Sixty Of The Weirdest Clubs And Societies Worldwide
In junior and senior high school, we are often encouraged, even required, to join clubs. There are various types of clubs, from the glee club to the Math club and the theater club. We were able to explore our weird and creative sides because of these organizations. Forming clubs, however, is not just limited to high school. Forming societies is a normal human instinct. Even during prehistoric times, humans had congregated to increase their numbers so that they could be protected from wild animals. The more people there are, the more they can also accomplish.
The same goes for modern clubs and societies. We form them because we share the same aspirations, goals, and interests. Financial advisors, for example, can come up with their own club and study how they can best provide suggestions to the people. The same goes for those interested in fishing or the arts. But not all clubs are conventional, there are also those that most would see as atypical or weird, and we have compiled a list of those.
Concrete Canoe Club – University of Wisconsin-Madison
Believe it or not, a group of civil engineering students had come up with a way for concrete to float on water. Usually, due to its density and weight, it would not, but engineers and students in the 1960s were undaunted. They formed this organization so that they can compete in concrete canoe competitions. For 2020, the UW–Madison ASCE chapters sponsored an event where participants were required to present design papers, an oral presentation, make a final product, and then compete in a water race.
They even have a national competition! Surprising as it may be, this is quite revolutionary as engineering students are challenged to come up with a good design, which they can even turn into an investment in the future. 2020 marked the 25th anniversary of this odd tradition. Despite the current health climate, the yearly event was still celebrated while ensuring that protocols were followed to ensure everyone’s safety.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
The organization started in 1868, and they were called Jolly Corks then. This precursor organization was into minstrel performance and drinks. Laws in New York back then prohibited the sale and consumption of alcohol on a Sunday, owing to it to the Christian Sabbath. They then tried to find a way to bend the rule by forming a very secret society. Ultimately, the folks rented a space and were able to drink in peace. The club soon expanded membership, and they evolved into a form of a state workers union.
There were, however, rigid restrictions on memberships as only men, specifically men with Eurocentric features, were allowed. It wasn’t all that bad, though, seeing as the organization focused its efforts on charity and benevolence. Some of its members were prominent figures in law, governance, and art. In fact, a few of them even became US presidents, senators, lawyers, and entertainers, like John F. Kenney, Harry P Cain, and Clint Eastwood. This club has its national headquarters located in Chicago.
The Alfalfa Club
This club is perhaps one of the most powerful ones because the members are mostly men of considerable influence, such as business magnates and politicians. CEOs of various insurance companies are probably also qualified to become members, but the qualifications are rather strict. There are only 200 participants in this powerful society, and potential members have to be invited. Unfortunately, vacancies only open up if someone passes on.
The organization exists for one purpose only, and that is to hold a black-tie banquet on the last Saturday of January at the Capital Hilton in DC. An after-party follows at a local restaurant, which includes heavy drinking. This tradition can allegedly be traced back to when the club was founded in 1913 to celebrate Robert E. Lee’s birthday. It is quite interesting to know the different agendas discussed in this very exclusive social club. Prominent modern presidents like George W. Bush, George H. W. Bush, and Barack Obama have all attended and spoken during the club’s banquets over the years.
Happiness Club – Northwestern University
We all want to be happy. As such, we will most likely make investments early on for us to be satisfied in the future— or we can also join a Happiness Club. The pursuit of happiness is enshrined in the Constitution, and it is a good idea to keep on going after it. The word “wholesome” best describes this Northwestern University social club. Anyone who needs a reason to smile and be happy will undoubtedly find one when they attend gatherings, fairs, and other club activities!
The organization’s primary mission is to spread happiness on the university campus as much as they can. On their website, they boast that they are after events that could provide a wider smile for everybody. They also encourage members to engage in random acts of kindness, charity, and community service. Members firmly believe that if they can make others happy, they can become more joyful as well.
The Dill Pickle Club
If you live a Bohemian lifestyle, is there a club you can join? With diverse interests and a free-spirit, it is impossible to find two like-minded individuals to gather together. You would think of them as gas and water— they can be put together, but the mixture eventually would result in a substance that does not blend well. The Dill Pickle Club was once such an organization. It was founded by Jack Jones with the intent of discussing labor and societal issues.
This club consists of influential activists, American authors, and speakers. To their credit, the organization promoted essential movements such as the Anti-War Dance back in 1918. They were not limited to serious problems though, as they also went on to tackle arts, drama, literature, and crafts. The club was active from 1914 all the way to the Great Depression and later years until its disbandment in the 1930s as the founder did not want to pay protection money anymore to the police and the mob.
Sky-Diving Club – Virginia Tech
College life can be demanding and even more so with the accumulating student loans. Luckily, schools have found ways to make life in college more fun by founding adventure clubs like the Sky Diving Club at Virginia Tech. Flying is a liberating experience, and if you jump from a plane, you are not just flying indirectly, but you’re doing it all by yourself! Since the members go sky-diving almost every week, this social club should be perfect for those who are always in need of an adrenaline rush.
There are certain physical requirements before they admit members, however. Orientations, training sessions, and social interactions are also prerequisites to flying in this club. There are many get-togethers where members could go to bars and even make home-cooked meals together. The club currently boasts of 258 members, and the small number is indicative of the prohibitive cost of sky-diving. While this is not necessarily a weird club, it is quite surprising to find that it exists on a college campus.
Uttar Pradesh Association Of Dead People
The organization sounds like that of the zombies hunkered down and on a mission to hurt humans, but this is not the case. It actually arose out of legal fraud similar to making fraudulent insurance claims. Indian landowner and farmer Lal Bihari wanted to get a bank loan but was denied because, according to records, he was deceased. It turned out that a relative bribed a government official to register him as a dearly departed to have Lal’s land transferred to the relative.
