June 5 - 12 . . . Work Week & Uni-tecture
 Work Week is a UniStar tradition, when campers old and new ready camp for summer. This year, Work Week will have two programs. Each morning we will work on small maintenance projects, led by Adam Pieri-Johnson. The afternoons will be devoted to a workshop led by Dale Mulfinger, author of Cabinology and architect with SALA. Dale and SALA staff will be helping UniStar develop a long-range plan for UniStar's campus. There is no program for children or youth, but young workers are welcome. Fees are reduced for Work Week, and participants may also apply for a regular Program week.

June 12 - 19 . . . Youth Week 1
June 19 - 26 . . . Youth Week 2
 These weeks offer youth entering grades 7 - 12 time with peers to work and play while building community and lifelong friendships. There are morning work projects that contribute to camp and then the afternoon is dedicated to having the kind of fun only Camp UniStar can offer. See the Youth Week registration page for transportation options.

June 26 - July 3 . . . The New Human Rights
Program Leader: Charlie Clements
 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) had more impact on the world at the end of the 20th century than any other single document. However, in the 21st century people are fighting for rights never imagined when the UDHR was created in 1948. These include the human right to water, GLBT rights, and Internet rights. Dr. Charlie Clements, President and CEO of the UUSC from 2003-2010, will explore never-imagined and neglected rights and illuminate many of them with short films from around the world.
Those attending GA in Mpls may arrive on Sunday. Please attach note.

July 3 - July 10 . . . Science & Religion: Two Ways of Seeing the World
Program Leaders: Kelli Clement & Mike Potegal
 Join Kelli Clement and Dr. Mike Potegal as they take public the conversation they've been having throughout 16 years of marriage - what do science and religion have in common and where are they incompatible? We will explore the histories of science and religion, their respective worldviews, and why human reliance on both is a strength and a challenge. Mike is a pediatric neuropsychologist at the U of MN, and Kelli is a Unitarian Universalist Candidate for Ministry and May 2009 graduate of United Theological Seminary.

July 10 - July 17 . . . Walking with Thoreau
Program Leader: Rev. Ted Tollefson
 Rev. Ted Tollefson discovered Thoreau in his early teens, when he devoted several hours each week to walking the woods and shore-line of Duluth. Thoreau teaches us that something sacred comes to light in the fluid boundary between nature and human nature. Walking makes that sacred dimension visible; journaling makes it portable. Through reading texts by Thoreau, quiet reflection, journal keeping, lively conversations, and walks, we will follow Thoreau's tracks towards the interface between nature and human nature. Bring hiking shoes, a journal, a flashlight, and your imagination.

July 17 - July 24 . . . Sailing, Tai Chi, and Yoga
Program Leaders: Jim Schwartz & Bonnie Torrance
 Jim Schwartz led an enthusiastic sailing week at UniStar in 2007. He hails from Topeka, KS, where he has raced C-Scows on local lakes for many years and where he served as commodore of the Shawnee Yacht Club. He has taught introduction to sailing for his local yacht club and for his county's Parks and Recreation Department.

Bonnie Torrance will teach one hour of hatha yoga and one hour of tai chi everyday, focusing on energy building, stress release, and relaxation. Discover the joy of being in your body, encourage yourself to think more positively, open pathways to union with your true self/spirit. Bonnie Torrance is a registered yoga instructor and has had her own yoga center in Bismarck, ND for ten years.

July 24 - July 31 . . . mUUsic! mUUsic! mUUsic!
Program Leaders: Alan & Judith Hersh
 Music is a vital part of our UU lives! We'll raise our voices, instruments, and imaginations as the spirit moves us, drawing on inspiration from UU musicians including Peter Mayer, Bela Bartok, Ysaye Barnwell, Jim Scott. No music training or background needed; you are encouraged to bring your acoustic instruments (no amps please!), your voices, and your ideas. Alan and Judith are pianists and music professors; both have served as music directors at UU congregations.

July 31 - Aug 7 . . . Ballroom and Latin Dance
Program Leader: Tom Larson
 Enjoy learning fun Ballroom & Latin Dances like Swing, Hustle, Foxtrot, Tango, Waltz, Salsa, Rumba, Cha-Cha, & Merengue. Lessons start simple and then we'll add fun and interesting turns. All levels welcome. Program leader Tom Larson has been teaching dance for nine years and is the owner of the Ballroom & Wedding Dance Studio of Minneapolis (www.myballroomdancestudio.com).

Aug. 7 - Aug. 14 . . . Sailing & Weaving
Program Leaders: Sean Brown, Dan O'Brien & Chiaki O'Brien
 Let the summer wind blow away your worries and cares. Whether you are a veteran or a beginner, Sean Brown's patience and enthusiasm for sailing will help you reach your sailing goals. Sean is a youth coach, wilderness leader, and commodore of the Lake Waconia Sailing Club. Dan and Chiaki O'Brien, owners of the Saori Studio in Minneapolis (www.saoristudiofun.com), will bring looms and materials so campers can learn Saori Freestyle Weaving, a unique art form. Your weaving can include yarn, natural materials found on the island or recycled material from camp. You might find something special from Star Island to include in a memorable one-of-a-kind piece of art to take home!

Aug. 14 - Aug. 21 . . . Spirit of the North: Masks & the Island
Program Leader: Chris Lutter
 Join Chris Lutter, founder of Puppet Farm Arts for a week of creativity and fun! Using sticks, stones, mud, leaves, papier-mache, and recycled materials, campers will make spirit masks. We will address eco-sustainable practices in the art-making process and talk about theater theory dealing with the unique dimensions of transforming and animating waste materials. The week will culminate in a showcase of the finished pieces, with the format determined by participants. Take your mask home as a memento of our creative island experience!

Aug. 21 - Aug. 28 . . . You, Me, & Us: Intimate Relationships
Program Leader: Tai Mendenhall
 Do you wish you understood more about the dynamics of couples and families? This week we'll explore how intimate relationships evolve and develop - and how they succeed or fail. We will talk about courtship & dating, marriage & parenthood, parent & child/adolescent issues, sexual orientation, gender roles & power, communication, and conflict resolution. Dr. Tai Mendenhall is on the faculty at the University of Minnesota. He teaches about a variety of topics within the mental health and marriage & family fields, including intimate relationships, human sexuality, depression/anxiety, and systems-based therapies.

Aug. 28 - Sept. 4 . . . Comedy & Humor
Program Leader: David Walbridge
 Led by professional comedian David Walbridge (www.bigfunshow.com), we'll look at what is funny, what makes it funny and how amusing life is! We will study some masters (Buster Keaton, Mark Twain, Lily Tomlin, Dave Barry), write some funny stuff of our own and laugh quite a lot. Understanding humor helps us gain insight into what makes us human. A good laugh is a great release from worrying about these difficult times. We'll investigate comedy, try a few fun exercises and talk about what it's like to be the only UU in the room. Bring a notebook and a knock-knock joke.