Do you ever wish you could just take a break from college-level stress with a coloring book or a set of finger-paints? Do you dream of taking a study break to roll and skip in the grass? The new 7 Again club seeks to provide students with just that: a way to relax by returning to a simpler time in life.

“7 Again is a club where we throwback to the ease and breeze of being 7, where jokes were clean and cussing didn’t exist,” said Emily Sim, vice president of the club, in an email interview. “It’s a way to de-stress and forget the pressure of college and practice a more positive way of interacting with others.”

The 7 Again club will provide students with “playtime” activities, which can be extremely beneficial according to many studies, including that of psychologists Dr. Start Brown, Dr. Bowen F. White and Dr. Scott G. Eberle. Most importantly, the club allows students to participate in these activities without any restriction or judgment.

“I think it’s important for people to feel like they don’t have to be ‘adults’ all the time,” said Sabrina Chase, founder and president of the club, in an email interview. “I think it’s a shame that we can’t skip through the grass or spend an hour building a pillow fort just because of our age.”

Initially, people found the club premise strange. According to Chase, students at the involvement fair would comment on what a ridiculous idea the club was. Chase said that the club is silly, that is the point, but also very beneficial for stressed out students.

Despite some negative responses, Melissa Maxwell-Doherty, adviser for the 7 Again club, said about 30 students signed up for the new club either for membership or more information.

Though the club has not begun meeting yet, their first event will be held on Feb. 25. According to Chase, the club will meet Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5 p.m. The short half-hour session gives students the chance to de-stress without taking too much time out of their work, study or class time.

During this half hour, students will be able to participate in playtime activities as if they were a child again.

“I’m sure at some point there’ll be Play-Doh and watercolor,” Maxwell-Doherty said.

These activities can range from painting to rolling in the grass in Kingsman Park to coloring with chalk or even making music.

“We all have our little kid self hiding inside of us and this club allows us to show that side,” Sim said.

This light-hearted air may appeal to more students than more serious clubs. It is a small time commitment with a quick and positive payoff. Students can leave the meeting feeling relaxed and refreshed after spending the time playing games.

“One thing that I’m really excited about is our service project,” Chase said. “We are planning to take chalk and write encouraging things to students on the sidewalks all around campus.”

Beyond serving the California Lutheran University community, Maxwell-Doherty said she hopes the club will connect students with each other.

“Any club or organization that meets, sometimes community is formed and people can, through that, develop some friendships,” Maxwell-Doherty said.

The 7 Again club seeks to help de-stress students as well as provide a community for the student body and support the campus community as a whole.

“As both college students and adults we just get so caught up in perfecting everything and worrying about the future of all of our actions. This puts a lot of stress on ourselves, and sometimes we just need to go back to the childlike mindset,” Chase said.

For more information on the 7 Again club, their officers or contact information, visit their page on the Cal Lutheran website.

Allie Leslie
Staff Writer
Published February 25th, 2015