If you are a high school freshman, you may be gearing up to start or continue your journey into the world of extracurricular activities. High school clubs can help you meet new people, discover a passion, engage with like-minded individuals, and socialize with peers. Whether you are a student-athlete, mathlete, thespian, art whiz, avid volunteer, language aficionado, or a mixture of all of the above, there is an activity for you.
Here is a school club ideas list for freshmen students.
Service Clubs
- Key Club:
Key Club is sponsored by Kiwanis International. It assists Kiwanis members to carry out their mission of serving children of the world. Service projects may include events like food drives, clothing drives, and community clean-ups. Students have an opportunity to learn leadership skills, and time management skills, and learn to plan events. There are elected positions at the club, district, and international levels.
- Operation Smile Club:
Operation Smile supports the mission to deliver free cleft surgery and comprehensive care to where it’s needed most. Students will learn to raise money and host fundraisers and events. The National Organization also hosts smile week to help bring the spirit of the club to your school.
- Amnesty International Club:
Amnesty International is a club for students who want to raise money for places that need assistance. The club discusses world issues and how to make a difference locally and globally.
- Red Cross Club:
Red Cross Clubs are an extension of the local American Red Cross. Youth volunteers will help serve the Red Cross mission, fundraise, and learn leadership skills. They offer activities and courses as well as a Youth Leadership Council.
- Relay For Life:
Relay for Life is a movement through the American Cancer Society for cancer survivors, caregivers, volunteers, and participants who believe in a future free from cancer. Students can help their community plan the Relay for Life Event and create teams of their own. At the 24-hour overnight event, team members take turns walking or running around the track or path with at least one participant on the track at all times.
- Days for Girls:
Days for Girls is an international club that aids in preparing and distributing menstrual health solutions to girls who would otherwise miss school during their monthly cycle. Club members will spread awareness, raise funds, sew DFG washable pads, and elevate the efforts of the club.
- Interact Club:
Interact Club is partnered with Rotary for students to engage in service projects. Students will learn leadership skills, obtain community service hours, discover new cultures, and more.
- Soup Kitchen Club:
Soup Kitchen Club helps local soup kitchens by raising funds and serving meals to those who need them. Students can help organize volunteer opportunities and learn firsthand how soup kitchens run.
- National Honor Society:
The National Honor Society is a nationwide organization based on scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Students must apply to the National Honor Society. Each school chapter has different criteria but must meet national minimums. NHS offers student service opportunities, leadership training and conferences, and scholarship opportunities.
Hobby Clubs
- Robotics Club:
Robotics Club is a competitive team club where students work together to build and program robots. Teams often compete in a variety of challenges against teams from other schools.
- Book Club:
Book Club is perfect for the bookworm. Students select books to read within a specific timeline and then discuss the book. It’s a great way to meet other book lovers and learn others’ perspectives.
- Language Clubs:
Many clubs in high school offer a variety of Language-based options including French Club, Spanish Club, American Sign Language Club, and more. Language Club activities usually include talking, singing, and listening activities in the language. It’s an excellent way to learn more about a culture and practice specific languages.
- Yearbook Club:
Yearbook Club creates the layout and details of a school yearbook. Tasks may include graphic design, photography, journalism, creative writing, and more.
- Foodies Club:
Foodies Club is for students who love food. Activities may include bringing in lunch from new restaurants, bringing in different recipes, or attending fun food-themed events outside of school.
- Film Club:
Film Club is the perfect place to watch a wide range of films in a movie-centered setting. Students will engage in discussion about each film and offer background information, shared experiences, and more.
- Multicultural Club:
Multicultural Club is a welcome space to celebrate your culture. Students in this club are committed to promoting awareness and appreciation of diverse ethnic cultures. Students can celebrate a new culture at each meeting and enjoy food, music, and more.
- Art Club:
An art club is a great place for evolving artists to practice, develop their skills, and learn from other artists. Students can also fundraise for supplies by hosting paint nights, doing face painting at a school event, creating and selling custom work or stickers, and more.
- Photography Club:
A photography club is for students who love to take and admire photography. Students can improve their photography skills and learn about composition, expression, and editing. Photography clubs students often receive assignments to photograph and document school events like sports and pep rallies.
- Student Angler Federation Club:
The Student Angler Federation is for students interested in fishing. Students will learn techniques, tools, and an appreciation for the outdoors. Many high schools engage in fishing competitions and offer students a sporting experience outside of “stick and ball” sports.
- Envirothon:
Envirothon is a competition supported by the National Conservation Foundation. Students will prepare for environmental and natural resource problem-solving, team building, and leadership experience. They will incorporate STEM principles, experiential learning, and hands-on outdoor field experience.
- Religion Clubs:
Most campuses offer several religion-based clubs including Young Life, The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Youth for Christ, CRU, Campus Ministry, Guardian Angels, and more. Students in these high school clubs often eat lunch together, pray, play games, discuss values and principles, and read.
- Risk Club:
Based on the board game “Risk,” Risk Club is a space for students to play board games. The club may play one game per meeting or have several games out for members to play individually or in smaller groups.
- Intramural Clubs:
Intramural Clubs are an opportunity for students to participate in a variety of competitive and recreational sports. Intramural sports generally don’t have practices and are more light-hearted than club sports or regularly-sanctioned school sports.
- ESports League:
ESports is for students who prefer to play their sports virtually. Students can play a range of competitive league games at the national and international levels and sometimes even receive scholarships to college. There are usually strict gaming rules and organized competitive gameplay.
