Members

Clubs

Enjoy Monterey with NPS Community Clubs

The NPS Foundation & Alumni Association offers a variety of recreational clubs for students and family members to enhance their experience during their time on the Monterey Peninsula. NPS faculty, staff and other local Foundation members are also invited to join clubs.

When You Join A Club, You..

Connect with other students and Foundation members.
Foster a community around a shared interest.
Enjoy time away from their high-stress, demanding duty of serving our country.
Give back to the community and attend exclusive events with volunteer opportunities.
Participate in races, hikes, bike rides, conventions, golf tournaments, etc. at a discounted rate.
Have fun!
Becoming a member is the only way to join clubs and access the benefits provided by the NPS Foundation & Alumni Association.

Our Clubs

Chess

Club

About Us

Do you enjoy astonishing your opponents with brilliant strategies and jaw-dropping queen sacrifices before mercilessly tipping over their kings? Well, this is the right club for you! Chess is the oldest game on earth that is still widely played. Called “The Game of Kings” it has captured the imagination of countless people for the past 1,500 years. There are more possible chess positions than there are atoms in the universe, so this game is famous for taking five minutes to learn, but a lifetime to master!

The Monterey Sea Knights Chess Club was established to promote this fascinating game at NPS and within the Monterey area. We have an educational focus designed to cultivate in our members the skills needed to play chess at the competitive level. Being part of the Chess Club is a great way to get to know fellow students, sharpen your mind and have fun as you improve at chess. We are open to NPS students, alumni, faculty and their families. Bring your kids! All skill levels welcome! Don't worry if you have no experience, we will teach you how to play and learn together. The club is free for NPS Foundation members, and there are no fees to join.

What We Do

The Monterey Sea Knights Chess Club is here to provide you a welcoming environment to facilitate learning and gameplay. We offer free lessons from a seasoned competition player in a course designed to cover all aspects of the game ranging from the basics to tactics, strategy, mating attacks, pattern recognition and Positional Theory. We also hold a wide variety of events to include blitz matches, arena tournaments, and an ongoing “Ladder Tournament” from which the NPS Chess Champion is declared quarterly. In conjunction with our two sister clubs, we hold periodic club vs. club events, the last of which involved players from across the country.

Meetups

The Chess Club meets from 2 to 5 p.m. every Friday at the Foundation cottage on the NPS campus. The schedule varies, but the typical session sees ladder matches and beginner lessons start at 2 p.m., intermediate lessons start at 3 p.m., and blitz tournaments/casual play start at 4 p.m. Meetups are structured to offer flexibility with different events occurring at different times; participants come and go as they please, and there is no expectation to be present for the full three hours.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The chess club plays an active role in promoting community outreach for the NPS Foundation. In the past, we have taken the lead at exciting volunteer events such as the McCall Motorworks Revival; we also have spearheaded the organization of volunteers at motorcycle and car events held at Quail Lodge. These events provide club members an avenue to give back to the community, while also providing unforgettable memories. Several members have also volunteered at the First Tee Open Pro-Am and AT&T Pro-Am!

Connect with us

President - LT Eric Bowden

Vice President - LT Bryan Eidson

Secretary - vacant

Treasurer - vacant

Join our online presence for online gameplay

Join Online Lessons via MS Teams

Join Our Club

Click here to join the NPS Foundation and any clubs. If you are already a member, please submit a profile update to manage your club memberships.

Cyber

Club

About Us

The Cyber Club's goal is to improve the cyber skills of our club members.

What We Do

The club currently competes on multiple digital platforms, allowing a hands-on environment to learn. The club also serves as a forum to connect members together to compete in cyber Capture-the-Flag (CTF) competitions.

Meetups
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The NPS Foundation Cyber Club was previously a hybrid organization with the Military Cyber Professional Association. The MCPA is still active in Monterey and the Cyber Club works with the MCPA for local and regional events.

Join Our Club

Click here to join the NPS Foundation and any clubs. If you are already a member, please submit a profile update to manage your club memberships.

Cycling

Club

About Us

The NPS Foundation Cycling club (NPSFCC) is one of the most popular clubs at NPS. Why? Because cycling (road and mountain) is great around Monterey! The NPSFCC is a very active club and facilitates all cycling ability levels. Being part of the NPSFCC is a great way to get to know fellow like-minded students, the area, and prominent local people. NPSFCC is an NPS Foundation Club dedicated to supporting NPS students who enjoy riding bicycles for recreation, exercise, and competition.

