Clubs and Activities

Battle of the Brains is Central Virginia’s longest running TV high school academic quiz show. Broadcasted throughout Virginia over the years, Battle of the Brains has highlighted the diversity and intelligence of more than 3,500 of the brightest young minds of The Commonwealth. Benedictine’s Battle of the Brains team competes in a bracket-style championship competition against other schools answering a variety of topics ranging from social sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, literature, culture, art, and current events.

Benedictine’s ceremonial Color Guard teams are assigned to present the colors at various school events. Details can range from three-to-five Cadets but always consist of at least two rifles and the American Flag. The Color Guard is renowned throughout the greater Richmond area, presenting colors at local sporting events, community events, funerals, and veteran’s ceremonies.

The BCP Drill Team strives to become experts in military Drill and Ceremony. They perform and compete in armed and unarmed individual, squad, and platoon drills. Influenced by US Army Drill and Ceremony traditions, all drill teams must exhibit skills of discipline, bearing, snap, command, and control in order to be competitive.

The Emmaus Club, named for the story in Luke’s gospel of the disciples who are joined by the risen Christ on the road to Emmaus, is intended for young men who would like to nurture their faith in a way that goes beyond what all Cadets do. Members attend talks, go on excursions, assist with Mass duties, and pray together. While this club provides a means of exploring the possibility of a vocational calling, it also promotes student leadership within the Church.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) encourages Cadets to grow in their faith and lead lives of integrity, service, and leadership both on and off the field. Through regular meetings, prayer, guest speakers, and outreach events, members support one another in living out Christian values in athletics and everyday life. All students—athletes and non-athletes alike—are welcome to participate.

The Forensics Club helps Cadets develop confidence and skill in public speaking, debate, and oral interpretation. Members compete in local and regional tournaments in categories such as impromptu speaking, dramatic interpretation, and persuasive speech.

The purpose of the Honor Council is to educate the student body on the ‘spirit of honor’ within the school community. Also, this student-led council decides the guilt or innocence of Honor Code violations and the punishments associated with a guilty verdict. A faculty moderator oversees the Honor Council and attends all hearings.

The Hunt and Conservation Club promotes responsible outdoor sportsmanship and a deep respect for nature. Through hands-on experiences, members learn about ethical hunting practices, wildlife conservation, land stewardship, and habitat preservation. The club empowers students to be leaders in preserving our God's creation, fostering a lifelong commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability.

The Key Club is an international student-led organization where members learn how to lead and stand for what’s right through service and volunteerism. In partnership with the local Kiwanis Club, Cadets are making a positive impact as they serve others at Benedictine and in their communities.

The Model Judiciary Program is a joint effort between the Virginia YMCA and the Young Lawyers Section of the Virginia Bar Association. This program is designed to give students from Virginia high schools the opportunity to gain first-hand experience with the operation of our judicial system. Students work throughout the year to take on the roles of lawyers and witnesses on one side of a trial that will be presented before a real judge. Students in the past have had the opportunity to go on and present arguments at the appellate level and before the Supreme Court of Virginia.

The Multimedia Club captures and shares life at Benedictine through creative digital storytelling. Members provide photo coverage of key school events and produce the student-run podcast Behind the Sabre, offering insights into campus life, interviews, and Cadet perspectives.

Benedictine’s Pipe and Drum Corps is the brainchild of BCP’s master bagpiper, the late Tim Macleod. There is no other musical unit to match our Pipe and Drum band. Composed of bagpipers, drummers, buglers, and trumpeters, the band sets the beat when the Corps is on the march and leads our football team onto the gridiron. The band has traveled to Europe to play in Paris and Normandy, France, for the anniversary of the D-Day Invasion. Additionally, the group is a mainstay at celebrations across Richmond.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics is a national organization that hosts engineering competitions with a focus on developing intelligent and conscientious critical thinkers and problem solvers. FIRST provides a unique opportunity for students to build self confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. Members of Benedictine’s Robotics Club work together with Gators from Saint Gertrude to build a much larger robot for FIRST Robotics Challenge (FRC).

The Schola Santorum leads liturgical music for weekly school-wide Masses and at various special events, performs annual concerts, and practices weekly. On some occasions, Benedictine’s choir will join Saint Gertrude’s Honor Ensemble. There is no prior musical experience prerequisite to join the choir, which includes representation from a wide swath of the Corps of Cadets.

Through our partnership with Saint Gertrude, Benedictine students have the opportunity to participate in a vibrant theater program: The Stuart Avenue Players. Our sister school stages outstanding productions each year, all of which require male actors. This collaboration yields a fall drama and a spring musical.

The Student Government Association (SGA) assists in the planning and execution of special school events and fundraisers for the school and various charities. Members of the SGA are elected by the students and faculty approval is required.

Through engaging activities, students explore classical and modern traditions—from ancient Roman literature to contemporary Latino and Francophone communities in the World Language Club. The school proudly sponsors chapters of the National Latin Honor Society, National French Honor Society, and National Spanish Honor Society, recognizing excellence in language study and service.