Welcome back students: Here are 6 unique clubs to join at MSU

Ever thought about trying scuba diving or paranormal exploration? MSU students have! And there are student clubs geared toward some of the most exciting — and maybe a little eccentric — activities you will find on or off campus. Basically, there's something for everyone.

And that's a vital part of the student experience, as laid out by MSU's Office of Spartan Experiences. It is widely understood that joining an on-campus organization or club poses great benefits for students coming to, or back to campus — for example: it can help expand your network and social life, improve communication skills and even enhance your resume.

Students at MSU can explore a wide variety of clubs and organizations at "Sparticipation," a four-hour event on August 30 (from 4-8 p.m.) designed to welcome students of all backgrounds and interests. So get out there, get involved and make the most of your college experience!

Here are just a few of the more unique clubs students can join, just to get you started:

1) Embrace your fear in the Paranormal Society

Co-President Katie Burkhardt said the club encompasses people of all different religious and spiritual beliefs: When they meet, anybody is welcome as long as they are kind and respectful to others' beliefs.

"We take an active approach where we engage in practices with spirits and go ghost hunting," Burkhardt says. "We also have people from all religious/spiritual beliefs (or lack thereof) participating, it's a wonderful place for anyone interested inesotericism, occultism, cryptids, ghosts and any such related activities."

Learn more at msuparanormal.wixsite.com or follow club pages on Instagram and Twitter.

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2) Find your outlet in the Comedy Cellar

Any open mic night or comedy show can be a great source of entertainment and laughter. To Faizan Malik, the MSU Comedy Cellar has also been another outlet for being social as a student.

"It was created around the time of the pandemic and started attracting a lot of students without much promotion," Malik said. "I saw as a stand up comic myself, people were seeking out comedy actively during the pandemic, and that attracted a small burst of students within a short amount of time — and it continues to grow."

Check out the MSU Comedy Cellar on Facebook or Instagram.

3) Dive deep into Scuba Club

"Scuba diving is extremely life changing and being able to have a club and people who share that is something so unique," says Vice President Lexi Williams. She emphasizes the fact the club is centered around a passion for seeing, "out of this world places."

There are no requirements to join, however, if students wish to go on dive trips, they must be scuba certified. If students are interested in becoming certified, the club also has resources to help get students on the right track.

"There are no words to describe how life changing scuba diving is," Williams said. "Anyone who is curious about scuba diving should give it a shot and come to the first meeting to learn more."

For more information, visit msuscubadiving.wixsite.com or find the club on Instagram and Facebook.

4) Chase, keep, beat and seek in Quidditch Club

Students don't need to be a Harry Potter fan to join Michigan State's Quidditch Club. The sport is co-ed and welcomes students from all backgrounds and interests.

For now, the club plans to remain with its original title of 'Michigan State Quidditch,' though, in July it was reported many in the sport were choosing to rebrand it as quadball.

To learn more about the growing sport and the club at MSU, head to msuquidditch.weebly.com or find them on Facebook and Twitter.

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5) Thrust yourself into Fencing Club

One of the most historic clubs at MSU, Fencing Club caters to students of all experience levels. The clubs serves to people that want to learn for fun, want to compete or just want to have a social experience. This year, the club had three fencers at the USA summer nationals.

"Not only is the sport itself incredibly inclusive as to gender/sexuality/age/ability/experience," Widmann said. "Our club encourages everyone to join even if they don't have experience with a previous sport."

No experience is required, however Widmann says the club requires those who participate to wear wear close-toed shoes and athletic pants to protect your legs and feet. They also encourage anyone interested in swordfighting, fencing or trying something new to join the club for a trial practice. Head to michiganstatefencing.com, or their Facebook and Twitter pages for more information.

6) Spiders, millipedes and scorpions, oh my!

Bugs, bugs and more bugs. The MSU Bug Club is dedicated to appreciating and interacting with some of the most unique bugs from around the world, right here in East Lansing.

"Insects, spiders, millipedes, scorpions, and others are hated and feared by so many," Club President Osten Eschedor said. "At Bug Club we help our members learn to appreciate insects and their close relatives through hands-on activities."

Most meetings are held at the MSU Bug House. Members can be with other students and exchange a love for the beauty and value of these "misunderstood creatures."

We handle bugs, do activities like eating bugs, bug bingo, painting with bugs, bug pictionary, and learn about bugs in pop culture, how to take care of pet bugs and careers in entomology," Eschedor said.

To learn more, head to linktr.ee/bugclubmsu, join their discord or follow them on Instagram and Twitter.

DON'T MISS OUT! Sparticipation is August 30

The clubs and student organizations listed in this article are but a small sample of what's available to students. For the full list, visit admissions.msu.edu/life-at-msu/. Many will be represented at Sparticipation!

Sparticipation serves as an event to help students learn more about clubs and programs across campus. It's a way for clubs to promote their activities while also welcoming back current members. The event will be held on August 30 from 4-8 p.m. at Cherry Lane Field (near the Breslin Center). For more information head to studentlife.msu.edu.

Veronica Bolanos is a news assistant at the Lansing State Journal. Contact her at VBolanos@lsj.com or 517.267.0460. Follow her on Twitter @BVeronica19.