By Rose Bialk
Of the diverse collection of student organizations available at Lewis & Clark, the quaint Tea Club is one of comfort and community. The cozy, friendly atmosphere makes it a great place to unwind in the middle of the week and alleviate stress, if only for a short period. The club meets in Fowler and provides the tea — their only request is that you bring your own mug!
Melanie Worthington ’25 joined Tea Club during her first year at LC. Now, she serves as the club chair, helping to organize weekly meetings and events. The club always provides options for any tea drinker, including decaf options as well as alternative milks and sweeteners. Worthington herself enjoys jasmine tea with nothing added but simple hot water.
“I love, love tea. So when I saw there was a tea club, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I need to join this right now,’” Worthington said.
Their most recent meeting included seasonal beverages such as witch hazel tea with a mesmerizing purple hue and a pumpkin spice chai. The warm tea pairs perfectly with the gloomy autumnal weather. Not only does this club have tasty beverages, but it also provides fun activities, a welcoming group of members and cookies. This week’s activity included a mug decorating contest.
“Usually we have coloring, we always have a ‘Tea-Dragon’ game out, and sometimes we will have themed events. Sometimes we will do a trivia night or we will do a brew-your-own tea event,” Worthington said. “We are looking to expand what we can have in our meetings, so this semester, I have been trying to do more collabs with other clubs.”
One such collaboration was with the Rose Garden Restoration Club in September when the two clubs hosted a tea party in the Rose Garden. Another was with Students Engaged in Eco-Defense (SEED) — a tea party in SEED’s bee garden in October. The Tea Club is looking forward to a brew-your-own tea event with the Garden Club later this month.
Worthington expressed that the club is a great way to relax with friends. She enjoys helping lead the club, having joined the team last year.
When reflecting on her favorite part about running the club, Worthington explained that it was rewarding to help people feel comfortable in a new space.
“(I like) being able to hold a space where so many people feel welcome and they are able to try new teas and have a little community,” said Worthington.
The club attracts a wide variety of people but is uniquely known for its ability to create a space for those who typically describe themselves as introverts or prefer to stay in. The quiet, approachable nature of the club allows for participation by anyone.
Tea Club meets every other Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Fowler. Anyone interested in finding out more about the club can email them at lcteaclub@lclark.edu or follow their Instagram @lcteaclub.
This club has garnered a beloved reputation with its six years on campus. The warm tea and even warmer people make this club one every student should taste, so bring your mug to the next meeting!
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