57% of students age 6-17 participate in extracurricular activities either inside or outside of their respective schools. In a study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, students who are part of clubs and teams outside of school gain several skills that they will use later in life. This is what thousands of students are missing out on during this pandemic.

Every time students get to meet with clubs in person they have the chance to connect with each other from a face-to-face stanpoint. This part of a club are what North Penn High School activity director Mr. Kyle Berger says it is the most important aspect of extracurricular activities.

“The biggest aspect is – much like instruction – the face-to-face interactions that club members are used to having,” Berger said.

North Penn Junior Robert Heath is a member of SGA and Chemistry club. He said the same thing as Berger did. He said the thing he missed the most out of everything is the interactions with the people.

“I miss the people in the clubs the most of all,” Heath stated. “The people always make it more fun.” 

Another reason that students need extracurricular activities in person is because it can sometimes be challenging to even do things over a computer that they would do in a meeting if they were able to meet together.

“It’s hard to do normal club things over a google meet,” Heath said.

Berger also stated that clubs are important in order to be able to be surrounded by students with the same likes and dislikes. It is easier to connect with people when they have the same interests as you.

 “A lot of club meetings early in the school year are simply a time to re-connect, have a snack after school, and just hang out with folks who share common interests with you,” Berger stated.

Finally, clubs meeting in person arre needed to restore some kind of normalcy to the world. In school clubs are one of the biggest catalysts in developing school spirit from each and every student in the building. There is also an overall sense of community when in a club with your peers.

“Despite North Penn having more than 80 clubs and activities for students to enjoy, the sooner we are able to get back to having things return to where they were prior to March 12th, the sooner our students will feel a better sense of normalcy, school spirit, and community,” Berger stated.

Clubs and teams provide fun and an outlet for many children across the district and nation. However, it is these skills for life that a student not in an activity because of the virus is missing the most.