By Kyle Kern Contributing writer
What do Susquehanna students do in their free time? They pursue their passions, interests and academic skills and wade into new experiences and interests.
To do this, students at Susquehanna enroll in over 140 academic clubs, honors groups, student-run clubs, club sports, volunteer groups and media groups.
It is fairly easy to become involved in any extra-curricular group at Susquehanna.
On Sept. 6, the Student Government Association and the Office of Leadership and Development co-sponsored the annual university activities fair on campus.
The fair, held in front of Degenstein Camps Center, allowed clubs to display what they had to offer to students.
When students visited five or more tables, they received a free cup of Rita’s Italian Ice from the nearby Rita’s truck.
This event was helpful for those students looking for clubs to join or for ways to help out their community.
Elizabeth Winger, the coordinator of leadership and engagement, is tasked with coordinating this event every year. Winger said: “[The fair is] a great opportunity for students to become engaged in extra-curricular activities. Whether it be scholar oriented, academically geared, possibly a special interest or passion, it could be a part of Greek Life or maybe you’d like to do a club sport.” Winger added that the extra-curricular activities are a great way to gain leadership skills, use your passion and build upon knowledge gained in the classroom.
Josh Levesque, a junior who is starting the fall semester as the president of the beekeeping club, agrees that the fair is a great way to introduce students to extra-curricular activities.
However, he added that he believes something should be added to allow people who are more shy to be more comfortable trying to join a club.
While there are already a large number of current clubs, there are always students with new ideas for a new organization.
Archery club, rock-climbing club, skate club, League of Legends club and a club based on volunteering with animals are all among those attempting to become an official extra-curricular activity.
Anyone who has the dedication to their idea for a club can start one.
To start an extra-curricular activity, Winger recommends that the founder attend one of the two workshops that she will be holding in the month of September.
The first one will be held on Sept. 14 starting at 4:30 p.m. in the Benjamin Apple Meeting Rooms in Degenstein Campus Center.
The second workshop will be held on Sept. 15 starting at 11:45 a.m. in the same meeting rooms in Degenstein Campus Center.