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The Promise of the Six
Independence Hall B | Military Child World Expo
The Cultural Home of Belonging, Creativity, and Identity.
A Space Built by Youth. For Youth.
The Promise of the Six (Youth Pavilion) is the heart of youth leadership at the Military Child World Expo. Designed in direct response to national surveys and youth feedback, this dedicated space exists to give military-connected children and teens something they have long asked for:
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A place of their own.
Within this Pavilion, youth are not visitors, they are leaders, creators, speakers, and decision-makers. Every experience inside this hall is intentionally youth-centered, youth-led, or youth-designed.
What Happens Inside The Youth Pavilion
Spanning 6,000 square feet, the Pavilion brings together leadership, creativity, wellness, entrepreneurship, and belonging in one cohesive environment.
Youth Summit & Main Stage | Independence Hall B
A central stage where young people lead conversations on identity, service, resilience, and the future. This is where youth voices are elevated, not filtered.
A dedicated area for youth and teen entrepreneurs to showcase ideas, projects, and small businesses. This space affirms youth innovation and economic agency.
Youth Voices
Short talks, panels, spoken word, and storytelling moments led by military-connected youth and caregiving teens, creating space for lived experience to be seen and heard.
Digital Literacy & STEAM Creation Lab
Hands-on exploration where youth design, build, and express, from robotics and wearable tech to DIY space suits, creative tech, and superhero storytelling.
This lab blends STEAM + digital literacy + imagination.
Creative Expression & Arts Space
Comics, illustration, performance, music, cosplay, and visual storytelling live here, giving youth multiple ways to express identity and creativity.
Youth Commons & Reflection Lounge
A welcoming, unprogrammed space where youth can connect, decompress, journal, or simply exist without pressure.
Because belonging doesn’t always need an agenda.
Kids & Family Activity Corner
A family-friendly zone designed for younger children and caregivers, ensuring the Pavilion remains inclusive across ages while centered on youth leadership.
Why the Youth Pavilion Exists
Military-connected children and teens have shared, consistently, that while many spaces serve military families, few are designed specifically for them.
The Promise of the Six Youth Pavilion responds to that gap by creating:
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A visible home for youth identity
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A platform for leadership without rank
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A space for creativity without labels
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A community that spans generations
This Pavilion reflects a simple truth:
Military-connected youth have always carried the promise forward, now they have a place that carries it with them.
Who This Space Is For
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Military-connected children and teens
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Teen caregivers and caregiving youth
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Youth entrepreneurs and creatives
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Educators and youth-serving organizations
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Families supporting youth leadership
How To Participate
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Participation opportunities inside the Youth Pavilion include:
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Youth speakers and panelists
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Youth-led workshops and labs
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Teen entrepreneur marketplace tables
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Creative and digital literacy activations
Get Involved in the Youth Pavilion → contact / interest form
Location & Access
Independence Hall B
Military Child World Expo 2026
Hyatt Regency Crystal City
Arlington, Virginia 22202
Signature Activation: Sneaker Dripping™
Design as identity. Movement as pattern. Expression as legacy. Sneaker Dripping™ invites military-connected and civilian youth to create, submit, and showcase custom sneaker designs. Winners are displayed at the Expo (Independence Hall B) A and featured online.
Micro-list:
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Categories: Concept, Handcrafted, Wearable Art, Collaboration
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Human Rights
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Uploads: 3–5 images + optional 30-sec video
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Fan Voting + Jury Final round
Learn More | Wear Your Sneakers | Sell Your Designs & Exhibit
Youth & Alumni, Side by Side
The Pavilion honors the lifetime of the Military Child, youth now, alumni always. Mentor circles pair grown military children with emerging creators to share pathways, portfolios, and life wisdom.
Safety, Inclusion & Care
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Curated entries; supervised stations; no aerosol paints or open flames.
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ADA pathways; sensory-friendly period posted daily.
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Youth Marketplace vetting; guardian/teacher on record for minors.
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Trauma-informed hosts in Reflection Lounge & Care Circles.
For Schools & Educators
The Promise of the Six is an ideal field trip destination for schools serving military-connected youth. It’s an interactive classroom without walls, where lessons in history, civics, wellness, and leadership come alive.
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Aligned with Learning Goals: From civic engagement to cultural awareness, activities connect to real-world student outcomes.
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Safe, Structured Environment: Students move between guided zones, interactive exhibits, and supervised workshops.
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Youth-Led Learning: Sessions are designed for peer-to-peer exchange, encouraging students to lead as much as they learn.
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Flexibility for Groups: Whether you bring a class, a club, or an entire grade, the Pavilion accommodates school groups of all sizes.