How do I register for the conference week?
Details and instructions for registration can be found here, at yesonstar.org/register.
Who can attend the conference?
Conferees must be age 16 to 22. Our Chair Emeritus can be at most 23. Our Adult Advisors are 25 and older. Within these restrictions, anyone can attend!
What is the total cost of the conference?
Click here to know more about paying a bill. The total cost of this year's conference, before scholarships, varies based on the age of the youth attending and rooming. The seven-night stay on Star Island costs $666 for youth aged 16-17, and $1,006 for youth aged 18-22.
Are there scholarships available?
YES! We do our best to ensure that everyone who wants to attend our conference can do so. Multiple aid options are listed / linked to here:
Each year, thanks to the fundraising efforts of our youth staff and contributions from YES alumni and friends, we can distribute $2,500-$3,000 as part of the YES Financial Aid. Even more is distributed through Star Island. If you require assistance and think you might be eligible, we recommend contacting the registrar as soon as possible. Click here for more information.
Details and instructions for registration can be found here, at yesonstar.org/register.
Who can attend the conference?
Conferees must be age 16 to 22. Our Chair Emeritus can be at most 23. Our Adult Advisors are 25 and older. Within these restrictions, anyone can attend!
What is the total cost of the conference?
Click here to know more about paying a bill. The total cost of this year's conference, before scholarships, varies based on the age of the youth attending and rooming. The seven-night stay on Star Island costs $666 for youth aged 16-17, and $1,006 for youth aged 18-22.
Are there scholarships available?
YES! We do our best to ensure that everyone who wants to attend our conference can do so. Multiple aid options are listed / linked to here:
- Financial Aid
- The New Shoaler/Bring A Friend Discount from Star Island
- Financial Grants from your regional or national UU or UCC chapter
- Financial Grants from your local UU, UCC, or other congregation
Each year, thanks to the fundraising efforts of our youth staff and contributions from YES alumni and friends, we can distribute $2,500-$3,000 as part of the YES Financial Aid. Even more is distributed through Star Island. If you require assistance and think you might be eligible, we recommend contacting the registrar as soon as possible. Click here for more information.
What should I bring with me for the week?
What is the policy on drugs and alcohol?
We are a completely dry conference. No one is allowed to consume or possess alcohol or recreational drugs, even if they are over the legal drinking age. This is an important part of ensuring our community is safe and open. If you bring alcohol or drugs, you will be required to leave the island on the next available boat.
- Clothes for 8 days and 7 nights (for both warm and cool weather)
- Swimsuit
- Towels for swimming / sunbathing
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Toothpaste and toiletries
- Water bottle and sunscreen
- Comfortable shoes
- Feminine hygiene products
- Camera, instruments, journal (optional)
- Themed dinner costumes (optional)
- Gifts for secret buddy (optional)
- A check or credit card to pay your bill
What is the policy on drugs and alcohol?
We are a completely dry conference. No one is allowed to consume or possess alcohol or recreational drugs, even if they are over the legal drinking age. This is an important part of ensuring our community is safe and open. If you bring alcohol or drugs, you will be required to leave the island on the next available boat.
What is the policy on sexual behavior?
YES is committed to empowering young adults to make healthy, safe, and consensual decisions as individuals and members of the community. We discourage exclusive behavior but do not bar conferees from sexual involvement or activity. ALL behavior must be consensual. Consent must be asked for and freely given, can be retracted at any time, and cannot be coerced. Those in positions of power (adult advisors, staff members, chairs) are barred from sexual contact with any conferees.
What is the role of the adult advisors?
The adult advisors provide us with support over the course of the year-long planning process and during the conference itself. Although youth are in charge of leading the conference, our advisors help us ensure that everything goes smoothly and that any issues that come up are resolved quickly. Click here to read more about the role of YES's adult advisors or go to the Adult Advisors page under the Leadership menu tab.
What if I have specific medical concerns and/or diet concerns?
Kosher, vegetarian, and vegan options are available at all meals and at the snack bar. The registrar can address any diet or medical concerns you have.
What if I have a medical emergency while on island?
The island has basic medical facilities for more common medical ailments. For more serious medical issues, emergency transportation to the mainland is available.
What are the sleeping arrangements?
Conferees spend the week in Oceanic and Gosport, two beautiful old hotels. Conferees can be in rooms with up to four other people, with single rooms available upon request. Click here to contact us with any rooming questions.
Where are the conferences held?
YES conference is held the first full week of August on Star Island, which is located in Rye, New Hampshire and is reached by boat from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. We also hold a weekend long, more informal, winter conference in the first weekend of January after New Years in a Unitarian Universalist church in the New Hampshire/eastern Massachusetts area, and the venue varies by year. We notify our mailing list of the location of out winter conference well in advance.
YES is committed to empowering young adults to make healthy, safe, and consensual decisions as individuals and members of the community. We discourage exclusive behavior but do not bar conferees from sexual involvement or activity. ALL behavior must be consensual. Consent must be asked for and freely given, can be retracted at any time, and cannot be coerced. Those in positions of power (adult advisors, staff members, chairs) are barred from sexual contact with any conferees.
What is the role of the adult advisors?
The adult advisors provide us with support over the course of the year-long planning process and during the conference itself. Although youth are in charge of leading the conference, our advisors help us ensure that everything goes smoothly and that any issues that come up are resolved quickly. Click here to read more about the role of YES's adult advisors or go to the Adult Advisors page under the Leadership menu tab.
What if I have specific medical concerns and/or diet concerns?
Kosher, vegetarian, and vegan options are available at all meals and at the snack bar. The registrar can address any diet or medical concerns you have.
What if I have a medical emergency while on island?
The island has basic medical facilities for more common medical ailments. For more serious medical issues, emergency transportation to the mainland is available.
What are the sleeping arrangements?
Conferees spend the week in Oceanic and Gosport, two beautiful old hotels. Conferees can be in rooms with up to four other people, with single rooms available upon request. Click here to contact us with any rooming questions.
Where are the conferences held?
YES conference is held the first full week of August on Star Island, which is located in Rye, New Hampshire and is reached by boat from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. We also hold a weekend long, more informal, winter conference in the first weekend of January after New Years in a Unitarian Universalist church in the New Hampshire/eastern Massachusetts area, and the venue varies by year. We notify our mailing list of the location of out winter conference well in advance.
Who should I talk to if I have more questions?
For questions regarding registration, scholarships, or donating please contact our registrar. All other queries can be directed towards our co-chairs. Click here to contact us for any other information..
For questions regarding registration, scholarships, or donating please contact our registrar. All other queries can be directed towards our co-chairs. Click here to contact us for any other information..