HOUSTON, Texas — The Youth Empowerment Summit (YES Camp) 2026 is proud to announce that Rosie Nguyen—an Emmy Award-winning journalist, storyteller, and communications leader—will join this year's speaker lineup to inspire the next generation of young leaders.

Taking place August 7–9, 2026, at YMCA Camp Cullen in Trinity, Texas, YES Camp brings together young adults ages 17–25 for an immersive weekend of leadership development, personal growth, outdoor adventure, and lifelong friendships. This year's theme, "You & Me: The Power of We," encourages participants to embrace collaboration, celebrate diversity, and discover the strength that comes from building meaningful connections.

Rosie Nguyen's story embodies resilience, purpose, and the power of using one's voice to create positive change. The daughter of Vietnamese refugees who rebuilt their lives in the United States, Rosie has dedicated her career to telling stories that matter and elevating voices that deserve to be heard.

Over the past decade, Rosie has worked as a television journalist across the country, earning regional Emmy recognition for her outstanding reporting and becoming the first Vietnamese American television news anchor in Utah. She later served as the Race & Culture Reporter at ABC13/KTRK in Houston, where she covered stories that highlighted diversity, equity, and the experiences of underrepresented communities.

Today, Rosie serves as the Director of Communication and Projects in Free Expression for Rice University's Office of Access and Institutional Excellence. In this role, she combines strategic communications, multimedia storytelling, and community engagement to promote access, inclusion, and meaningful dialogue.

At YES Camp 2026, Rosie will share her personal journey—from the daughter of refugees to an award-winning journalist and communications leader—encouraging campers to embrace their identity, discover their purpose, and use their voices to make a difference in their communities.

"Rosie's journey reminds us that every story has the power to inspire," said Dr. Anhlan Nguyen, Executive Director of the Institute for Civic Education in Vietnam (ICEVN). "Her passion for storytelling, leadership, and community engagement perfectly reflects this year's theme, You & Me: The Power of We. We are honored to welcome her to YES Camp."

In addition to keynote sessions and leadership workshops, campers will participate in team-building activities, outdoor adventures, wellness programming, and collaborative projects designed to foster confidence, resilience, and civic engagement.

Registration for YES Camp 2026 is now open.

Event Details

📅 August 7–9, 2026

📍 YMCA Camp Cullen, Trinity, TX

👥 Ages 17–25💲 $150 |

💛 Scholarships Available

🌐 Register: www.YESCamp.net

About YES Camp

Organized by the Institute for Civic Education in Vietnam (ICEVN) in partnership with Việt Vote Houston and the Vietnamese Culture and Science Association (VCSA), YES Camp is an annual leadership summit that empowers young people through leadership development, civic engagement, emotional wellness, and community building. Through inspiring speakers, interactive workshops, and hands-on experiences, YES Camp equips participants with the skills and confidence to lead with purpose and create positive change.