ALSA Youth Program
The ALSA Youth Program offers a supportive environment for young people ages 7-19 to learn about showing and caring for llamas and alpacas. With an annual membership, youth members gain access to youth classes at ALSA sanctioned shows, points tracking for awards, and the opportunity to qualify for ALSA Regional and National Shows.
Each year we offer scholarships to our youth members as well to help them on their journey. Want to join the ALSA Youth Program? Register a youth member today! If you have any questions about our Youth Program please feel free to contact us and we would be more than happy to assist you.
Youth Member
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Scholarship Opportunities
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Exclusive Event Pricing
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Members Only Programs
Youth Quicklinks
Looking to discover what is available to the youth members of ALSA? Learn the ins and outs of our Youth program by clicking on the links below.
General Info
for Parents & Leaders
Ready to learn more about the ALSA Youth Program? Discover key information related to being a youth member and what it costs.
- Youth classes may be held at any ALSA sanctioned show.
- Youth shows may be held as free standing shows offering ONLY Youth classes.
- Youth points are tracked for all current ALSA youth members. An annual Top Ten List is published every year.
- All youth, ages 7 - 19, as of January 1st of the current year, may show in ALSA youth classes. 7 year olds may start to show on their seventh birthday.
- Youth must be an ALSA member or pay a non-member fee to participate in ALSA shows.
- Youth must be an ALSA Youth member in order to accumulate Annual and Lifetime Awards.
- The annual youth membership fee is $25.00. Members will receive a Y#### membership number which must be included with all entries.
- Youth may exhibit only one animal per youth class and must show in the appropriate age category.
- Youth may not show the same animal in both youth classes and open classes.
- Youth may use either llamas or alpacas. The animal will not accumulate awards in the Youth Division. The youth accumulate awards in their name.
- To join, youth must submit a member application. Make sure that all information provided is accurate, up to date, and that payment is submitted. If you have any questions please contact us.
- Once a youth ages out of the ALSA youth program, they can renew their membership as an Adult Member.
Age Divisions
Ages are as of January 1st of the current year. Juniors may start showing on the date of their 7th birthday. Youth who turn 19 after January 1st but before the Grand National Show of their final showing year, may compete the year as a youth in the Senior Division.
Junior
Division
- Handler Age 7 - 11
Intermediate
Division
- Handler Age 12 - 14
Senior
Division
- Handler Age 15 - 19
Approved Youth Classes
These classes have been approved for ALSA Youth. If you have any questions about our classes please feel free to contact us.
- Showmanship
- Youth Judging
- Costume Class*
- Obstacle
- Public Relations
- Pack
- Alpaca Showmanship
- Alpaca Obstacle
- Alpaca Public Relations
- Alpaca Pack
ALSA Youth Awards Program
Below are the ALSA Youth requirements for Annual and Lifetime Youth Awards:
- All ALSA Youth Members will have their placements recorded for awards.
- Points for ALSA awards are only offered at ALSA sanctioned shows.
- The annual term for awards is January 1 - December 31.
- In order to receive points, the class must have at least 2 entries in the class.
- Lifetime awards can only be accumulated until the youth member's 19th birthday.
- Points will be accumulated by the ALSA Point Chart.
As youth show throughout their youth years, they will be continually accumulating points. Points accumulated will be utilized for High Point Annual Awards listed in the following sections.
ALSA Youth Top 10 Awards
The Top Ten Youth with the highest number of accumulated points in each of the following categories will be recognized at the end of each year.
- Llama & Alpaca Showperson (Junior, Intermediate, & Senior)
- Llama & Alpaca Obstacle (Junior, Intermediate, & Senior)
- Judging (Junior, Intermediate, & Senior)
- Llama & Alpaca Public Relations (Junior, Intermediate, & Senior)
- Llama & Alpaca Pack (Junior, Intermediate, & Senior)
ALSA Superior Youth Awards
Youth who have demonstrated outstanding placements by winning at least 5 first places OR 4 first and 2 second places, may qualify for the following achievements.
These placements can be accumulated over time of showing in different age divisions.
- ALSA Superior Youth Showperson
- ALSA Superior Obstacle Youth
- ALSA Superior Public Relations Youth
- ALSA Superior Pack Youth
- ALSA Superior Alpaca Youth
- ALSA Superior Youth Judging
Ultimate Youth Achievement
Youth who have demonstrated outstanding performances above the Superior Level may qualify for the Ultimate Youth Award – the highest achievement level that ALSA has to offer.
Requirements for ALSA youth achievement at this highest level include:
- 6 Showmanship First Places
- 6 Obstacle First Places
- 2 Pack First Places OR 2 Public Relations First Places
Regional Championship For Youth
- Youth receive DOUBLE POINTS towards the Youth Top Ten at each Regional Show.
- All youth must be a member of ALSA in order to exhibit in a Regional Championship Show.
Grand National for Youth
- ALSA Grand National has versatility awards for Junior, Intermediate and Senior. The youth in each division with the highest points in showmanship, youth judging and all 3 performance courses will be awarded the top youth in their division.
- All youth members must be a member of ALSA in order to exhibit at the Grand National Show of Champions.
- All youth members receive TRIPLE POINTS towards the Youth Top Ten List when showing at the Grand National Show.
Become a Youth Member
Get member’s only access to our incredible benefits and join the premiere Alpaca Llama Show Association. Click the link to submit your application today.
by IDS Toledo