Click here for What clubs can i join to make friends These include volunteering, scouting, faith-based, academic, agricultural, and arts. Clubs and Groups for Children and Youth. Heidi A. Coghlan is a mom of six and grandmother of three who is active in her children's clubs and leads a Girl Scout troop. Verywell Family content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. Sean is a fact-checker and researcher with experience in sociology and field research. Groups and clubs designed for children and youth can offer many benefits. They help kids make friends and practice social skills with both adults and peers. They teach children new skills and allow them to pursue a favorite hobby or activity. They foster feelings of competence and pride to boost kids' confidence and self-esteem. Some children join clubs to serve the community or explore their faith. Others prefer the spirit of competition that comes from youth sports. When looking for a club for your child, consider what your child hopes to get out of the experience and the various types of organizations available. Here is a quick list to give you some direction and help you and your child find the right club or team for them. Volunteering. Children learn a lot about themselves and others through volunteering. Even the youngest of children can make a difference. By choosing a project and following it through, children develop a sense of accomplishment. Whether planting flowers or serving in a soup kitchen, children see the results of their hard work and have the satisfaction of knowing they are making a difference. Clubs that focus on volunteer work tout developing leadership skills, problem-solving skills, setting and achieving goals, working in teams, and communication skills. The Kiwanis is a volunteer organization with three levels of clubs for elementary through high school youths: K-Kids for elementary school children Builders Club for middle school children for high school youth. In addition to the Kiwanis, check with other organizations near you that may work with youth volunteers. Hospitals, food banks, and pet shelters are good places to start. Scouting. Scouting provides a well-rounded program where children earn badges, play games, camp, sing, create crafts, complete service projects, and more. Scouts build friendships and learn new skills. Many children have opportunities through Scouts that they wouldn't otherwise have. Some top scouting organizations include: , which includes programs for both boys and girls of all ages including Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts, and STEM Scouts , which includes programs for girls of all ages including Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors , which includes programs for girls of all ages including Penguins, Otters, Dolphins, Butterflies, Eagles, and Owls , which uses badges and awards from Frontier Girls but offers leaders the ability to design their own scouting-style program for boys and girls , which offers programs for boys and girls including Raindrops, Fireflies, SpiralScouts, and Pathfinder , which offers programs for boys and girls including in-school and after-school programs as well as camps. Sports. Sports give children a chance to engage in physical activity, make friends, develop skills, learn teamwork, and build self-esteem. Sport clubs and team options are virtually endless, such as: Baseball and softball : Little League, PONY, Miracle League Cheerleading : Pop Warner Little Scholars Football : Pop Warner Little Scholars Ice hockey : USA Hockey Soccer : US Youth Soccer. Many towns and cities have their own recreation programs that run youth sports programs. You can also check with schools, community programs, and gyms that may sponsor teams or point you in the right direction. Religious. Religious clubs give children the opportunity to learn more about their faith, grow in that faith, and make friends that share their spiritual beliefs. Some research shows that religious participation in youth is linked to greater positivity and overall life satisfaction in early adulthood. The activities vary by the club but usually include social and educational programs. Some religious clubs also do outreach and community service projects. Examples of faith-based clubs for kids include: for youth of various Protestant denominations for Catholic youth for Jewish youth. Contact your local church, synagogue, mosque, or other religious center for information on youth religious groups in your community. Academic. Academic clubs recognize children's academic achievements and give kids the opportunity to work in an academic area in more depth than offered in school. What clubs can i join to make friends What clubs can i join to make new friends
