Latest News
CAM cares about the safety of all attendees: masks required (IL mandate - Note from our Chair)
Qualify for discounted WeeM rates by registering today.
Book your room(s) today to qualify for the special WeeM rate of $119!See details & sign up for the excursion to visit the Ray Bradbury Experience Musuem plus a Walking Tour!Interested in selling merchandise? Find out how from our vendor flyer.
PAAG is now available.See All the Rates.
This site will be updated with the latest information as it becomes available.
Programs
As usual, there will be quite a few different programs available — three tracks so it's impossible to attend them all but, with luck, maybe one you missed in prior years will be offered again. We have the latest Programs At A Glance (PAAG) if you'd like to peruse. Please keep in mind, of course, that this is a working copy, and offerings are subject to change.
Although programs are subject to change, so far this year’s topics (tap/click on a topic for details) include:
- Amazing Race - WeeM Style
- Awards & Announcements
- Board Meeting
- Breaking the Big Tech Duopoly: How to Run a Smartphone Without Apple or Google
- Cornhole Tournament
- Curative Cocktails of the Past and Present Both Proven and Alleged‡
- Debate without Hate!
- Destination: Heartland History
- Epicurean Experience
- Firehouse SIG Meet & Greet
- 5 Love Languages
- Friday Night Movie
- Gen Y Ms SIG Meet & Greet
- Genealogical Gold in the DAR Database
- Gimme a Brake — On My Car, That Is!
- Human Hungry Hungry Hippos
- Illinois Railway Museum: Past, Present & Future
- Improv Comedy Show: The BlueBs
- ImprovThis: The Three Pillars of Improv
- The Infamous Costume Contest
- The Kids Costume Contest
- Lagniappe Pub Trivia
- LEGO® Improv
- Logic Problem Tournament
- M-Available SIG Meet & Greet
- Magic and Demons in Jewish Lore and Law
- Magic: The Gathering Commander (EDH)
- MBTI - Myers Briggs Type Indicator
- Meet Your National Board of Directors (AMC)
- Mental Illness and Employment
- Michael Caine Teaches Class Acting in Movies
- MMM-Chocolate Tasting & Swap
- MythConceptions and More Trick Questions of US History
- Nature's Best 5
- Party on Safari: 16 Ms in East Africa
- Photo Booth
- Pretentious Drinking‡
- Rainbow SIG Meet-and-Greet
- Rare Life Magazine LPs
- Saturday Night Movie
- Scheduled Car Maintenance ~ What / When / Where???
- Science Time with Timmy
- Securing Your Artistic and Intellectual Property: Safe and Secure Photo and Document Storage
- Seeking Spiceland
- Self-Sufficient Ms - Carry-in & Seed Swap
- The Servant Leadership Dynamic between Branch Rickey & Jackie Roosevelt Robinson: How They Changed Baseball and Our Country
- 7 Wonders Tournament
- Sexyg Fishbowl
- Sir Ernest Shackleton and The Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration
- sMart Bar: Beer, Mead & Wine Exchange
- Social Deduction Games
- Telling Your Story
- Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament
- This Doesn’t Ad Up — Spectacular Fails in Global Marketing
- To Boldly See What Others Miss
- The Trans-Siberian Railroad for the Independent Traveler
- Truncated Travels: Wandering in the COVID Age
- What's Your Bacon!
- The Wonderful World of Pun Competitions – A Modest Travelogue
- The Wonderful World of Whiskey or Everything You Wanted to Know About Whiskey (But Were Afraid to Ask)‡
- You’ve Been Lied to about Physics (Because the Truth is Complicated)
‡ Must be vaccinated to attend!
Some changes may will occur between now and WeeM but you can expect most of the programs listed above and the traditional ones listed below. Also don’t forget, there will be Tournaments in addition to the programs.
The latest Programs At A Glance (PAAG) give you an idea of when many of the tournaments and programs have been scheduled and helps you avoid volunteering during a time slot that may conflict with something you wish to attend. As always, there may be last minutes changes due to cancellations and/or conflicts. The printed PAAG at WeeM will always supersede the Program Booklet schedule and we will do our best to keep the online PAAG in synch with the on-site printed copy.
