Location: Membership Information

Membership Information

Chicago Mountaineering Club is a growing, not-for-profit organization open to everyone who loves mountains and is looking for good companionship. Club membership allows use of the campground outside the outing schedule, provides access to the John Speck Memorial Library, and allows participation in outings held for members only. Members are also encouraged to actively participate in the administration of the club.

Membership dues provide for the publication of the monthly bulletin and the annual Chicago Mountaineer. The dues also allow the Club to operate and maintain the campground under an agreement with the Mountaineering Foundation of Chicago, owner of both the campground and the John Speck Memorial Library, for which the Club also provides financial support in gratitude for access.

In order to become a member of Chicago Mountaineering Club, each candidate must meet the following requirements:

Must be 18 or older
Must be of a good moral character
Have a sincere interest in mountaineering
Must participate as a guest in three outings scheduled by the Club or one western outing
NOTE: you do not need to be a member to attend a scheduled outing – see Outings for outing dates
Must be sponsored by two Club members
Must be willing to assume responsibility for one's safety on the Club's outings and to abide by the Club rules
Renew membership annually

The new member application form and the membership renewal form can be downloaded. Completed forms should be submitted to the Vice President, who presents them to the Board of Directors for approval. For more information, please contact our Vice President.

Local outings are scheduled at least once a month from April to October. The Club also organizes one winter outing in February. Most of our outings are held at the Devil's Lake State Park in Wisconsin. In the winter months, our club may organize an outing to a climbing gym. Any information about a winter outing is published in our monthly bulletin.

Annual membership dues are $25.00 (USD) or $22.00 (USD) for those living 100 Kilometers or more from Chicago, IL. There is a one-time initiation fee of $25.00 (USD) for all first year members. The optional yearly MFC campground fee is $25.00 (USD). Alternatively, the weekend MFC campground is available for $10.00 (USD) per person for a single weekend.

Please contact our Outings Chairman for directions to the campground and the Devil's Lake State Park.