Who We Are

Lehigh Pocono Mensa is one of 134 local groups of American Mensa, Ltd, the High IQ Society. Our group has approximately 300 members throughout the Lehigh Valley - Pocono area. Groups vary in size from about 1600 members to as few as 20, and are determined mostly by geographic location and sustained by the willingness of volunteers on the local level.

Where We Are




Located in Eastern Pennsylvania and a smidgen of New Jersey, Lehigh Pocono Mensa is one of four local groups in Pennsylvania. We are located in the northeastern part of the state and include the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, Wilkes Barre, Scranton, and Stroudsburg. The Lehigh Valley, Pocono Mountains, and Western NJ are among the areas we serve. Not in the LPM area? Click to find your local group!


Our Chapter History






Most of the area encompassed by our local group used to be a part of Delaware Valley Mensa. As interest grew and more members got involved, we realized the need to form our own group. And so Lehigh Pocono Mensa was born in June 1987. We have the distinct honor of being the first local group to have held a regional gathering before becoming an official group!


Since our formation we have held six gatherings (Pocono I - VI), have participated in the Mensa Educational and Research Foundation's scholarship program, awarded local scholarships, and volunteered with local PBS telethons. We hold events every month, publish a monthly newsletter, and celebrate special events on occasion. Check out our events calendar to see what's happening this month!


What Mensa Offers

Mensa is an international society that has one - and only one - unique qualification for members: you must score in the top 2% of the population on a standardized IQ test. If you enjoy mental challenges and revel in the interplay of ideas, Mensa is an organization that will give you many opportunities to stretch your mind and expand your horizons.

Mensa has no opinions and endorses none of those held by its members. Its purpose is to identify and foster human intelligence, to encourage research in the nature, characteristics and uses of intelligence, and to provide a stimulating intellectual and social environment for its members.

Mensa provides a forum for the exchange of ideas among members. Its activities include social events, lectures, discussions, journals, Special Interest Groups, and local, regional, national, and international gatherings.

For more information on becoming a part of Mensa, check out our How to Join page, visit American Mensa's homepage, or call 1-800-66MENSA.


Special Interest Groups

Special Interest Groups unite members with common interests regardless of geography. Given any hobby or topic you are interested in, chances are Mensa has a SIG for it.

From Aabsurd SIG, to Hell's M's SIG, to Scuba SIG and all the way to Zydecodependents SIG, there are over 150 SIGs now in existence within Mensa.

If it's not already established, it can be formed. Check out the SIG listings at American Mensa's website for a comprehensive list.


Mensa Education and Research Foundation

MERF could be considered the more serious side of Mensa. It is this arm of Mensa that awards scholarships, publishes a research journal, and gives grants to educational research projects.