New Generation of Teens Fueling Growth in Clubs

For Robin, an A and B student in a top academic program at Walter Johnson, clubs provide the structure she craves: "I really, really, really don't like free time. I love to have every minute where I know what I'm going to do."

There are, of course, the high school students who join clubs simply to impress college admissions officers with their busy, interesting, well-rounded lives. Rose Jaffe, 17, a senior at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, said at her school's fall club fair, up to 60 students signed up for a Peace Project she was heading, but only a few have participated.

"Everybody signs up for everything, but they don't go to the meetings," she said.

Max said he joined a slew of clubs with college admissions in mind while attending Stone Bridge High School in Loudoun County. He quickly realized, he said, that he disliked most of the activities and that résumé padding was not for him. He stuck with a few favorites and carried his love for philosophy with him when he transferred.

"I just like the sense of community that it brings," said Max, who also is active in the Latin Club.

Felipe Cocco, 17, a Walter Johnson debate club member, said his school encourages students to get involved with extracurricular activities -- and he thinks it bolsters the educational experience when kids are really interested. Debate, he said, has made him learn to think about things in a new way.

The Brazil native said he had to research and debate the issue of whether the United States had the obligation to mitigate international conflict. He began thinking the answer was yes but came to change his mind.

"It's a great thing, when students do these activities for the right reasons," he said.

In college, students say, they, too, are looking to make connections when not trying to boost their résumés. Girls are more likely than boys to join non-athletic organizations, and now, girls are a majority of the students in higher education.

"The biggest thing is you get to meet tons of people," Amber said. "You can meet a lot of first-years through dorm life and your classes, but it is easier to associate with people who have the same interests as you. A sure way to do that is through a club."

Another reason some campuses have so many clubs: many students like to be leaders -- and will start a club, just like the one next door, so they can be president. Some schools, for example, have a half-dozen environmental clubs.

Whatever the reason for the renewed interest in extracurricular clubs and organizations, research shows that involvement in after-school activities has a positive impact on class work.

And at the college level, where as many as one-third of entering freshmen fail to enroll the next fall, organizations can help students feel invested in campus life.

"It really helps connect you to other students and your school," said Bethany LaLonde, a senior at Cazenovia College in New York.

"I'm always going to club meetings," she said.

"I actually find that a way of connecting with my peers. It's a way of sitting down together, talking about issues and meeting other students I might not know otherwise."