15 Clubs to Start in High School: Having Fun, Building Skills, and Discovering Yourself
High school is more than just about hitting the books and studying for exams—it's also the perfect time to explore your interests and passions. Getting involved in extracurricular activities, particularly by starting a club, can be a transformative experience. However, it can feel overwhelming at first, especially if you’re juggling academics, college prep, and personal responsibilities. But stepping out of your comfort zone and taking initiative by joining or starting a club can lead to meaningful personal growth, stronger college applications, and lifelong memories.
In this blog post, we’ll explore why it’s important to start a club in high school, how to get started, some club ideas that can spark your interests, and how these experiences can help you understand yourself better. Whether you’re looking to have fun, build new skills, or give back to your community, creating or joining a club can be one of the most rewarding aspects of your high school journey.
Why Starting a Club in High School is Important
High school clubs are about more than just building an impressive resume for college applications—they’re about shaping who you are. Here’s why it’s so important to go out of your way to get involved or even start your own club:
1. Explore Your Passions
Starting a club is a great way to dive deeper into something you're passionate about. Whether it's chess, science, debate, or volunteering, creating a space where you and others can explore shared interests helps you learn more about yourself. Clubs give you a platform to cultivate hobbies and discover new passions you may not have considered.
2. Develop Leadership Skills
Starting and managing a club puts you in a leadership role, teaching you valuable skills like organization, communication, and teamwork. Leading a club requires you to motivate others, delegate tasks, and manage events or projects—key qualities that not only help in future college and career pursuits but also shape you into a more confident, capable person.
3. Boost Your College Application
Colleges are always looking for students who show initiative, leadership, and creativity, and starting a club checks all of these boxes. Your club doesn’t have to be huge or prestigious; what matters is that you’ve identified a need or interest, taken action, and made a difference. Admissions officers look for students who are not just academically strong but also engaged in their communities and able to make an impact.
4. Build Friendships and a Sense of Community
Clubs bring together people with shared interests, which naturally fosters friendships. Whether you're bonding over late-night strategy sessions for a debate tournament or working together to organize a community service project, these experiences help build deep and lasting connections. Clubs can also offer a sense of belonging, which is especially important if you're feeling unsure or disconnected in the larger high school environment.
5. Learn More About Yourself and Your Goals
One of the most overlooked benefits of starting a club is that it helps you learn more about your strengths, interests, and even your weaknesses. The challenges you face while leading or participating in a club can help you figure out what motivates you, what you're passionate about, and what you might want to pursue in the future—whether that’s in college or your career.
Club Ideas: What Kind of Club Should You Start?
When it comes to starting a club, the options are endless. The best part is that your club can be about anything that excites you. Here are some club ideas based on different interests and skills to help you get started:
1. Academic Clubs
If you’re passionate about a particular subject, consider starting an academic club. These clubs provide a way to deepen your understanding of subjects beyond the classroom while connecting with like-minded peers. Plus, they can be a great addition to your college application.
Math Club: Organize math competitions, explore complex topics, or collaborate on problem-solving challenges.
Science Club: Conduct experiments, visit local science labs, or invite guest speakers from the scientific community.
Debate Club: Hone your public speaking and critical thinking skills by debating current events or philosophical questions.
Book Club: Discuss books across genres, organize author visits, or participate in local literary festivals.
2. Creative and Arts-Based Clubs
For students with artistic inclinations, starting a club centered around creativity can provide an outlet to express yourself and collaborate with others.
Photography Club: Share techniques, participate in photo challenges, or showcase your work in local exhibits.
Writing Club: Whether it's poetry, fiction, or journalism, a writing club gives you the space to refine your craft and receive feedback from peers.
Drama Club: Organize school plays, explore different acting methods, or even write and produce your own original performances.
Music Club: This can be anything from forming a band to exploring different instruments or music production techniques.
3. Technology and STEM Clubs
In the digital age, technology clubs are in high demand. If you’re interested in computer science, engineering, or robotics, starting a STEM-focused club can give you hands-on experience and help you build practical skills.
Coding Club: Work on programming projects, host coding challenges, or create apps and websites as a team.