What We Do

NPSFCC welcomes riders of all levels and disciplines. We have members who are active in both road and mountain biking with experience levels ranging from National Champions to first-year riders. We have several rides each week as well as opportunities to volunteer in the community.

Meetups

The club coordinates rides via Road and Mountain Bike specific WhatsApp Chats. Be sure to join the chats once you receive your introductory email from the club.

  • ‍Tuesday - 1600 - Group Road Ride from Custom House Plaza. Improve your group riding skills.
  • Friday - 0730 - Group Social Ride from the parking lot across from the NPS Del Monte gate. Coffee house stop afterward.
  • Friday - 0730 - Group Mountain Bike Ride coordinated via the Club Whats App.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The club volunteers regularly throughout the year at events like the Sea Otter Classic and Big Sur Marathon. It also participates in the Laguna Seca Twilight Ride.

Join Our Club

Click here to join the NPS Foundation and any clubs. If you are already a member, please submit a profile update to manage your club memberships.

Drone Racing (COMING SOON!)

Club

About Us

The Drone Racing Club is the NPS Foundation's newest club! We're still pulling all the final details together. If you are interested in staying in the loop, participating or holding a leadership role in the club, reach out to Sue Moore.

What We Do

With a new club, there's a lot of opportunity to shape the kind of Drone Racing community we want to have for the NPS students, faculty, staff, alumni, family members and our local community supporters. Everything from STEM activities in the community to building and flying drones to racing competitions are on the docket. We want to hear your input on how to make this an incredible community experience!

Meetups
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Connect with us

We're looking for leadership for the Drone Racing Club. If you are interested in learning more or signing up for a leadership position, reach out to Sue Moore.

Join Our Club

Click here to join the NPS Foundation and any clubs. If you are already a member, please submit a profile update to manage your club memberships.

Flying

Club

About Us

We are a general aviation focused flying club providing fellow military-associated persons with a cost effective means to enjoy piloting & aviation activities while operating under a nonprofit 501(c)(3), the Monterey Flying Club Auxiliary. As a sponsored recreational flying social club, we comply with FAA FAR Part 61 regulations. The nonprofit and NGO status provides us with a greater latitude in seeking donations and grants to support operations, common aviation activities and to have fun flying.

Note: We are currently in a rebuild mode after having a set back in operations and loss of aircraft due to COVID. We are attempting to reestablish full flight operations at the Monterey Airport.

What We Do

Provide FAA FAR Part 61 flight training & aviation ground instruction with a certified flight or ground instructor, and aviation resources within our capabilities. In addition, our CFIs have experience in helping military pilots transition to civilian certifications and ratings.

Planned Course Offerings

  • Private Pilot
  • Instrument
  • Commercial
  • Multi-Engine
  • CFI, CFII, MEI
  • Tailwheel Transition

We provide hourly aircraft rental to authorized & certified active club members who are current pilots or student pilots. Aircraft rental rates will be as fair & reasonable as we can possibly make them. For student pilots, rental is subject to prior CFI approval for usage.

Meetups

Quarterly safety meetings are required and impromptu meetings as necessary.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Join Our Club

Click here to join the NPS Foundation and any clubs. If you are already a member, please submit a profile update to manage your club memberships.

Golf

Club

About Us

The Golf Club is a collection of NPS students, professors, and community supporters with a shared interest in golf and its core values of integrity, sportsmanship, and goodwill. We have players of all abilities in the club and we encourage anyone interested in the game to join.

What We Do

We typically have an event once a month. Event formats vary but the competition is fun and relaxed. We’re grateful to have access to some of the best golf courses in the area.

Meetups
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The golf club plays an active role in promoting community outreach for the NPS Foundation. Golf club members often volunteer at the AT&T Pro-Am, the First Tee Open Pro-Am, and the TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational. These events provide club members an avenue to give back to the community, while also providing unforgettable memories.

Join Our Club

Click here to join the NPS Foundation and any clubs. If you are already a member, please submit a profile update to manage your club memberships.

International

Club

About Us

The NPS International Club brings together members of the NPS community to share various international cultures, improve language skills, and build relationships while at NPS and beyond.