Lal later learned that he wasn’t the only one who had fallen victim to this scheme. He had been very vocal about his displeasure with the government in the process and even resorted to nabbing his uncle’s child just to get the attention of those in power. Lal then founded the organization in a bid to have his life “restored.” In 1994, a judge finally restored his legal life, and the lands were returned to him. As of 1999, he had helped “resurrect” 30 other people declared deceased.
The UK Roundabout Appreciation Society
We all have an appreciation of the many different things in life. In the case of some UK residents, they like everything about roundabouts, for some reason. Members of The UK Roundabout Appreciation believe that roundabouts break the monotony of a boring straight road. They even proposed installing roundabouts at every possible place. Installing pieces of arts, monuments, or windmills in roundabouts were some of the suggestions they had put forward.
They consider them as investments and a good design addition to the roundabouts. The enthusiasm shown by this club might just inspire motorists to be more appreciative of the roads and sights they pass every single day. On a larger scale, however, they also advocate for safer roads and traffic, so while it may seem weird, they have the welfare of the community in mind as they established the organization. Funnily enough, its founder, Kevin Beresford, was inspired when he saw a calendar with 12 roundabouts used as images.
Squirrel Club – University of Michigan
Humans and animals have co-existed for the longest time. Some of them have been domesticated and became pets, like dogs and cats. A squirrel, no matter how cute, is still considered a wild animal, and they should exercise the highest degree of care when dealing with them. Students at the University of Michigan thought that they could take care of them, though. It was noted that nine different species of squirrels were noted to be living in Michigan, hence, the regular sightings.
The club started because they noticed that giant squirrels frequented the campus and so they founded the organization so they could feed them with peanuts every week. They even came up with merchandise, a shirt with the phrase “Michigan Squirrels”. Club members like it that they could meet new people and squirrels along the way. This social club celebrates National Squirrel Appreciation Day every year. If you become a member, you’re likely to gain more appreciation for nature as a whole.
The Obedient Wives Club (OWC)
No one likes a husband who goes out to cheat on his wife. Bearing this in mind, some women in Malaysia, a country that has strong Islam influence founded The Obedient Wives Club. They teach their members to be able to satisfy the husband in all aspects. The man is, of course, expected to provide for the family’s basic needs – house, food, water, and electricity. The woman is expected to be good at housework. What makes this rather weird is for one, the country it was founded in is highly religious.
A controversial book the group has written was even banned by the government. Now, the club has members from Australia, Jordan, Indonesia, Singapore, and even Kazakhstan. The club has also published a book guiding women and wives through the physical and spiritual aspects of copulation. The book, which was published in 2011, drew much controversy. Regardless, views on the topic differ greatly as some club chapters and Islam groups accept the idea while some reject it.
The Trap Door Spiders
You have heard of the bro code. You have heard of male friends showing great camaraderie to protect their own. Such was the spirit behind the founding of The Trap Door Spiders. John D. Clark got married to an opera singer who many of his male friends disliked. Because of this dislike for her, Fletcher Pratt established the all-male Trap Doors Spiders Club so they could hang out with John without Mrs. Clark.
To put it in simpler terms, the Trap Door Spiders are a male-only literary, drinking, arguing, and eating society based in New York City. The club’s membership over the years includes some of the most recognizable names in literature. They initially had twenty members, and they held a meeting once a month to discuss the matter of the month. Women had also been invited but only by the group leader. This group had members like Martin Gardner and Isaac Asimov. There may have been lawyer or doctor members as well.
People Watching Club – University of Minnesota
Who does not like watching people? Many like this because we love seeing people go about their daily life. Some might consider it weird because it can be seen as creepy behavior. Upon founding back in 2008, the club instantly became the most controversial club on the campus as it aims to “have as much fun as they can” through interacting and learning about people all over the campus. It is self-labeled as the “most ethically controversial student group on the University of Minnesota campus.”
Its founder, David Shaffer, said that the club’s purpose was for members to have fun by interacting with many people. The campus is, after all, the melting pot of future attorneys, doctors, and engineers. He believed that interacting with people would lead to the members becoming better at understanding every class of people. What they do is attend meetings and events, and they observe people. They then meet as a group and discuss what they observed about the people and their behaviors.
Shriners International
Their members are all Freemasons. But, of course, the Freemasons have a very rigid ritual for membership. Shriners International was established in 1870 in Tampa, Florida. The organization was originally called the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, inspired by one of the founders having partied with an Arabian diplomat. They like being the life of the party and well-known for doing charitable works.
It is a fraternity based on fellowship, fun, and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, truth, and relief. They have almost 200 temples in various countries, and numerous club chapters worldwide. Shriners Hospitals for Children is their charitable arm, and the network of hospitals had helped many patients since it was established in 1920. Poor people, who usually turn to personal loans to go to a hospital, have found help in these hospitals. The Shriners International fraternity is open to all men of integrity from different walks of life.
The Seven Society
Seven is thought to be the perfect number, as hinted at in many religious texts. This secretive society was founded at the University of Virginia, and the origins of the society are shrouded in mystery. It is so secret that a member’s passing is the only time it is exposed – a banner is sent to the deceased’s funeral and an arrangement of black magnolias, in the shape of the number seven, is placed on their gravesite. The University Chapel’s bells would also toll on the seventh dissonant chord, with seven-second intervals, when it is seven past the hour.
The organization’s most visible tradition is their logo, which is comprised of the number seven surrounded by the signs of Infinity, Omega, and Alpha. One time, they even gave away money in a rather unorthodox way. For example, a small explosion occurred in 1947, during commencement exercises, and a check worth $177,777.77 floated. The fund was used as a form of student loans where financially-challenged individuals (including staff) could seek help.