Robotics Club: Build robots to compete in competitions or explore fields like AI, machine learning, and automation.
Engineering Club: Tackle real-world challenges through innovative design projects or work together on DIY engineering projects.
Astronomy Club: Learn about celestial bodies, host stargazing events, or build small telescopes for your school.
4. Service and Leadership Clubs
If giving back to your community is a priority, starting a service-based club can be incredibly fulfilling. These clubs help you make a difference and develop leadership skills while doing good.
Volunteer Club: Organize school-wide service projects, partner with local nonprofits, or host fundraising events for causes you care about.
Environmental Club: Promote sustainability in your school by hosting recycling drives, planting trees, or educating your peers about climate change.
Leadership Club: Help develop leadership skills for students at your school through workshops, guest speakers, and community events.
5. Fun and Hobby-Based Clubs
Sometimes, it's all about having fun and connecting with others who share your interests. Hobby-based clubs give you a break from the academic grind and provide a space to enjoy yourself.
Gaming Club: Whether it’s video games or board games, a gaming club can be a fun way to bond with others while engaging in friendly competition.
Anime Club: If you're into anime or manga, start a club where you can watch shows, discuss your favorites, or even learn about Japanese culture.
Cooking Club: Explore different cuisines, host cooking competitions, or organize bake sales for charity.
Outdoor Adventure Club: Plan hikes, camping trips, or outdoor excursions that encourage teamwork and exploration.
How to Start a Club: The Basics
Starting a club may seem daunting, but it’s more manageable than you think! Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
1. Identify Your Interest
Start by thinking about what excites you. What’s something you're passionate about that you’d like to share with others? Identifying your passion is the first step to starting a successful club.
2. Research and Plan
Before pitching your club idea to the school administration, do some research. Figure out if a similar club already exists and how your club will be unique. Plan out the purpose of the club, the types of activities you’ll do, and any potential events or projects.
3. Recruit Members
A club needs members to function, so reach out to classmates who might be interested. Spread the word through social media, posters, or even by presenting your idea to classes. Having a core group of enthusiastic members will help your club get off the ground.
4. Find a Faculty Sponsor
Most schools require you to have a faculty member who will serve as the sponsor for your club. This teacher or staff member will help you navigate the administrative process, book rooms for meetings, and sometimes offer guidance on organizing club activities.
5. Make It Official
Once you’ve got your idea, members, and sponsor in place, approach your school administration to make your club official. They’ll guide you through any paperwork, school rules, and guidelines you need to follow.
6. Plan Activities
Now that your club is official, start planning events, meetings, or projects. Whether it’s regular weekly meetings, competitions, or volunteering events, having a well-thought-out plan will help your club stay organized and successful.
Clubs Help You Discover Yourself and Your Goals
One of the most important things clubs offer, beyond fun and friendships, is the chance to discover more about who you are and what you want in life. As you take on leadership roles, tackle challenges, or dive into new areas of interest, you’ll start to notice patterns—what excites you, what motivates you, and where your talents shine.
For example:
If you love organizing events in a volunteer club, perhaps you’re inclined toward project management or event planning.
If you excel in debate or writing club, maybe a future in law or journalism could be the right path.
Running a successful coding or robotics club could be a sign that engineering or computer science is where your passion lies.
Being involved in clubs lets you test the waters in various fields before you commit to them academically or professionally. They also provide opportunities to develop life skills like time management, problem-solving, and teamwork—all of which will serve you well in college and beyond.
Conclusion
Starting a club in high school is one of the best ways to explore your interests, develop leadership skills, and build lasting friendships. Whether you’re drawn to academic pursuits, hobbies, or community service, clubs offer a fun and dynamic way to enrich your high school experience. Most importantly, they provide a unique opportunity to learn more about yourself and your goals, setting you up for success both in college and in life.
So, take the leap—start a club, follow your passions, and make the most out of your high school years!
About Inspirit AI
AI Scholars Live Online is a 10-session (25-hour) program that exposes high school students to fundamental AI concepts and guides them to build a socially impactful project. Taught by our team of graduate students from Stanford, MIT, and more, students receive a personalized learning experience in small groups with a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
