http://marylandnudism.com/

Local naturist group enjoys nude leisure

Published July 28, 2008
Edited by Laura Greenback
Written by Charles A. Hohman
Courtesy B-more Live (http://bmorelive.com/)

A ferociously stormy late May afternoon has calmed into a cool, brisk evening. A soothing gentle breeze penetrates the misty air, and the asphalt on this secluded Baltimore County parking lot remains damp.

As the sun stubbornly sets, kids play tag in the woodsy backyards of nearby houses. Unbeknownst to them, people are slowly, hesitantly congregating in this lot. Men from all walks of life: frat boys, MENSA members, cab drivers, laptop toting professionals. And they�ve all gathered here to get buck-naked.

Such is the practice of the Maryland Area Naturist Association (MARNA), a fledgling local organization seeking to provide wholesome clothes-free activities for couples, families and especially singles � a group often excluded or ostracized from the area�s other naturist organizations. Tonight, MARNA is hosting its monthly swim meet at a local indoor pool.

MARNA has experienced some growing pains. In addition to the gender imbalance, attendance in general can, as it is tonight, be scarce. Location is an issue, as MARNA is the only organization of its kind in Baltimore City and County. And of course, there is the stigma that still surrounds naturism.

�Except for [MARNA founder] Walter [Green], we�re all pretty faceless and anonymous,� insists Jeff, a loquacious, knowledgeable man who can rattle off naturist-friendly sites throughout the East Coast. Understandably, many are squeamish about publicizing their naturist affiliations, or discussing their clothed existences, but MARNA attracts characters from many walks of life.

Frank, 25, a handsome, articulate college student first got involved with MARNA through fraternity high jinks. Jim Kay, an erudite gentleman and longtime naturist attending his first MARNA event, regales us with tales of his interesting life, including a stint as a scoutmaster in Norway (for an American troop at the International School of Oslo) and as National Coordinator of MENSA�s American Naturist Group.

Where MARNA thrives is providing a comfortable setting for these folks who feel most comfortable in the buff. �I believe in this because there�s a lot of people who feel trapped inside their clothing. We weren�t born with clothing and a lot of us don�t feel like it�s natural. [When nude], I feel more connected to the universe, like I belong whereas if I had my clothes on, I feel shielded,� explains Green. Both Green and Jeff trace their naturism back to their youth, and both Green and Kay cite time in Europe as imperative to their naturist attitudes.

There is considerable camaraderie amongst the swimmers. Over pizza and soda, discussion covers seemingly every topic except the lack of clothing. Mike, 34, proudly states, �No one has ever had a problem with their valuables [being stolen].� Furthermore, though its finances and attendance rates could stand to grow, MARNA has established an atmosphere of freedom and respect. �One of the great things about this club is you can ease into it,� continues Mike.

In this potentially vulnerable situation, friendly, good-natured ribbing abounds�no one is hitting below the unworn belt. �This group is not afraid of a little joking around. There�s some uptight groups where if you joke around, they get a little worried.� With that, Green stumbles upon an impromptu mission statement: �I want an organization that is loose enough to be tolerant but strict enough to be safe.�

With that in mind, I eventually partake in the naturist festivities. As naturists freely point out, this is my natural state. But decades of swim trunks and societal mores have rendered this natural state unnatural, and stripping this irony is part of the nudist challenge.

For me, it is not freeing; perhaps it�s the thoughts of an amateur, but I kind of miss the bathing suit. I think back to Green�s earlier statement: �Some just try it and don�t really care for it. Everybody has their own tastes. We�re not gonna say this is a utopia. There�s really no such thing.�

As the lingerers return to their cars and their textile lives, Green quips, �I�m the closest thing we had to a lady this time. I�m wearing the skirt� � referring to his kilt. Green and Frank then begin a lengthy conversation about ham radios, one that proves that, with MARNA, people show up because they like the nudity, but they stick around because they like the people.

The next MARNA swims are August 9, September 6 and October 11. Events are held about once a month. For more information call 410-949-5391 or visit www.marylandnudism.com.

May 31st 2008 Event

May 31st 2008,

MARNA will hold it's 6th nudist event of 2008. We shall utilize the same facilities as usual to show loyalty to the "textile" (non-nudist) hosts who have allowed us use of their pool. They have treated us well and we wish to continue to return the favour. Entry into our events requires participants to donate $25 per adult, with discounted donations for groups. Persons under 18 attend free (must be accompanied by an adult).

All of our events will continue to be family oriented. No beer, or glass containers or adult activities permitted. We thank you for your continued support and patronage and hope we can continue to have great events. We also wish to see families and couples from past events and especially thank them for their attendance, without them the experience would be incomplete.

We are also initiating a additional discounts for the next event. If you join AANR through MARNA you will receive a 10% discount on your donation to events. This discount can not be used with any other event discount. You may apply this discount towards the entry of yourself and one other person at each event you attend.

