There are many extracurricular activities offered at the University of Saskatchewan for students to get involved with outside of class. However, not everyone can get to campus outside of class and some may just want to try out activities offered in different areas of Saskatoon. Here are a few ways to get involved with the broader community of this beautiful city!

Art Classes

Attending art classes can be a great way to strengthen your creative side as well as hone-in on your skills, as you are provided with teacher feedback that you wouldn’t get at home. There are many art groups in Saskatoon, such as the Gail Adams Studio of Art, which holds primary art classes but also does cartooning and figure drawing classes.

There is also Paint Nite, which is a cocktail and art group where no art experience is required as there are step-by-step directions given at each session. Paint Nite is a great idea if you want to try something fun and creative with a group of friends — what’s better than an evening spent drinking and painting with friends? 

Sign Language Classes

The Saskatchewan Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services now has fall registration open for American sign language classes. This is a great opportunity to become bilingual in a universal language and to converse with new people.

Learning a new language has been shown to strengthen the brain as well as improve multitasking abilities and help strengthen your memory. Learning sign language can open new doors regarding both friendships and your career as well.

Saskatoon 4-H Club

If you aren’t entirely sure of what activities you may be interested in, this is a great club to join. It offers a variety of activities all in one central location, as well as useful hobbies that can help students with everyday tasks.

The 4-H Club presents sewing, crafting, car care, bird watching, photography and baking groups for those ages five and up, until the age of 21. For those over 21, the club is often looking for leaders with these skills to help lead the groups which can be both an enriching and fulfilling experience.

Saskatoon Public Library Book Club

The Saskatoon Public Library holds frequent and free book club meetings, which will keep you up to date on interesting reads. This is a great way to meet people with similar literary interests as you and to further explore the wonderful world of books.

On the Saskatoon Public Library website, saskatoonlibrary.ca, there is a list of dates and times as well as various library locations where these meetings take place. That way, no matter where you live in Saskatoon, you can get involved.

Ukrainian Choir

Many Saskatoon residents have Ukrainian roots — so why not delve a little deeper into your past by joining Holosy, the Saskatoon Ukrainian Choir. Rehearsals begin Sept. 19 and are held every Monday at 7 p.m. The group focuses mainly on traditional folk music and performs in local festivals and around Saskatoon, which can be a great way to get to know the community!

Volunteering Opportunities

A sure-fire way to get involved in Saskatoon is to volunteer. There are always plenty of opportunities to volunteer, you simply have to look. Some examples are the Saskatoon Community Associations, which look for help coaching soccer or other sports as well as co-ordinating other youth activities, like helping flood a skating rink or cleaning up a park.

Another great place to volunteer is at any of the hospitals in the city. The Royal University Hospital, City Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital are always looking for volunteers who can work approximately one to three hours a week with meals on wheels or in their care homes. This can be an incredibly rewarding experience for students and is worth the time! 

Extracurricular activities are great stress relievers from academic and work obligations — find something you love and get involved, you won’t regret it!

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Hannah Wieder

Graphic: Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor