Activities for Carthage students
Carthage Activities Board (CAB) organizes many fun events throughout the year for all students to enjoy! Whether it’s staying on campus and competing for prizes during Carthage’s iconic bingo nights or a bus trip to see a Broadway production in the city, students have a lot to look forward to at Carthage. Check out some of our annual events below.
Students can also join CAB and collaborate with their peers to decide what fun and engaging events are brought to campus. Students get experience selecting, planning, promoting, and producing events, which is great for their resumes!
CAB advisor Lance Thompson expresses why he believes students should take part in CAB’s entertainment: “CAB is the best way to get involved quickly on campus,” Mr. Thompson says. “It’s also a great way to immediately become plugged into the social aspect of Carthage and to become aware of not only CAB events on campus, but other student org events as well. CAB is always looking for new members, and students can be as involved with CAB as they would like; from attending meetings to sharing their ideas, spreading the word via posters or social media, to helping directly at events.”
On-campus events
Kick-Off Carnival
The Kick-Off Carnival serves as the flagship event for the first week of classes. It is headlined by a live band and karaoke with professional lights and sound production. Other popular attractions include balloon animals, caricatures, wire writing, carnival games, and most fun of all, carnival rides! Not to mention, there are local food trucks that come to the carnival and hand out food, which you can smell from the other side of campus!
Involvement Fair
Twice a year, students can participate in the Involvement Fair, where they can explore more than 130 student organizations and clubs. All students are welcome and encouraged to attend the fair to get first-hand information about the orgs and sign up to join the ones they are interested in.
Bingo
CAB is notorious for its monthly bingo games! Accessible to all students with a valid Carthage ID, these monthly games brings the Carthage community together, allowing students to spend some quality time with their friends and win prizes! Past bingo prizes include: a PS5, Steam Deck, Stanley cups, TVs, and much more cool stuff!
Spirit Bingo, held every year during the second week of classes, is the most popular. Spirit Bingo is all about giving away Carthage-branded items and putting our Firebird pride forward. Other notable bingos during the year are Family Bingo, a Zoom bingo for all Carthage families around the holidays, and Gag Gift Bingo, a game with prizes that nobody knows they need in their lives.
Arts and Crafts
Throughout the year, CAB hosts various arts and craft events that students can participate in to wind down and relax. Past craft events include: Coloring Earth Day Tote Bags, Painting Ceramic Magnets, Painting Fall Planters, Airbrush T-Shirts, and more!
Comedians and Magicians
Students can see comedy and magic shows right here on campus! CAB hosts various shows in which comedians and magicians, both local and national, come to campus and perform for students. Past performers include: Jessi Campbell, Jamie Shriner, Trent James, John Cassidy, Peter Boie, and more!
Trivia and Quiz Bowls
Students can gather with their peers for friendly competition at CAB’s trivia or quiz bowl nights! Past events include: St. Patrick’s Day Trivia, Valentines Trivia, Carthage Quiz Bowl, and Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader Trivia. Prizes, including cash, are sometimes offered at the trivia/quiz bowls, but not all of them.
Off-campus events
Musicals
Students can join CAB on a trip to the Marcus Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee to enjoy Broadway musicals! Students can purchase a ticket at a discounted price and take a bus ride to and from the event. Past shows include: “Hamilton,” SIX”, “Mama Mia!,” “Frozen the Musical,” “Aladdin the Musical,” and many more!
Six Flags Fright Fest
Students can participate in Six Flags Fright Fest festivities at a special Carthage discounted price! By purchasing the ticket through CAB and taking the bus ride to Six Flags in Gurnee, Illinois, students can enjoy the thrill of Halloween and amusement park rides!
Professional Sports Games
Students can travel off campus to see various professional sporting events with CAB! Past events include: a Milwaukee Bucks basketball game and a Milwaukee Brewers baseball game. Like the musicals and Six Flags, students must ride in a bus with their peers to and from the games.
Check out the Carthage Activities Board on The Harbor for meeting times and event dates. The Harbor is also where other clubs and organizations on campus update their events.