Seven Quirky College Clubs and Extracurriculars

Now that you’ve had a chance to settle into campus and your first semester at college is well underway, it may be time to start thinking about some fun ways to branch out. Many college freshmen like to explore clubs and extracurriculars as a way to broaden their campus social life.

Most universities offer hundreds of options for students looking to beef up their schedules; from student organizations to quirky clubs, there is usually something for everyone. If you have no idea where to start, ask yourself what your friends are doing, how you would like to spend your free time on (or off) campus, or, if you don’t see anything you like, maybe think about starting your own club or extracurricular activity!

Need some inspiration? Take a look at some of the wacky clubs other colleges offer, like:

Humans vs. Zombies, Goucher College

Humans vs. Zombies may have began at Goucher College in 2005, but it quickly evolved into something much greater. Now it’s played on college campuses across the U.S. and even as far as Australia and Zimbabwe. The aim of the game is simple: if you’re a human, try to stay that way. If you get tagged by a zombie, you’re “it” and have to convert as many humans as possible. The zombies win when all human players have been tagged and turned into zombies. The humans win, however, if they survive long enough for the zombies to starve. That said, the founders do encourage players to adapt rules as needed! Since this club is so popular, it may even be offered at your school. Be on the lookout for students toting bandanas, dart blasters, and socks — they may be a good indication there’s a zombie outbreak on your campus!

Canoe Battleship Club, University of Minnesota 

Playing Battleship in a canoe? Sign us up! The Canoe Battleship Club meets weekly to attempt to sink each other’s canoes in a pool. When they’re not battling for fun, members can be found battling for fundraising, battling for beef jerky (yes, you read that right), and sometimes, they just socialize – no battling needed. Those who run the club even get to boast fun titles like Grand Admiral (President), Officer Core (Vice President), Enlistment Officer (Communications), and more. It’s nice to see them keeping their club in ship-shape!

Dropouts Skydiving Club, Miami University 

If you’re an adrenaline junkie, drop into Miami University’s Dropouts Skydiving Club. Founded in 1972, this club has helped thousands of students, faculty, and staff enjoy their first skydiving experience. The Dropouts have completed more than 5,500 jumps and help people who want to earn a skydiving license. Those who want to take the plunge can choose from tandem, static-line, or accelerated freefall jumps.

The Storm Chase Team, Penn State University

If you’re as addicted to watching storm chasers on TikTok as we are, this may be the club for you! Established in 2013, the Storm Chase Team at Penn State aims to increase awareness and knowledge of severe weather. Through several meetings during the academic year, the club educates members about different meteorological concepts and severe weather forecasting and safety. Road trips involve traveling to the central U.S. to chase storms and apply learned knowledge from classes and club meetings.

Squirrel Club, University of Michigan

UMich definitely isn’t the only university campus to take interest in their resident squirrels, but they are perhaps one of the few to start a Squirrel Club dedicated entirely to feeding their furry friends. The club itself is pretty simple, meeting regularly to feed the squirrels and, well, that’s about it. If your campus is full of squirrels, this may be one of the easier clubs to get started. It’s a little nutty, but we’re here for it!

Log Rolling Club, Marquette University

Log rolling — it’s not just for lumberjacks! Students in the Log Rolling Club at Marquette University practice this niche sport on synthetic logs in a campus pool. The club is open to rollers of all levels, and students enjoy camaraderie and competition while working on their balance and core strength. This growing sport is rolling into campuses across the U.S. – no flannel required!

Underwater Hockey Club, University of Florida

If you enjoy hockey and swimming, then underwater hockey might just be the sport for you. The club at the University of Florida is one of several on college campuses across the country. The game has the same rules as hockey, but players must be able to hold their breath as they try to get the weighted puck into the other team’s goal. It requires a lot of stamina and excellent non-verbal communication skills.

If any of these clubs or activities seem extra appealing to you but aren’t offered at your school, consider starting your own club. Not only is it a great leadership experience to add to your resume, but it’s also a fun way to meet people you may not have otherwise gotten to interact with on campus. Launching a new extracurricular activity can be a little intimidating if it’s your first time, but an academic advisor can tell you exactly where to start and help your new club hit the ground running.