Hero Academy: Countdown to Florida Supercon 2026

Hero Academy is a leadership academy in Miami where teens and young adults earn merit badges, level up through ranks, and unlock real-world experiences with their crew. The Countdown to Florida Supercon is the summer chapter. Across multiple weeks, Cadets work toward the convention as the capstone group experience, building skills and crew identity along the way.

During the Countdown, Cadets earn points by showing up to events, completing challenges, and contributing to the crew. Points stack up. The lore builds. The Supercon Badge waits at the finish line.

What goes down during the summer

• Weekly themed challenges tied to fandoms, cosplay, and collaboration
• Limited-edition mini-badges only available during the Countdown (collectible, the worldbuilding goes hard)
• Cosplay builds and group fitting sessions
• Panel planning for crews who want to attend Supercon together
• Field trips and special events stacked across the season
• A shared mission that ends with the whole Academy walking into Supercon as a crew

How to earn your Supercon Badge (and your free pass)

Two paths:

Attendance path. Show up to 6 or more Countdown events during the summer.

Points path. Earn the most points across Countdown events by the end of the season.

Either path earns you the Supercon Badge and a free Day Pass to Florida Supercon. Top performers can level up to the 3-Day Pass based on demonstrated reliability and leadership.

Who Hero Academy is for

Open to all youth and young adults in Miami-Dade County, late high school through early college age. The program is built around geeks, gamers, fandom kids, neurodivergent youth, cosplayers, artists, writers, LGBTQ+ youth, and anyone who hasn't found their fit in standard youth programs. Any identity, any background, any experience level. No labels required to join.

Community agreements

Hero Academy is a safer space with clear expectations: respect for names and pronouns, respect for boundaries and consent, no harassment or shaming, confidentiality, and accommodations for neurodivergent and sensory needs as a default.

For parents and caregivers

Looking for a summer program with substance? Hero Academy is a structured, supervised season of community, creativity, and leadership development for young people in late high school and early college. Cadets spend the summer earning badges, building real skills (collaboration, accountability, emotional intelligence, advocacy), and connecting with peers who share their interests.

Hero Academy welcomes young people across every identity, background, and belief. The program is hosted in partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami, a community known for its commitment to pluralism and human dignity. Pridelines, the lead partner, has served South Florida youth and young adults for over 40 years and brings deep expertise in youth development and affirming community.

The result: a summer where Cadets have fun, find their crew, and grow.

The details

When: Countdown events run across the summer (biweekly Friday sessions, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, plus Saturday field trips and special events)

Where: Regular sessions at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami

Florida Supercon: July 10 to 12, 2026, Miami Beach Convention Center

Who: Open to youth and young adults, late high school through early college

The Countdown begins this summer. Show up. Stack your points. Walk into Supercon as a crew.

Hero Academy is a joint program of Pridelines, No Reservations, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami, and the Pride Lounge.

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