Youth Information
Youth Facebook Group
Hi everyone,
If you’re a CAM youth member, a parent of a CAM youth member, or a CAM member with youth family members, you might be interested in our Chicago Area Mensa Youth Facebook group.
Membership is limited to parents of CAM youth members and CAM members with youth family members. (And youth members old enough to have Facebook accounts.) Only those who answer all the required questions (including a membership number) will be able to join.
The Facebook group is a forum for conversation about gifted youth, activities, and impromptu get-togethers. Join it and keep track of what’s going on. We’ll still be emailing weekly reminders of all events, of course, as well as including them in ChiMe, the monthly events on this website, and Meetup!
Let our Gifted Youth Coordinator know if you’re interested in organizing an event or have any questions.
Gifted Youth Membership Benefits
It can be tough to be the smartest kid in the room, but Mensa makes it a little easier by providing a wide range of benefits and opportunities specifically for Young Mensans. From contests to newsletters; discounts on AP prep courses and our own accelerated reading program, Mensa's Gifted Youth benefits are just another way we provide our younger members with valuable resources.
Two Surveys. One Brilliant Goal.
American Mensa needs your input. Two new surveys are now open to help Mensa better support gifted youth and their families. Your feedback will shape future programs and resources across Mensa. Please take a few minutes to participate, and feel free to pass along to the right people in Chicago Area Mensa or family networks. The deadline to share your feedback is Saturday, February 28th.
Parents & Caregivers Survey
Share what it's really like raising a gifted child—the highs, the hurdles, and the support that would matter most. (25-30 minutes, one child per survey.)
CAM GYP Leaders & Volunteers Survey
Tell us what's working in youth programming and where support is needed. (Just 8-10 minutes.)
Upcoming Youth Activities
Strange Tales: The Fall Writing Showcase. The American Mensa Gifted Youth Program is having a fall horror story showcase for Young Mensans on MensaForKids.org. Mensa Members under age 18 may submit their original stories (1,000 words or fewer) through Sunday, November 15th. Full contest details, including submission guidelines and a few fun pages for kids to learn more about horror as a literary genre, can be found at Strange Tales: The Fall Writing Showcase.
Stay tuned for a Winter Wonder Workshop later this year and a Big Question project in the spring!
Tuesday, September 19th
CAM Youth and Parents 7 PM.
CAM Youth Members, Youth family members of CAM Members, and all of the parents, please come join us
in this Zoom gathering to give everyone a chance to get together, chat, and set up some activities
for our CAM youth—
Virtual Event!!
Saturday, December 9th
Mensa Youth: Take Apart and Assemble Whatever 5 PM. This event will be held at the Rolling Meadows Community Center located at 3705 Pheasant Dr. in Rolling Meadows (free parking in NW lot behind building; use Entrance K) before the Monthly Gathering. We’ll have a collection of non-working small appliances, parts that were taken apart at the HalloweeM Take Apart as well as a collection of tools. Kids (and adults who show up) will get to disassemble to their hearts’ content and if desired, construct something out of the parts.
Sunday, December 31st
NYE
Party at the WWHfWMs 3 PM. This party is being held at the
Weiss Ward Home for Wayward Mensans (WWHfWMs) in Bloomingdale. The exact address is available as part of
Beth W. contact info.
Come celebrate the end of 2023 and the start of 2024 by eating, drinking, talking, and gaming with a
bunch of Ms! Please bring some food and beverages to share.
All ages welcome! (Note to parents: Although alcohol will be available, this is not a wild drinking party.)
Any questions? Contact Beth at
LocSec@chicago.us.mensa.org .
Time Change!!
Sunday, October 18th
NTM Gifted Youth College Essay Talk 7 PM.
Professional author, writer, and screenwriter James Wallace has kindly offered to
give a presentation on crafting an effective college essay. Learn how to get the
most out of making a good first impression. If you have any questions
or need the Zoom link, see NTM Gifted Youth Coordinator
Bill R.'s contact info.
Virtual Event!!
Add NTM Gifted Youth College Essay Talk
Tuesday, October 20th
Navigating the Application Process Webinar
5:30 PM CT.
