Family-friendly, creative, and diverse, All Star II is a week that can be as active or relaxing as you’d like it to be. Opportunities abound for both adults and children to make or enjoy music and art; dive into a game of baseball, volleyball, or tennis; explore the harbor by rowboat; investigate the island’s history or marine and bird life; play games; join together in the candle-lit stone chapel; take a morning polar bear dip or a yoga break; bring your talents to the stage on stunt night or at the musicale; watch the sunset at a music-laden marshmallow roast; engage in the morning lecture series or afternoon talks on the rocks; partake in the many All Star II traditions; or just settle into a porch rocker to talk with friends new and old or read a good book. There are few demands but many temptations, and even more opportunities to create the kind of lasting friendships that continually delight new Shoalers and keep old Shoalers coming back for years.

2020 has been a challenge for our Shoalers. It’s not the first time we couldn’t come to Star Island. In 2007 our conference was cancelled and we all scrambled to change our vacation plans. While 2007 was disappointing, it didn’t affect our lives the way 2020 has. Still, we find ways to connect. All Star II has been conducting weekly virtual Social Hours that have allowed us to stay in touch, check in on each other, and allow us to reflect on our situations. In fact, some of us have been in contact with each other more than we would normally! We are grateful for our community, for our friendships, and for our resilience. We will come back!