About IAYPAA
A decade of young people carrying the message of recovery across Iowa
What is IAYPAA?
IAYPAA stands for Iowa Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous. We are a fellowship of young people in AA who organize an annual conference dedicated to carrying the message of recovery to young alcoholics across Iowa and beyond.
Since 2017, IAYPAA has brought together hundreds of young people each year for a weekend of speaker meetings, workshops, fellowship, and fun — all rooted in the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous and its Twelve Traditions. Our conferences are self-supporting through our own contributions and are open to anyone with a desire to stop drinking, regardless of age.
What started as a small gathering has grown into one of Iowa's most vibrant YPAA events, creating a community where young people in recovery can find connection, hope, and proof that a sober life is worth living.
About IAYPAA X
10th Annual • August 14–16, 2026 • Iowa City, Iowa
IAYPAA X marks a milestone — our 10th annual conference. To mark a decade of recovery, fellowship, and growth, the theme is Primordial Ooze.
Primordial ooze is where life begins — the formless place every one of us started from, and the new life that comes up out of it given a little energy, a little time, and people around you. This August, Iowa City fills with young people who came up out of the dark. Whether you've been to every IAYPAA or this is your first, you belong here.
Just like the primordial ooze from which all life emerged, our recovery journeys start from the most unlikely beginnings — and from that ooze, something incredible grows.
What to Expect
Speakers
Hear powerful stories of experience, strength, and hope from speakers across the fellowship. Keynote and panel sessions all weekend long.
Workshops
Dive deeper into recovery topics with interactive workshops led by members of the fellowship. Something for everyone, from newcomers to old-timers.
Fellowship
Connect with young people in AA from across Iowa and beyond. Build friendships that last well beyond the weekend.
Fun
Dance parties, games, themed events, and plenty of laughs. We prove that sobriety is anything but boring — especially with a Primordial Ooze theme.
First-Timers Welcome
Never been to a YPAA conference before? You're in the right place. IAYPAA conferences are designed to be welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to everyone — whether you've been sober for ten years or ten days.
There are no requirements other than a desire to stop drinking (or support someone who does). You don't need to know anyone, you don't need to be a certain age, and you definitely don't need to have it all figured out.
Our conference is full of people who remember exactly what it felt like to walk in for the first time. You'll find open arms, friendly faces, and a community that genuinely wants you here.
Come as you are. Leave with a community.
Where this comes from
A few documents from the broader fellowship that help explain how young-people’s conferences sit inside A.A. — not separate from it. Curated by ICYPAA; hosted on their site.
PDF · icypaa.org
Bill W.'s letter to ICYPAA
A.A.'s co-founder, writing to the first ICYPAA gathering, on young people in the fellowship.
ReadPDF · icypaa.org
Box 459 — Discussing ICYPAA (1986)
The A.A. General Service Office bulletin on the place of young-people's conferences within A.A.
ReadPDF · icypaa.org
Box 459 — Discussing ICYPAA (2005)
G.S.O. revisits the question nineteen years later. Same answer, fuller context.
ReadArticle · AA Grapevine, June 2004
Bill W. on hippies & young people
A letter from Bill, reprinted in the Grapevine — on welcoming newer generations into the rooms.
Read
Curated at icypaa.org/about-icypaa