Foley goes to Web on nudists

U.S. Rep. Mark Foley, who last week began a campaign to shut down camps for youth nudists, has launched a Web site aimed at getting the public involved.

"The more people who make their voices heard, the better chance we'll have to ensure the health and safety of our children," he said in a news release touting his Web site, www.votervoice.net/groups/foley The site allows visitors to send e-mail to Gov. Jeb Bush, Attorney General Charlie Crist and other state officials to encourage them to shut down the camps.

Foley, R-West Palm Beach, one of Washington's leading advocates for missing and exploited kids, decided to raise a fuss after reading a story in the New York Times. Foley, running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Bob Graham, sent letters to Bush and Crist, singling out Lake Como nudist resort in Land O'Lakes, which hosted a bare-skinned youth camp about two weeks ago. Foley said the camp, sponsored by the American Association for Nude Recreation, appears to exploit children to make money.

The camps operate under a Florida law that allows people to be nude as long as they're not lewd. Supporters say the camps are family oriented, and children are supervised and isolated from other adult visitors.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright