HOUSTON, Texas — The Youth Empowerment Summit (YES Camp) 2026 is proud to announce an outstanding lineup of speakers, educators, and community leaders who will inspire young adults to lead with purpose, resilience, and compassion. Taking place August 7–9, 2026, at YMCA Camp Cullen in Trinity, Texas, this year's camp embraces the theme:

"You & Me: The Power of We"

When Hearts Align, Differences Shine.

Hosted 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 designed for young adults ages 17–25 who are passionate about leadership, civic engagement, personal growth, and building meaningful connections.

This year's speaker lineup brings together accomplished professionals from education, journalism, mental wellness, emotional intelligence, and martial arts—each offering unique perspectives that align with the camp's mission of developing confident, compassionate leaders.

Featured Speakers

Rosie Nguyen

An Emmy Award-winning journalist, former Race & Culture Reporter at ABC13 Houston, and current Director of Communication and Projects in Free Expression at Rice University, Rosie Nguyen has dedicated her career to amplifying underrepresented voices through storytelling. She will inspire campers to embrace their unique stories, find their voice, and use communication as a force for positive change.

Dr. Anhlan Nguyen

Founder of Lyceum Global and Executive Director of ICEVN, Dr. Nguyen is an internationally recognized educator, bestselling author, and lifelong advocate for youth leadership. A Vietnamese refugee whose journey shaped a lifelong commitment to service, she will open YES Camp by introducing this year's theme, encouraging campers to discover that true leadership begins when individuals come together with purpose and heart.

Dr. Haitrieu Nguyen

A Sociology Lecturer at Sam Houston State University, TEDx speaker, and certified Mental Health First Aid trainer, Dr. Haitrieu Nguyen specializes in emotional regulation and resilience. Through an engaging workshop on emotional agility, campers will learn practical strategies for understanding their emotions, making thoughtful decisions, and becoming stronger leaders.

Dr. Renea Skelton

A U.S. Air Force veteran, transformational coach, and expert in emotional intelligence, Dr. Skelton has spent more than two decades helping individuals unlock their leadership potential. Her interactive workshop will encourage campers to cultivate confidence, resilience, empathy, and authentic leadership through emotional intelligence.

Special Workshop: Self-Defense & Confidence Building

Campers will also participate in a dynamic self-defense workshop led by Master Lena Ngoc Nguyen and Master Kevin Trung Cao, accomplished Vovinam Viet Vo Dao masters with more than 60 years of combined martial arts experience.

Together, they will teach practical self-defense techniques while emphasizing discipline, confidence, situational awareness, and personal responsibility—demonstrating that true strength comes from both character and preparation.

A Weekend of Growth, Adventure & Connection

Beyond the speaker sessions, campers will enjoy leadership workshops, team challenges, wellness activities, outdoor adventures, a festival-style Midway Expo, talent showcase, and countless opportunities to build lifelong friendships.

"Our goal has always been to create more than just a camp," said Dr. Anhlan Nguyen, Executive Director of ICEVN. "YES Camp is a place where young people discover their potential, embrace their differences, and realize that when they support one another, extraordinary things happen. This year's theme reminds us that you can't spell power without WE."

Registration for YES Camp 2026 is now open.

Event Details

YES Camp 2026

📅 August 7–9, 2026

📍 YMCA Camp Cullen, Trinity, Texas

👥 Ages 17–25💲 $150 | Scholarships Available

🌐 Register: www.YESCamp.net

For additional information, sponsorship opportunities, or media inquiries, please visit www.YESCamp.net or contact the YES Camp team.

About YES Camp

The Youth Empowerment Summit (YES Camp) is an annual leadership retreat that equips young adults with the skills, confidence, and character to become leaders in their schools, workplaces, and communities. Through immersive experiences, mentorship, and hands-on learning, YES Camp inspires participants to lead with integrity, serve with compassion, and build a brighter future together.