What We Do

This club connects members with common interests in cultures and languages through club events and language circles to create a community of members. Learn more about the Language Circles here.

Meetups

The club hosts a welcome event each quarter to introduce new students to club leadership, including the language circle leaders. Individual language circles meet, virtually or in person, on a schedule agreed upon by the members.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The club connects with many of the international students at NPS and students from the Defense Language Institute (DLI). Members also participate in NPS’ International Day.

Connect with us
Language Circle Leaders

Arabic: MAJ Don Gomez

Chinese (Mandarin): Major Hsiao-wei Wang

English: Maj Elly Carrasco

French: CAPT John Tully

German: Maj. Eric Little

Japanese: Maj. Sam Morrissey

Korean: Maj. Daniel Han

Portuguese: MAJ Jared Dahl

Russian: MAJ Parker Stevens

Spanish: MAJ Hugo Bustamante

Join Our Club

Click here to join the NPS Foundation and any clubs. If you are already a member, please submit a profile update to manage your club memberships.

Makers

Club

About Us

We function based on the premise of the maker movement, a movement focused on inventing self-made products that are customizable and innovative. From brewing beer to making leather belts, building a kit 3D printer, and more, we facilitate skill-building and innovation. We provide a creative, collaborative space that spans across NPS departments.

What We Do

We link like-minded people to work together on projects, bridge skills gaps through education and collaboration, and reduce barriers to entry for producing prototypes to solve real-world problems. When you join the Maker’s Club, you get access to special facilities and tools, reduced costs for your projects, and a community to leverage during your time at NPS. We also cater our events (free food!).

Meetups

Past workshops have included: 3D Printing, Robotics, CNC Milling, Laser Cutting, Quadcopter Racing, Battle Bots, Wood Working, Leather Working, Beer Brewing, Sewing, Arduino/Raspberry Pi, 3D Design

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Join Our Club

Click here to join the NPS Foundation and any clubs. If you are already a member, please submit a profile update to manage your club memberships.

Outdoors

Club

About Us

The Outdoors Club is about connecting outdoor enthusiasts with people of similar outdoor interests and experiences. We are people who love the great outdoors. We have an extensive network of members who have access to outdoors-related information and resources. We make it easier for you to learn the “ropes” of getting outdoors in California and beyond.

We are members of the NPS family, be that faculty, staff, or students. This club is your opportunity to learn from those who have been in the Monterey area for a while and enjoy the same activities you do, and participate in events with like-minded folks who will enjoy your company.

What We Do

We hunt, fish, hike, climb, ride motorcycles, kayak around the bay on sunny days, and many other activities. Sometimes we just hang out on the Monterey beaches by a good fire or coordinate trips to California’s fabulous outdoor destinations. We strive to make it easier to do all these things by reaching out, supporting each other, and sharing knowledge and experience.

Meetups

Club events are determined by membership interest and scheduled accordingly.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The Outdoors Club supports the local community in any way we can. Namely, we accomplish this by club members volunteering their time and energy at local community events. As the club continues to grow, we are looking for opportunities to continually expand our involvement and volunteer efforts within the community.

Join Our Club

Click here to join the NPS Foundation and any clubs. If you are already a member, please submit a profile update to manage your club memberships.

Running

Club

About Us

The Naval Postgraduate School Foundation Running Club (NPSFRC) is a group of NPS students, faculty, staff, community supporters and family members who enjoy running. We are a group of motivated runners who run and train together to meet our fitness goals. We have runners pursuing goals from 5Ks to ultramarathons, so all are invited to join us at any of our runs.

What We Do

We encourage and support runners of all paces to attend. All running routes support an out and back to facilitate individual distance preference.

Meetups

The NPSFRC meets weekly for group runs and training sessions across the local area.

  • Tuesdays - 1600 - right outside of the NPS Del Monte Gate (stroller & bike friendly for young family members)
  • Saturdays - 0800-0900 - location varies around the Monterey Peninsula (These runs are coordinated with the Wednesday Night Laundry Runners. View their calendar.)
  • Occasional destination runs
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Every quarter the NPSFRC participates or volunteers in a race or event that benefits the local community. Past races included the Fort Ord Trail Run, Monterey Bay Half Marathon, Big Sur Marathon, and Fiesta Mountain Run.

