Please look for an email from HOBY HQ regarding our Pre-Seminar Materials which includes a personalized link to help us understand more about you, any medical needs, dietary restrictions and more! Please complete these as soon as possible so we can ensure we are prepared to give you the best experience possible! Next please complete your key deposit. This can be refunded to you after seminar, or you can donate this fee to receive the photos taken at seminar! Join us on May 17th @ 7pm on Google Meet for information about the packing list, an overview of the weekend, and clarification about your color section! This is a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Ambassadors are strongly encouraged to attend, parents/guardians are also welcome!

The seminar will take place at SUNY Albany: 1400 Washington Ave Albany, NY 12222 Signs will be placed around campus directing you to our check-in location (State Quad). See map below for details. UAlbany Campus Map

Seminar participants should check in between 7:45 AM and 8:45 AM on the State Quad on Friday, June 5th, 2026. After students check in, they and their guardian will be able to bring their items to their room and say goodbye before starting their weekend! The seminar will conclude with Closing Ceremonies on June 7th at 1:30pm and parents/guardians are welcome to attend! Check out will follow at 3:30 from the same location as check in. Participants must be present for the entire seminar, including overnight.

You are responsible for your transportation to and from the seminar. Please include all details of your itinerary on the enclosed Participant Confirmation Form. If you get lost on the way to the seminar, please call (518) 219-8259.

During your HOBY Leadership Seminar, many dynamic leaders—all volunteers from the fields of business, education, government, and other professions—will address aspects of our changing world and the challenges future leaders will confront. The program will not promote any specific political party, religion, or way of thinking; but is designed to develop critical thinking skills by actively involving participants in discussions and informal debate. During the seminar, and after being equipped with the tools necessary, you will be asked to undertake a community service project (or projects) within your own community involving at least 100 hours of service during the year following your seminar. The purpose is to make a difference in your school, community, place of worship, or any other environment where you see a need.

Participants will be assigned to dorm room suites with two participants per room and several rooms to a suite. Toiletries and linens will NOT be provided, so please make sure you bring those items. Everyone will receive nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. beginning with lunch on Friday (or breakfast on Friday morning for those checking in Thursday night). On the Medical History Records Form, please indicate any special dietary considerations and we will do our best to accommodate you. Bathrooms will be shared in a suite style.

Please provide information about your medication in the Health and Safety section. Make sure to read and comply with the Policy for Use of Medication During a HOBY Event.

Parents, friends, and family members are discouraged from calling students during the seminar due to the disruption caused to panels and activities. There will be opportunities for calls/texts during scheduled breaks and meals. In case of emergency, parents or guardians may call (518) 219-8259. The seminar will be chaperoned by qualified adults who will be staying at the facility 24 hours a day.

Being away from home can definitely be overwhelming, but it is a lot of our ambassadors first time staying on a college campus/away from home. All of our ambassadors live on campus in a section dedicated just to HOBY New York East! Suites are made up of 2–4 rooms each with two people per room. Bathrooms are shared within a suite. Rooms are mixed from students from all areas in our program, but separated by gender. We are generally not able to grant roommate requests, but if you have specific housing related concerns, please contact operations@hobynye.org

Dress is casual throughout the weekend, except our closing ceremony on Sunday which we ask students to wear something they would wear to a school award ceremony or banquet. Comfortable walking shoes are a must, and flip flops are not permitted. Open-toed shoes and high-heels are highly discouraged throughout the weekend. Please consider bringing an extra set of casual shoes. We also have themed days: Friday: Color Day - wear the color of your section Saturday: HOBY T-shirt day (provided on Friday to all participants) Sunday: Closing Ceremonies attire We will be completing a community service project on Saturday that could potentially be messy, so plan accordingly and dress appropriately. You may wish to bring an extra change of clothes.

HOBY New York East helps students get connected by color group. This group is who you will spend the majority of the weekend learning with. Don’t worry there will be many other opportunities to connect with other participants throughout the weekend too! You will be contacted before the seminar by a HOBY volunteer assigned to work with your group. They will be able to tell you the color of your group as well as answer any last-minute questions you may have.

If circumstances arise that prevent you from attending the entire seminar, including overnight, we would like to give another student the opportunity to attend. Please notify the HOBY contact at your school, and follow up with an email to operations@hobynye.org.

Your school, family, or another group has paid a Registration Fee and will provide transportation to and from the seminar. All costs for meals, lodging and training materials have been generously provided by sponsors throughout our state, including businesses, foundations, individuals, and service organizations wishing to support leadership education.

Additional questions or concerns should be directed to our operations team, 518-219-8259 or operations@hobynye.org.