--- title: 2026 Empire Promise Youth Summit | Binghamton LPP description: Join Liberty Partnership Program students at the 2026 Empire Promise Youth Summit! image: https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/hubfs/featured.webp --- [Skip to content](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/empire-promise-2026#main-content) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. [![logo-white-full](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-white-full.png?width=518&height=219&name=logo-white-full.png)](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com) - [WHO WE ARE](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/who-we-are)   [**WHO WE ARE**](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/who-we-are) [**OUR TEAM**](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/team) **SCHOOLS WE WORK WITH** [Binghamton](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/binghamton-city-school-district-lpp) [Johnson City](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/johnson-city-school-district) [Susquehanna Valley](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/susquehanna-valley-school-district) [**SUPPORT BINGHAMTON LPP**](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/support-binghamton-university-liberty-partnership-program) [**CONTACT**](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/contact)     The Binghamton University Liberty Partnerships Program (BU/LPP) is an educational case management and community school model that supports over 475 students annually across Binghamton, Susquehanna Valley, and Johnson City school districts. Our full-time staff are embedded in each school to provide comprehensive academic, social-emotional, and personal development support. Funded by the NYS Department of Education, we empower students to thrive in school and life through tailored services and transformative experiences.   [VISIT OUR BLOG](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/blog) - [WHAT WE DO](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/what-we-do) **![academic](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/academic.png?width=20&height=20&name=academic.png)[Academic Support](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/what-we-do#academic-support)** **![emotional](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/emotional.png?width=20&height=20&name=emotional.png)[Social & Emotional Skill Development](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/what-we-do#social-emotional)** **![engagement](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/engagement.png?width=20&height=22&name=engagement.png)[Leadership Development & Civic Engagement](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/what-we-do#leadership)** **![Helping](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Helping.png?width=20&height=22&name=Helping.png)[Mentoring](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/what-we-do#mentoring)** **![counseling](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/counseling.png?width=20&height=20&name=counseling.png)[Individual & Family Counseling](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/what-we-do#counseling)** **![career](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/career.png?width=20&height=19&name=career.png)[College and Career Prep](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/what-we-do#college-career)** - [DISCOVER](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/resources)   **[SUMMER AT LPP](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/summer-program)** Discover our community-focused summer programming. **[SUCCESS STORIES](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/binghamton-lpp-alumni)** Meet our Alumni **[BY THE NUMBERS](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/by-the-numbers)** See the impact of the Binghamton LPP on student success. **[THE EMPIRE PROMISE YOUTH SUMMIT](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/empire-promise-2026)** Immerse yourself in the 2026 summit **[HOW TO APPLY](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/how-to-apply)** Learn how you can join the Binghamton LPP. **[THE XANEYA THOMAS FUTURE LEADERS SCHOLARSHIP](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/the-xáneya-thomas-future-leaders-scholarship)** A scholarship established by one of our Alumni. **[HEROES CAMPAIGN](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/everyday-heroes)** Meet the everyday heroes who make a lasting impact.  **[PARTNER WITH US](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/partners)** Connect with motivated high school students & share your expertise - [THE LPP BLOG](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/blog) - [CONTACT US](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/contact) ![Search icon](https://5018647.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5018647/Design/Icons/Font%20Awesome/search.svg) # 2026 EMPIRE PROMISE YOUTH SUMMIT ## The 22nd Annual Empire Promise Youth Summit ## Survivor: Rise of the Heroes and the Power Within   From April 28–30, 2026, students from across New York State gathered for the 22nd Annual Empire Promise Youth Summit. This year's theme, "Survivor: Rise of the Heroes and the Power Within," challenged students to think differently about what it means to be powerful — proving that true heroes rise not through superhuman strength, but through courage, resilience, and the strength to stand up for what's right. ## Discovering the Power Within Over three days, students joined their "tribes" and discovered their own inner superpowers — the unique strengths, from courage to creativity to empathy, that would guide them through every challenge. Inspired by Ms. Marvel, Black