Join Our Club

Click here to join the NPS Foundation and any clubs. If you are already a member, please submit a profile update to manage your club memberships.

Sailing

Club

About Us

The NPSF Yacht Club enhances the NPS experience through the inherently maritime activity of sailing in historic and picturesque Monterey Bay. NPS students, faculty, staff, other active duty, military retirees, and their families who are Foundation members may participate. Competitive and recreational sailing are available through the yacht club. The yacht club owns two Shield 30 sailboats used by the sailing team for racing, as well as one Santana 22 sailboat and one Pearson Electra 26 sailboat available for recreation.

What We Do

The NPS Foundation Yacht club aims to provide a means for sailors of any skill level to get out on the gorgeous Monterey. With our five-boat fleet, we host classes for beginners, facilitate rentals for all club members, and race each week in the local series.

Meetups

Races are held every Wednesday at 1700. All are welcome. Group sails will be scheduled on weekends based on interest.

  • Training: Successful completion of the sail instruction class qualifies you with Keelboat Skipper C qualification. This lets you rent either the Navy Santana 22-ft boat or the Pearson Electra 26-ft boat in Monterey whenever you want. The cost for the class is $250. Contact npssa.vc.training@gmail.com for information.

We use the book, Start Sailing Right. Please try to read the first 10 chapters (60 pages) of the book before the first class. Please learn to tie the following knots: bowline, square knot, cleat hitch and rolling hitch.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Join Our Club

Click here to join the NPS Foundation and any clubs. If you are already a member, please submit a profile update to manage your club memberships.

Skydiving

Club

About Us

The NPS Foundation Skydiving Club provides members the opportunity to begin skydiving, refresh old skills, maintain current skills, and join a lifelong and worldwide community of people who love to skydive. We uphold the five goals stated by the United States Parachute Association (USPA): learning, safety, competition, sportsmanship and camaraderie. Our club is a group member of the USPA. All club members must be a member in current and good standing with USPA to participate in club events involving jumping from a plane. Visit the USPA website for complete details about USPA and member application procedures.

What We Do

We skydive, and we’re good at it. Club member experience varies from first-time jumpers to coaches, instructors, and international competitors. Our club members can help you start in the indoor wind tunnel, recommend where to have your first tandem skydive, or begin the Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) program to gain your civilian skydiving license. We also maintain club equipment for rental to new and experienced jumpers to eliminate the need for our members to rent equipment from the local drop zones.

Meetups

Club members jump almost every weekend. We coordinate group jumps and all other club activities through our club chat group. Once you join the club, you’ll be added to that chat to stay in the loop.

  • The club hosts an annual USPA Safety Day in March at one of the local drop zones with food and drinks. Whether you haven’t made any jumps or have made thousands, join up, tune into the chat, and make your way out to Safety Day.
  • The club hosts indoor wind tunnel trips to iFly SF Bay. The tunnel is a fantastic way for first-time jumpers to understand the basic mechanics of flight before making a tandem or starting the AFF program.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Join Our Club

Click here to join the NPS Foundation and any clubs. If you are already a member, please submit a profile update to manage your club memberships.

Soccer

Club

About Us

The NPSF Soccer Club is a group of players, coaches, parents, and soccer enthusiasts. This club serves as a powerful tool for players to facilitate meeting the demands of the game, competing at all skill levels and coming together to have fun playing a sport we love.

What We Do

The NPS Soccer Club gets together once a week at Price Field at the Presidio of Monterey for a series of small-sided and full-field pickup matches. The club also has one team that competes in an Over-30s league in Monterey and a second team that competes in the Monterey County Soccer League, based in Salinas. As a club, we aim to get together for social events a few times a year so that we build camaraderie on and off the field.

Meetups

Every Thursday at 1730 at Price Field on the Presidio of Monterey

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Connect with us

President – Mark Rynn

Vice President – Jarrod Branch

Treasurer – James Bong-Johnson

Join Our Club

Click here to join the NPS Foundation and any clubs. If you are already a member, please submit a profile update to manage your club memberships.

Vehicle

Club

About Us

We are a collection of people interested in and passionate about all types of vehicles, cars, bikes, trucks, etc. We welcome enthusiasts, not just drivers, so don’t worry if you don’t own a “show” vehicle. Passion is required, not ownership. Our primary purpose is to provide a suitable and safe atmosphere for vehicle enthusiasts and their families to organize and associate with other like-minded individuals.

