In the wide mix of clubs that Choate offers, smaller, newer groups are often at risk of being forgotten. And yet, they have so much to offer: they often bring unconventional, exciting opportunities to students. To show their charm, I have found and researched three such clubs from all corners of campus.
One relatively new club is the Birding Club, which was founded by Asher Zelson ’17 in September 2015. The Birding Club’s main goal is to “foster appreciation and respect for our local resources and the wild creatures with whom we coexist,” said Zelson.
The Birding Club takes biweekly walks to the cross-country course and various hiking trails in the local area, such as Sleeping Giant in Hamden, Conn. Along the way, club members learn about various bird species and behaviors. They are currently in the process of compiling a “Choate Bird Identification Guide,” which will include pictures and detailed descriptions of birds throughout campus and Wallingford.
Readers United celebrates a widely enjoyed pastime: reading. The official mission of the club is, “To establish a place for anyone who has an interest in reading to discuss, host movie events, and fundraise for literary charities.”
According to Ava Hathaway-Hacker ’18, a member of the cabinet, the club is “a place for those who love to read to interact and share their ideas on books.” Readers United meets biweekly for an hour and often hosts “themed” discussions. For instance, the club plans on holding a Harry Potter themed meeting later this year.
Among the lesser known publication on campus is The Artist. Editor in Chief Neve Scott ’18 said, “Through student profiles, performance reviews, and photo submissions, The Artist aims to further general understanding of Choate through an artistic lens.”
The club meets a few times a term to give out assignments and publishes its approximately ten-page magazine once a term. As for events, the club sponsors functions on campus and trips to art galleries, such as the Yale University Art Gallery.
These clubs are just a few examples of the many unusual offerings at Choate. Next time you are at Club Fair or hear classmates talking about the clubs they are a part of, keep an eye (or an ear) out: who knows what you’ll find?
