Clubs &
Activities
Youth group, altar serving, art, chess, and scouting. Somewhere for every student to belong after the last bell.
Somewhere to belong after 3:00
Some of what shapes a child at St. Francis happens after the last bell: serving at the altar, sitting in a circle in the parish hall on a Monday night, painting something they're proud of, earning a badge, learning to lose at chess gracefully.
None of it requires being the best at anything. Most of it just requires showing up.
Find the right fit
Every activity on this page, with the grades it's for. Tap one to jump to it.
Monday nights in the parish hall.
Grades 5–8 Altar serversSchool Masses and parish Masses.
Grades K–5 Art ClubSix-week sessions after school.
Quincy Catholic Schools Chess ClubStudents from all four schools.
When it runs Builders ClubKiwanis-sponsored service projects.
All grade levels ScoutingScouts BSA, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts.
BEAR, our youth group
BEAR is St. Francis Solanus' youth apostolate, and it's one of the liveliest things happening in this parish. The name says the mission: to help young people bear the joys of Christ for all to see.
- WhenMondays during the school year, 6:45 to 8:00 p.m., in the parish hall. That's the same time as PSR, which makes it simple for families with children in both.
- What happensGames, small groups, service projects, prayer, and time together. Snacks, obviously.
- Who leads itGrant Wilson, our Director of Religious Education, along with volunteers, including high school students who come back to help lead.
- JoiningThe year starts in the fall, but students can jump in at any point. Nobody has to catch up on anything.
BEAR is open to all sixth through eighth graders, whether or not they attend St. Francis Solanus School. To sign up or to volunteer, contact Grant Wilson at (217) 602-9293.
More about BEAR →Serving at the altar
Students in fifth grade and up can train as altar servers and assist at Mass in our parish. Training is required, boys and girls both serve, and once trained, students serve at school Masses and parish Masses through the year.
It's a small responsibility that tends not to feel small to the student holding it. Ask any eighth grader who's done it since fifth.
Clubs
Art, chess, and service. Each one runs a little differently, so here's what to know about each.
Art Club
Students paint, draw, sculpt, and work in mixed media with professional instructors, learning a new technique each week. Sessions run six weeks, meeting weekly after school here at St. Francis.
Twenty spots per session, and registration opens before each semester. There's a fee, handled through the art studio directly.
Register at popupartstudioquincy.com (opens in new tab)
Chess Club
Students from across the Quincy Catholic schools play, learn, and compete together. It's open to all K–8 Catholic elementary school and parish students who enjoy chess or want to learn to play, and St. Francis students take part each year.
Meetings are on Tuesday evenings and usually last about an hour. The full schedule is handed out at the first meeting each fall.
Questions? Call or text Chris Gill at 573-719-9331, or email fishgills1208@gmail.com.
Builders Club
A Kiwanis-sponsored service club where students take on projects in the school and the wider community, building leadership and a habit of service along the way.
Builders Club depends on student interest and adult volunteers, so it runs some years and not others.
If you'd like to help lead it, call the office at (217) 222-4077.
Scouting
Scouting is active at St. Francis across many grade levels, with troops and dens setting their own meeting schedules. Cub Scouts hold pack meetings and the annual traditions families remember: campouts, the pinewood derby, service projects.
Scouting builds the things that are hard to teach in a classroom: physical and emotional resilience, citizenship, teamwork, responsibility, and leadership.
Contact the school office at (217) 222-4077 and we'll connect you with the right leader.
What clubs does St. Francis Solanus School offer?
BEAR youth group for grades six through eight, altar server training for grades five and up, an after-school Art Club for kindergarten through fifth grade, the Quincy Catholic Schools Chess Club, scouting programs across grade levels, and Builders Club in years when it runs.
What is BEAR?
BEAR is St. Francis Solanus Parish's youth group for sixth through eighth graders, meeting Mondays during the school year from 6:45 to 8:00 p.m. in the parish hall. Students play games, work in small groups, take on service projects, and pray together. It's led by Grant Wilson, our Director of Religious Education.
