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Prior to moving to Spokane I lived in the desert of Los Angeles County (yes it isn’t all like you see in the movies) and the last two years I lived there I joined the Southern California Naturist Association (SCNA). I can’t speak highly enough about the board and the members of the group and felt compelled to tell you about them, and if you are in the area, hope that you will check them out and consider joining.

According to their website https://socalnaturist.org/ “SCNA is a clothing-optional travel club, which means we are a social organization of nudists and like-minded friends with no specific park or resort to call home. We meet in the backyards of members with swimming pools or Jacuzzis, or we go sailing off the coast, or we hike on secluded mountain trails, or visit local beaches where we can enjoy the surf and sand as nature intended. We also participate in many activities at the various nudist resorts in our fair state.

We are the largest nudist travel club in Southern California with participating members from as far as San Diego, Palm Springs, Bakersfield and Santa Maria, although most live in and around Los Angeles and Ventura/Santa Barbara Counties. Membership is open to persons who are over age 18, singles, couples and families, including same-sex partners. All must undergo an application screening process and all agree to abide by our behavior policies at our events and activities.

But we do more than just have a lot of fun. We actively promote and encourage clothing-optional recreation and personal growth opportunities for all ages through our educational outreach programs. We are active sponsors of the annual World Naked Bike Ride in Los Angeles, raising awareness of environmental and safety issues while demonstrating the harmlessness of the unclothed body. Through our speakers bureau, our publications, and our web site, we strive to create and provide access to clothing-optional environments where the human body is celebrated, where human sensuality is accepted, and where personal choice is respected.”

With all that said let me hit on a couple of points that really attracted me to the group.

1. The People: I had the pleasure of meeting Rolf and Cynthia (senior board members) at their clothing optional B&B (a review coming of that in the near future) and they were telling me about SCNA, what they do, and the procedure to becoming a member. All were impressive and if they were as nice and genuine as Rolf and Cynthia it had to be a good group. I was not disappointed. The first event I went to was the grand summer event which combined members of both the SCNA, Naturist in the OC (Orange County) “NitOC” and the San Diego Camping Bares. This event was large with probably 40-50 people; however, you would have never known it. Being “the new guy” I had expected some alienation, but boy was I wrong. I met more people and had no idea which group they belonged to as it didn’t matter at the event. I attended a few events (summer bash, ice cream social, Korean Spa night) and every single time I met new people and always left smiling. No one stands around in a corner by themselves feeling odd, or left out. Members always come up, say hello and have a conversation.

2. The Screening Process: In order to join SCNA they recommend that you join them for one of their public, clothed meals. This is usually done a restaurant and it allows you to meet some of the members and get a feel for the group and if it is something you would like to go further with. Next, you fill out an application to join in which they will run you through the Megan’s Law database, do a serious felony check, and then contact other nudist organizations to see if you are on the “do no admit” list. As a personal protection/self-defense instructor I found great joy in the protection of its members and especially the children that go to events. Once this is done you are allowed to join, however, are on a probationary trial period. At some point during this trial period you are also interviewed by one of the board member. Once this is complete, the board will vote to see if you should become a full fledged member of the group. As a 501 C(3), they don’t just want your money, they want you to have a good time and be safe. This means that at any time you act out, go against the rules, or appear to have mischievous intentions, your happy ass is out of there for good…both men and women alike!

3. No Pressure: One cool thing about SCNA and their associate members is that there is no pressure to get naked. I have been to events where there is always people that never get undressed, or some will do it topless. The only time it is required for full nudity is the Korean Spa event which it is the Spa’s rule that no clothes are allowed in the Spa area. We found this out the hard way when Jessica went to her first SCNA event and was going to break in slowly to becoming nude, however, she had the choice to wait in the common area or go for it. She went for it, and then found out the group members made her feel right at home like she had done it for years. Going back up to the paragraph above, one big rule is you don’t pressure anyone to get naked, nor do you make any comments about them getting naked. Lastly, even if you don’t want to get naked, no one makes you feel like an outcast. People will come up and hang out and talk to just as if they were clothed, or you were naked. This is what I love about the members of SCNA, and often NitOC when there is a joint event.

4. Activism: Not only does SCNA do a lot of fun events, they are big activist for the naturist community both in California and throughout the U.S. They also do beach clean up days and other events that puts the normality in people who are naturist and that we aren’t some pot smoking hippies that just get naked and sing songs from the 60’s. They have continued to make great strides in making nudism, both normal and accepted…in the community and in laws and ordinances.

Above is a just a few reasons why I enjoy the Southern California Naturist Association and why I strongly recommend them if you in the greater Southern California area. If you are veteran nudist through a “never been naked in front of anyone” person, this group is for you!

To learn more about them please visit  https://socalnaturist.org/.

Thanks for reading!

In your corner,

Ryan