Wizards & Muggles – College of William and Mary
If you are a big fan of Harry Potter, then you should know that muggles and wizards are usually not meant to mix. If wizards are exposed to the muggle community, it can be devastating for both parties. But not at the College of William and Mary. Students at the college found it cool to establish a club where muggles and wizards can interact with each other in the safety of the campus.
They also compete with other schools; just like the House Cup, they make points, some sort of investments that can win them the competition at the end of the school year. This sounds like a good idea, especially for Harry Potter fans who want to bring to life the book’s concepts and the magic along with it. As long as you’re not apparating in and out of the campus, then you’re free to join the organization. They even have their own Quidditch team that competes locally with other schools.
Phi Beta Kappa
This organization is the oldest academic organization in the United States, and it is also the most prestigious one, owing to its academic selectivity and long history. If you are invited to this club, it means you are part of the 10% of the top 10% of the most intelligent at school. This means that less than 2% of the class is selected into the organization. Studying for a degree is not enough to become part of the organization.
On December 5, 1776, the first meeting was held with John Heath being the first president and founder. When discussing topics of diverse interests, the club’s rules agreed that the debate and engage oratorically. Phi Beta Kappa’s goal is to advocate and promote excellence in the sciences and liberal arts. They also seek to recruit the most outstanding students of sciences and arts at American universities and colleges. The organization now has 290 chapters.
The Gormogons
They were officially known as the Ancient and Noble Order of the Gormogons and claimed to be of Chinese origin, with the sole goal of being an anti-Freemason organization. It was a short-lived 18th century club, which was formed by former Freemason Philip Wharton. It didn’t leave any accomplishments or records indicating its purpose and true goal. If any Freemason wanted to join the group, they would have to renounce the Masonic Code altogether.
One theory about this organization is that the founder was Andrew Michael Ramsay. He was a very hardcore Freemason, but perhaps for reasons only known to him, he turned against the group. The groups also did not leave any paperwork, and hence, no reliable history exists today. Anyway, the organization disappeared in 1738 when Pope Clement XII issued his bull against Freemasonry. We can only speculate why the group ceased to exist. Perhaps they still do, just hiding better today, being a degree more careful this time.
Clown Nose Club – North Carolina State University
This might scare some people, given how clowns can be scary to some, especially for children. But people who had always wanted to join circuses or carnivals can find a haven and a training ground in the North Carolina State University’s Clown Nose Club. The group has a general purpose, which is to challenge them to take positive social risks that are in line with their philosophy and society. A sociologist would be welcome in the club, and future lawyers, statisticians, or those from other colleges can also apply.
So no, the club is not just for clowns, nor do they collect clown noses, but it is a club meant to understand the sociology behind people and have a look at their behaviors. The organization engages other people around them by motivating them to take risks, and redefine the standard of social interaction. If you are into sociology, you should consider this organization.
Belizean Grove
Many organizations were founded by males and tended to be all-male. Women probably got fed up and decided to form their clubs. Snob invitation clubs triggered the women behind The Belizeans Grove to organize themselves. It is now known as the ultimate Old Girl’s Club, where they have powerful members. It was founded in 1999 by Edie Weiner, a futurist, and Susan Stautberg, a former Westinghouse Broadcasting executive. The club serves as a networking opportunity.
An insurance agent would have a field day in one of these meetings, but the membership and gathering are invitation-only. The group keeps a low profile despite being a mighty organization. The public mainly became aware of the club when Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor resigned from the Grove in 2009. The Belizean Grove includes around 125 influential members from the financial, military, and diplomatic sectors. It is the female equivalent of the Bohemian Club, a male-only social group whose annual meetings are held at the Bohemian Grove.
The Trilateral Commission
You have heard of conspiracy theorists saying that there is a mighty group pulling the string behind world politics and influencing many of the decisions made for the people. They are rumored to do this from behind the scenes. Well, such an organization does exist and is referred to as the Trilateral Commission. It is a nonpartisan, non-governmental group that seeks to foster closer cooperation and substantive political and economic dialogue among Western Europe, Japan, and North America.
This super-secretive club was founded in 1973 by David Rockefeller. The group was designed to be in service for only three years, but it had extended up to this day. Many conspiracy theorists point to this exclusive group as the forces behind economic and financial decisions done towards or for other countries. To a degree, this is true as many people with strong banking or economic influence in a country are said to be members of this group.
Cheese Club – SUNY Purchase
If you are not lactose-intolerant, you probably love cheese. While on campus, a student might miss homemade cheese recipes. Hence at SUNY Purchase, students formed to relish everything that is cheese. They would even have weekly taste tests so that members and students, perhaps even the staff, could try out various cheeses. This may seem to overdo it just for cheese, but cheese is among staple food not only in the US but in the rest of the world, too.
Cheese making is also an excellent craft to master. For sure there are online classes for that, but nothing beats actual work at a farm, with the milk straight from the cows. This is most likely in the club’s line of interest, too. Aside from cow’s milk, goat’s milk can be made into cheese too, obviously. For this club, they make sure to try the many different varieties – including the rarer ones from other places in the world.
The Durham University Assassins’ Society
In the world of online games, we usually just throw the word “assassin” around, as if it is not a severe crime to assassinate people. No one should normalize hurting people. But this is what precisely The Durham University Assassins’ Society did. They have fun running various games during the school year at Durham University. These games range in duration from a few hours to weeks, where they attempt to “kill” other players using a cardboard knife or a Nerf gun. They even give out awards to its members.
