Our Mission

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

Open to
the Public

Monthly Gathering

Monthly Gathering

Our July Monthly Gathering, scheduled for Saturday, July 27th, will be held in the Rolling Meadows Community Center.

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This Month’s Events

This Month’s Events

Find out what’s happening this month.
The more the merrier!

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HalloweeM

HalloweeM 48

October 31 – November 3, 2024
at the Westin North Shore Hotel.
Come, learn, & have fun!
Register! Book your room!
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Youth & Parents

Youth & Parents

Join activities & the closed Facebook Group for Mensa youth and their parents and Mensa parents and their children.

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Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

Chicago Area Mensa is a safe and inclusive in-person and on-line community for CAM members and guests regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, ethnicity, age, or religion.

Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated. Unacceptable physical, written, or verbal behavior includes, but is not limited to: intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning conduct.

Please be aware that the other members are real people; gossip and negativity negatively impact the group as a whole. Controversial topics are part of Mensa; that is not license to be tiresome or exhibit a belief that everyone else is wrong. Assume good intentions. If your interactions frequently turn negative, please consider self-reflection.

CAM encourages members to report any illegal activity to the proper authorities. CAM’s response to unacceptable behavior is not dependent on the involvement of outside authorities.

Consequences can include being removed from an event, denial of access to future events and/or CAM on-line communities, and referral to a regional or national hearing.

If you encounter inappropriate behavior, please immediately report it to the event host, a CAM ExComm member, or the CAM Ombudsperson.

Scene from a recent event

Nothing if not hospitable ...

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

Mensans come from all walks of life. They range from just under three to over one hundred years old. They represent all gender identities, 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. For fun, see how you score on the International Challenge. 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. 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. Travel to Regional Gatherings (RGs) hosted by other groups throughout the year, including October, when Chicago Area Mensa hosts HalloweeM, one of the grandest of all the RGs. Mensa also offers many benefits for gifted youth.

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


October 31 – November 3, 2024

Only 108 more days! Join Chicago Area Mensans during our infamous HalloweeM weekend. Our Regional Gathering (RG) is the largest and the program offers plenty of variety to stimuate your mind. There’s also a superabundance of games and contests to challenge you plus many opportunities to have fun, converse and just enjoy yourself. 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 & lunch on Sunday.

Mensans, you can now register for HalloweeM! The rates increase after this Wednesday.

The hotel is offering a special $129 WeeM rate through October 17th, subject to availability.

You don't want to miss this incredibly fun experience.


Our Local Group is Exceptional!

Bragging Rights

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Chicago Area Mensa (CAM) has developed a culture of caring and commitment facilitated by incredible volunteers, organizers, leaders, and members. The exceptional number of awards which CAM has won proves it. The 50,000+ members of Mensa nationwide are governed by an elected Board composed of 15 of its own members. The Board bestows awards annually. Even though the makeup of the Board changes every two or three years, the awards keep coming.

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The highest, single award given out to local divisions is called the Diamond Award. CAM has won the Diamond Award for the largest divisions in the country seven times in the last ten years (including 2014, 2016, 2018-2020, and 2022-2023) and a Ruby or Emerald Award in all the other years. Before 2013, the highest award was called the Group of the Year Award (GOTYA). CAM won this award nine times in thirteen years from its inception in 1999 through 2012. No other Mensa group comes close. CAM is a demonstrated leader in social events, membership, and newsletters. For a complete list of awards and years, please tap/click here. Lest you think otherwise, there is a place for you in our organization. We invite you to join.

Mensa Fame

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

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