Club members were also given rooftop access to the aquarium, where they were shown the aquarium’s equipment and machinery that keep the facility’s largest tanks operational.

The aquarium’s largest attraction, the 500,000-gallon Coral Reef Exhibit, is home to over 2,000 marine residents, representing over 100 different species.

The tour of the aquarium was USF junior Karl Washabaugh’s first outing with the club. Washabaugh was very interested in the facility’s backstage workings, in particular the technology used to keep exhibit salinity and temperatures stable.

“I was looking to try new things,” Washabaugh said, after exploring the aquarium’s many exotic wildlife tanks. “The club was called ‘Try New Things,’ so I figured, alright, cool.”

The club is planning another trip to The Florida Aquarium due to the interest it created. For updates on the Try New Things Club, check out their Facebook.

Samantha Lutz, a junior double major in philosophy and finance, created the Try New Things Club at USF after a friend introduced her to a similar organization at Florida Gulf Coast University.

“Most clubs are geared toward a very select group of people with one special interest,” Lutz said, after the tour,“but this club allows people with all different interests to come together and share their interests with others, while also exploring new hobbies.”

The Try New Things Club holds events about once a month and aims to keep them affordable and fun for any students willing to get out there and try something new.

So far, club members have taken on a belly-dancing class, moonlight canoeing and balloon splatter-painting. Some have even traveled to St. Petersburg to be extras in the upcoming film, “Spring Breakers,” starring Selena Gomez.

Lutz and the Try New Things Club have big plans regarding future events, and plan to bring more opportunities on-campus. They hope to reach a larger student attendance with easily accessible events, like the upcoming, blindfolded “Dine in the Dark” benefit for Southeastern Guide Dogs.

The Florida Aquarium offers volunteering opportunities in almost every field, from the facility’s maintenance to animal rescues, and currently enrolls over 250 volunteers. Any students interested in supporting the aquarium and experiencing an exciting, one of a kind opportunity, are encouraged to visit this website for more information.