Definition of Co-Curricular Activities

Co-curricular activities (formally known as extracurricular activities) consist of various endeavors that students can become engaged in to develop their interests, gain skills, contribute to the community and boost their attractiveness to potential schools and employers. In the United States, co-curricular activities are encouraged but not required, and most students engage in them on a voluntary basis. They may take place during school as an elective class, during lunch hour, after school or off-campus.

  1. Sports

    • Students can choose to try out or sign up for a sport as a class elective or after-school activity. Common sports that may be offered through school include tennis, football, baseball, cross country, swimming, soccer and cheerleading. Local parks often hold their own tryouts for sports teams that will compete against other teams in the community. Additional sports that usually take place outside of school through private facilities include gymnastics, ice skating and rock climbing.

    The Arts

    • Many art and performing arts activities are offered through schools as electives, such as drawing and painting, drama, orchestra and band. Students that take drama may have to stay after school on certain days of the week to rehearse for upcoming plays. Orchestra and band students get to choose what instrument they want to play when they first begin, and as they progress they may try out for solos and more prestigious all-district orchestras. Parents can also invest in private art, acting and music lessons for their children.

    Clubs

    • Clubs are often chartered at school and may require that student officials are elected and that a staff member be associated with it. Different popular clubs include debate, chess, math, honor societies, crafts and philosophy. These clubs are often given an opportunity to raise funds for the group by setting up booths at school fairs where they can sell donated merchandise, homemade food or crafts that members have made. Certain clubs, such as math or debate clubs, may compete with other schools in the district.

    Community Service

    • Another type of co-curricular activity is centered around the community, altruism and helping others. Students who are advanced in a subject area can volunteer as an after-school tutor to help students who are having difficulty in that subject. They can also involve contributing to environmental causes like local neighborhood cleanups, beach cleanups or tree-planting projects. Raising funds for a charitable cause by obtaining pledges or donations is another form of community service.

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