All Star 2
Family Conference
Sunday, July 12 - Sunday, July 19, 2026
Sunday, July 12 - Sunday, July 19, 2026
Photo: starisland.org
2026 Conference Updates
Adventure Awaits!
Join us in 2026 on Star Island from July 12 - July 19!
All Star 2 is a family-friendly, creative, and diverse 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 softball, volleyball, or tennis; explore the harbor by rowboat; investigate the island’s history or marine and bird life; play games; join together in chapel services; take a morning polar bear dip or a yoga break; watch the sunset at a 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 year after year.
Read more about Star Island in the March-April 2017 issue of Harvard Magazine or in this 2012 article from the Boston Globe!
2026 Conference General Information
Presenter: Ryan Kellman
Long-time Shoaler Ryan Kellman is a Reporter and Photographer for NPR's climate desk. His work has received a multitude of recognition, most recently a 2023 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award for the series Beyond the Poles: The far-reaching dangers of melting ice.
In addition to his many professional accomplishments and accolades, Ryan is a graduate of the All Star 2 Children's Program, having first attended the conference at only 3 months old and returning for each of the following 17 years. He most recently joined us as a conferee in 2018 and 2019.
We are incredibly pleased to welcome Ryan back to All Star 2 to present a 5-part lecture series that will cover his recent climate reporting, his previous science reporting including the YouTube show Skunk Bear, and his vast journalistic experience spanning from the Venezuelan Migrant Crisis to the war in Ukraine.
Minister: Rev. Bethany Russell-Lowe
Rev. Bethany Russell-Lowe grew up attending AS2 and is happy to return as Minister of the Week in 2026. Since last summer, she began serving as Minister of the UU Church of Buffalo, NY where she lives with her husband (Bryan), kid (Otis), dog, and two cats.
Program Fee:
Adults (18+): $165 each
Youth (17 & under): $105 each
If you're considering applying for financial aid to help pay your room and board bill, please see the Shoalership Fund page for more information.
Registration: Brooke Cordes, registrar@allstar2.org
Children's Program: Megan Gorman, meganmkgorman@gmail.com
Website: Ben Cordes, web@allstar2.org
Anything else: Tyne Allshouse and Tim O'Donnell, 2026 conference chairs, as2chairs2026@allstar2.org
All Star II Corporation — the organization that runs the All Star 2 conference
The Star Island Corporation — the organization that runs Star Island
Frequently Asked Questions and their answers
The Ginny Levine Shoalership Fund — financial aid for conference attendees
Past Conferences — a list of chairs and speakers from previous years
Job descriptions for conference volunteer jobs
Children's Program — an experience your kids will never forget!
A Star Island favorite with a twist!
Happy Holidays!
Look out for 2026 registration info coming soon!