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.
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 Events
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!!
Friday, October 6th
Ultimate Ninjas Chicago 6:30 PM. CAM Youth and families, please join us for an evening of fun at the Ultimate Ninjas Chicago at 2500 Bradley Pl. in Chicago in Unit H. Members may bring one guest (in addition to family). This event is GOBS subsidized. The cost for members and guests is $20/youth. There is no cost for adults. Please RSVP to Kate L. no later than 10 PM on Thursday, September 21st. Payment will be required in advance and can be made via Zelle, Venmo, or check. Also, children will need to wear gym shoes to the event.
\Saturday, November 18th
Jiu-Jitsu/Self-Defense and Nerf Guns!!! 3 PM.
Youth (ages 4-17); CAM members and their siblings or children of CAM members
Where: Real MMA Academy,
at 891 Illinois Rte. 59 in Bartlett
(inside the Yoga Fitness Gym).
Come join us for an afternoon of self-defense, nerf guns, and pizza.
RMMA’s self-defense class helps promote self-confidence. They combine grappling
and jiu-jitsu techniques with physical education and movement intelligence in
order to improve coordination, mobility, agility, and mindfulness.
Members may bring one guest (in addition to family). This event is GOBS subsidized.
Members can bring a guest, they are even encouraged to! This event is GOBS subsidized.
The cost for members and guests is $15.75/youth (limited to 30). No fee for parents.
Please RSVP to
Vinh T.
no later than
Sunday, October 15th.
Payment will be required in advance and can be made via Zelle or check.
All participants will need to wear comfortable athletic clothing.
Please make sure feet are clean; shoes and socks must be removed to get on the gym mat.
Saturday, December 9th
Mensa Youth: Take Apart and Assemble Whatever 5 PM. This event will be held at the Georgetown West Club House located at 301 S. Prospect Ave. 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, September 6th
NTM Gifted Youth Book Club 12:30 PM.
At this Zoom meeting, we will be discussing Ground Zero
by Alan Gratz.
Hosted by North Texas Mensa on the first Sunday of every month. Zoom link.
Virtual Event!!
Add NTM Gifted Youth Book Club
Saturday, September 19th
Odd Month Outing: Tour the Viking Ship! 1 PM. Step aboard a full‑scale Viking ship and explore the craft, science, and history behind its voyage . This guided tour invites curious minds to look closely at navigation, design, and the people who first crossed oceans in vessels like this. Join CAM for a tour of one Fox Valley's hidden treasures—the 1893 Viking Ship in Good Templar Park, 528 East Side Dr. in Geneva. Built in Norway as an exact replica of the famous Gokstad Viking ship, it sailed across the Atlantic to the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. We'll enjoy a docent-led tour and learn the remarkable story of this historic vessel. There is an 8-minute documentary available on their website. More details are available in the August 2026 ChiMe. If you have any questions, contact Susan W.. Tickets are available through Wednesday, September 16th via Zeffy. Adults $7, Children 13-17 $4, Children 12 and under are free.
Sunday, September 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 on the first Sunday of every month. Zoom link.
Virtual Event!!
Sunday, October 4th
NTM Gifted Youth Book Club 12:30 PM.
At this Zoom meeting, we will be discussing TBA
by TBA.
Hosted by North Texas Mensa on the first Sunday of every month. Zoom link.
Virtual Event!!
Thursday, October 8th
Parents as Talent Scouts 7 PM. Giftedness can show up long before a child ever takes a school screening or receives a formal identification. So what should parents look for, and what can they do to support a young child who may be gifted? In this webinar, Dr. Gayle Bentley will explore common behaviors and traits that may signal advanced abilities in young children, from preschool through the early elementary years. She'll discuss why early opportunities to explore, question, create, and learn at an appropriate level can matter, rather than waiting for a school's gifted screening process to begin. Visit the Zoom website to register.
Thursday, October 29th - Sunday, November 1st
Golden Ticket
HalloweeM 50: Golden Ticket
Only 71 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 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 October 8th, subject to availability.
You don't want to miss this incredibly fun experience.
Saturday, December 5th
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.
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.
Friday, January 15th through Sunday, January 17th
Only 149 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.
Register NOW to qualify for the reduced rate of $ (ages 18+) and $ (ages 9-17). This Tuesday is the last day you can preregister at this rate. Registering at the door will be an additional $125 for ages 18+ and $85 for ages 9-17 over the current preregistration rate which is good through Tuesday, November 30th. Non-Mensa members (ages 9+) pay an additional $5.
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.
Friday, December 25th is the last day to book a room for the amazing rate of $128.
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.
