In the Summer of 2026, Disability EmpowHer Network graduated our fifth class of EmpowHer Camp Young Leaders. One week after the Class of 2026 graduated, we started the journey again with a new group of young leaders and mentors, and we've already seen incredible growth. Check out our Impact Reports to learn more about the growth journey of our young leaders and their mentors.
EmpowHer Camp Class of 2027
Group photo of young leaders and mentors in purple sweatshirts that say "Disabled Women Make History"
EmpowHer Camp - Class of 2027 (ADK Trip)
Impact Report
PDF Version
Fast Facts
Independent Living Skills: 100% of Young Leaders worked on independent living skills such as self-advocacy, cooking, planning, and time management.
Survival Skills: 100% of Young Leaders improved at least one survival skill including fire building, camping, or navigation.
Leadership Skills: 82% of Young Leaders indicated an increase in their leadership skills such as public speaking, confidence, teamwork, and problem solving.
Quick Recap
This summer, EmpowHer Camp had the honor of welcoming nine awesome young leaders as the Class of 2027 for an unforgettable adventure in the Adirondacks. Over the week, they spent time with disabled women mentors and allies, sharing deep conversations, lots of laughs, and inside jokes. Through these experiences, they are gaining the confidence to be their true selves.
Camp wasn’t just about sleeping outdoors; it was all about growing. We tackled topics like emergency preparedness and response and disability pride, plus built skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and self-advocacy.
Every young leader was paired with a disabled woman mentor to plan a community project they’ll work on all year to make a real impact in their individual communities.
The Class of 2027 left camp with lifelong friendships, new skills, and big ambitions for the year ahead. We’re so excited to see all the amazing things they’ll accomplish!
Young Leaders, mentors, and allies pose with the fire they just built.
Young Leader Audrey and Mentor Tia smile together after being matched for mentoring
Young leaders Maci, Jules, and Phea have an egg cracking mishap and stare in confusion at the table trying to determine what to do next.
What Comes Next?
After a week of learning new skills, our young leaders are ready to dive into creating and completing their community impact projects. With help from their mentor, each one will come up with a project to make emergency readiness and response more inclusive and accessible in their hometown. They’ll catch up once a month with their mentor and have virtual hangouts regularly to keep learning, support each other, and just have a good time.
Next summer, once they’ve finished their projects, they’ll all get back together in D.C. for a week of fun and learning. They’ll meet with their senator’s office, practice skills like networking and interviewing, and explore the capital with their camp friends.
Young Leader Evyn poses with her leader log
Young Leader Sam and Mentor Becki pose outside of a lean-to after moving Sam in.
Young Leader Codi drinking water through her lifestraw with the help of a mentor
What People Are Saying
Young Leader: “I’ve grown by being able to make new friends and I have learned that I don’t need to apologize for existing and that I can do hard things.”
Young Leader: “I have learned to enjoy camping and being connected without technology, and being away from my mom taught me resilience. I did hard things I didn’t know I could do."
Parent: “Maci has been working more to advocate for herself and communicate her needs/limitations if an issue arises. She doesn't seem as nervous or shy about being visibly disabled ... She used to take on the "fake it til you make it" attitude, but I feel like now she's embracing the fact that she may need more assistance and that's okay. She may move slower or differently and that's okay."
EmpowHer Camp Class of 2025
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Group photo of the Class of 2026 young leaders, mentors, and allies wearing matching purple shirts
Group photo of Young Leaders and mentors at the MLK Jr. Memorial in DC.
EmpowHer Camp- Class of 2026
Impact Report
PDF Version
Fast Facts
Leadership: 100% Young Leaders reported an increase in at least 2 leadership skills such as public speaking, time management, and discipline in the last year.
Communication and Confidence: 60% of Young Leaders believe they have developed better confidence and improved communication skills
Quick Recap
In July, the Class of 2026 wrapped up their yearlong EmpowHer Camp adventure with a trip to D.C.! It all kicked off last summer with a camping trip in the Adirondacks where the young leaders picked up skills like building fires, cooking on their own, and working together through teamwork and communication. There was plenty of singing, dancing, and crafts too.
For the next year, they kept sharpening their advocacy and leadership skills while working on their community impact projects with help from their mentors. These projects covered all kinds of topics—like creating mental health resource websites, teaching people how to use communication devices during emergencies, and organizing a gear drive for kids in Africa who need mobility aids.
By July, they finished their projects and came together in Washington, D.C. for a week full of connecting, learning, and good times! They completed mock interviews, networked with members of the Disability Community and senators’ offices, and shared their stories at Presentation Night. Throughout the week, they also learned how to be flexible team players while exploring museums, monuments, and navigating the busy subways in the summer heat, making tons of memories along the way. We wrapped it all up with long-term goal setting and a karaoke night that was a blast!
Young Leader Xinlan poses in front of a horse sculpture at the National Museum of Women in the Arts.
Young Leader smiles and holds up her long term leader log.
Young Leaders Ramya and Adara network with disability community leaders with the support of Ally Lily
What Comes Next?
Over the past year, the Class of 2026 has built strong friendships, and now they will have even more support. They are joining our alumni network, where they can meet other disabled women and nonbinary people, make new friends, and share lots of fun moments together.
Going forward, each graduate will get personalized support from mentors, staff, and alumni of the Disability EmpowHer Network as they move on to college, careers, or travel abroad. We will help them find information and resources, make good choices, and handle the ups and downs along the way. We check in with every graduate twice a year until they find a job or for six years after they finish school, whichever comes later.
We are so proud of the Class of 2026!
What People Are Saying
Young Leader: "Camp has helped me speak up for myself and others. It has encouraged disabled people to stick together, no matter the cause. I can live the way I want and stand up for myself. I’m an important person, and I can speak however I want to."
Parent: “Camp was an amazing experience for her. It helped to improve her confidence, independence, self-advocacy and communication and inspired her to also continue advocating for others with disabilities."
Parent: "This was an empowering experience for Asa and helped her grow in her confidence and independence.