Founded in 1996, the club follows strict rules, given the nature of the organization. However, plenty of care should still be taken when it comes to recruiting their members. At best, they should ask advice about how to maintain the legality of their beloved club. Among the rules is that any violation of the law, which would involve lawyers eventually, is prohibited. They are also not allowed to put any person or property in harm’s way.
Humans vs. Zombies – Goucher College
Students at Goucher College started a trendy live-action game where everyone starts as humans, and then they either become zombies or survive as a human being. Humans can use defense weapons approved by the game moderator. Those turned into zombies should attempt to turn others, too. There are also safe zones, where no attacks could happen. They are also forbidden from attacking while classes are ongoing.
We are guessing that they probably got the idea and even the name of this game to one of the most famous games back in the early 2000’s Plants vs. Zombies. Not too surprising since Zombie apocalypse story lines have also taken over both the world of comics and TV shows. This is perhaps why the society grew faster than they expected. This game was invented in 2005 by Chris Weed and his friends at Goucher College, but this has spread to over 1,000 campuses now.
The Order Of The Occult Hand
Pranksters relish at the thought of being mischievous and not being caught. Journalists are no exception to becoming pranksters either. It would be a scary thought, however, if pranksters get together and come up with the most creative prank. Such was the case when The Order of The Occult Hand was formed. Journalists thought that they could insert the phrase “It was as if an occult hand had” into a print and then hope that no one would notice.
Police reporter Joseph Flanders was able to do this, and his peers lauded him for being able to do it. This started the formation of the organization back in 1965. Thirty years later, the club’s use of the phrase was finally exposed, and so the members had to meet and choose a new phrase. Since then, they have been featured in newspapers and magazines all around the world. They are also popular on the internet! Their founding fathers are surely very proud.
The Hemlock Society
Some people believe that we should have the right to end our life when experiencing a terminal illness. This is so that we would leave this world according to our terms and not only after life-support are the only ones sustaining us. This was the belief of Derek Humphry, who founded The Hemlock Society in 1980. Lawyers would, of course, argue that only the state can take life legally.
Religious figures, on the other hand, will say that we should let nature take its course. But those who joined the organization supported Derek’s cause. While some might find their beliefs controversial, there are also plenty of people who believe it to be right. It’s all a matter of perspective and personal preference, isn’t it? Membership to this society, however, reached its peak in the 1990s and declined from there. They eventually rebranded to “End of Life Choices” and then merged with Compassion and Choices in 2004.
Mustache Club – Carleton College
Who does not love a mustache? People had been fascinated with a mustache since time immemorial, and many good men have sported them over the years. Many famous men have mustaches like Tom Selleck, Hulk Hogan, Burt Reynolds, and even the late Freddie Mercury. The Queen front man was a legend who was unapologetic when expressing himself. Leave it to this iconic rockstar to make the mustache look trendy, cool, and classy all at the same time.
Students at Carleton College are encouraged to not only group facial hair but also to invite women to support them. The club recognizes the role of women in spreading awareness about mustaches and is calling on them to express their love for it. This is considered weird because it focuses on the sole part of the human body that others might not consider as essential. In fact, it is one of the weirdest clubs to have ever existed, with some of the oddest regulations.
The Ejection Tie Club
This is an ironic club because the requirement to get in is first to be ejected. Yes, it means pilots of fighter planes or other types of aircraft that had to remove themselves from the plane and then survive. It is also an advertisement of sorts because those who are likely to survive would have made investments in a Martin-Baker seat, the seat used by the pilots, and helps them during the ejection process.
This club has over 5,800 members worldwide. This might make you afraid to fly planes, but do not worry as ejection usually happens in military aircraft. Flying also remains the safer option when traveling long distances. Martin-Baker gives survivors unique trophies, which include a tie and label pin. They also produce patches, pins, and certificates for the members. There is no other club like this in the world and with good reason, of course.
The Harvard Tiddlywinks Society – Harvard University
This sounds like a club dedicated to a fairy-like creature, but it is not. The organization was formed for the appreciation of the interactive board game played using small discs called winks. The objective is for the winks to land on the winks of the opponents by flipping them using a squidger — a larger disk. If you think of it, this is just like a chess club. The organization follows the rules of the games; they also have local and national competitions.
Manual dexterity is needed in the game as the players can be extremely competitive. With online classes being the norm now, however, it would be difficult to play a physical game. Perhaps a digital version could be developed, where users can flip using the mouse instead. Both Cambridge and Harvard host chapters to this club, but there hasn’t been much of Tiddlywinks news in the last decade. Due to this, some people label them as inactive.
The Beefsteak Club
Steaks used to be limited and expensive that regular people could not afford it. But now, steaks are everywhere and are affordable for most people. Steaks, both pork meat and beef meat are all-time favorites for many. These can be served for occasions, but what truly counts is its flavor. Something that this club would know plenty about. But in England, they had taken the love for beefsteak to a whole new level by forging a society dedicated to loving and eating steaks.
This is an ultra-exclusive club that only allows 24 individuals to become members. Only when one of them passes on that a new member can be recruited. As the name suggests they celebrate everything beef steak. During their meetings, they fire up the gas stove or the grill and eat the steak cuts. They talk about how fantastic steak is, sing about it, and even wear funny outfits and a badge with the words “Beef and Liberty”. Now, that is one way to live life to the fullest!
Students for an Orwellian Society – Columbia University
Harry Potter clubs exist for a reason. That is because the fans have a deep appreciation of the work and the author. The same enthusiasm can be observed from students who saw it fit to organize under the core belief that George Orwell’s Ingsoc, a totalitarian-style regime is the best way to rule the world and the countries. Ingsoc is the totalitarian government used in fictional Oceania in 1984. You would probably think this is an extreme organization.
