Groups near Chicago, IL

Learn more about SOLIDWORKS and SOLIDWORKS related products. Hear technical presentations that will provide you and your organization with valuable, real-world SOLIDWORKS tips, tricks, techniques and more. Network with your peers. Get SOLIDWORKS giveaways and enjoy food and refreshments with like-minded individuals.

Were you born in or around the 1960's? Are you single? This is a group for people like us who don't remember Woodstock but do (unfortunately) remember harvest gold appliances and shoulder pads. Let's have fun exploring Chicago and making friends along the way. We charge annual dues of $6.00 a year or 50 cents a month. $6.00 a year covers the fee Meetup charges us to have the group on their site and should reduce no-shows. We think $6.00 a year is reasonable, given what we pay to have the group and the number / variety of events we host. Everyone will get a 90-day free trial, after that expect to get a reminder or, if you store a credit card on Meetup (which we don't recommend) look for a $6.00 charge on your card after your 90-day free trial. Stripe will also send you an email receipt that has the name of the group toward the bottom. We take pictures and post them on Meetup.

**Welcome to the Neighborhood!** We’re a homegrown organization founded and driven by local pickup soccer players celebrating Chicago’s pickup soccer while giving back to our communities. We host pickup soccer games throughout the week so feel free to come out to whichever best fits your schedule. We ensure that our events are welcoming, well organized and maintain a friendly level of competitiveness. All people and skill levels are welcome to play as we promote an environment to learn and improve on the field. Keep an eye out for special events such as: tournaments, watch parties, & fundraisers. We proudly attract big crowds from all over Chicago and the world. So no matter where you’re coming from you are welcomed to kick with us and join the Neighborhood. We’ll see you on the pitch! ***How can you get involved?*** *You can further immerse yourself in our community on the [NBHD Pickup Soccer Discord Server](https://discord.gg/rhfCzz3Gfj). We have a [Mission and Vision](https://github.com/OpenFutbol/chicago-neighborhood-soccer/wiki). Star the Github repo, under [OpenFutbol](https://github.com/OpenFutbol).* Follow us \- Instagram @NBHDsoccer \- Youtube:[NBHD Pickup Soccer Youtube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/@chicagoneighborhoodsoccer4644/about) \- Discord: [NBHD Pickup Soccer Discord Server](https://discord.gg/rhfCzz3Gfj) \- Github: [To Open-source community development and pickup soccer.](https://github.com/OpenFutbol) Every member and contribution is valued and appreciated. **Disclaimer.** If you would like us to take down any photos or videos, simply message us and we will gladly take them down at your request.

Check out our rides and events at [www.windycitycyclingclub.com](http://www.windycitycyclingclub.com). **About Us** Windy City Cycling Club (WCCC) is Chicago's LGBTQA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, allies) cycling organization that is open to all and encourages camaraderie through biking and social events. We offer weekly club rides, unique routes exploring interesting parts of the city, multi-day trips around favorite cycling destinations and group participation in other organized cycling events. In 2022, WCCC celebrates 30 years in the Chicago community, and we hope you'll join us for many more years of cycling fun! **Club Membership** WCCC is a reflection of its members and what each individual brings to the club. All members are encouraged to organize and host rides or events they're interested in. This Meetup helps introduce non-members to the club, but it's only a small part of what WCCC offers. [Learn more](http://www.windycitycyclingclub.com) about the events & benefits available to members and how to join (membership is only $25 per year). **Rider Guidelines** Both members and non-members of WCCC are welcome to join our open rides. Additional rides and events are available with club membership. Non-members will be asked to sign a waiver form prior to riding. Choose rides that are right for your ability and interests (use the ride descriptions, or contact the organizer if you have questions). Arrive well before the start of the ride. Rides will depart on-time. Approved helmets are required. Earphones are not permitted. It is a good idea to carry identification. In most cases, bikes should have a water bottle, pump and spare tube, but members will gladly pitch in if help is needed on a ride. For some urban rides, a lock and CTA/Metra fare or rideshare access will do in a pinch. WCCC asks all riders to comply with local Covid-19 guidance, including wearing a mask and social distancing if you have not been fully vaccinated. Know about bicycle safety and rules of the road. See [safety web links](http://windycitycyclingclub.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=770347&module_id=19229).

Let's get together and enjoy the fun from treasure hunting in massive real-world datasets. WeCloudData offers free Data Science, Data Engineering, Business Intelligence, AI, and DevOps workshops delivered by experienced data scientists from some of the famous data-driven companies to help you jump start on interesting and meaningful projects. Happy big data mining!

