed the support of The Naturist Society as a resource for clothing-optional recreation (non-sexual).
Especially today it is rare to find an organization that believes in accepting people for who they are, not what they look like physically. To be with others who accept themselves as they are, not hiding themselves because society has made them feel inadequate because they don't have perfect model-type bodies.
Their quarterly magazine is entertaining and informative, not to mention beautiful art and photography. They Gatherings throughout the country where members meet each other and find camaraderie with those of like minds.
Check out their website and see what I mean. https://naturistsociety.com/
Naturally,
Norma Mitchell
I was first invited to join TNS and to share my experiences with protecting Wreck Beach in 1981 by founder of TNS, Lee Baxandall, my hero, my mentor, and my friend. Lee, led the free beaches movement in the U.S.. He was articulate, well educated and fearless in dealing with bigoted politicians and sanctamonius radical religious right groups who saw public social nudity as perverted and illegal. Lee believed in the sanctity of the human body and in the credo that body acceptance was the idea and that nude recreation was the way. Both Lee and his lovely wife and kindred spirit in body acceptance, Johanna, are gone now, but they started a movement that no radical religious right bigots can change. TNS has focused on public beaches, lands and areas for nude recreation whereas AANR's focus in the past has been mostly on private clubs and privately-owned lands. The annual gatherings held by TNS allow for like-minded naturists to share experiences and to plan strategies for maintaining and opening up new areas for nude recreation on public lands and beaches across the United States. TNS also produces the magazine titled "N" which keeps members abreast of the newest naturist places to visit, nude travel, and the latest political battles faced by naturists. The Naturist Action Committee (NAC) and the Naturist Education Foundation ( NEF) became the political and educational "arms" of TNS so that they could take the pulse of threats to naturist usage on public lands and help groups across North America in their fights to preserve naturist usage in their areas such as the many battles Wreck Beach, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, has had over the years with folks who would destroy the areas or would ban their naked use. For example, today, Canada Day 2019, I learned of a new proposal to close the road access above the southern most area of Wreck Beach when the access trail there is the second most heavily used trail to the world-famous beach. Lee's book, World Guide to Nude Beaches and Recreation, has become the Naturist's guide to travel around the world . TNS has now built and opened the largest naturist library in North America for not only scholars but for anyone wanting more information on the naturist movement, world wide. [I'd love to add a photo or two, but don't know how electronically]
The Naturist Foundation, TNS is the name most know them as is the best nonprofit I have ever had the pleasure of being a part of. My first time of learning about them was in 2014, after a friend invited me to join them at a TNS event. It ran a week but I only attended the last 4 days. During that time I met and made friends with many new people, but the most rewardable part was when I was allowed to attend a lifetime membership meeting. I kept quiet and listened to what their goals were and they were remarkable. They weren't about money as much as they were about promoting Naturism, and the discussion was more about how to keep it going strong. They spoke about where to go next. It was at this meeting that I was compelled to become a lifetime member. Since then, I have grown to love this organization more and more everyday. They teach freedom, respect and honor at each of their events that bring many people together that feel like family. I am not talking a cult or anything like that, but more like a real family where we stay in touch with each other and look forward to seeing each other again at another event. I believe in them so much that besides becoming a lifetime member back in 2014, I set up my Amazon Smiles account to make donations with every purchase I make on Amazon. I try to help some that may not be as fortunate as me by sharing there cost of a membership in order to promote TNS even more. Any who joins this group can learn more about themselves and live a better life in many cases. It is truly a worthwhile nonprofit to join as well as support if you can!
The Naturist Society Foundation INC promotes and protects body acceptance and nude recreational opportunities. The organization has feet on the ground where necessary. They sponsor several a eastern and a western naturist gathering to gatherings feedback from and communicate to their members. They have a very attentive staff, I have always been able to call the office and talk directly with a knowledgeable person.