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, June 21st
Jr. Taleblazers Book Club
6 PM.
We're excited to share an update about the
Jr. Taleblazers Book Club, a fantastic kid-led program for our younger readers!
This club, hosted by San Francisco Regional Mensa (SFRM)
GY Advik (age 9) with light adult support, is a welcoming space for gifted youth
in grades K–4 (generally ages 5–10) who love books, big ideas, and fun conversations. Request to join.
Virtual Event!!
Sunday, July 19th
Chicago Area Mensa Annual Summer Picnic 11 AM. Held at Salt Creek Park in Elmhurst (just east of Rt. 83 & south of 2nd St.). Covered pavilion, grills, and food. Find out the details and/or register in advance so there’s an accurate count ensuring there’ll be enough food for everyone. This event is free for the first 100 registrants. Register by Saturday, July 18th. Join us for a fun time outdoors.
EMSC 2026 - European Mensa Science Camp. Registration is now open for European Mensa Science Camp 2026 (July 19–26 in Milow, Germany)! Designed for curious youth ages 12–19, this international camp blends science, technology, hands-on projects, and fun—bringing together Mensa friends from around the world for a week of learning, teamwork, and adventure. See the full write-up and find contact info on the American Mensa Event.
Saturday, September 19th
Odd Month Outing in Geneva on the Chicago 1893 World's Fair Viking Ship! 9:45 AM. You'll learn of Viking's construction, journey, and significance. You may even meet a Viking! In 1893 the Viking sailed from Norway to Chicago, via the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes, and became one of the greatest attractions at the World's Columbian Exposition. It is believed to be the largest remaining artifact of the World's Columbian Exposition in Illinois. The tour starts promptly at 10 AM. Save the date—more details coming no later than August.
Thursday, October 29th - Sunday, November 1st
Golden Ticket
HalloweeM 50: Golden Ticket
Only 131 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 great deal through Friday, July 17th! And sign up for babysitting service. The rates increase after Friday, July 17th.
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.
Friday, January 15th through Sunday, January 17th
Only 209 days until AGOG . Join us on January 15th – 17th for fun and games. This year, AGOG will feature the Megagame After the Throne.
The rates go up after Saturday, August 15th so register today to qualify for the best rate.
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 guests. 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.