Past Programs
Also, you can access our archives (pdf) to view the full program booklets for all past HalloweeMs with the exception of the virtual one in 2020.
HalloweeM Favorites
Thursday
Glass Blowing Excursion
Excursions
There will be excursions for those who arrive early.
Volunteer!
HalloweeM setup starts at ~3 PM at the hotel. Sign up early and earn double points
for the Sunday morning drawing held during the Awards & Announcements Presentation.
Winners need not be present Sunday for awards for $20 or more.
Programs
Expect the first program to start at
˜6 PM.
(See the latest Programs At A Glance (PAAG)
for the actual times.
Please keep in mind, of course, that this is a working copy,
and offerings are subject to change.)
Tournaments
The first tournament will begin at
˜6 PM.
(See the latest Programs At A Glance (PAAG)
for the actual times.
Please keep in mind, of course, that this is a working copy,
and offerings are subject to change.)
Dinner
Gather in the hospitality area and catch up with your friends while enjoying
a buffet including tasty sides at ˜7 PM
Friday
Costume Parades
The Friday night costume party is one of the unique events that sets Chicago
Area Mensa’s RG apart from all the others. Mensan grown-ups
take dressing up to a new level. Costumes range from fanciful to
funny to elaborate and elegant, but the thing for which Mensans are
best known are the pun and word-play costumes. In all of them,
Mensa-style creativity is obvious. Bring your sense of
humor, and your wits, because our puns will keep you guessing and
giggling all night long. Make sure to consider this year's theme,
ripe for pun-filled humor! Puns, however, are not a requirement.
View our pictures
to see costumes from ’WeeMs past.
The kids costume parade will precede the adult
costumes as in past years to encourage more adults to attend and support
our youth.
The keynote speaker will be featured on Saturday rather than
Friday between the kids and adults costume parade.
but for those of you who
have younger children who might be overwhelmed by hundreds of
strangers, who have children with early bed-times, or who simply want
to avoid having to explain some of the (occasionally suggestive)
puns, this will give kids a chance to dress up and compete for prizes
at their own party. Then get yourself into costume and come to the
main event.
Saturday
Pretentious Drinking
Liqueurs. The fancy stuff. Polished, cosmopolitan,
perhaps even a bit
snooty. The stuff you graduate to from beer and wine. You’d like
to know more but, gosh, look at that price. What if that pricey potion
isn’t quite the palate pleaser you expected? Rejoice! As in years
past, you can sample some truly amazing liqueurs, and your
money’s no good here! We will supply a wide range of weird and
wonderful concoctions from around the world. You can determine which
you’d like to own, which should be left on the shelf, and which
you should give to your arch-nemesis as a thoughtful gift. Obviously,
you must be of legal drinking age to join us and show proof at registration.
Snobbish accents and extended pinkies optional.
Photo Booth
The return of the Photo Booth—this year it will be located near
Pretentious Drinking—where you can pose with friends wearing all
sorts of fun and silly props. You’ll be given a copy of your photos
as a keepsake. See some of the prior years’ photos
(2019
,
2018
,
2017
,
2015
or
2014)
to get an idea of what to expect.
Werewolf of WeeM Tournament
For those under 21, in addition to the daily Social Deduction games,
we will offer a special Werewolf tournament just for teens and
tweens after the Epicurean Experience.
Epicurean Experience
Unusual food samples and, occasionally, unique beverages.
This event is alcohol free, so anyone not wearing
an “under 21” badge should visit before partaking of Pretentious
Drinking and show us your PD ticket. (You can keep it.)
Please note: we aren’t serving a meal, just samples and sips, so
come for curiosity, not dinner.
Contests
We’ve also had requests
to bring back the Cookie Contest as well as the Scarecrow Decorating Contest from previous years. If
you’re a local member or attendee interested in hosting or helping with either of those or
another contest idea,
please let us know by contacting our
WeeM Chair
or signing up to add it to the program list..
