Children laugh more than 300 times a day while adults laugh only about 15 times.
Shaun Ellsworth-Shaw said this statistic is a tragedy to him, so he did something about it.
It started at this year’s Palousafest, where University of Idaho students Ellsworth-Shaw and Alex Edstrom, along with some of their friends, came across an unoccupied booth.
One man started yelling “Free kisses from an Irish man,” but Ellsworth-Shaw said that wasn’t working out. But when someone started yelling, “Free high fives,” people started to respond.
Ellsworth-Shaw said that all kinds of people kept coming by and getting a high five. While some people got their “gift” and went on their way, some of the children at the event wanted more.
“There were these two kids who probably came through 20 times,” Ellsworth-Shaw said. “They really loved it.”
Even if people didn’t stop for a free high five, Edstrom said most people were smiling when they passed the booth.
“It’s not that big of a deal,” Edstrom said. “But when you see how people react it is just amazing.”
By the end of the day, the 17 or so people who joined the high-fivers went home with sore voices and the feeling that they had accomplished something.

“We could really do something with this,” Ellsworth-Shaw said.
Free High Fives is now an official student organization of which Ellsworth-Shaw is now the president and Edstrom is vice president.
Ellsworth-Shaw said there have been a few people who won’t take the high five.
“I’m really not trying to lace you with acid,” Ellsworth-Shaw said. “I’m just trying to give you a high five.”
Ellsworth-Shaw said he does not approve of the “slow Joe.”
“That is not what we are about,” he said. “We finalize the high five every time. There are no fakes. We don’t psyche anyone out.”
The group members understand not everyone is willing to accept.
“People have their own personal space and we respect that,” Ellsworth-Shaw said.
Either way, the group just wants to have some fun.
“I guess we get a little obnoxious at times,” Ellsworth-Shaw said. “But we are just trying to spread some smiles.”
The club has been setting up booths at local events as well as doing some high five run-throughs on campus. Club members walk around randomly offering people free high fives, or as the club mottos says, ‘spreading the happy.’
Some of the club members have even thought about holding a seminar on all the different high fives.

Every member has their own technique for getting a successful high five. Edstrom said eye contact is important for his technique. Edstrom said once you have obtained eye contact, you have to put your hand in the air, in high five position, then point and wave your finger at the person you wish to high five.
“You have to be really sincere about it,” he said. “It is fun to be able to make a difference.”
The club is thinking about doing something for Hempfest as well as Relay for Life, which raises money for the American Cancer Society.
“It is awesome to participate in that and encourage people because it is such a great cause,” Ellsworth-Shaw said.
He said all of the member would like to support more charities.
Membership in this club is open to students, faculty and the community. Contact information for joining this club is on the UI website.
“If it evolves into clowning, I don’t care,” Ellsworth-Shaw said. “Whatever it takes to get a connection with people and to get some smiling and happiness in their day.”

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