This group is for those who enjoy discussing the types of movies that are a bit off the wall and probably used to be shown at midnight screenings (back when those were a thing). Cult/Camp will feature discussions of Blaxploitation, John Waters, Motorcycle Mania, and similar types of genre-busting movies to try to determine why so many of us are attracted to these types of films. **All meetings will be on Zoom.** **Please note that there is a two no-show removal policy. Please keep your RSVPs up to date.**

Black Everywhere® [www.blackeverywhere.com](www.blackeverywhere.com) We are committed to nurturing a vibrant community for Black people--online and in person. Participating in this group indicates that you have read and agree to adhere to our group rules. Join your local group chat: [www.blackeverywhere.com/chat](www.blackeverywhere.com/groupchat) Follow us on IG @black.everywhere: [www.instagram.com/black.everywhere](http://www.instagram.com/black.everywhere)

This group started in May 2011, and we've read novels by Joyce, Malraux, Kafka, Wright, Mishima, Faulkner, Nabokov, Unamuno, Ellison, Hamsun, Woolf, Biely, Gide, and many others.  We try to have a good time discussing the books without descending to small talk, think critically without descending to pedantry, etc.

Also, as the title shows, we've expanded our reading list since the group started.  We don't really want to title the group something as vague as "Chicago Literature Group," etc., and modernist fiction and poetry still make up most of the reading list.  But if some group members are excited about reading something else, be it Goethe or Ovid, Wallace or Perec, we're interested in that too.  Feel free to make suggestions.

The purpose of Chicago Wilderness! Hiking, Nature and Social Group is to unite like minded people in order to cultivate friendships, experience and appreciate the natural wonders of northeast Illinois as well as getting some beneficial exercise. This group is great for those that strive for harmony among other people, care about our environment and are accustomed to hiking at least five miles at a brisk pace. The lengths of the hikes will range from as few as five miles to hikes that are over 12 miles long. Most of the hiking will occur on trails in natural areas located on municipal, county, state and federal lands within the Chicago wilderness region with an emphasis on Cook, DuPage and Will Counties. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- What can you expect from me? You can expect me to conduct welcoming, inclusive events in which you will be treated with dignity and respect. I promote and foster a sense of community and an atmosphere of camaraderie and harmony. I strive to see the beauty and good in other people. I view our wilderness areas as something to be explored, enjoyed, cherished, conserved and protected. I believe that we should do everything within reason to leave no trace of our presence during a hike. I hope to reaffirm your belief that these wilderness areas are special and need to be protected in a natural state forever. I go to great lengths to make the events fun and interesting. I encourage a limited amount of photography (fun). I rarely hike the identical route twice (interesting). I pick routes to provide optimal nature viewing (fun and interesting). I feel that I am reasonable when it comes to water and bathroom breaks (What a relief!). I am not running a business. I will not try to sell you goods or services. Well over 95% of the photography that I post is my own work using my own equipment and is taken in areas in which we hike. I give photo acknowledgement for the work of others. I will do what it takes, within reason, to make your experience memorable! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- What do I expect from you? Your profile for this group should include your real first name and a recent picture of only one person in the picture, yourself. Each attendee for each event must have their own profile, so please have your guest(s) create a profile. Please take your physical limitations into account before registering for an event. It helps if you provide for your clothing, hydration and other needs prior to an event. This group is not intended for promoting any business ventures. This group does not tolerate stalkers. If you have been contacted through this site by someone you have not met in person during one of our events, please contact Mr. Bob. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the organizer (Mr. Bob) directly. It is very important to respect other people and respect the environment. It is not courteous to disrupt the progress of an event or the harmony among its participants. As far as the environment, leave no trace! I will mention that it is courteous to honor your commitments. Please RSVP only to events that you plan to attend. Do not RSVP to concurrent events. Late cancellations or not showing up at all to an event in which you made a commitment reflects poorly upon you.

This is a fun group for International and New in town and friends 20s, 30s, 40s Something's to meet International People and Friends and New in Town or not so new. Let's socialize together, dine out, go to the movies, play board games and play card games, go to concerts, go to art exhibits, go White Water Rafting, go Kayaking, Travel together, go to State Fairs, celebrate holidays together, take classes together like how to be a Wine Connoisseur, Art classes, Drawing classes, how to mix drinks at Mixology class, attend a Mix and Mingle Singles Matches, go to Sporting Events, Go to museums, go to outdoor festivals, go on cruises, boat rides, go do outdoor and indoor activities, go explore Chicago and and explore the suburbs, and learn new languages and new cultures and try out new foods from around the world and try out new restaurants, go out dancing and clubbing, networking businesses, learning and enjoy lots of fun times together! Let's enjoy life together! Let's have fun! Let's make new friends!

