Welcome to Chicago Area Mensa

Our Mission

Chicago Area Mensa is a welcoming organization that provides a framework for intelligent individuals to interact and pursue common interests in order to build a social community.

One out of every fifty people qualifies for Mensa...
Are you the one?
Join us!

Mensans come from all walks of life. They range from three to one hundred years old. They represent both sexes, all races, various professions, and many beliefs. In fact, there's only one thing all Mensans have in common: high intelligence. To qualify for Mensa, you must have scored in the top 2% of the general population on a standardized intelligence test. There are many tests we accept. Once you've decided to join us, a world of social and intellectual opportunities is open to you.

If our local events don't keep you busy enough, there are many other opportunities to meet other Mensans from all over the globe. Each October, Chicago Area Mensa hosts HalloweeM, one of the grandest of all the Regional Gatherings. In the summer, Mensans from around the country get together at the Annual Gathering, which is a feast of presentations and activities for our omnivorous minds. There are also Mensa colloquia: "The Evolution and Revolution of Manufacturing" was the most recent one held this last July. Past topics included "The Nature of Genetics," "Between Science Fiction and Science," "Crime Scene Intelligence," "Social and Video Games", "Electronic Gaming and Its Impact on Society," and "Weather."

In a Twitter world, it's good to find some PBS minds. Come, see what we can do for you.

Participate & Socialize!

Only 127 days until HalloweeM 44: May the Fours Be With You!
Join over 500 Mensans here in Chicago for an amazing, long, family-friendly weekend. Our Regional Gathering (RG) is the largest and the program offers plenty of variety to stimuate your mind, plenty of games and contests to challenge you, and many opportunitys to have fun, dance, converse and just enjoy yourself. Many of the pun-tastic costume parade entries will make you laugh (or groan). Meals, snacks, and beverages are included with the exception of dinner on Saturday. Click/Tap here for all the details.

Mensans, you can now register for HalloweeM 44: May the Fours Be With You! You don't want to miss the terrific program and this incredibly fun experience that runs from Thursday, October 31st through Sunday, November 3rd. The rates increase after July 14th.

The hotel is offering a special $117 WeeM rate through October 10th, subject to availability.

It's Halloween and you want to dress up and go to a party, of course. The stars have aligned this year and this is a fun opportunity to join the largest Halloween party by attending our RG Friday, November 1st. See great costumes, participate in the contest (best & worst pun, traditional, etc), enjoy a delicious meal, imbibe if you like, meet Mensans from all over the country (even some from across the oceans), and dance the night away. It's the perfect party!

Chicago Area Mensa 2019 Summer Picnic

Sunday, July 14th
11:30 AM to 6 PM
Elmhurst

After last year’s success, we have decided to have another summer picnic for Chicago Area Mensa members and their family and friends. This year it’s later in July so people going to the AG in Phoenix can attend. Some members are always looking for more activities. Others have told us that some activities are too costly. This venue, which is centrally located, has been chosen to accommodate as many local Mensans as possible.

Chicago Area Mensa will provide burgers hot dogs, bratwursts, veggie burgers, and many sides, condiments, snacks, drinks, and desserts, as well as plates, napkins, and utensils. The park district permit for the picnic does not allow us to provide alcohol.

The site has a pavilion that will accommodate up to 150 people, so the picnic will be held rain or shine (unless the weather is truly awful). There is a bathroom by the baseball diamond. Bring games and equipment for outdoor activities.

The cost is $7 per adult and $3 per child with the same pricing for members and non-members alike. We would like as many members as possible to register in order to have enough food on hand. We are also discounting the price to $5/adult and $2/child when registering and prepaying via PayPal no later than Sunday, July 7th.

To ensure there’ll be enough food, register no later than Sunday, July 7th using the form on the Picnic registration page. Save money by paying in advance.

Mensa Fame:
Chicago won the Diamond Jewel Award in 2018, 2016 and 2014, the Sapphire in 2017, and the Emerald Jewel Award in 2015. Chicago is also the only nine-time GOTYA (now replaced by the Jewel Award) winner in Mensa.

Mensa was featured on CBS Sunday Morning (including notable Chicago Area Mensans!) some years ago. See the show on CBS's YouTube channel: