Stay Social with These 6 Virtual Clubs Perfect for Seniors

Virtual Senior Center

Originally created as a resource for older adults who are homebound for health reasons, the Virtual Senior Center has become a place for learning and socialization during social distancing. VSC is a national, year-round center for seniors with a calendar full of classes in everything from history and culture to art, technology, language, literature, music, wellness and more. Plus, they offer classes in English, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish and Korean. All classes are live, which means you can see, hear and speak to classmates and teachers in real time.

American Birding Association

Whether you’re a seasoned birder or have taken a casual interest in the winged creatures near your home, joining the American Birding Association is an excellent way to learn more about the world around you. You can enjoy bird watching by the window from the comfort of your own home, or get outdoors while staying safely distanced from others. A membership to ABA gives you access to birding magazines, podcasts, forums, educational resources and more. And if you’re planning for an eventual vacation, the ABA offers guided birdwatching trips around the country.

The Red Hat Society

This women’s club is famous for its fun-loving members adorned in loud shades of red and purple — and these wonderful women haven’t let anything stop them from celebrating life as they age! Many of the Red Hat Society’s clubs are meeting virtually for fun events and social hours. Plus, the club boasts a thriving online community, where members can chat with one another in forums and continue to make new friends online.  

Toastmasters

Giving a powerful speech is a dream for some and a nightmare for others. Whichever side of the fence you fall on, you really might enjoy Toastmasters! Their online-only groups are a safe, fun space to practice writing and delivering speeches and connect with others who are doing the same. It’s a great way to make new friends while building your confidence, learning something new and getting to know others.

Meetup

Meetup is an online search engine that helps you find local clubs and events near you. The best thing about Meetup is how many different types of events you can find! You can search for virtual meetings, clubs and social hours just for seniors, or a club or event for specific hobbies or interests. Gatherings include everything from practicing a new language, to cook-along virtual baking lessons, to workshops and even singles groups. Many of these meetups are online-only so that you can virtually attend from your home. You can even create your own virtual event if you like!

Your Local Rec Center

Many recreation centers around the country are bringing their programs online so that you can join virtually. Call or search for your local recreation center online to find out if they have any programs or classes you can join. Many of them offer classes in art, exercise and more so that you can keep learning, growing and socializing from home.

How Tech Brings Us Together

Want more ways to socialize without leaving home? Check out our blog about the New Ways We’re Staying Connected for some tips and tricks on how we can stay in touch with the ones we love and even make new friends, all online.