Getting teen boys involved with an after-school activity in high school can give them opportunities to explore their passions and connect with others who have similar interests. Kids make a lot of decisions in high school that prepare them for what they choose to do afterward, as adults. Being a part of student organizations or high school clubs is one of them.

A school-sponsored club or activity is a great way to make sure kids are safe and stay out of trouble too. Extracurricular activities after school can also teach life skills that aren't always taught at home or in school. Teen boys might have an opportunity to learn about teamwork, develop strong communication skills, experience new things, time management, and many more.High school clubs and extracurricular activities typically fall into one of four categories:

• Sports - Football, basketball, tennis, etc.
• Subject Area – Clubs that focus on specific academic subjects.
• Hobby Clubs – Clubs that focus on specific hobbies or interests.
• Community Service – Clubs that focus on making an impact in the community.

While sports have always been and remain a popular staple in public schools, students can also take advantage of non-athletic opportunities. Both athletes and non-athlete students can participate in these clubs. However, if a teen boy is looking to challenge himself, the clubs listed below might be a great fit.

Related:How To Help Your High Schooler Navigate New Classes, Stress & Teachers

10 Model United Nations

Model UN is a simulation of the UN General Assembly and its other multilateral bodies where students perform an ambassador role while debating topics such as gender equality, climate action, global health, and more. Students participating in Model UN take part in public speaking, critical thinking, and in-depth research. If a teen is looking for a way to really enrich their lives and learn more about global affairs, this is the right club for them.

9 Student Council

Being a member of a student council in a high school setting gives kids a great opportunity to really get involved in leadership. Not only will they advocate for the entire student body, but they also get the chance to learn from others, be part of a team, pursue things that are important to them, and speak publicly.

8 DECA

According to their website, DECA has impacted the lives of more than ten million students, educators, school administrators, and business professionals since it was founded in 1946. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for future careers in almost any vocation. They especially focus on hospitality, marketing, finance, and management.

7 Key Club

Key Club is a student-led, high school organization. High school members of Key Club perform acts of service in their communities, such as cleaning up parks, collecting clothing, and organizing food drives. Key club will also help teens learn leadership skills. They will be able to run meetings and plan projects. Key Club also has elected leadership positions. These positions are within the club at a district level and even at an international level. This club focuses a lot on being a good human and prides itself on inclusion.

6 Interact Club

Interact clubs organize at least two projects every year, one that helps their school or community and one that promotes international understanding. There are mentors in this program as well; they help to guide the students in these projects.

5 Chess Club

A chess club is a club formed for playing the board game of chess. Chess clubs often provide both informal and tournament games. Traditionally, clubs host over-the-board, face-to-face chess. According to studies done at the University of Memphis, playing chess significantly improves children's visual memory, attention span, and spatial-reasoning ability.

4 Debate Club/Mock Trial

This one is for the best and brightest. Mock Trial is dedicated to promoting an understanding and appreciation of the American judicial system through academic competition. What typically happens is in November, detailed case materials are released to each high school. The students then spend several months reading the materials and preparing to argue both sides of the case with an attorney-adviser. Eventually, they all meet up for a face-off to see who did the best and who solved the case.

3 Robotics Club

According to ID Tech, a robotics club is a gathering of students who are interested in learning about and working with robots. A teacher will typically moderate the club. Students work towards a robotics competition. For this, teams of students usually must design and build a robot that can compete against other teams' robots in specific categories.

2 Computer Club

Computer club is a way for students to share their passion for technology. Currently, technology is changing from day to day, so this is a great way to keep up with it. This club would also benefit teens that don't feel as confident in technology as their peers; or those who want to advance themselves in certain programs.

1 STEM Club

The term STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is progressively becoming an important fixture in education and the world economy. The reason for this is based on where the world is steering now. Technology. What is technology derived from? STEM. A lot of current careers and those of the future are and will be centered around STEM fields.

This club also teaches critical thinking, creativity, cultural awareness, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Many teachers are starting to integrate STEM into their everyday lessons because they are so beneficial.

Sources: DECA, Interact clubs, Model UN, University of Memphis, ID Tech, Key Club