Applying to college? Let's make it a little less daunting. Join
Mensa Region 10 Gifted Youth for a free virtual webinar covering
what admissions officers look for, early vs. regular decision,
application tips and more. Designed for students in 10th grade and
up—and the parents or guardians helping them navigate the process.
For more information and for registration instructions, visit the American Mensa Event.
Virtual Event!!
Add Navigating the Application Process Webinar
Thursday, October 29th - Sunday, November 1st
Golden Ticket
HalloweeM 50: Golden Ticket
Only 20 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 plus a kids track. 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. And of course there will be chocolate!
Mensans, you can still register for HalloweeM and qualify for a discount through Friday, October 16th, which is also the last day you can register online! And sign up for babysitting service.
The hotel is offering a special $132 WeeM rate through today, subject to availability. Don't delay!
Win prizes by volunteering now—it's fun and we need you! 4 or more hours earns you the coveted WeeM pin.
You don't want to miss this incredibly fun experience.
Sunday, November 1st
NTM Gifted Youth Book Club 12:30 PM.
At this Zoom meeting, we will be discussing TBA
by TBA.
Hosted by North Texas Mensa's Youth Coordinator
Bill R.
on the first Sunday of every month. Please contact Bill to find out the name of the book.
Zoom link.
Virtual Event!!
Friday, November 13th
IGNYTE is Northern New Jersey Mensa's Regional Gathering for Young Mensans! This year, it will be held November 13th - 16th at the County College of Morris, 214 Center Grove Rd in Randolph, New Jersey. Visit the IGNYTE website for the latest details.
Saturday, December 5th
Gifted Youth Program @ Monthly Gathering 5 PM in the Rolling Meadows Community Center at 3705 Pheasant Dr. in Rolling Meadows. This month, we're putting on a holiday party. Bring canned food to donate to charity. There are optional cookie and white elephant gift (under $20) exchanges. There is no specific agenda for the kids but we'll have hands-on activities, often shaped by the kids themselves. There is a separate room at this facility in which the kids and parents can gather and play. Information about the holiday party, location, and directions can be found on our Monthly Gathering webpage.
Add CAM Gifted Youth Program at our MG in the Community Center
Sunday, December 6th
NTM Gifted Youth Book Club 12:30 PM.
At this Zoom meeting, we will be discussing TBA
by TBA.
Hosted by North Texas Mensa's Youth Coordinator
Bill R.
on the first Sunday of every month. Please contact Bill to find out the name of the book.
Zoom link.
Virtual Event!!
Sunday, January 3rd
NTM Gifted Youth Book Club 12:30 PM.
At this Zoom meeting, we will be discussing TBA
by TBA.
Hosted by North Texas Mensa's Youth Coordinator
Bill R.
on the first Sunday of every month. Please contact Bill to find out the name of the book.
Zoom link.
Virtual Event!!
Friday, January 15th through Sunday, January 17th
Only 98 days until AGOG . Join us for a long weekend of fun and games. This year, AGOG will feature the Megagame After the Throne where dozens of players navigate diplomacy, intrigue, shifting alliances, and competing ambitions in a kingdom without a ruler.
Do you like games? Do you spend the entire WeeM weekend in the games room? Would you like to do again? Every winter, Chicago puts on AGOG—A Gathering of Gamers. It's a weekend-long gathering of just games while socializing with fellow Mensa members and friends. All the games we have at WeeM and more, because folks like you can bring your own to share. We provide food, non-alcoholic beverages, and all the games you want for a reasonable price. Do you have awesome gamer friends? Of course you do. Invite them! AGOG is explicitly welcoming non-members—it's a great way to introduce them to our fun, quirky family.
Sunday, November 1st is the last day you can register for the reduced rate of $105 (ages 18+) and $65 (ages 9-17). Registering on-site will be an additional $20 for ages 18+ and $20 for ages 9-17. Non-Mensa members (ages 9+) pay an additional $5.
Friday, December 25th is the last day to book a room for the amazing rate of $128 (subject to availability).
Saturday, February 20th
Gifted Youth Program @ Monthly Gathering 5 PM in the Rolling Meadows Community Center at 3705 Pheasant Dr. in Rolling Meadows. There is no specific agenda but we'll have hands-on activities, often shaped by the kids themselves. There is a separate room at this facility in which the kids and parents can gather and play. Information about the location and directions can be found on our Monthly Gathering webpage.