You therefore get $2.50 for a single person, and $5.00 for two people. You will also be eligible for any others discounts we will offer to members in the future. So not only can a you receive an AANR membership for a discounted price, you also get $2.50 off each event donation for yourself and a friend. Remember that we have discounts for students, couples, and of course families.

AANR direct memberships for students is $24.00 we charge $15.00!
AANR direct memberships for singles is $52.00 we charge $40.00!
AANR direct memberships for couples is $81.50 we charge $70.00!

These discounts will be in effect starting with our next event on May 31st 2008. Start time at Yet to be confirmed and ending at 2 hours later. As always this event may be extended an additional hour if attendance warrants the additional time. We will once again have pizza ordered for the event, if you wish to bring other food items due to dietary needs or share with others you are free to do so.

First timers will not required to be totally nude, call for details on our nudity policies. Persons will for the most part be nude. All persons attending will be screened to prevent undesirable activities and for the protection of attendees of the event.

April 26th 2008 Event

April 26th 2008,

MARNA will hold it's 4th nudist event of 2008. We shall utilize the same facilities as usual to show loyalty to the "textile" (non-nudist) hosts who have allowed us use of their pool. They have treated us well and we wish to continue to return the favour. Entry into our events requires participants to donate $25 per adult, with discounted donations for groups. Persons under 18 attend free (must be accompanied by an adult).

All of our events will continue to be family oriented. No beer, or glass containers or adult activities permitted. We thank you for your continued support and patronage and hope we can continue to have great events. We also wish to see families and couples from past events and especially thank them for their attendance, without them the experience would be incomplete.

We are also initiating a additional discounts for the next event. If you join AANR through MARNA you will receive a 10% discount on your donation to events. This discount can not be used with any other event discount. You may apply this discount towards the entry of yourself and one other person at each event you attend.

You therefore get $2.50 for a single person, and $5.00 for two people. You will also be eligible for any others discounts we will offer to members in the future. So not only can a you receive an AANR membership for a discounted price, you also get $2.50 off each event donation for yourself and a friend. Remember that we have discounts for students, couples, and of course families.

AANR direct memberships for students is $24.00 we charge $15.00!
AANR direct memberships for singles is $52.00 we charge $40.00!
AANR direct memberships for couples is $81.50 we charge $70.00!

These discounts will be in effect starting with our next event on April 26th 2008. Start time at 6:30pm and ending at 8:30pm. As always this event may be extended an additional hour if attendance warrants the additional time. We will once again have pizza ordered for the event, if you wish to bring other food items due to dietary needs or share with others you are free to do so.

First timers will not required to be totally nude, call for details on our nudity policies. Persons will for the most part be nude. All persons attending will be screened to prevent undesirable activities and for the protection of attendees of the event.

February Swim Event

Our first clothes free swim of the new year was a great success. Our next swim is on February 16, 2008. Same time and place as the January 12th swim, 6:30-8:30, possibly 9:30 if turn out warrants the additional time. We also want to be sure everyone is aware we offer discounted AANR memberships ($40 singles). We hope to see you there!

write to:
MARNA
P.O.Box 498
Linthicum, MD 21090

or Call
Phone: (410) 949-5391

You may also visit our "Maryland Area Naturist Association" Facebook page at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Linthicum-Heights-MD/Maryland-Area-Naturist-Association/6174447534

January Swim Event

This is our first clothes free swim for the new year. Same time and place as usual. Remember January 12th, 2008, 6:30-8:30, possibly 9:30 if turn out warrants the additional time. We also want to be sure everyone is aware we offer discounted AANR memberships ($40 singles). We hope to see you there!

write to:
MARNA
P.O.Box 498
Linthicum, MD 21090

or Call
Phone: (410) 949-5391

Naked Party

"Naked Parties" take place primarily on college campuses or among college-age people. The participants are nude, usually wearing only shoes. These parties have gained prominence in the last few years. Colleges known for these parties are Brown, Yale, MIT, Wesleyan, and Columbia. And there are strict rules about touching and gawking. If guests start getting too friendly with each other, they're asked to leave.

decemberevent email error

Due to an error, any mail sent to decemberevent@marylandnudism.com before November 25th, 2007 at 11:45am was not delivered. Also a few days before the web site went down due to a server error. My ISP corrected that error, and I corrected the email error. Thank you, Walter M Green III

December Event

Maryland Area Naturist Association presents the third clothing optional naturist swim in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area.

Minutes from downtown Baltimore, close to Washington. D.C., and close to the Catonsville campuses!
Taking place at our usual location on Saturday, December 8, 2007 between 6:30pm - 8:30pm, with tentative plans to extend hours to 9:30pm.

Contact us at:
P.O. Box 498
Linthicum Hgts., MD
21090

Or call: (410) 949-5391.

Or email: decemberevent@marylandnudism.com

if you are a member of facebook, you may also respond to our facebook invitation at:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=6754557994

If you are interested in visiting us in Baltimore, please ask about our club!

November Event

Maryland Area Naturist Association presents the second clothing optional naturist swim in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area.

Minutes from downtown Baltimore, close to Washington. D.C., and close to the Catonsville campuses!