LiG Memories: The Red Lion Years (2008–2011)

The years we grew up together at the Quay

2008: The year everything got bigger

2008 was only our second year, but it felt enormous. I remember standing in the main room, looking out at all those joyful families, and feeling both thrilled and a little overwhelmed. The outdoor pool was a huge draw. Some kids practically lived out there, drifting between the water and the lounge chairs like it was their own sun‑soaked kingdom. For many of them, the pool was the conference, and honestly, I loved that.

Inside, parents were deep in the early unschooling questions — late reading, letting go, trusting the process. Circle Chats were raw and honest as we all figured out how to talk about unschooling together.

And then there was Balloon Sword Madness. I thought it would be a fun, silly activity. I did not anticipate the sheer number of kids who would show up or the level of enthusiasm they would bring. Within minutes the room was a blur of balloon swords, laughter, and mild chaos. It was hilarious and unforgettable, and also the moment I realized balloon weaponry might not be the best idea for a conference of this size.

2009: The year we found our voice… and set off a few fire alarms

If 2008 was about expansion, 2009 was about identity. This was the year LIFE is Good stepped fully into its personality — confident, playful, emotionally honest, and deeply supportive.

We created the LIFE is Good Flags that year. Families decorated fabric squares that we stitched together into long, colorful banners. They’ve hung in the main room every year since, and they still make my heart swell.

We added Thursday movie night, which instantly felt right. The morning run and walk tradition began too. And for the first time, we had a teen unschooler as a main presenter. Kevin Snavely shared his experience of entering school as a freshman after a lifetime of unschooling, and parents soaked up every word.

Speaking of teens, they came alive this year. Cosplay, DS meetups, World of Warcraft in the Poolside Room, a lively Teen Panel, the energy was vibrant and unmistakably youthful.

But oh, the fire alarms.

Not one. Not two. Not three. Four in total. The first was unsettling. The second was annoying. The third had everyone rattled. And the fourth — caused by shower steam — pushed us straight into that laugh‑or‑cry territory. The earlier alarms were not accidental, and we had a serious talk about respecting our shared space. But even in frustration, the community handled it with grace.

By the time Amy Steinberg took the stage for her concert, I was ready for some down time.

2010: The year of makeovers, music, and deepening roots

2010 felt bigger and deeper, but in a calmer way. We had found our rhythm as a community, and the energy reflected that.

Mommy and daddy makeovers were a highlight, with parents proudly wearing kid‑applied makeup. The Greybeards formed this year, complete with the Hot Backup Chicks. Broc Higgins and Ben Lovejoy appeared as the Blues Brothers at the Talent Show.

And then came one of my favorite musical moments in all our years at the Red Lion. Amy Steinberg was joined by Kimya Dawson — yes, that Kimya Dawson, the one who wrote the soundtrack for the Academy Award–winning movie Juno. Her music was wildly popular, and when she invited people onstage to sing songs like “Loose Lips” and “Anyone Else but You”, the whole room lit up. It was pure magic.

We also had grown unschooler Zephyr Goza joining us all the way from Massachusetts that year. His Jack Sparrow impersonation was so spot‑on that it felt like the pirate‑themed restaurant had come to life. He led the kids on a treasure hunt through the hotel, searching for pirate booty with full Jack Sparrow swagger. The kids were absolutely enchanted.

The presentations reflected a community ready for deeper work. We talked about shame healing, math fears, long‑term unschooling outcomes, relationship building, and the experiences of grown unschoolers. It was a year of growth, music, laughter, and resilience.

2011: Full bloom at the Quay

2011 was our biggest Red Lion year and the one that felt the most fully realized. It was joyful, creative, and overflowing with energy — and also the year I experienced one of the deepest losses of my life.

Patti Digh, author of Creative is a Verb, joined us as a main presenter and brought humor, insight, and creative spark. Better‑Than‑Prom replaced the Barefoot Boogie and instantly became a favorite. ATCs appeared for the first time, led by Erika Davis‑Pitre in her debut year as a LiG presenter. Crafts seemed to spill into every corner of the hotel. The Dads’ Panel continued after its debut in 2010.

And then, on the last night of the conference, I learned that my mother had died unexpectedly. Shock and grief washed over me. What happened next is something I will never forget.

One by one, nearly every attendee stopped by my room to offer condolences. A gathering formed. People brought instruments. We sang whatever songs came to mind. Loudly. Others brought snacks and drinks. What began as a wake slowly transformed into something else — joyful, loud, full of music and stories and laughter. It lasted until the wee hours, a kind of party disguised as a wake, held together by love and community. That night gave me the strength I needed to face what came next. It remains one of the most powerful examples of what this community is capable of.

What the Red Lion Years meant to us

When I look back on our time at the Red Lion, what stands out most is how much we grew together. Those years gave us the flags, the concerts, the teen energy, the Greybeards, Better‑Than‑Prom, the fire alarm stories, the makeovers, the Jack Sparrow sightings, the poolside friendships, and the sense of belonging that still defines LIFE is Good. They were years of joy and chaos and creativity, but also years when we learned how to hold one another through the hardest moments.

The Red Lion was never just a hotel. It was home for a little while, and in all the ways that matter.

And even though it felt like we could have stayed there forever, change was already on the horizon.

Join Us for the Final Chapter

As we look back on where it all began, we are also preparing to close this beautiful circle. I would love for you to join us for the final chapter of the LIFE is Good story at this year’s conference, a celebration of community, connection, and nearly two decades of learning in freedom.