Ideas for Extracurriculars Related to Politics?

Hey all!

Junior in high school here, state of North Carolina. I’m kind of panicky because I am currently really weak on extracurriculars- I really only have about 4-5 clubs and I don’t know 100% how I should continue. My main passion is politics / economics, and I know this sounds silly but I don’t really know what I can do in these areas, and I was hoping somebody could help me find some activities I could do over summer or maybe over the weekends, or just point me in the right direction.

Thanks!

Volunteer in a politicians field office or for a special interest group that you feel strongly about.

Model United Nations, look at summer programs in DC, find an NGO to volunteer with.

Also look into Boys or Girls State, which is put on by the American Legion in (I think) every state for a week in the summer.

Volunteer for local political party organization–start at county level, see about state-level opportunities, and also for state-wide or federal candidate’s campaigns.

Model UN is good, as is mock trial (lawyers love politics, you know), or student government (but running for a student office is somewhat different than being interested in politics).

Start a club for political discussion, a young democrat/republican club, or even a current events club.

I’m trying to start a club next year that models different circumstances in government or something like that. It isn’t a polished idea but I am planning on starting a club related to politics, though there already are so many here at my high school.

Thanks for the feedback!

Debate, writing opinion pieces for the school paper, Fed Challenge (economics), anything that interests you.

I’m a junior in NC interested in politics as well. Just curious… what city/town are you in? Maybe you’re near some congressional offices you could intern in.

Also, I’m doing this thing called the Governor’s Page Program in Raleigh for a week this summer. You could look into that or the Senate Page Program as well.

Maybe contact a local political party about possibly creating a high school outreach position?

Don’t start a club. Get out in the field and volunteer. Work for a ballot initiative, candidate, or non-profit promoting some issue you care about. Or work to get a bill considered in your state legislature (my kid’s HS has a class where students do that – it is a GREAT experience for them). Clubs often sit around and talk. Get out and do.