A totalitarian state, after all, may not have a need for lawyers, human rights advocates, or priests as everything would be controlled by the state. This ideology is not limited to students of Columbia University as other universities have established their own SOS chapters. They do receive their fair share of controversy, owing to the beliefs promoted by the club. After all, “Orwellian” is an adjective describing a situation, idea, or societal condition that even George Orwell himself identified as being destructive to the welfare of a free and open society.
Disney’s Club 33
If you fancy eating in a secret place that is located in the happiest place on earth, then part of Disney’s Club 33 might be for you. This is for those who want the ultimate and exclusive experience, because this club will certainly provide that. Members of this exclusive club are treated to a semi-secret place located at New Orleans Place, the only place where alcohol can be served. Unlike the other clubs already mentioned, you can buy your way in for an investment of $10,000 and that is just the entry fee.
You still have to pay the annual fees, which is equally expensive. If you are a fan and want to get in, you will have to wait indefinitely. At one point the waiting list was 14 years, but in 2007, the club stopped answering inquiries altogether. Just imagine, you would have to apply as a one-year-old, and your membership could only be approved 14 years or more later. That is one crazy club!
Nerd Network – Appalachian State University
Being a nerd is hard. People usually shun you and think that you are not cool. Just because you study a lot and give importance to academics and make efforts towards earning a degree does not mean you are not cool. This was perhaps the reason why nerds at the Appalachian State University banded to form their own society. The club serves as a safe space for all the nerds on the campus.
Their main goal is to gather people who have unique interests and hobbies, allowing them to connect with others with similar likes. Members encourage one another to socialize with other students. This method allows them to develop their social skills, which is considered lacking by most. They hold regular meetings and functions so that they could talk about what is happening on campus, too. While some may think it weird, they are having fun, so they better get on with it!
The Bilderberg Club
No one wants another world war. We have read about the devastation it caused in many parts of the world, the banking industry and economy crashed. Credit reports even became meaningless as financing facilities were down and homes were destroyed. Knowing this, Polish politician-in-exile Józef Retinger and others started The Bilderberg Club and met at the Bilderberg Hotel. The group is now the subject of conspiracy theorist’s speculations that they control the world economies.
They have, after all, powerful individuals as conference participants. Their original intent of preventing world wars has also expanded to promoting free-market western capitalism. What makes this club weird and scary is that the participants can speak freely and no repercussions are expected. Even after being bombarded with suspicions from media, the group’s unique practices and traditions are still used to this day. On the one hand, they are able to understand how other world leaders think as well.
Shire of Grey Gargoyles, Society for Creative Anachronism – University of Chicago
If you are a fan of the Towsend’s and you follow them on YouTube, you will appreciate this club. Recreating historical eras is a challenge. But in this club, the student members play everything they know about the medieval period before electricity was even a concept. Yes, that is correct. We have no videos of that period, so we rely mainly on our interpretation of what they could have done based on cultural artifacts.
The club prides itself on active participation. Their activities and events always stick to the books and take pride in the work they made every year. Other clubs even give credit to this group because of how prolific and dedicated they are. They cook, make their costumes, and eat in a medieval way. It is an exciting club because it makes you very imaginative and creative. How do you think they would recreate family gatherings then? Watching them or even joining the club could be a good idea.
The Giga Society
If there is a Seven Society, there is also the Giga Society. This is not any regular organization, though. Even the most exclusive clubs can have hundreds of members, but this only has six members worldwide. Two of the members are in the US, while four are in Europe. There are six because only those who score 195 on the IQ test are qualified to be a member. You cannot buy yourself a membership. A finance degree is not going to help.
There is no competition you can win to get in, except to be part of the one in a billion people who is smarter than the rest. Some of the members of the club are Scott Ben Durgin, Thomas R. A. Wolf, Rick Rosner, and Dany Provost. This society includes lawyers, businessmen, teachers, and other professions that fit their qualifications. Many do strive to become part of the society because of its exclusivity. While we may not become members, we are all intelligent in our own ways.
The Hammock Club – Calvin College
You can’t learn everything in school, this is true. Real world experience is as vital as the information you’ll get from books. However, simply knowing a lot about the urban jungle can only take you so far. This is where the Hammock Club can help you out. In camping while in the wild, there are usually two schools of thought—those who use tents and those who prefer hammocks. There are various advantages and disadvantages to both.
Both need a considerable sum of money, but at least with a hammock, there is no need to do roof repair in case it tears apart. What we know, however, is that students at Calvin College, who are members of The Hammock Club, would probably end up using a hammock once they take up camping later on. The members even set up hammocks indoors during winter times. They also use social media to promote their activities and are earning a lot of attention from fellow students.
The Woodcock Club
People have different hobbies and interests in life. Some people appreciate guns for its craftsmanship and if you’re among them, this next club will interest you. For aspiring members to get in, they must be able to perform “a right-and-left at woodcock [without lowering your gun] before two witnesses.” If this is basketball, we are talking about shooting the ball from the farthest end of the court.
Only a true sportsperson who has practiced his craft can make it. It will take years of practice, and of course, credits are due to the person who achieves the feat. As of the moment, there are 1,410 members worldwide. What makes this weird is not the requirement, but because this activity was originally used as a promotional exercise for a brand of whiskey. It is still being used as an advert as of today. The club was founded in 1949 and is also still very active.
The Cakefaeries, Hunts and Duels’ (In)visibility and Education Network – University of Cambridge
One of the best things about going to college is joining different clubs and meeting new people. For sweet-tooth people out there, this club is the right one. The students at the University of Cambridge thought that giving out free cakes to people was a good idea. Well, if you are the recipient of a cake, it is indeed a blessing, except if you have diabetes. But you can always share the cake with a friend!
