Meet Cheri Alexander, the founder of Travelites, a non-landed club which for 13 years has brought nudists together in Columbia, South Carolina. We asked her about what it takes to manage such a club…

Nudist Day: Gives us an idea of how membership has grown, or not. How many active members now?
Cheri Alexander: When it started, we struggled to maintain 25, now total membership fluctuates between 80 and 100 depending on peoples’ finances and what else they’ve got going on in their lives. In every organization there is a core group of about 20.

ND: You say you welcome everybody who wants to join, including singles “of good character”. How do you establish they have good character?
CA: I meet prospective members prior to inviting them to an event at a neutral environment. I am pretty good at judging people. Travelites, Inc. is now in its 21st year, and I’ve only had to cancel two memberships in all that time.

” I also welcome singles and will, if asked, contact a club asking admittance for that member ahead of time…”

ND: If an event takes place in a member’s home, does the member hosting the event set the rules, such as whom may attend?
CA: All members are invited to all events.

ND: Would you say a non-landed club is a better way for people to meet and bond than simply visiting clubs and resorts on their own?
CA: The members tend to be an extended family. I’ve met plenty of good people at landed clubs and resorts who are long-time friends. People who are members of a non-landed club often gather for non-nudist events as well.

ND: Does your group ever engage in naturist activism?
CA: I am the activist among the members. I’ve spoken in front of our state legislature many times, twice this legislative session.

ND: Is there a cost to join, or is it per event?
CA: Annual Travelites’ dues is $60 for a full membership plus $2 regular event. When we have our annual canoe trip, and members would like to rent a vessel, I have to charge for that. Some events such as our Thanksgiving Feast, the club supplies the turkey. At some events there is no event fee; it depends on what it is. There is also an Associate membership allowing people who live greater than 200 miles join for less.

Photo courtesy of Travelites ©
ND: Are events generally clothing optional or is nudity obligatory?
CA: If it’s a person’s first time, he or she can wear a towel or pareo wrapped around them. No clothes are allowed in any of the members’ hot tubs or pools. If someone is feeling chilled, they are welcome to wear something. It’s a nudist club, but it is understood that there might be times when a person for whatever reasons wants to stay clothed. I just need to be told.

ND: What’s your policy towards members who behave incorrectly?
CA: There is zero tolerance. Even in the club’s rules/regulations it states: “Excessive drinking, profanity, obscene or vulgar language, offensive familiarity, and indiscreet behavior are prohibited and may invoke revocation of membership. If such behavior is demonstrated by a prospective member, that person will not be offered membership nor welcome to additional events.”

ND: What are some of the plans for the future?
CA: Personally, I hope to be able to afford a pool within the next few years to offer members another option. We do have a hot tub on our property. Right now only two members have homes with pools. I would like to continue to grow. We do have a substantial number of members who live greater than 200 miles from Columbia, SC for a couple of reasons. The first being is that I market wholesome nudism positively across the net and off the net. I also welcome singles and will, if asked, contact a club asking admittance for that member ahead of time.

Related Sites:

• Travelites web site