Life On A Star 1
August 16 - 23, 2026
Theme: A More Perfect Union
Join LOAS1 in 2026 for A More Perfect Union, a week of learning, reflection, and community marking the 250th anniversary of the United States and exploring the enduring promise—and unfinished work—of American democracy.
We begin with Dr. Robert Allison, PhD in History from Harvard and Professor of History at Suffolk University, one of the nation’s leading scholars of early America. Through engaging storytelling, Dr. Allison will trace the revolutionary ideals of liberty and equality and the struggles that tested the young republic from the American Revolution through the Civil War.
Later in the week, Professor Jim Ryan, former Dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education and President of the University of Virginia, will explore the role of education in shaping democracy—examining what schools, universities, and civic learning can teach us about forming a more just and inclusive union today.
Together, their insights invite us to reflect on our past, understand our present, and imagine a more hopeful democratic future—within the beauty and tradition of the Star Island community.
Minister of the Week
Rev. Patricia (Tricia) Hart has been an active Unitarian Universalist for more than 35 years, serving as a lay leader, congregational consultant, and—since 1997—a parish minister. She has served ten congregations, primarily in transitional ministry, across New England, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio, including nine years as co-minister with her spouse, the Rev. Peter Newport.
Tricia first came to Star Island in 1995 to lead a workshop at Religious Education Week and has returned many times since, most often to that conference—now known as Lifespan Faith Development. She looks forward to getting to know the LOAS1 community.
Conference Chairs
Doug & Kelley Housman
Doug and Kelley Housman are honored to serve as Chairs of LOAS1 in 2026 and are excited to help lead a week filled with insight, engagement, and fun. They have been part of the Star Island and LOAS1 community since 2011, when they first arrived with their daughter Emma, a former Pelican, and their son Henry. Doug has spent nearly 30 years working in the software industry, while Kelley volunteers her time as Board Development Chair at their local food pantry. Doug and Kelley live in South Salem, New York.
Registrar
Please reach out to Rebecca with questions about accommodations and the registration process.
Youth Program
LOAS is alive with children’s laughter, creativity, and discovery. Children and youth are an essential part of our community. Youth groups meet each morning and afternoon to explore the island, create and perform, play and learn, and build friendships that often last a lifetime. Intergenerational activities weave children, youth, and adults together throughout the day and into the evening.
Star Island and the LOAS Conferences are committed to creating a safe community for all guests and adhere to a "Safe Community Policy.” This includes conducting background checks of all SIC staff and volunteers who work with children and implementing child-abuse prevention policies. In addition, the LOAS Policies and Procedures Against Child Abuse (PPACA) Committee ensures that policies are adhered to. For more information please visit Safe Community Policy.
Youth Staff
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Youth Coordinator
Fiona DeVito
youthcoordinator.loas1@lifeonastar.org
Fiona DeVito will be a familiar face to many of you, she has been part of the LOAS 1 community since age seven. Her experiences in the youth groups fostered a lasting love for Star Island and inspired her career in childcare and education. She began volunteering at children’s social hour in middle school and was a LOAS 1 Youth Floater for several years before becoming a Pelican. Fiona has worked in preschool and elementary school settings since 2015 and is excited to be our Youth Coordinator in 2026.
Workshops
Week-long workshops are offered each day, with three gathering in the mornings and three in the afternoons. Some workshops welcome drop-in or casual participation, while others invite a deeper, shared experience through full-week involvement.
Starbursts & Other Activities
In addition to week-long workshops, LOAS offers a variety of other activities. Starbursts are 45-minute, one-time afternoon mini-workshops—perfect for learning a new skill, trying something different, and enjoying a bit of spontaneous fun alongside the day’s other offerings.