Cake-giving is not their only activity though as they also have scavenger hunts, CakeFaerie battles and duels, and Egg Hunts. It sounds like a totally cool club and can serve as a break from studying for that finance degree you want to get after four years. The club claims that their activities are safe and are closely monitored. This club will provide you with a much needed break from stressful schoolwork and other worries associated with school. That said, perhaps, they should also start monitoring glucose levels just to be safe.
The Caterpillar Club
As with the Ejection Tie Club, the Caterpillar Club is an organization that has survived a potentially fatal situation. If ever you find yourself in need to jump off a plane, and you remain alive after using a parachute, then you can be a member of this club. Everyone who has survived a disable aircraft through a parachute is qualified, regardless of race, degree, or wealth. Although we would not want for anyone to find themselves in this situation, there’s a degree of privilege that survivors must feel.
Being part of this club also honors their experience. Of course, those who are professional parachuters and do it for fun are excluded. Verified members then receive a lapel pin and a membership certificate. They used caterpillar as the name because, when the club was founded in 1922 by Leslie Irvin, the silk used in parachutes were made by caterpillars. Some also compared the act of removing the parachute with that of a caterpillar emerging from its cocoon.
American Association of Electronic Voice Phenomena
Many had been interested in becoming voice talents, so they had been practicing for the longest time. Others, on the other hand, are more interested in the electronic voice phenomena, which refers to electronically-captured sounds that are similar to speech but are not a deliberate voice recording. Think of paranormal activities, where “voices” can be heard in recordings, and you have a good picture of what EVP is.
Others suggest they are static sounds, radio or background noise, and other non-spiritual sources. Enthusiasts, instead of being afraid as they could be dealing with a ghost and the supernatural, grouped themselves to study the phenomenon further. Honestly, while some are afraid to talk to spirits, there are those who join this club to speak with their loved ones who have passed on. They probably put their investment money into it as well as time to purchase the necessary voice analysis software and hardware.
The Shuttlecock Club
This sounds straightforward, right? This must be a group of badminton fans who love the shuttlecock? Well, that is incorrect. The Shuttlecock Club is a club meant for those Cresta riders who crashed into a certain curve called Shuttlecock and survived. This Shuttlecock curve can be found in Switzerland and is said to be a highly accident-prone area. The club was formed thanks to eight Cresta riders led by K. Meyer. The first ever meeting was held on January 30, 1933, at the Hotel Monopol.
Anyone who is a Cresta rider, of any profession, doctor, lawyer or the ordinary citizen can join, so long as the sole requirement is met. Not exactly the easiest qualification to meet, right? The famous Cresta run is a natural ice skeleton racing track in Switzerland. As it is a very demanding sport, women were banned from 1929 until 2018, but before and after that, there were records of women trialing for the Cresta run, though we are not aware of any woman club member.
Work Less Party
The Work Less Party is a political party in Canada that advocates for lesser work hours. It is not a bad suggestion as it will benefit workers and help minimize their foot carbon. Of course, the bonus is that they will have more time with their family. The group was founded in 2003 by Conrad Schmidt and its purpose is to lobby the 32 hours of work, instead of the currently observed 40 hours per week. Along are decentralized government and an increase in the minimum wage.
According to reports, the Work Less Party was dissolved on July 31, 2010. However, it did achieve part of its goal as several political parties and unions have picked up a similar advocacy. In other countries, there is now a right to disconnect law, where employers are not to contact their employees after hours. That is a step in the right direction, given the many stresses of work.
The Sons of Lee Marvin
Forming a club sometimes can be rooted out of strange concepts, and such as the case with Sons of Lee Marvin. This secret and weird group is not something you can apply for or purchase a membership. All you need to join is to have a striking and uncanny resemblance to the actor Lee Marvin. Lee Marvin was a well-known American actor with distinctive premature white hair.
It was famed film director Jim Jarmusch who decided to form this organization as he, himself, has a resemblance with Lee Marvin. In fact, he had always been mistaken for as the actor’s son due to their similarities. Degrees, financial status, or age is not a hindrance, but gender is, as women cannot, for obvious reasons, be part of the club. As for the activity and purpose of the group, nothing has been disclosed aside from them gathering to watch Lee Marvin films.
The Association for Gravestone Studies
When we think of art, we usually associate it with paintings, sculptures, and carvings. In reality, art is an expression and it can come in many different forms, including headstones or gravestones. Throughout history, gravestones have undergone many changes. They are also records of a particular period’s style and some cane be so intricate, they can rival any notable piece of art. For this reason, The Association for Gravestone Studies was founded.
The sole purpose of this society, which was founded in 1977 was the preservation of gravestones and cemeteries. While we would rather not think of passing on and headstones may remind us of that, there are gravestones that were intricately made. All sorts of people are welcome to join the club. They have had members who are amateurs and also professionals like attorneys, linguists, art majors, historians, and many more. The additional unofficial requirement is perhaps not being easily spooked, as you will travel to cemeteries often.
The Luxuriant Flowing Hair Club for Scientists™
The word scientist conjures images of a person mixing up chemicals in a laboratory and then accidentally blowing the cylinders up and ending up with a messy hair day. But these are all old-fashioned ancient stereotypes and you might be surprised how neatly groomed, fashionable modern scientists are. For this very reason why The Luxuriant Flowing Hair Club Scientist was formed.
While some of them may be shy and recluse, many of them are now more outgoing and with flowing hair. This club was formed for scientists who believe they have luxuriant flowing hair and are proud of it. Being proud of their hair is a requirement because they would be displayed on the website. The original members who founded the club were admirers of psychologist Steven Pinker’s curly mane. This is a weird club, yes, but we give them credit for breaking the usual stereotypes of a scientist.
