Nestled among the historic Isles of Shoals six miles off the coast of New Hampshire, the peaceful atmosphere of this magical island is a large part of the charm of our conference.
The island's main building, the Oceanic, dates back to the 1870s, with its porch and rockers facing the ocean offering peaceful reflection or inviting conversation.
For complete information about Star Island, please visit the Star Island website at http://www.starisland.org.
Photos courtesy Jessica Vega
Accomodations Life on Star Island is comfortable, but not modern, in part due to the island's commitment to conservation of resources.
Living quarters in the main hotel and cottages have shared bathroom facilities for each floor. Each bed is made with sheets, an acrylic blanket, a wool blanket, a bedspread, and a pillow. Extra blankets and pillows are available upon request. Each room is also supplied with a washcloth, hand towel, bath towel, and small bar of soap for each person. Although all rooms have electricity, not all rooms are equipped with electrical outlets.
From June through August families with children under eight are housed in the same area. The island offers a child monitoring service from 8 to 11 p.m.
Medical Concerns
In assessing whether you have medical conditions that may affect your stay on Star Island, please understand that the facilities are quite old and very limited, with only three showers during the week, shared bathroom facilities for most rooms, no personal laundry or cooking facilities, and no access to a drug store or retail facilities.
If you have ANY medical conditions that Star can possibly accommodate, you may be required to provide a doctor’s certificate. Past experience has shown that ignoring possible medical conditions in the registration process may inconvenience and even disrupt the conference. If you have any questions about what to expect on the Island, please email our LRE Registrar: registrar@starreweek.com. We will be happy to work with you.
ANY medical situation should be disclosed before you get to the island.
Thank You!
Jane Clay, Registrar
A Typical Day on Star LRE The LRE Conference week begins as conferees drive into the parking lot—the gang gathering at the harbor, often for the first time of the year. We're greeted by Pels, some of us meet old friends, and we all get a glimpse at new friends to be made. The excitement to get on-island is palpable, and the boat edition of the Starliner helps kick things off.
On Island, your morning begins with the smell of fresh sea air and the sound of the gulls, or if you're a sound sleeper, with the sweet “music” of the wake-up singers. If you’re a swimmer, you might want to join the Polar Bears for a morning dip at 7:00 a.m. It’s so refreshing, participants are awarded a special certificate at the end of the week! Coffee, tea and hot chocolate are served on the porch at Oceanic long before 8:00 a.m. breakfast. The rocking chairs are an early beckon to quietly watch the day begin. A walk around the island might be your preference, or yoga — whatever feels right.
Programming for all ages begins at 9:00 a.m. with multigenerational worship/theme talk in Elliott, just off the porch. Children and youth remain with family for this experience, a cornerstone of our conference. After this stimulating hour, conferees split off into morning workshops for adults and programming for children and youth, from 10-12. Locations for the various offerings are posted in Elliott. The gentle rhythm and soft sounds of community become familiar sooner than later.
The lunch bell rings to announce the noon meal, refreshing everyone for afternoon activities. Lunch is a chance for parents to reconnect with children and youth, and plan for an afternoon together. There is a one-hour Island Quiet Time observed from 1:00-2:00, followed by a variety of afternoon activities to choose from like baseball games, art barn, swimming, island wandering, porch chats, afternoon workshops, or a good long nap.
Social time is at 5:30, weather-permitting outside watching the sun continue its summer stretch across the ocean. Look west to the mainland, or east to the horizon — it’s all stunning in its simplicity and charm.
Dinner at 6:30 is often followed by optional activities like singing and bonfire, Sock-Hop, Musicale, Talent Show, and Pel Show. ("Pel" is short for "Pelican." They're the amazing folks who keep the island running, and help take care of our needs while we're on island.) Maybe, though, you’re just as happy with a lime-rickey or ice cream cone from the snack bar and a rocker on the porch.
For many, the day comes to a close with evening chapel services. Walking in silence up the path, carrying your lantern, toward chapel services is really one of the most special, spiritual moments on Star. If you still have energy at 11 p.m. and beyond, there are late-night social gatherings for grown-ups as well as raucous games, like cards or spoons.
LRE Week on Star Island has something for everyone: family time, quiet time, time to build your skills as a lay or professional religious educator, time to reflect and recharge, and time to relax and have fun. Most of all, it is a chance to be a part of an extraordinary, warm, and nurturing UU community.
Life on Star Island is comfortable, but not modern, in part due to the island's commitment to conservation of resources.
The LRE Conference week begins as conferees drive into the parking lot—the gang gathering at the harbor, often for the first time of the year. We're greeted by Pels, some of us meet old friends, and we all get a glimpse at new friends to be made. The excitement to get on-island is palpable, and the boat edition of the 
Social time is at 5:30, weather-permitting outside watching the sun continue its summer stretch across the ocean. Look west to the mainland, or east to the horizon — it’s all stunning in its simplicity and charm.