We are a peer to peer support group for people who have suffered or are suffering from Narcissistic Abuse in a love or personal relationship. We will discuss and encourage sharing of our experiences, talk about trauma bonding and how to break the cycle. Most importantly, we will share our communal experience and provide support by listening and sharing our what we've gone through so that all attendees know that they are not alone. Please read this message carefully: Before signing up to any meeting in this group, you MUST attend a First Timers Meeting event. There are NO exceptions to this. These meetings are designed to ensure community safety and if you sign up for an Established Member event without attending one, you will be removed from that event. Before you do anything else, including signing up for an Established Members group, check out our "Events" section and sign up for a First Timers Group and attend one BEFORE you sign up for an Established Member meeting. We are very strict about this rule, so please do so as we hate to remove people from meetings and have to send a PM advising someone of this rule. All meetings are run through Zoom. The links and passwords are reset every day. The links are all sent the morning of the meetings. You will receive your link through whatever email you use through Meetup. Please ensure you have your settings with Meetup set to receive emails as they will come in through that email. If you sign up for a meeting, please check you have received your link well before the meeting as we do not check our emails during meetings. It is your responsibility to check that you have received your link - if you haven't received it and it's before meeting time, simply send your organizer a PM and we will ensure you receive it. Some more general rules that will be reviewed in your First Timer's Meeting: 1. DO NOT private message moderators/organizers unless you have a question regarding the group as a whole, or you didn't receive a link to the meeting. DO NOT message us for medical, legal, or general advice, and do not contact us to vent. We understand that times are tough and this is not an easy situation to deal with, but we are all running this group on a volunteer basis, and we do not have any medical or counseling degrees. If there is an emergency please call 911, contact your local police, hospital, or physician. There is also a domestic violence hotline (800.799.SAFE) and a suicide hotline (800-273-8255) - these are free 24 hour services. We appreciate your understanding in advance. 2. DO NOT private message other members of the group. Again, this is an exception to the rule above, but if you see someone in a meeting you'd like to reach out to, please send the organizer of that meeting a message and we will ask that person if they consent to being contacted and will pass on your info to them. If a member tells you during a meeting to reach out to them, that is OK as they have consented already. This is for the safety of our members, which we take very seriously. We are happy you are here and hope you find this a supportive community. All of the rules are above are to ensure that you are safe and that the people you will be interacting with are validating, here for the 'right reasons', and are properly vetted. We look forward to meeting you! x Kay R., Christine, Raysa, Sarah, Nicole, & Kim

Join our social, fun and friendly group to make new friends in Chicago and suburbs! We have new members from out of town and new International Friends. You must have a picture of yourself to your profile so members and organizers can meet you. Thank you! 🙏

This is a group for 20s, 30s, 40s Somethings in Chicago or Suburbs to meet up for casual hangouts, museums, board games, concerts, restaurants, movie theaters, plays, festivals, take fun classes together, dancing, roof tops, nightclubs, bars, travel, outdoor activities, art galleries, social networking, learn languages, learn new things together, have good conversations, Mix and mingles, fun and happy times together and other outings while making new friendships happen! 😃🤗

This group is for anyone who likes coffee, tea, and meeting new interesting people in Chicago. We will meet in different coffee shops all over the city. Make new friends over a cup of coffee ☕️.

Meetup of the minds: Connect with other Mensa members in the Chicago area. This is a private group for active Mensa members who live in or regularly visit the Chicago Area. You must be a current Mensa member to join. To join, send an add request (click the "**Request to Join**" button) and send your Mensa Membership number by email to **Meetup-Organizer@chicago.us.mensa.org**. DO NOT put your Mensa Membership Number into your "introduction", or it will be visible to all other members. You must be a current member at the time you request to join the meetup. Your member number proves your membership. If you do not send your member number, you will not be approved. If your Meetup name does not show your first and last name, you must include this information in the email to meetup-organizer. If you are a parent of a minor child member consider joining [Chicago Area Parents of Mensans Under 18](https://www.meetup.com/Chicago-Area-Parents-of-Mensans-Under-18/) - [https://www.meetup.com/Chicago-Area-Parents-of-Mensans-Under-18/](https://www.meetup.com/Chicago-Area-Parents-of-Mensans-Under-18/) \ If you are interested in hosting an event, please send a message to the Meetup organizer. We hope to see you at a meetup soon!