- Chess Club:
Chess club is the place for students to learn, play, and improve in the complex game of Chess. Students often compete in informal and tournament-style games. Many schools offer league play and host competitions with other schools in the area.
- Political Clubs:
Political clubs are an ideal space for students to discuss political beliefs, ideologies, and more. Common high school clubs involving politics include Young Republicans, Young Democrats, National Teenage Republicans, Independent Americans, and more.
- Outdoor Adventure Club:
Outdoor Adventure Club offers student members a variety of outdoor events. Students can participate in a ski weekend, geocaching, birdwatching, and more.
- Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD):
SADD is a student organization that is dedicated to the safety and wellness of all students. This club empowers students to make healthy decisions and act as leaders on their campus.
- Academic Decathlon:
Academic Decathlon is an annual high school team academic competition. The team consists of 9 members and 1-2 alternates. Most Academic Decathlon clubs in high school require a big time commitment as they practice year-round.
- Social Media Club:
Social Media Club is a great tool to learn about social media tools and techniques. Many social media clubs are in charge of school social media channels and create content, schedule posts, attend events, and more.
- Science Olympiad:
Science Olympiad is an international organization dedicated to improving science education. Each school chapter creates a team that prepares for a yearly competition that consists of 23 events.
- Student Government:
Student Government clubs in high school are often based on elected positions. This includes class elected officials (President, Vice President, Secretary, etc.) as well as ASB (Associated Student Body) positions. Some schools also have committee-elected positions or lottery-based positions for extra help hosting events like rallies, prom, formals, homecoming, etc. Students in student government learn leadership skills, fundraising techniques, money management, event planning, and more.
Career Interest Clubs
- STEM Club:
STEM-focused clubs are an open space for students to engage in science, technology, engineering, and math. Students can learn important workforce skills and complete project-based learning.
- Future Business Leaders of America:
FBLA helps students prepare for careers in business. Most clubs compete in academic competitions and offer leadership training.
- Girls Who Code:
Girls Who Code is a club for girls interested in a STEM career. Female students have an opportunity to learn code, join a supportive environment, and experience special summer programs.
- National Ocean Sciences Bowl:
The National Ocean Science Bowl is a science competition for high school clubs. It follows a quiz bowl format and is managed by the Consortium for Ocean Leadership. Students will learn basic science principles and apply them to scientific and societal issues.
- Future Farmers of America:
FFA is an organization dedicated to promoting and supporting agricultural education. Students learn leadership skills and tools for real-world success and experience personal growth. FFA has elected student leadership members at each chapter as well as at the State and National level.
- Charitable Investment Club:
Charitable Investment Club starts with a donation, grant, or other money donated to the school. Students in the club then learn to invest real money to support a charitable cause.
- Athletic Training Club:
Athletic Training Club is for students interested in assisting athletes. Many athletic training clubs offer assistance at sporting events and learn techniques for certified professional trainers.
- Culinary Club:
Culinary Club is an ideal place for students who seek a future in the food industry. Students can create meals together, learn new techniques, and build team leadership skills necessary for running a professional kitchen.
- Fashion Club:
Fashion Club is for students who have a passion for fashion. From design techniques to styling and beyond, these students are in the know or want to be. Fashion Club is the perfect place to discuss on-trend, upcoming, and past fashion, or even organize networking events with local designers.
- Future Health Professionals (HOSA):
HOSA is a student organization that promotes career opportunities in the healthcare field. Students will develop knowledge and skills to help them prepare for a future career.
- Model United Nations:
Model UN is an educational simulation of the UN General Assembly. Students learn about diplomacy, delegations, international relationships, and the United Nations.
- Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC):
JROTC is a federally sponsored program that focuses on study skills, history, citizenship, military drills, physical fitness, and more. It’s a great start to a military career and an excellent way to learn lifelong skills.
- Future Problem Solving Program International:
FPSPI is a high school club created to help students problem-solve and make a difference globally and locally. Students work to prepare for the national non-profit-hosted academic competition in which students apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Student News:
Student News is a descriptor for the student-run broadcast for each school. Students have an opportunity to learn what it takes to perform the day-to-day operations of a news program. Positions on the news team may include reporter, sports reporter, weatherman, journalist, producer, director, cameraman, researcher, screenwriter, and audio technician.
- Mock Trial:
Mock Trial clubs in high school act out civil and criminal trials. Students often compete in local and national competitions.
- National Science Bowl:
The National Science Bowl is a nationwide academic competition that tests students’ knowledge in all areas of science and math. Most of the high school National Science Bowl clubs practice and prepare throughout the school year. This event is hosted by the Department of Energy and is an excellent way to learn and engage in a range of science disciplines.
- School Newspaper:
The School Newspaper is a great club for those interested in a journalism career. Students write various stories and learn about researching, editing, and publishing.
- Debate Club:
Speech and Debate Club is the perfect opportunity for students looking to improve their public speaking skills. Students will learn the art of argumentation, critical thinking, and how to prepare for a variety of topics.
High School Clubs
This high school club ideas list is a great place to search for activities that are interesting to you. Clubs offer an ideal opportunity to get to know others, learn, and thrive in a variety of spaces. Involvement in high school clubs is also an important aspect of impressive college applications. If you are interested in one of the items on the school club ideas list and your school doesn’t have it, you may be the perfect person to start the club. Check with your school administration on the steps needed to start your chapter today!
