Hobbies are just as important for adults as they are for children. Hobbies can break up the weekly grind, create a setting to make new friends, and provide a chance to learn something new. Here at The Montclair Girl, we compiled a list of sport, art, and craft clubs in and around Montclair and Essex County. Whether it’s swimming in Rutherford, or knitting in Montclair, we’ve got you covered. Read on for a guide to local groups and clubs in the Montclair area.

Photo Credit: Montclair Book Club

Archery Clubs

Bloomfield Archers holds the distinction as the oldest continuing archery club in the Garden State. Since 1931, the club has been located in Brookdale Park, a county park. The club has weekly Sunday shoots and participates in state tournaments. The season runs from April to October. Becoming a member gives one access to the field and use of the equipment.

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Board Games

For lovers of Catan, Monopoly, and board games in general, the Montclair Area Board Games is a great group to partake in. This local gaming group comes together to play board games, mingle, and more. The group has been in operation since 2017.

Book Clubs

Photo Credit: Montclair Book Club

Book clubs in the Montclair area include the Montclair Book Club, the Soldato Book Club, and the Morris County Book Club. The Montclair Book Club meets up every other month in Montclair to discuss books written in English. The Soldato Book Club meets on the second Sunday of each month at the Williams Center in Rutherford. This book club is for readers interested in literary fiction and classic novels. The Morris County Book Club is mostly interested in works of fiction, non-fiction, and memoirs. Occasionally, the group gets together for movie nights, book festivals, book swaps, and dinner-themed restaurants. Click here to check out other clubs in Northern New Jersey like the Thrill Seekers Book Club in Morristown, Between Covers in Bayonne, and Spice of Life in Rockaway.

Knitting Club

For lovers of knitting and crocheting the Montclair Knitting Circle is where it’s at. The group has members who are old and young, beginners and experts, so all are welcome. The club meets on Tuesday mornings from 9AM to 11AM at the Wally Choice Community Center located at 49 Maple Avenue near Glenfield Park. This club also meets weekly on Thursdays at the Bellevue Avenue branch of the Montclair Public Library from 10AM to 12PM. This library is located at 185 Bellevue Avenue.

Photo Club

Photo and photography clubs in the Montclair area include the Essex Photo Club, Livingston Camera Club, the Tri-County Camera Club, and Hub Camera Club in Morris County, NJ. The Essex Photo Club has over 70 years of history. In the 1970s the Montclair Camera Guild and West Essex Camera Club merged. The club is a teaching club that aims to turn snap-shooters into photographers and amateurs into serious amateurs. Since 1971, the Livingston Camera Club has been in operation. The club typically comes together on the 2nd and 4th Mondays from September to May at the Livingston Community/Senior Center located at 204 Hillside Avenue.

Running Clubs

Photo Credit: Essex Running Club

Running clubs are a great space to meet new people and motivate oneself to run can include a variety of skill sets and special interests. Running clubs for a variety of different levels in the Essex County area include the Essex Running Club, Moms RUN This Town in Livingston, the SOMA Fox Running Club, the Clifton RoadRunners. Moms RUN This Town is also a women’s only group.

Swimming Clubs

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by U.S. Masters Swimming ‍♀️‍♀️‍♂️‍♀️ (@mastersswimming)

Master swimming is competitive swimming for those older than 25. This can include pre-masters for swimmers above 18 as well. Those in these programs can swim multiple times a week and compete in U.S. Masters Swimming meets. Each program maintains its own eligibility requirements. First-time swimmers to former collegiate athletes can partake. In North Jersey, there are over 10 programs such as the Rutherford Masters Team in Rutherford, West Morris Area YMCA in Randolph, Swim Pro Masters in Union, Jersey Aquatic Center Masters in New Providence, and Somerset County YMCA Masters in Basking Ridge. Click here to learn more about the programs.

See More: Book Clubs to Join in Hoboken, Jersey City, + Bayonne

Walking Clubs

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by NJ Walk ‘N’ Run Club (@njwalkbabes)

For those who love to walk in parks and along the water, NJ Walk Babes embraces every pace, from walks to runs. In the past events have taken place in Montclair, Bloomfield, Newark, Hoboken, and Somerset, and more are expected in the future. Check them out on Instagram here.