Barbershop Harmony Society
The name itself offers more than enough clues as to what this next club is. Comprised of some very talented barbers from around the country, the Barbershop Harmony Society just might be one of the more casual clubs on our list. When hearing this name, you probably think that this is a group of barbers organizing themselves or some kind of union asking for more compensation and insurance coverage. But this is not the case. The Barbershop Harmony Society is the first of various organizations established to preserve and promote barbershop music as an art form.
Barbershop music or quartet is a kind of unaccompanied singing of four singers. The society was formed in 1938 by Owen Cash and currently has about 30,000 members. What is cool about this club is that it inspired the formation of another organization for women, the Sweet Adelines International, with the same purpose. In 2018, the BHS formally announced it would allow women to join their ranks, which was a very welcome development!
Association for Renaissance Martial Arts
Martial arts have a long tradition, often tracing its roots in Asian countries. But since it has spread all over the world, many other cultures have adapted the various techniques and principles of martial arts. There are even online classes now teaching martial arts to students. Growth and changes don’t always come easy. There are instances where it eliminates the need for the old version, which leads to it becoming forgotten. There are people who will always want to preserve old traditions, however. This is one of the reasons why one organization took a particular interest in the martial arts practiced during the Renaissance period.
This fellowship of Americans founded the Association for Renaissance Martial Arts in 2001, electing John Clements as its director. This non-profit organization was the spinoff of the Historical Armed Combat Association, which has existed since 1992. The group has a curriculum they follow, which was inspired by the world of Sydney Anglo’s The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe. They aim to reconstruct historical techniques without modern modifications or influence.
Count Dracula Society
Edward Cullen was not the first famous vampire. But thanks to him, many are now inspired to look into gothic literature and appreciate how Bram Stoker created Count Dracula, the ancestor of all vampires. We give credit to modern cinema and social media for turning the fear of vampires into curiosity and appreciation. Before all of these happened, however, there was already an organization dedicated to all things vampire and Gothic, the Count Dracula Society in London.
The society was organized in 1973 by two actors, Bruce Wightman and Bernard Davies who originally scheduled themed tours of Czechoslovakia and Transylvania. They also became interested in stage and screen adaptation portraying Count Dracula and Gothic literature. Famous members include Vincent Price, Richard Dalby, and Caroline Munro. Even though being a member of the Count Dracula Society might associate them with advocating something evil, it really is no different from your usual fandom clubs. Dracula is just a character, albeit a villain, like Darth Vader or Thanos.
Project Steve
It can’t be helped that science and religion contradict each other’s theory. This constitutes the long-running debate of scientists with religious believers on the origins of the Earth. There are two sides; those who believe in evolution and those who believe that the Earth’s creation took place in just 7 days. Now, as a way of uniting those who have the same belief, the club Project Steve was formed. Scientists with the name Steve or a variation of the name, such as Stephanie, Stephen, Esteban, could join the club as long as they believe in the evolution line of thought.
The degree of support for evolution among science enthusiasts and scientists is logically high, resulting in a long list of members. Also, as it turned out, 1% of all scientists are named Steve! The group also boasts of having more biologists on its roster than that of the creationists. A paleontologist, Stephen Jay Gould, was the inspiration for the founders who established the club in 2003.
Mothers-in-law Club International
Mothers-in-law are usually considered villains in a couple’s relationship. They are usually portrayed in movies as the ones who continually harp against the husband, reminding him that he is inadequate and could not even pay rent or electricity nor provide food for the family. In short, the world has this notion of the mother-in-law as the agonizing figure in any marriage. Perhaps getting tired of this stereotype, a group of mothers-in-law formed their own society in 1971.
The organizations’ goal is to provide support for families across the US, knowing that starting one is a challenge. They hoped to share their experience and failures when they first started. The women also wanted to correct any incorrect notions and myths surrounding mothers-in-law. The club still exists today and we hope that they are successful when it comes to debunking falsities about them. We also wish that those they shared their wisdom with would listen and avoid making common mistakes in a relationship.
Association for Positive Behavior Support
In a world of negative thoughts, positive behavior support is needed. We live in a society where people usually have negative thoughts, leading to stress and other hosts of mental diseases. So while the Association for Positive Behavior Support is not a weird club per se, it can be seen as an odd one given the methods that the club has decided to use to achieve its goals.
The society, however, has noble intentions, that of supporting research-based strategies that could help people improve their quality of life and provide a more comfortable working environment for the individual. They give importance to the belief system of the individual. Problem behaviors are also rooted out. We hope that this organization grows and has more chapters worldwide as we need more people to work towards bringing more positivity to the community. We should credit them for being the beacon of hope during challenging times.
The British Lawn Mower Racing Association
As kids, many of us probably rode on a lawnmower after having our fathers fill it up with gas and then pretended that we are racing with another person. As it happens, lawnmower racing is a thing. The first recognized record of an organized race was in the UK in 1968 when the Ashton Mersey Cricket Club set it up. Dubbed the “Lawn Mower Grand Prix” it’s function was to raise funds to benefit Ken Higgs, a Lancaster cricketer.
Following this event, in 1973, The British Lawn Mower Racing Association was founded by Jim Gavin and fellow sporting enthusiasts. They looked for a local venue, and then 80 lawn mower racers showed up for the first meeting. Among their most famous events was the 12-hour endurance race in 1978 where Sir Stirling Moss, Tony Hazlewood, and Derek Bell won. The British Lawn Mower Racers may have a unique form of entertainment but one thing is for sure, the association is here to stay for a very long time.
