IU has over 750 clubs and organizations and it’s impossible to know all of them. While many students are familiar with business fraternities or cultural organizations, there are many niche and interesting organizations hiding in plain sight. From niche hobbies to surprisingly specific ones, IU’s club scene proves how it’s a home to a variety of unique organizations that may even surprise you.Â
Survivor at IU
I know what you’re immediately thinking about. Survivor at IU how does it work? Well although not exactly like Survivor where we’re out in the wild surviving on a stranded remote island we are split into teams from the very beginning. To simulate the remote island we’re not allowed to talk about drama happening on your team to someone else on the other team. First starting off you’ll be put into two even tribes where you’ll compete against each other and vote out your own tribemates in the game. With fewer players in the game the tribes will merge into one and the players on the jury ultimately vote on who they believe should win. Survivors will compete in two types of challenges known as immunity and reward. These challenges involve puzzles, obstacle courses, balancing, and endurance. Winning an immunity challenge will guarantee safety from tribal council. After a tribe loses the immunity challenge, they are sent to tribal council where they are forced to vote on tribute from their team. It leads to castaways using their social and strategic games to build alliances with one another. When players cast their vote in secret the votes are read aloud, and the person with the most votes is eliminated. After two tribes merge into one the players voted out of the game will join the jury. The jury is able to sit on remaining tribal councils, since they decide who wins the game. When there are only 3 players left, the jury casts their votes for who they believe should win the title of sole survivor!
Squirrel Club at IU
You might be thinking there’s a club to study squirrels? The short answer is yes. At IU, students in this club are dedicated to studying and feeding squirrels on a daily basis. Members are often seen bringing snacks to squirrels and spending time around squirrel spots, watching their behavior and observing them. This club is fun and relaxing where students are free from academics and encouraged to connect with others who also enjoy watching squirrels. It’s definitely a must to get involved on campus while also appreciating IU’s most entertaining and cutest residents.Â
BinaryHeart at IU
Does this club work with computers, laptops, and iphones? The short answer is yes they do. At BinaryHeart, students take donated computers that would otherwise collect dust or end up in a landfill and bring them back to life. Members repair and refurbish the devices, which are then given back to the people in the Bloomington community who need them. You don’t have to be a computer science major to join, since the club welcomes students from across campus and is recognized as Kelly’s social impact organizations. It’s a great fit if you like hands-on tech work, want to give back to the community, or just want to learn what’s going on inside your laptop.Â
FED at IU
Learning to cook during college can be extremely overwhelming and stressful between grocery shopping, budgeting, and figuring out what to make with whatever’s left in the fridge. That’s where FED at IU comes in. This club teaches students how to cook from healthy weeknight meals to indulgent treats, while also exploring the bigger picture of where our food comes from, with a focus on local and sustainable food systems. Their more popular events include cooking workshops where 15 to 20 students learn a new skill or cuisines together like sushi rolling, homemade pasta, or Cuban dishes before sitting down and enjoying a family-style meal they made. FED also hosts educational events with guest speakers and discussions, like a potluck with screening of the documentary Food Chains, and organizes trips to local farms where members volunteer and learn from farmers firsthand. Online, they keep things even more fun with social media competitions including a Macaroni Ranking Tournament. They also often team up with other IU clubs like VSA and Italian Club. Whether you can barely boil water or your basically the chef of your friend group, FED is a tasty way to meet people and learn something new.Â
CHAARG at IU
If you want to start a workout, routing CHAARG is here to help. CHAARG is a fitness club for women, but members tell you it’s really about building confidence, making friends, and finding a healthy relationship with fitness. Each week, the club partners with a different local studio so members can try something new, from yoga, and kickboxing to CrossFit, Jazzercise, and cycling. Every fitness level is welcome, so if you’re a regular or you’re just starting out you’ll be able to find your fit. CHAARG also breaks members into 5 to 10 women who meet weekly to work out, grab smoothies, go hiking, do crafts, or pretty much anything they decide on. And if fitness isn’t your thing, monthly social events give you a chance to know everyone outside of the studio. It’s a supportive community where women inspire and empower each other to be the best versions of themselves.Â
Summary
With more than 750 organizations on campus, IU truly has a club for every interest, no matter how niche. Joining a club is the easiest way to make friends on campus, and try something new to make campus feel a little less smaller. If you’re interested in any of these clubs visit BeInvolved and feel free to reach out to them for more information!