What We Do

We host fun activities for club members while fostering public interest in the love of vehicles. Because different vehicles excel at different things, our activities range from car shows and cruises to autocross and other higher-adrenaline activities. Remember, if you don’t have a car, you’re still welcome! There’s a reason most vehicles have at least one extra seat.

  • Track time/autocross: Your vehicle may not be able to handle high speed on a track, but you can ride shotgun. Some tracks even rent cars.
  • Car shows: New or old, fast or slow. We participate in and attend many local shows that celebrate all kinds of vehicles.
  • Cruises: Whether it’s an impromptu trip or a planned drive to a winery, ice cream shop, etc., these are low-key times to just enjoy the ride.
  • Volunteering: If it deals with cars, trucks, bikes in the Monterey area, we’re there, including events at Laguna Seca, the Pacific Grove Auto Rally, McCall’s Motorworks Revival, etc.
Meetups
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Join Our Club

Click here to join the NPS Foundation and any clubs. If you are already a member, please submit a profile update to manage your club memberships.

Wine

Club

About Us

Want to kick start or continue your exploration of wine? We’ve got you covered!

According to Wine Enthusiast, “Learning to taste wine is no different than learning to really appreciate music or art in that the pleasure you receive is proportional to the effort you make. The more you fine-tune your sensory abilities, the better you’re able to understand and enjoy the nuances and details that great wines express. The time and effort invested in palate training is rewarding — and very, very fun.” The world of wine is complex, but also enjoyable and educational to say the least. The NPSF Wine Club plans events, leverages leadership, encourages comradery and socialization, and of course, introduces all to fine local wine accompanied with an educational backbone.

What We Do

The NPSF Wine Club offers an atmosphere to share a common interest and curiosity in wine through education and experiences. The intent is to expose members to the nuances and complexities of wine, while simultaneously creating an atmosphere of community. All are welcome and encouraged to sign-up and give an event a try!

Meetups

Wine/events are donated or subsidized to offset the cost to help members achieve a better understanding and appreciation of wine and viticulture. With assistance from the NPS Foundation, event costs are kept to a minimum and worth every cent!

Monthly or More Events:

  • Local winery tastings and tours
  • Educational opportunities
  • ATV rides when available
  • Virtual events (approximately 3 times a year during the summer and over holidays)

Annual Events:

  • Trip to Napa Valley
  • Trip to Paso Robles
  • Summer or Fall Family Picnic
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Join Our Club

Click here to join the NPS Foundation and any clubs. If you are already a member, please submit a profile update to manage your club memberships.

If you are interested in helping to fund our clubs, host a club event, or get in contact with a club leader, you can contact our Membership Coordinator.

Hear From NPS Club Members

“Joining the Cycling Club was a great opportunity to meet other NPS students who are also into cycling and triathlon. The club was very inviting, and I was surprised to find out that it wasn't just NPS students. It was great to get out and ride with students from other programs, as well as professors, alumni, and members of the local community.”
Maj. Thomas Hathaway
U.S. Marine Corps, MS in National Security Affairs '22
“The NPSF Yacht Club is a valuable asset to the wellbeing and morale of NPS students, their families, and the military community in Monterey. It provides them the opportunity for a family-friendly activity of learning and enjoying the art of sailing, which is the foundation of Naval skill. The race team also increases the footprint of NPS and the military in the competitive sailing world, through competition with other yacht clubs around the country. It is vital to the military community in Monterey that the club continues to receive the support it needs to thrive for years to come.”
Lt. Mitchell Kempisty
U.S. Navy, MS in Astronautical Engineering '21
“The Foundation and the Skydiving Club, like all of the clubs, has been a great mechanism and provided a lot of opportunities to meet people who have similar interests. The skydiving community is small and the folks that are in the club now will absolutely run into each other again down the road.”
Maj. Tom Stanley
U.S. Army, MS in Defense Analysis '22
“While we were all limited to a virtual learning environment, connecting with the Wine Club allowed me to interact with a larger and more diverse representation of NPS. The Wine Club was warm and welcoming.”
Lt. Cmdr. Rachel Carter
U.S. Navy, MA in Security Studies '21
.iframe-container{ position: relative; width: 100%; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; } .iframe-container iframe{ position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }