The first ever National Commando Day is July 31, 2009. The idea behind the day is to encourage prostate cancer awareness.

According to the National Commando Day website the day is being promoted to encourage people to practice being unbound by their underwear. The site goes on to say that going commando provides a "new level of freedom and unity will emerge knowing that others have also decided to free themselves."

For many naturists this is not a extra-special day (as in a reason to go commando), but it does provide an important public service in creating awareness for prostate cancer. Be sure to check out more information at http://www.nationalcommandoday.org

Just finished reading an article titled, "The Emerging Nudist," which shares the experience of one person discovering the joy and benefits of naturism. The article also provides a simple overview of what naturism is, "the practice of non-sexual, non-erotic social nudity." Some people not consider that "definition" to be the most accurate, but it is the way that I see naturism.

A key part of what the author writes about deals with body acceptance (an issue that I had with my own body, and sometimes still do). As the article states, "Spending time around others in social settings also helps you to learn body acceptance and you find that the human body is truly a marvelous and attractive thing regardless of size, shape or color." This is so true. The longer you spend time naked by yourself, and around others, the more aware you become that each body is different, and you learn to accept what you and others have, rather than worry about what you or others should really look like.

The American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) is working to create a world record (the Guiness World Records™ kind) of the largest number of people simultaneously skinny-dipping on Saturday, July 11. Many of the AANR affiliated resorts will be hosting an event that will allow you to participate. The event will take place at 2:00 PM (Central Daylight Time), and participants will need to be at most locations no later than 30-60 mins prior to this time.

Here is a listing of local resorts that will be participating in this event.

• Bexar Recreation Society, San Antonio TX (http://bexarrecreationsociety.com/)
• Bluebonnet, Decatur TX (http://www.bluebonnetnudistpark.com/)
• Chaparral Resort B&B, Weatherford TX (http://www.chaparralresortbandb.com/)
• Emerald Lake Resort, Porter TX (http://www.emeraldlakeresort.com/)
• Gulf Haven, Rockport TX (http://www.gulfhavennaturistresort.com/)
• Healthy Hides of Houston, Houston TX (http://www.healthyhides.org/)
• Hill Country Nudists, Austin TX (http://www.hillcountrynudists.com/)
  

Just signed up ... dont know my way around this site yet.... looking to see profiles or blogs ... any help ?

Updated June 3, 2009: Coffee shop burns down due to arson (link)

A coffee shop in Vassalboro, Maine has opened it's doors, behind closed doors. The coffee shop employs staff that serve their customers topless (men and women). Is this something that promotes naturism or not? Check out the news broadcast and leave a comment with your views.

One of the questions I will often get asked is "what is nudism (naturism)?" I try to avoid the most obvious answer, which is "being naked" as it is far more than that. Nudism provides an opportunity to live naked - both in a private and public setting. Privately within my own home, and publicly at resorts, or runs (5Ks for example) and other social settings. I like to think of nudism (or being a nudist) as just another part of who I am, but I did get to thinking about what others have written in defining nudism.

Over at Gymnophiliac, EJP (the author) provides a great definition of nudism (with graphics, not pictures). In the post, EJP explains (in his words) the differences between nudism, nudity, sex and exhibitionism.

The American Association of Nude Recreation (AANR) has a great FAQ section which outlines many of the benefits of naturism, as does The Naturist Society.