Speaker: David H.

Workshop Topic: “Lord, Make Me a Channel of Thy Peace”

Behind the Mic:

1. What inspires you most about AA’s fellowship?

   It helped save my life.

    

2. How did you choose your topic?

   I didn’t. I was talking to Betty G. about how I had been studying that prayer, and she said, “Oh, that’s good! You can do a workshop on that!”

    

3. What's one of your favorite sobriety milestones?

   Being able to carry the message into Detox with my Grand Sponsor, Chuck every Sunday for 14 years.

    

4. What makes this session special? It’s a powerful prayer.

Speaker: Lynette R.

Behind the Mic:

1. What inspires you most about AA’s fellowship?

   The newcomer with that look in their eyes.

    

2. How did you choose your topic?

   The Big Book is always my go to topic.

    

3. What's one of your favorite sobriety milestones?

   Learning how to read in AA.

    

4. What makes this session special? The conference being new and being one of the first to speak is so exciting!

Speaker: Beverly vanB.

Workshop Topic: “Steps 10, 11, 12”

​

Behind the Mic:

1. What inspires you most about AA’s fellowship?

The warm and welcoming atmosphere. I finally belonged somewhere.

​

2. How did you choose your topic?

I wanted to tie together Steps 3 an 11 as I use them, so Betty said 10, 11, & 12 were available. I jumped on it.

​

3. What's one of your favorite sobriety milestones?

My Spiritual Experience when I did my first 3rd step with my sponsor.

​

4. What makes this session special?

I was at the History Roundup here in Myrtle Beach when I met Betty. She made the Sunday morning meeting so special, I knew that I had to get to Charlotte. 

Speaker: Tracey C.

Workshop Topic: “Bedevilments”

​

Behind the Mic:

1. What inspires you most about AA’s fellowship?

The relationships with their Higher Powers, and the clear cut direction I receive from their experience, strength, and hope.

​

2. How did you choose your topic?

I completely understood after reading the bedevilments who I really was. But there are the 9th step promises- that tell me that I didn't have to stay that way If I worked the steps.

​

3. What's one of your favorite sobriety milestones?

After relapsing for 2 decades my favorite milestones have been 1, 5 and 10.

​

4. What makes this session special?

I get to give back what was so freely given to me. Hope! I love to watch the light come on in a person's eye!

Speaker: Dr. Stephen L.

Workshop Topic: “Growing Through the Pain”

​

Behind the Mic:

1. What inspires you most about AA’s fellowship?

As a Member of AA, I am recognized as a Member of AA and not as a Handicapped Person and/or a Blind person. Too often in other Fellowships and other social fellowships, my visual impairment is what most persons connect me with and not as a person. In the Fellowship of AA, I have been to many places and met many people and never have I been introduced as the Blind Guy, simply recognized and introduced as a Member of AA.

​

2. How did you choose your topic?

I have become more aware of how many of those most painful life experiences have become my most valuable life experiences and in the spirit of Carrying the Message (my experience, strength and hope), is to share how the 12 Promises materialize even in the midst of the growing pains of recovery.

​

3. What's one of your favorite sobriety milestones?

One of my most cherished milestones in my sobriety journey has been reestablishing a relationship with my children.

-Having been physically beaten by my teenage children and their

mother with 12 years of Sobriety

-Having my daughter, through tears of pain and sorrow- describing to me how I beat and yelled at them when I was selling drugs on the street corner, and beating them when they were around 5 or 6 years old -after 24 yrs of doing the work (Steps)

-Having lost the respect in my addiction and regaining the honor and privilege of fatherhood when my daughter called me 4:00 in the morning because she wants to talk to her daddy, has been and will always be a major milestone for me.

​

4. What makes this session special?

This is a coming home celebration and opportunity to fellowship with persons I have not seen in years, and hanging out in the city where I got Recovery and to celebrate Alcohol Anonymous’ 90th Birthday!

Speaker: Neil D

Workshop Topic: “Alcoholism in an Immigrant Family”

​

Behind the Mic:

1. What inspires you most about AA’s fellowship?

In AA, I have been able to find a welcoming group of people that I was always looking for. It's a group of people that allow me in no matter where I am. When I was drinking, I was trying so hard to fit in. I don't have to worry about that anymore.

​

2. How did you choose your topic?

 I didn't really get to choose what family I was born into.

​

3. What's one of your favorite sobriety milestones?

Year milestones

Personal Accomplishments: Getting my career back

​

4. What makes this session special?

This session is special because someone in my life who has never heard my story will be in attendance.

Speaker: Raye W.

Workshop Topic: “Our Traditions Are Important”

​

Behind the Mic:

1. What inspires you most about AA’s fellowship?

For me- it's seeing someone accept and become willing to begin to recover from this illness. That, for me, is when the miracle begins to happen.

​

2. How did you choose your topic?

My workshop is the 12 Traditions of A.A. For me, the Traditions are as important for the survival of A.A.'s groups as the Steps are for the individual. I believe that without the groups, the individual could not recover.

​

3. What's one of your favorite sobriety milestones?

For me- it was finally accepting, and becoming willing to accept I am an Alcoholic. After between 18 months and 2 years of just going to meetings- what a release that was.

​

4. What makes this session special?

For me, it is understanding how important the Traditions are for the survival of A.A.

“The Sponsoring Game” Skit

• What to Expect:

Laughter, lightheartedness, and a twist on a familiar classic as our talented cast brings recovery to life in this hilarious take on The Dating Game, AA-style. Enjoy a laid-back evening of fellowship and fun with snacks, sweet treats, and a room full of folks who truly “get it.”

​

• Why You’ll Love It:

Get ready for giggles and “inside the rooms” humor that will have you nodding, laughing, and saying, “That’s so true!” This is a feel-good favorite and relatable take on sponsorship that reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously—because recovery is joyful, too.

Oldtimers’ Ask-It Basket Panel

• What to Expect:

Gather and settle in for an open “ask-it” Q&A. Seasoned members with 30+ years of sobriety will share personal insights, stories, practical advice, and answer your questions in a respectful atmosphere of fellowship.

• Why You’ll Love It:

This is your chance to tap into decades of recovery wisdom, forge meaningful connections across generations. You’ll walk away inspired by real-life journeys of perseverance and hope, and feel the power of connection as you engage directly with AA’s living history.

Songs Sung Sober Karaoke

• What to Expect:

Grab the mic in our cozy, alcohol-free lounge. The room will buzz with laughter, applause, and spontaneous dance breaks-all in a welcoming, judgment-free atmosphere. You’ll be surrounded by fellow AA members cheering every note, sharing laughter, and building camaraderie with every song!

• Why You’ll Love It:

It’s a chance to let loose, share a song, and celebrate each other’s courage- proving that sobriety and fun go hand-in-hand. You’ll leave with a smile, new connections, and the memory of voices raised in joyful fellowship.

Morning Meditations

• What to Expect:

Ease into your day with peaceful, guided meditations in a quiet, welcoming space. These early morning gatherings offer a gentle start, meaningful reflections, and the warmth of fellowship before the day’s activities begin.

​

• Why You’ll Love It:

These morning circles set a calming tone for the day, helping you reconnect with your Higher Power and your purpose. A moment of stillness, shared with others who “get it”. What better way to begin mornings at your Sober Summer Escape?