Sunday
Chicago Area Mensa Board Meeting
CAM members are invited to attend. Submit any GOBS requests no later than Friday
to give the GOBS liaison time to process it during this busy weekend.
Awards & Announcement
Find out who won the volunteer raffle — volunteers winning smaller cash amounts
must be present.
Hear about the AG and other RGs.
Congratulate several deserving
members who have been volunteering in our organization upon
whom AML service awards will be conferred.
And the Hell's M's announce our RG’s party animal.
Amazing Race: WeeM Style Tournament
Join us for the “Amazing Race” for Mensans! Based upon the popular TV reality show,
teams of 2-4 competitors complete a variety of tasks, some cerebral, some lighthearted,
on their way to the final “Pit Stop” and victors’ bragging rights.
Our version is designed for all ages and activity levels, and is sure to be one of the
most memorable things you’ll do this weekend!
Deadlines
-
Registration -
Discounts for advanced registration
are available through Friday, October 15th.
(Note: Full payment is required by the deadline to qualify for the discount for which you registered. )
-
Excursions -
Sign up for any of the Excursions by Monday, October 18th.
Since space is limited, the deadline may move up depending upon demand.
-
Vendor space - Please complete and submit a
Vendor Application by October 20th.
If you have any questions after reviewing the Vendor Flyer containing all the details, contact the
WeeM Vendor Liaison .
-
Lodging -
The hotel is offering a spectacular
WeeM rate of $119 through
Thursday, October 7th, subject to availability.
If the hotel block is full, please contact our
WeeM Chair
who will try to expand the block.
-
Room and/or Ride Sharing - Let us help match you up with another attendee who is also interested in sharing a room or ride by submitting your information by Sunday, October 24th.
-
Speaker/Tournament Submissions - The deadline to submit your entry for a program or tournament for the WeeM was Wednesday, September 15th.
Follow WeeM on Social Media
These pages and all content Copyright 2021
by Chicago Area Mensa, all rights reserved. Chicago Area Mensa is part of
American Mensa, Ltd.
Mensa® and the Mensa logo (as depicted for example in U.S. TM Reg. No. 1,405,381)
are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by
American Mensa, Ltd.,
and are registered in other countries by
Mensa International Limited
and/or affiliated national Mensa organizations.
Mensa does not hold any opinions, or have, or express, any political or religious views.
program.php last updated September 27, 2021.
Glass Blowing Excursion
Excursions
There will be excursions for those who arrive early.
Volunteer!
HalloweeM setup starts at ~3 PM at the hotel. Sign up early and earn double points for the Sunday morning drawing held during the Awards & Announcements Presentation. Winners need not be present Sunday for awards for $20 or more.
Programs
Expect the first program to start at ˜6 PM. (See the latest Programs At A Glance (PAAG) for the actual times. Please keep in mind, of course, that this is a working copy, and offerings are subject to change.)
Tournaments
The first tournament will begin at ˜6 PM. (See the latest Programs At A Glance (PAAG) for the actual times. Please keep in mind, of course, that this is a working copy, and offerings are subject to change.)
Dinner
Gather in the hospitality area and catch up with your friends while enjoying a buffet including tasty sides at ˜7 PM
Costume Parades
The Friday night costume party is one of the unique events that sets Chicago Area Mensa’s RG apart from all the others. Mensan grown-ups take dressing up to a new level. Costumes range from fanciful to funny to elaborate and elegant, but the thing for which Mensans are best known are the pun and word-play costumes. In all of them, Mensa-style creativity is obvious. Bring your sense of humor, and your wits, because our puns will keep you guessing and giggling all night long. Make sure to consider this year's theme, ripe for pun-filled humor! Puns, however, are not a requirement. View our pictures to see costumes from ’WeeMs past.
The kids costume parade will precede the adult costumes as in past years to encourage more adults to attend and support our youth. The keynote speaker will be featured on Saturday rather than Friday between the kids and adults costume parade. but for those of you who have younger children who might be overwhelmed by hundreds of strangers, who have children with early bed-times, or who simply want to avoid having to explain some of the (occasionally suggestive) puns, this will give kids a chance to dress up and compete for prizes at their own party. Then get yourself into costume and come to the main event.
