Curling. Mahjong. Shuffleboard. How adult social clubs are helping these people find community.
It was only last fall Carlyn and her husband learned to curl, but since then, the sport — which involves sliding stones across ice — has become a central activity in their lives. The couple belong to an adult curling club in Philadelphia, where they play on a team with Carlyn’s father and his wife. “It’s been an awesome activity — we play every Sunday evening,” says Carlyn, noting it took them two years to get off the club’s “learn to curl” waitlist.
Carlyn, who asked to use her first name only, has enjoyed it so much that in addition to playing on the team with her family, she’s joined a weekly ladies-only league, too. “One-third of the club is my age (30s), about one-third of the club are adults [in their] 40s and 50s and at least one-third of the club are 60+, and there are some members well into their 80s,” she tells Yahoo Life. “This club has pretty much absolutely nothing to do with anything else I do in life. I just thought it sounded cool — and it is definitely beyond cool.”
Across the United States, adults are finding community in activity clubs. In a country where loneliness has been called an “epidemic” and a “public health crisis” by the Surgeon General, finding ways to engage with others over shared interests can become an important part of wellness. “I often hear about the desire for more friendships, but people are unsure where to begin,” says licensed professional counselor Danielle Tucci. “The rise of social clubs provides a space where people can make connections within their community in a low-pressure environment.”
“So often we crave connection and kinship, but the demands of adulting can get in the way of seeking it out for ourselves,” adds Jen Jones Donatelli, certified coach and founder of Creative Groove. “Adult social clubs help do the heavy lifting by setting up the structure and space for activities so that all we have to do is carve out the time and show up.”
In 2022, Sarah Teng and three other mahjong-playing friends founded the Green Tile Social Club, a New York City club devoted to the tile-based game first popularized in China. They now have more than 12,000 followers on Instagram and have hosted more than 40 events drawing thousands of people, Teng says. “We've heard so many stories from our community about new friend groups, roommate pairings and even romantic connections being formed out of Green Tile Social Club.”
“It can be hard to make friends as an adult, and we're lucky that our league just has great people and great vibes,” shares Jinda, who belongs to a shuffleboard club in Madison, Wis. “As a person living with mental health difficulties, it's been really helpful to have the league and getting together with friends as something to genuinely look forward to every week.”
In addition to connecting with others, many use clubs as a way to connect with themselves. “It’s been amazing to reconnect with my body away from technology,” says Christina, who does ballet every Friday with a group of people who range from high schoolers to their 70s. She enjoys "meditating on the music without the interruptions of daily life, and meeting those who appreciate the challenge and effort ballet takes.”
For many, the benefits of belonging to these clubs extend far beyond the hours spent participating in activities, says Tucci. “They can continue to positively contribute to someone's overall well-being.” She explains: “Social connectedness is a protective factor,” or a strength or resource “that can safeguard against physical/mental health challenges.”
“Co-founding Green Tile Social Club has enriched my life immensely,” says Teng. “Not only has it brought me closer to my own cultural identity and pride in being Asian-American, but it's given me a community of friends who feel the same way.”
Carlyn and her husband have even taken their new activity on the road. “This past spring, I literally Googled ‘adult curling camp,’” she says, “and about one month ago, my husband and I went to curling camp for three days in Montreal where we got to learn from some of the top Canadian curlers.”
Perhaps most importantly, belonging to a club makes you a part of a community, which is a key component in combating the American epidemic of loneliness. “I really value how we've shown up for each other when times have gotten tough,” Jinda says of her fellow shuffleboard league members. “Shufflers, in my experience, have just been true gems.”
We want to hear from you! Do you belong to a club — or want to join one? Share your experiences here, and they may be used for a future article. Submissions close on Dec. 23.
