Activities
After-school activities: sports, music, clubs and service
Everything a student, family, coach or advisor needs in one place: how to join, how to get ready, how it helps with honors and scholarships, and how to stay safe. Goal: every student finds at least one activity they love.
- Pick one activity this season. One is enough to start.
- Ask your coach, music teacher or club advisor how to sign up.
- Keep a list of what you do (we give you a free hours log).
- Real programs never ask you to pay to "get noticed".
General information. We list only rules and programs with an official page we opened. Rules, dates and fees change: always check the official page and your school. Facts checked November 9, 2026.
🧭 Choose a section
School sports in New York
- Who runs itNYSPHSAA and its 11 sections. Suffolk is Section XI. Nassau is Section VIII.
- SeasonsFall, winter and spring. Winter 2026-27 starts Nov 16, 2026.
- Before you playA health exam (good for 12 months) and a health history form each season.
- Grades 7-8Some districts let a few ready students try out for high school teams (the Athletic Placement Process).
Music, art and theater
- NYSSMA festivalPlay or sing a solo for a judge. You get a score and comments. It is not a contest against others.
- All-CountyYour music teacher nominates you. Suffolk: SCMEA. Nassau: NMEA.
- All-StateFor high school students with top NYSSMA scores who play in a school group.
- Art and theaterScholastic Art and Writing Awards, school shows, stage crew, Teeny Awards on the East End.
Clubs and academic teams
- Science and techScience Olympiad, robotics (FIRST, VEX), Envirothon, Odyssey of the Mind.
- Words and lawMock Trial, speech and debate, Model UN, newspaper and yearbook.
- MathMATHCOUNTS, AMC 8, math leagues.
- CareersDECA, FBLA, FCCLA, FFA, HOSA, SkillsUSA, TSA. Also chess club.
Community service
- Seal of Civic ReadinessA New York diploma seal. Service and civic projects can earn points (grades 7-8 capstone too).
- Honor societiesNJHS (grades 6-9) and NHS. Each chapter sets its own service rules.
- Hours logFree, saved only on your device. Print it for your advisor.
- Stay safeVolunteer with a known group and a trusted adult.
For coaches and club advisors
- Who may coachCertified teachers may coach. Others need a NYSED coaching license.
- TrainingFirst aid, CPR/AED and a concussion course every 2 years, plus coaching courses.
- New rules?NYSED proposed changes in July 2026. Check the status.
- PayCoaching and club stipends are in each district contract.
Scholarships and recognition
- Athletic aidNCAA Division I and II, NAIA and NJCAA Division I and II may give athletic aid. NCAA Division III and NJCAA Division III do not.
- Music and artsColleges hold auditions and portfolio reviews. Ask each college.
- HonorsAll-State, All-County, awards and service honors make your activity list stronger.
- ScamsNever pay to apply or to "get recruited".
🔎 Activity finder
Pick your grade and what you like. We show activities and where to start. Your choices stay on this device.
Not every school has every activity. Ask your school office for this year's club and team list. Robert Frost Middle School does not post a full list online that we could check, so ask the main office or your counselor.
📅 Season and audition calendar 2026-27
Only dates printed by the official organizations. Your school sets its own tryout days and sign-up deadlines.
- Fall football practice startsNYSPHSAA start date · Mon, Aug 17, 2026
- Fall season starts (other sports, high school and modified)NYSPHSAA · Mon, Aug 24, 2026
- Winter season startsNYSPHSAA official start · Mon, Nov 16, 2026
- State Football ChampionshipsNYSPHSAA · Dec 4-5, 2026 · JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse
- Spring season startsNYSPHSAA season start · Mon, Mar 8, 2027
- State Basketball ChampionshipsNYSPHSAA · Mar 18-21, 2027 · boys in Binghamton, girls in Troy
- State spring finals (baseball, softball, girls lacrosse, outdoor track and field)NYSPHSAA · Jun 11-12, 2027
- Suffolk high school All-County concertNYSCAME/SCMEA · Fri, Nov 13, 2026 (SCMEA calendar)
- Nassau PEAK Festival (grade 4)NMEA · Sat, Nov 14, 2026
- NYSSMA Winter Conference and All-State concertsDec 3-6, 2026 · Rochester
- NYSSMA Zone 13 (Nassau) Solo and Ensemble festivalsMar 5 to Jun 2, 2027 · many school sites
- NYSSMA Zone 14 (Suffolk) Solo and Ensemble festivalsMar 8 to May 25, 2027 · many school sites
- NYSSMA Zone 14 (Suffolk) Major Organization festivals (bands, orchestras, choruses)Apr 6 to Jun 9, 2027
- NYSSMA Zone 13 (Nassau) Major Organization festivalsMay 17 to Jun 4, 2027
Suffolk SCMEA All-County for grades 5-10 traditionally rehearses the first two weekends in March, with concerts on the second Saturday and Sunday of March. Your music teacher gets the exact dates.
🌱 Start in 5 steps
- ExploreUse the finder. Try one new thing each season.
- AskTalk to the coach, music teacher or advisor. Ask about forms, fees and practice days.
- Get clearedSports need a health exam and forms. Clubs may need a permission slip.
- Show upPractice a little every day. Small steps add up.
- Keep a recordWrite down what you did, hours, and any honors. It helps for NJHS, NHS, college and scholarships.
For Deer Park and Robert Frost families: Deer Park is in Suffolk County. That means NYSPHSAA Section XI for sports, NYSSMA Zone 14 for solo festivals, and SCMEA for All-County music.
🔗 Related Goal100 pages
Contests
Student contests and competitions
MATHCOUNTS, Science Olympiad, robotics, writing and art awards, with dates and fees.
Open contests →College
Scholarships: find them, avoid scams
New York State, college merit aid and Long Island awards.
Open scholarships →Teachers
District contracts (coaching and club stipends)
Pay for coaches and club advisors, from each contract.
Open contracts →🔗 Sources
We opened and checked every source in this list on Nov 9, 2026. Rules and dates change: always read the official page.
- NYSPHSAA, 2026-27 Championship Schedule (season start dates and state finals): nysphsaa.org
- NYSPHSAA, Section Map (11 sections; Section VIII Nassau, Section XI Suffolk): nysphsaa.org; Section XI: sectionxi.org; Section VIII: secviii.org
- NYSSMA, 2027 Festival Calendar (PDF, Zones 13 and 14): nyssma.org; Zones: nyssma.org/zones; Winter Conference: nyssma.org
- Suffolk County Music Educators' Association (SCMEA), FAQ and calendar: scmea.org
- Nassau Music Educators Association (NMEA), FAQ and All-County information: nassaumusic.org, All-County information
- NYSED, Information regarding health exams for athletics (Sept 6, 2022): nysed.gov (PDF)
- NCAA Division III initial eligibility (no athletics scholarships): ncaa.org; NJCAA Divisional Structure: njcaa.org