Let's connect with other singles in Chicago to enjoy all things Latinx: music, theater, film, food, dancing, comedy, volunteering in the community, people. If you are single and want to meet new people who share similar interests centered on enjoying, supporting and elevating the Latinx community of Chicago, this group is for you. **No need to be Latinx, all are welcome as long as you're single.** Group name is meant to be inclusive of any way one may identify when it comes to those of Latin American and Spanish descent. Linguistics is such a beautiful thing and always evolving; thus, so many terms to identify with. Happy to take recommendations on events. Looking forward to see into what this can evolve into. Please keep in mind the goal is to bring together singles who genuinely enjoy these events. As meetup puts it clearly in their guidelines: this group is not for pick-up or seduction techniques, or wingman tactics. **Please be mindful of your RSVP and update accordingly if your plans change.** **If you RSVP and don't show up, you'll be flagged as "no show" and eventually be removed from the group if it becomes a trend.** **Note that there is a $5 annual fee which is due in cash at your 2nd event.**

"The best things in life are the people we love, the places we've been, and the memories we've made along the way." - Unknown Hello Chicago! Welcome to the Chicago Hiking, Outdoor, & Adventures for Young Professionals Group. This is a group for any young professionals interested in hiking, camping, backpacking, running, exploring outdoors, challenging new things, etc. The main purpose to start this group is to meet good people and make friends as well as explore the nature together and build a better community. We're looking forward to exploring the outdoors with 'YOU' who are nice, kind, respectful, generous, and honest people. Get up and join with us. Stay positive and enjoy your life! JIN \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Membership Rules:** Members must post their real name and photo on their profile. Not a flower, mountain or animated character (last name not required). Also, you don't need to sign up for each event, but you must visit this group at least once within 12 months (6 months for members who never visit since join the group first time) for group updates. Otherwise, you may be removed from the group and will need to rejoin under organizer's discretion. **RSVP policy:** If you sign up for any event, then decide you will not be going, you must update your RSVP to 'Not Going". If you are a No-Show for an event, hike leaders may remove you (at their discretion) from their hikes. It's very disrespectful to the hike leaders as well as other members to hold a spot on a hike and then not show up. 2 no-shows and members with a pattern of late cancellations or signing up and cancelling frequently will be removed from the group. We are Pet friendly, but PLEASE read the description of each activity &/or trip for any specific information regarding pets. Always contact the organizer for that trip, if you have any questions. Please note that pets are not allowed on some trails or in some areas. **Show up on time!** While we appreciate feedback and constructive criticism about our hikes, rude, condescending comments or trying to stir up drama will not be tolerated and may result in your being removed from the group. This is a group to meet friends for outdoor adventures. It is not a dating site. Not everyone in this group is single and looking for a partner. Anyone who sends inappropriate messages or causes others to feel uncomfortable or unsafe will be removed from the group. A hike leader can chose to remove anyone from his/her hike for any number of reason: not meeting fitness requirement, incomplete profile, history of showing inconsideration by signing up and cancelling frequently, showing negative attitude on a previous event, no-shows or leaving disrespectful comments. No one is entitled to a spot on a hike, solely because you are a member and managing to grab a spot every time. The hike leaders in this group aren't professional hike leaders. You are responsible for your safety. By signing up for these events, you agree not to hold the Meetup organizers or the hike/event leaders of this group responsible for whatever happens to you on these events. The group is NOT responsible for any possible losses or injuries. This group exists due to countless hours spent by hike headers, and they are taking members on hikes for free. It is absolutely necessary you show respect and gratitude for their work, and their rules, or risk being banned from the group permanently. In addition, the group Organizer also has to pay Meetup fees every month. **Donations:** While the membership is free, it costs money to run this group and makes hikes possible. Meetup fees $198/year, plus other incidental charges are paid by the group's Organizer. We like to rely on small volunteer donations from those who join our group's hikes & adventures. There will be a couple hiking events every year for that and consider making a small donation (about $1-5 per hike attended is a reasonable amount). You can pay to your hike leader, and s/he can pass on your donation to the current Organizer.

This group is meant for those who are introverted and/or have some social anxiety. If you are looking to conquer your fears while connecting with other like minded individuals, please attend our meetings.

If you are an adventurous photographer who loves to shoot photography, learn from other fellow photographers, and learn a little Chicagoland history, then this is the group you should consider joining. We will have a variety of outings in downtown Chicago and its multitude of neighborhoods, along with some adventurous outings in other areas of the Chicagoland area.  In 2017 we started to expand to even more adventures BEYOND the borders of the Chicago area.

Some examples of outings that have we have had since we were organized in November, 2014 are as follows: Quarterly sunrise shoots on various Lake Michigan beaches, a history walk through Old Town and the Gold Coast, walks through various Chicago neighborhoods including Wicker Park, Uptown, Pilsen and many others, a private tour of the Newberry Library, a hilly hike through Lemont, a train trip to the Indiana Dunes, a private tour of the Chicago Theatre, a 5 day trip down to Hopkinsville, Kentucky to witness the total solar eclipse and many many more.  

Check our calendar for many of these past events and look at our calendar for events scheduled over the next few months.

Come join us for a photo shoot and possibly a nice breakfast or lunch and maybe even a drink after our tours have concluded.

See you soon and contact me with any questions. 

P.S. - In this photo, I'm the guy in the back row without a camera.  I had to lend mine to our tour guide so he could take this picture.

Rich