How Much Does It Cost to Join LCAS, and What Benefits Do Members Get?

Updated

Joining the Lake County Astronomical Society (LCAS) costs $25 per calendar year, charged as a flat rate whether you join as an individual or a family. That single fee covers the benefits listed below, and the club states that no telescope is required to take part.

Cost and Timing

Item Detail
Annual dues $25.00
Rate structure Flat rate for individuals and families
Billing period Per calendar year
Late-year join Join in the last 3 months of the year and your dues cover the rest of that year plus the entire following year

The late-year rule is the main timing consideration: if you are thinking about joining in October, November, or December, the same $25 carries you through the end of the next calendar year rather than expiring a few weeks later.

What Membership Includes

According to the club, member benefits are:

  • Monthly meetings
  • Invitation to all club activities
  • Fellowship with club members
  • Club trips to remote dark sky locations
  • Observing opportunities during the year
  • Use of rental scopes and binoculars
  • Monthly book club discussion group

Meetings, Observing, and Public Access

LCAS hosts monthly member meetings on the third Friday of each month. These meetings are free and open to the public, so you can attend before deciding whether to join.

Observing access differs by event type:

  • Member-only dark sky events — held twice a month from March through November at dedicated dark sky sites provided by the McHenry County Conservatory, in McHenry County.
  • Public star parties — held after each public meeting, weather permitting, and open to the public.
  • Astronomy Under The City Lights — events run with public libraries across Lake, Cook, and McHenry counties.

The club does not have a permanent observatory, so its dark sky observing relies on the McHenry County sites rather than a club-owned facility.

If You Don't Own a Telescope

This is addressed directly in the club's FAQ: you can look through other members' scopes before buying your own, and the club owns some basic telescopes that members may rent for a nominal fee. That makes membership a reasonable first step if you want hands-on time with equipment before spending on your own setup.

How to Join or Ask Questions

Joining questions go to the Membership Chair, and general questions or comments go to the Publicity Chair. Contact details are listed on the LCAS website. If your main question is about a specific benefit — for example, how scope rentals work or what a dark sky trip involves — it is worth asking the relevant chair before paying dues, since the published information covers the fee and benefit list but not the logistics of each activity.