Widow, Wolverine, Spider-Man, and Captain America, tribes rotated through five hero-themed challenges at the Hero Academy, each designed to test them physically, mentally, and emotionally: - **Wolverine: The Taken – A Survival Mission** An immersive scavenger-style mission built around loyalty and grit, as tribes followed clues to bring back a "taken" member of their own. - **Black Widow: Redacted – Question Everything** An undercover-style workshop where tribes decoded hidden messages in the world around them and presented a "Truth Drop" challenging the narrative. - **Captain America: Strength in Unity – The Hero's Gauntlet** A high-energy outdoor obstacle course testing strength, strategy, and unity, inspired by Sam Wilson's journey as Captain America. - **Ms. Marvel: Embrace the Stretch – Owning Who You Are** A workshop on identity and self-reflection, encouraging students to turn what makes them different into what makes them powerful. - **Spider-Man: Into the Web – Rise to the Challenge** A fast-paced series of challenges with ever-changing rules, testing students' ability to adapt, stay cool under pressure, and support their team. ## Highlights from the Summit The summit opened with the Survivor: Rise of the Heroes Kick-Off Dinner, followed by an evening of Survivor and Open Mic performances. Each morning began with optional yoga, and students spent the second day fully immersed in their Hero Academy tribe challenges before dressing up for a Heroes Quest Award Presentation and Dinner, capped off with a costume dance party. A central part of this year's journey was the Heroes Quest, a multi-month personal development challenge that pushed students outside their comfort zones through a 48-hour digital detox, walking goals, daily gratitude practices, a 21-day wellness challenge, and more. Every student who completed the Quest was honored at the summit, and one student who demonstrated exceptional perseverance and personal growth was awarded a $1,000 prize. The summit also spotlighted "Everyday People," a statewide music video compilation featuring LPP students from across New York, created to kick off the year-long Hero theme with a simple message: heroes don't always wear capes — they show up, lift others, and lead with courage. Students were also reminded that they don't need superpowers to make an impact, with practical calls to action for being an everyday hero at home, at school, and in the world through kindness, courage, compassion, and integrity. Throughout the summit, students were supported by the "Summit Hero Squad" and the Green Capes support team, a group of social work professionals offering calming, constructive support, alongside a dedicated security team keeping every activity safe. ## Final Tribal Council The summit culminated in the Final Tribal Council, where tribes reflected on their journeys and showcased the strength, resilience, and power they discovered within themselves and each other. Students wrapped up their three days together with a final breakfast, a survey, and a LEGO prize drawing before heading home — with a renewed belief that they already have what it takes to rise. ## Impact and Community Once again, the Empire Promise Youth Summit proved that heroes aren't born — they choose to act. Through teamwork, self-discovery, and small acts of everyday courage, students left the summit not just having played the role of a hero, but having recognized the hero already within them. Continue the journey with the [2025 Empire Promise Youth Summit, Survivor: Inside Out](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/empire-promise-2025). ## Experience More   ## **2023**   ## **2025** ![Screenshot 2026-07-13 154211](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-07-13%20154211.webp?width=963&height=708&name=Screenshot%202026-07-13%20154211.webp) ![IMG\_20260713\_103234](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_20260713_103234.webp?width=600&height=450&name=IMG_20260713_103234.webp) ![Screenshot 2026-07-13 154449](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-07-13%20154449.webp?width=1270&height=707&name=Screenshot%202026-07-13%20154449.webp) ![Screenshot 2026-07-13 154352](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-07-13%20154352.webp?width=1552&height=1435&name=Screenshot%202026-07-13%20154352.webp) ![IMG\_20260713\_103225](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_20260713_103225.webp?width=600&height=450&name=IMG_20260713_103225.webp) [![Asset 1](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asset%201.png?width=150&height=142&name=Asset%201.png "Asset 1")](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com) [Who We Are](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/who-we-are) [What We Do](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/what-we-do) [Discover](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/resources) [Alumni](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/binghamton-lpp-alumni) [Blog](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/blog) [Donate](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/support-binghamton-university-liberty-partnership-program) [Contact Us](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/contact) [Partnership Opportunities](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/partners) **Binghamton University Liberty Partnerships Program PO Box 6000 Binghamton, NY 13903 (607) 777.4187** [facebook-f icon](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064369134644) [instagram icon](https://www.instagram.com/bu.libertypartnerships/) Copyright © 2026, Binghamton University Liberty Partnerships | [Privacy Policy](https://www.binghamtonlpp.com/privacy-policy) Designed and managed by [Two Cats Coding.](https://www.twocatscoding.com)