Join All Star II (AS2) this summer while we, as a multi-generational and inclusive conference, come together for a week of laughter and friendship with friends old and new, to connect and reconnect, sing, play, rest, and marvel at the beauty that surrounds us on the sun-drenched porch of the Oceanic and the breezy shores of Gosport Harbor.

As a family conference that prides itself in providing a creative and safe environment for all, time with AS2 will be spent celebrating what it means to be one in a community of many and exploring what it means when we say, “We Are the Boat.” Adults and children, young and mature, together and the like, will enjoy a restorative week making music and art, rekindling thoughts and passions, and forming new kinships (while maintaining old ones), all while exploring Star Island and its natural beauty. Early morning walks on the misty rocks; lively coffee discussions on the current state of the world; exploring the marine ecosystem of the harbor; playing softball, volleyball, tennis or pickleball; indulging in a yoga class; cool mornings exploring the harbor by kayak or canoe; lazy afternoons in a rocker; nights singing, strumming, and dancing on the porch; and engaging in our daily lecture series; all of this and more await those who take the journey from Portsmouth and join us on the little boat that we have built together with our many hands adrift off the coast of New Hampshire and Maine.

“The boat we are sailing in was built by many hands. And the sea we are sailing on, it touches every land. We are the boat, we are the sea, I sail in you, you sail in me.” Won’t you join us as?

Minister of the Week:

Rev. Bethany Russell-Lowe currently lives in Tucson, AZ with her husband, Bryan, and preschooler, Otis, who will travel with her to Star this summer. She has been the settled minister at the UU Church of Tucson since 2018. Bethany grew up attending All Star II with her family: Sarah Russell, Rodney Lowe, and Chris Swartzbaugh.

Speaker of the Week:

Jen Judson is an award winning journalist covering Land Warfare for Defense News and previously served as the 115th President of the National Press Club. Jen is a graduate of Kenyon College and Boston University, where she earned her Masters in Journalism.  Aside from her worldwide travels to report on new developments in the military industrial complex, Jen will speak about press freedom, the state of journalism today, and reporting on the government – an exceptionally timely topic that you won’t want to miss!  Look forward to a fireside chat with other highly accomplished journalists, and more!

Children’s Program

AS2’s Children’s Program is truly the gem of our week on Star Island. Our Children’s Staff is a remarkable group of 20+ experienced leaders and caregivers who create an enriching and secure week of fun, understanding, community, independence, and friendship for Children from infants through high school. Life-long bonds of friendships blossom among AS2’s Children, which are carried through to adulthood. Children meet with their groups twice daily, in the morning and most afternoons, for an hour and a half. Our Children delight in mornings and afternoons spent with peers and group leaders engaged in traditions and new tailor-made activities, including time spent in the Art Barn, visits to the Marine Lab, row boat trips across the harbor to Smutty Nose Island, and Children’s stunt show night. Children and Youth alike are encouraged to explore the Island together and carve a space out for themselves. Outside of the Children’s program, they look forward to family bingo night, bedtime stories in the Pink Parlor, kites on the lawn, the Great People Hunt, marshmallows and hot chocolate on the rocks, swimming at the beach and off the dock, and much, much more.

Program Fee

$140 per adult (18+)

$110 per youth (17 and under)

Room & Board

The rates below are per person for the full length of the conference.

Adults (18+) 

Standard Shared: $1,265 | Standard Single: $1,770

Motel Shared: $1,560 | Motel Single: $2,285 

Youth 

Under 6: Free | 6-11 years: $585 | 12-17 years: $840

Financial Aid

Find out more information from the All Star 2 “Shoalership” page

Boat Schedule

Departure from Portsmouth TBD

Departure from Star Island TBD

Questions?

Email the Chairs, Elle Erickson and Jeff Escobar at as2chairs2025@allstar2.org