ACYPAA 2010

What is ACYPAA?
In 1973, the All California Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous Round-Up was established as an annual gathering in California to provide an opportunity for young AA’s to come together and share their experience, strength, and hope. ACYPAA is visible evidence that large numbers of people are achieving a lasting and comfortable sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous. AA’s who attend an ACYPAA Round-Up return home better prepared to receive young alcoholics who come to AA seeking recovery.

Where is ACYPAA held?
The ACYPAA Round-Up is held anywhere in California where young people's groups can demonstrate:

At the end of the Saturday night main meeting of the Round-Up, Advisory Council will announce which bid committee has been awarded the Round-Up for the following year. Following the closing of the main meeting, Advisory Council will have an informal meeting with the new host committee. Discussion will generally include the guidelines for and needs from the host committee as well as what is to be done next.

There is no age limit to participate in Young People’s in Alcoholics Anonymous activities. AA’s third tradition states “Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover.” Conference speakers, panels, and events tend to be focused on AA members who are young or “young at heart.” As of late, most attendees have been in their teens, 20s, & 30s but all are welcome. Additionally, is not unusual for attendees in their teens, 20s & 30s to be sober 10, 15, 20 or more years.

AA’s 7th tradition states that “every AA group ought to be fully self supporting, declining outside contributions.” ACYPAA costs money to plan and host; costs may include facility fees, outreach materials, professional sound equipment and entertainment, badges, & lanyards just to name a few. ACYPAA costs are not underwritten by local AA meetings or Areas, as is one option for funding AA conventions. The Roundup is fully funded by conference registrations and host committee event contributions by AA members throughout the year. In order for ACYPAA to survive year to year, the Roundup must break even. In keeping with AA’s 3rd Tradition, however, no one will be turned away from an AA meeting for inability to pay.

Alcoholism has no barriers, age included. Many teenagers have found recovery and fellowship in Alcoholics Anonymous. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Alcoholics Anonymous does not keep membership lists or ask for identification, hence the “Anonymous” part of the name Alcoholics Anonymous. For more information on what AA is, you can visit AA.org.

The ACYPAA 2010 host committee does not ask the age of Roundup attendees and will not provide chaperones. We recommend that minors be accompanied or supervised by a responsible adult.

There are different types of AA meetings in Alcoholics anonymous, “open” and “closed” meetings. A “closed” meeting is only for people who have identified themselves as alcoholics. “Open” meetings are available for anyone to attend. You are welcome to attend any meeting listed as “Open” in the Roundup program.

There will also be Al-Anon Family Groups participation at the Roundup. “The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.” For more information on Al-Anon Family Groups please visit the Al-Anon Website. We encourage you to participate in the Al-Anon program at ACYPAA 2010 if you are planning on attending the conference with your teenager. Please check the Al-Anon tab on our website for information on Al-Anon’s participation in ACYPAA 2010.

If you have questions that have not been answered on this page, please contact us.