Saturday
Pretentious Drinking
Liqueurs. The fancy stuff. Polished, cosmopolitan, perhaps even a bit snooty. The stuff you graduate to from beer and wine. You’d like to know more but, gosh, look at that price. What if that pricey potion isn’t quite the palate pleaser you expected? Rejoice! As in years past, you can sample some truly amazing liqueurs, and your money’s no good here! We will supply a wide range of weird and wonderful concoctions from around the world. You can determine which you’d like to own, which should be left on the shelf, and which you should give to your arch-nemesis as a thoughtful gift. Obviously, you must be of legal drinking age to join us and show proof at registration. Snobbish accents and extended pinkies optional.
Photo Booth
The return of the Photo Booth—this year it will be located near Pretentious Drinking—where you can pose with friends wearing all sorts of fun and silly props. You’ll be given a copy of your photos as a keepsake. See some of the prior years’ photos (2019 , 2018 , 2017 , 2015 or 2014) to get an idea of what to expect.
Werewolf of WeeM Tournament
For those under 21, in addition to the daily Social Deduction games, we will offer a special Werewolf tournament just for teens and tweens after the Epicurean Experience.
Epicurean Experience
Unusual food samples and, occasionally, unique beverages.
This event is alcohol free, so anyone not wearing
an “under 21” badge should visit before partaking of Pretentious
Drinking and show us your PD ticket. (You can keep it.)
Please note: we aren’t serving a meal, just samples and sips, so
come for curiosity, not dinner.
Contests
We’ve also had requests to bring back the Cookie Contest as well as the Scarecrow Decorating Contest from previous years. If you’re a local member or attendee interested in hosting or helping with either of those or another contest idea, please let us know by contacting our WeeM Chair or signing up to add it to the program list..
Sunday
Chicago Area Mensa Board Meeting
CAM members are invited to attend. Submit any GOBS requests no later than Friday to give the GOBS liaison time to process it during this busy weekend.
Awards & Announcement
Find out who won the volunteer raffle — volunteers winning smaller cash amounts must be present. Hear about the AG and other RGs. Congratulate several deserving members who have been volunteering in our organization upon whom AML service awards will be conferred. And the Hell's M's announce our RG’s party animal.
Amazing Race: WeeM Style Tournament
Join us for the “Amazing Race” for Mensans! Based upon the popular TV reality show, teams of 2-4 competitors complete a variety of tasks, some cerebral, some lighthearted, on their way to the final “Pit Stop” and victors’ bragging rights. Our version is designed for all ages and activity levels, and is sure to be one of the most memorable things you’ll do this weekend!
Deadlines
- Registration - Discounts for advanced registration are available through Friday, October 15th. (Note: Full payment is required by the deadline to qualify for the discount for which you registered. )
- Excursions - Sign up for any of the Excursions by Monday, October 18th. Since space is limited, the deadline may move up depending upon demand.
- Vendor space - Please complete and submit a Vendor Application by October 20th. If you have any questions after reviewing the Vendor Flyer containing all the details, contact the WeeM Vendor Liaison .
- Lodging - The hotel is offering a spectacular WeeM rate of $119 through Thursday, October 7th, subject to availability. If the hotel block is full, please contact our WeeM Chair who will try to expand the block.
- Room and/or Ride Sharing - Let us help match you up with another attendee who is also interested in sharing a room or ride by submitting your information by Sunday, October 24th.
- Speaker/Tournament Submissions - The deadline to submit your entry for a program or tournament for the WeeM was Wednesday, September 15th.
Follow WeeM on Social Media
These pages and all content Copyright 2021 by Chicago Area Mensa, all rights reserved. Chicago Area Mensa is part of American Mensa, Ltd. Mensa® and the Mensa logo (as depicted for example in U.S. TM Reg. No. 1,405,381) are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by American Mensa, Ltd., and are registered in other countries by Mensa International Limited and/or affiliated national Mensa organizations. Mensa does not hold any opinions, or have, or express, any political or religious views.
program.php last updated September 27, 2021.
PAAG