MORAVIA - Nude recreation is quickly becoming the lifestyle of choice, with individuals from all walks of life, spanning all age groups and occupations boasting themselves as nudist.

In 1959, when nude recreation was considered taboo, Empire Haven Nudist Resort and Campground became the first public nudist recreation facility in New York state.

"My husband and I would often visit a nudist resort located in Pennsylvania," said Mary Robinson, founder of Empire Haven Nudist Resort and Campground. "There were several individuals from the Syracuse area who would often vacation there as well. We all got to talking one day and thought that it would be nice to have a facility closer to home."

Robinson and her husband - with two other couples combined their finances and purchased a plot of land in Summerhill. "One of them was a teacher and the other a mailman. Once word had gotten out about what they were doing, they were threatened that they'd lose their jobs and so my husband and I bought their share of the land and opened it up ourselves. A lot has changed since those days."

The couple encountered little opposition from the county and the town of Moravia upon the opening of the resort.

"Back when we first opened, there was no electricity," Robinson said. "Even the area farms had no electricity. We brought that in."

The patron's of the facility say that the lifestyle of being unclothed brings a sense of well-being and self-esteem to their lives.

"This is what God gave me, take it or leave it," said Ray Sutherland, Empire Haven nudist member for five years.

Sutherland, along with his wife Teddi and 12-year-old grandson Mike Orient, hail from Pennsylvania and refer to their frequent visits to Empire Haven as their getaway. Many families including Sutherland's are true believers in the family bond.

"It is a very relaxing atmosphere," Teddi said. "It is tough to be pretentious when everyone is naked and nobody is perfect. That is not what it's all about. It's about the people and the relaxing family atmosphere. There really is a strong sense of family here, and that is one of the main reason's we keep coming back. There is the common misconception that it is all about sex. Sex is the last thing that it has to do with. It has nothing to do with sex whatsoever."

"There are a lot of families that come here every season," Ray said. "The old expression that it takes a village to raise a child is very true here. We have that here. We watch out for everyone else and have become like family."

The Sutherland's do not practice the nudist lifestyle in their home, but say that their family and friends are aware of their chosen vacations and are comfortable with it.

"I think that by being so open with Mike like this, brings a better confidence and self-esteem within him," Ray said. "He lives with us and his parents are very aware of what we do. They are comfortable with it."

Orient said he has many friends at Empire Haven Nudist Resort and Campground, where they look forward to hanging out and playing games, just as if they were at a fully-clothed campground.

"I really like it here," Orient said. "It is nice and it's a lot of fun. I have friends here. We don't always choose to take our clothes off, but that is not what it's about. I will continue in this lifestyle for the rest of my life. I am happy."

For Sandy Maxwell, Empire Haven has been a large part of his life since its inception in 1959. He has been a visitor since its first year and became a full-fledged member in 1966.

"I am the oldest member here," Maxwell said, standing outside his permanently fixed camper. "I have seen many changes through the years. These people are my family, and they always have been."

Empire Haven Nudist Resort and Campground is a member of the American Association for Nude Recreation and received the Greatest Number of Membership's award in 2004. According to Marlene Robinson, the resort saw more than 1,500 guests last year alone. Many of which were first time visitors.

Choosing to live a nudist lifestyle is said to offer self-acceptance and total relaxation in a stress-free environment. A place to be free of the outside judgments based on someone's appearance.

"It is about accepting whom you are, flaws and all," Ray said.