Joining a club is like cruising the sample tables at Costco. You eye the mundane Hamburger Helper, but you really want to test the more daring fare until you find something you can live with for a year. While trying out clubs, consider some of the lesser known.

While a club is by no means an exclusive mark of your identity, it can be a fun and ultimately fulfilling way to make use of your talents and learn new trades. You can also meet other people like yourself. If that sounds positively dreadful, stray from the flock and join one of the more obscure clubs.

The reward of grappling with a flailing specimen of nature, the satisfaction of solving global problems in a hypothetical world court, and the gratification of creating your own clothes… Garfield offers something for everyone.

Fly Fishing Club

If the serenity of hours on a boat, the thrill of a tug on the line, and the pride of donning ultra-fashionable waders and fly vests really gets you going, then fly fishing club is your calling. Not only does this club present the chance to take classes in casting, fly-tying, and entomology (bugs), but it offers trips around Washington state to apply your skills on the water.

“It lets students take advantage of the pristine wilderness that is unique to the Northwest area,” said senior Ian Kennelly.

The club was started last year by current seniors Will Atlas and Sky Dunphy in hopes of sharing their love of fly fishing with fellow Garfielders. While the club is not officially sanctioned by the school, it receives sponsorship from the Washington Fly Fishing Club, which provides equipment, instructors, retreat sites, and other connections in the Seattle fly fishing network.
“We catch really massive fish,” said Atlas. “And we have really cute girls, so it’s a great way to meet chicks.”
No experience is necessary, but a passion for smelly, slimy fish guts won’t hurt.

Sewing Club

While many may scoff at the seemingly uber-feminine and old-fashioned idea of sewing, it is really just a practical skill that everyone should master. Not only does it come in handy when a button pops, but you can apply your creativity to the craft and distinguish yourself from the masses.

One male student sketched and sewed both his tuxedo and his date’s dress for prom. Talk about a way into a girl’s heart…

The club is led by art teacher Bonnie Hungate-Hawk, who provides the sewing machines and the expertise. She is open to anything students are interested in designing, and teaches a variety of techniques.

“There’s no vehicle to help [students] learn how to do hemming and sewing on buttons,” said Hungate-Hawk. “I’m totally in favor of life skills.” Don’t pass off sewing as an activity of yesteryear. It can help you in a bind and do wonders for your wardrobe.

Model United Nations

“When people hear Model U.N. they think of nerdy ‘80s people sitting around in ugly blazers talking about the status of economic treaties in the world,” said Model U.N. co-president Mollie West. “But it’s really more fun than that.”

Posing as diplomats, members select countries and committees to represent. They spend the year preparing for a multi-school conference where they discuss world issues and solve imaginary “crises.” West encourages people to join the club because of the intriguing conferences, which are, of course, the point of the club.

Some schools offer a class on how to act as ambassadors, so these overzealous characters can be entertaining for the laid-back Garfield representatives. Many Garfield members roll their eyes at the matching suits and briefcases some delegates sport. But, they admit, it is fun to see a bunch of high schoolers playing dress-up at the University of Washington.

Since juniors Julia Marks and Mollie West joined M.U.N., they have turned the club around; membership has tripled from their first to second year and most members are enthusiastic about their experiences.

These are just a fraction of the eclectic mix of organizations at Garfield, but if you can’t find a club that strikes your fancy, form your own!