How to Join a Groundhog Club

Groundhog clubs are dedicated to preserving the legend of the groundhog and its ability to foresee the end of winter. These clubs can range from local groups, which may help to organize winter festivals and celebrations in your area, to the original Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, which cares for the most famous groundhog of them all, Punxsutawney Phil.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Find out how to join local groundhog clubs near where you live. The majority of these clubs are located in the eastern half of North America, the natural habitat of the groundhog, and may be dedicated to the protection and preservation of these mammals as well. Remember that Groundhog Day is celebrated as enthusiastically in Canada as in the United States. Use online resources to locate clubs across North America, such as the Shadow Watchers of Kansas (see Resources below).
2. Visit the website of the official Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, and find out how to join (see Resources below). The website contains information about the celebration in Punxsutawney and how to order groundhog merchandise, as well as live video feeds of the festival. All membership dues go toward the care of Punxsutawney Phil, his wife Phyllis and the costs of the celebration.
3. Ask a local groundhog club how you can assist with the planning of Groundhog Day events, or the care of local groundhogs. Some regional groundhog clubs participate with local schools and libraries to keep the traditions of Groundhog Day alive.
4. Start your own groundhog club. Enlist your friends and family to join and plan events. Hold a local celebration in your town, make and sell groundhog souvenirs, track the progress of the results from each regional groundhog ceremony and throw Groundhog Day parties with prizes for the best groundhog costume. Work with local schools and libraries to provide a history of Groundhog Day and to educate children about the groundhog.

Tips & Warnings

• If you join a groundhog club, ask about sponsoring a trip to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to witness the ceremony. Make and sell Groundhog Day merchandise such as apparel, jewelry and pennants to raise money for the trip.