Does my child have to attend St. Francis to join BEAR?
No. BEAR is open to all sixth through eighth graders in the parish and community.
How does my child become an altar server?
Students in fifth grade and above may train as altar servers. Training is required and is offered through the parish. Contact the school or parish office to get started.
How much is Art Club, and how do we sign up?
Art Club runs in six-week sessions with a fee paid directly to the art studio, and registration opens before each semester at popupartstudioquincy.com. Spots are limited to twenty students per session.
Is scouting connected to the school?
St. Francis has a rich scouting heritage. Scouting troops and packs meet at St. Francis and many of our students take part, though the programs are run by their own leaders on their own schedules. Call the school office and we'll point you to the right person.
Can my child do a club and a sport?
Yes, and most do. Activities here are scheduled with the assumption that students are involved in more than one thing.
Is there a cost to join clubs?
It varies. BEAR, altar serving, and most school clubs are free. Art Club and scouting have their own fees. If cost is a barrier for your family, call the office. We'd rather work it out than have a child miss out.
What our families say
Faith & Tradition
Our family's love for St. Francis Solanus School is deeply rooted in faith and tradition. With Joe's family having attended for generations, it is incredibly meaningful to now watch our children walk the same halls and grow in the same values-rich, faith-centered environment.
Joe & Alexis Darnell FamilyKnown at every stage
St. Francis Solanus meets the individual academic needs of all our children at every stage of development. Our older kids recognized the "St. Francis Solanus difference" during an initial school visit and were ready to start the next day! The parent-teacher partnership is collaborative and focused on helping students do their best, and the Catholic influence of the priests, deacons, DRE, and staff is focused on fostering a true and lasting relationship with Jesus Christ.
Aaron & Karen Weiman FamilyTo be Jesus to others
St. Francis provides a quality Catholic experience. They learn not only how to add and subtract but to know Jesus, love Jesus, and to be Jesus to others. We are proud of our choice to have provided a faith-based education for our children and that our children have continued to choose St. Francis for their children. It is important to celebrate the privilege of a Catholic education and we have been blessed to have been supportive of continuing this legacy.
Deacon Dennis and Pat HolbrookAccountability with grace
The culture is one of partnership. Students are truly known by their teachers and staff. There is accountability paired with grace. Leadership is present and engaged.
The Friye Mamdani FamilyEnthusiasm and dedication
The teachers of St. Francis are observing and always seeking ways to improve the abilities of our students. The enthusiasm and dedication from the teachers has helped our children gain confidence and excel in multiple areas.
Brad & Makenzie Holtmeyer FamilyLessons come to life
The teachers at St. Francis bring lessons to life, creating engaging classrooms where students feel excited about learning. What stands out most is their strong training in literacy instruction, ensuring that every student grows as a confident, capable reader and communicator.
John & Lindsey Kelly FamilyWe felt the pull
We never thought we would be the family transferring our children to a new school. After being parishioners for a few years, we felt the pull to enroll our children at St Francis school. As soon as we took a tour, our girls' faces lit up and they said they wanted to start the next day.
Brad & Amanda Genenbacher FamilyLoving, caring & nurturing
Mrs. Wiewel has taught both of our girls over the last two years. She is so loving, caring and nurturing and with her help, our child was able to succeed in an academic area she was previously struggling in.
Brad & Amanda Genebacher FamilyAcademic excellence
St. Francis School offers a welcoming and nurturing environment where academic excellence is paired with strong values rooted in the Catholic tradition.
Dr. Samuel & Danielle Healy FamilyInviting family-feel
The school is small which gives it a warm, inviting family-feel. Staff and students alike begin to know everyone within the building. This brings a sense of comfort knowing our children are being well taken care of while growing in academics and in faith.
James & Tera Terwelp Family
There's room for your child in this.
Come see the school during the day, and ask what's meeting this week. Most of these groups would be glad to have one more.