Hungarian Double-Tailed Dog Party
So we have heard of a political party advocating for lesser work hours, and we are okay with that proposal. But the Hungarian Double-Tailed Dog Party has taken it to the next level and proposed only working one day per week! How are we going to afford the mortgage if we only work a day per week? Indeed, it can be considered a crazy proposal, but this weird organization which was founded in 2006 is not finished yet.
The organization may have some eccentric goals in mind but its members seem very adamant on turning their vision into a reality, and don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. They also promise world peace, two sunsets per day in different colors, and eternal life. Add free beer to that, too. As you might have realized, this is a joke political party, but they actually became a legitimate political party, eligible to receive public funding when they participated in the 2018 Hungarian legislative election.
The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention
Obesity is one pandemic that we have not solved yet. This disease is so dangerous because it can cause diabetes, cardiac conditions, and a host of other illnesses. Insurance companies would most likely rate or decline applications once they see that the person has multiple health issues. The same goes for our pets. If they do not exercise and are given too much food, they could become fat and sick. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, as the name suggests, aims to prevent precisely that.
They provide cat and dog owners with necessary information on how they can feed their pets properly and what exercise regimen they can follow. So if we think about it, this group is not that weird at all. The creation of a sub-organization that caters to human obesity is not only timely, but is also a present necessity given the current statistics for the average ratio of obese individuals.
Procrastinator’s Club
If you can do it tomorrow, you should. Or is it the other way around? Well, the Procrastinator’s Club was founded in 1956 in Philadelphia. The Procrastinator’s club is definitely one of the weirder uncategorized clubs in the area. Frankly, it’s quite a relief to know that the club has honest intentions and does not condone the more unproductive aspect of relaxation. This was after someone said that it would be amusing for a group to be called the Procrastinator’s Club. Their initial meeting was “postponed”.
The group then announced a real meeting to happen at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel and the press was intrigued, so the event got covered. Since then, the membership has grown to over 14,500 members worldwide. The group’s philosophy rested on the idea of promoting relaxation by delaying things that can be done at a later day. They should remember, however, that gas and water bills should not be delayed; otherwise, the whole household suffers and would be unable to relax.
World Association of Ugly People
Acceptance is one the secrets to contentment and happiness. However, most of us may not be as pretty or handsome as our favorite celebrities, but we are as good as human beings as them. Being unattractive does not make us less of a person when compared to those with brilliant smiles and flawless skin. We may not make the same investments they have, but we are still also very much responsible for our own lives.
These tenets were probably behind one of the weirdest clubs ever organized, the World Association of Ugly People. This society aims to promote the acceptance of ugly people in the community. This is incredibly difficult given how beauty-oriented society is. Just look at the cosmetics aisle in the supermarket, and you will be greeted with a massive collection of beauty products. Just remember, though, that true beauty is in the values you hold dear, and not the physical attributes.
Not Terribly Good Club of Great Britain
There are times that we feel inadequate or that we are not good enough. You might have done some roof repair and then it leaked the moment it rained. Or perhaps, you made some financial decisions that you regretted. Everyone has their fair share of honest mistakes that might have made them think at one point, “Am I inadequate for the things I do?” It’s difficult trying to please everyone especially when you can’t even please yourself.
Did you know that a club exists for those who consider themselves too good at things they do? Stephen Pile founded the organization so that people who think of themselves as not that great at doing things can talk about their failures. The club even has a handbook, The Book of Heroic Failures, surprisingly one that became a bestseller. In a twist, the club was dissolved after Stephen was deposed after showing competence in solving a disaster in the club. Stephen officially closed it in 1979, saying that “even as failures, they failed”.
Flat Earth Society
This is among the most controversial of all clubs because they believe that the Earth is flat. There isn’t much to be said as to why this group still exists, but conspiracy theories and speculations about the truth of our universe are both powerful topics that many people still subscribe to. The group is composed of conspiracy theorists who think that NASA and other powerful world organizations have joined forces to give humans the image of a spherical Earth when in truth, the Earth is flat.
The belief of a flat earth is not new as it goes back in history. But much scientific evidence has been shown and has since debunked the theories and ideas they put forward. Another belief they have is that the Apollo Moon landings were faked. To their credit, they are not the only organization who believes so. Surprisingly, the society has many members around the globe that are hardcore subscribers to their beliefs.
Extreme Ironing Bureau
We all have a penchant for weird hobbies and activities. For some, we may want to eat pizza with pineapple. For others, it may be some other crazy activity. But for the Extreme Ironing Bureau, members wanted to take ironing to the highest level. The club does seem to promote productivity, albeit, to the extreme. What they do is to take their ironing boards to remote locations and then start ironing like there’s no tomorrow.
So they might climb a mountain and then once at the top, begin ironing clothes. Or they might swim underwater and start ironing. We just hope they do not run into a problem with electricity or any type of accident for that matter. While some may consider this weird, this is perfectly normal as people have their own ways of expressing adventurism. Their performances had been conducted either solo or by groups. Since the cause was founded in 1980 by Tony Hiam, many purists have followed suit.
20 Minute Society – Newcastle University
We live in a fast-moving world where everything has to be done quickly. We are surrounded by fast foods and all of their instant food. That same concept was applied by students at Newcastle University. The members of the 20-minute Society aim to alleviate stress levels by allotting time every day to de-stress and reconnect socially with friends. This club seems to be confined to university grounds for now.
To spice things up and take away the stresses for a bit, they organized a club where every two to three weeks, members would receive a text pointing them to a location, 20 minutes away from the campus. It could be a pub, a park and they get to have fun and socialize with other students. We should credit them for coming up with such a creative idea to bring people together. While the fast lifestyle is criticized for many things, the club concept is surely one that does not have such negative connotations. It entails fun and an avenue to know more people.