A drawing of a daisy with the words life is good unschooling conference learning in freedom everyday
A black and white drawing of a daisy with a yellow center.

LIFE is Good

Unschooling Conference


May 21-24, 2026

The Heathman Lodge | Vancouver, WA

A white background with a few lines on it
A group of young girls are sitting on the floor posing for a picture.

Welcome!

The LIFE is Good Conference invites you to join us and experience an unschooling community first hand. You’ll have an opportunity to make new friends, deepen existing friendships, form connections and find the piece that just may be missing from your unschooling journey – a strong, supportive and vibrant group of families to share it with.


There won’t be talk of curriculum or worksheets, but there will be plenty of sharing of information, support, and resources. You will be able to ask questions and get ideas from experienced unschoolers. Best of all, you will be surrounded by free families where kids are not only respected but enjoyed!



Testimonials

  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    “This is truly an unschooling conference – there are no “experts” lecturing, and no “curriculum” or “educational” items being feverishly pitched. Families are the experts and fun is the name of the game – every activity is for the whole family, children are the feature of the event and everything is open to them…It is a pretty cool feeling just to be surrounded by families of all ages who live unschooling every day, and totally get your life without you having to explain a thing! Being part of this conference has been life changing for our family.” -Gillian

    Button
  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    “Thank you so much for giving us all a chance to meet people from all across the world. I have made so many friends here, and have experienced so much. I started going when I was 9 years old and have almost always felt incredibly comfortable at the conference. I met my best friend here, I met my boyfriend here, so many amazing experiences, and I’m so glad to have been able to be a part of it.”  -Guinevere

    Button
  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    “Thank you for … putting together such a lovely conference that supports our kids and families, rather than stokes sales of curricula companies and anxieties that we have as parents (especially those of us that have trust issues when it comes to this unschooling lifestyle we’ve chosen when keeping our kids home.)” -Whit

    Button
  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    “I just wanted to let you know that the conference you’ve held over the years has been the best moments of my life. I’ve made life long friends that I couldn’t imagine life without. My girlfriend and I met 3-4 years ago at LIG and she’s the love of my life. I would never have met any of those amazing people without you, the staff and the conference. Thank you, thank you for all the amazing memories, all the fun times, all the crazy shit that happened there.” -Alex

    Button
  • A white background with a few lines on it

    Slide title

    ” We as a family appreciate this conference so much for everything it has brought us. Amazing lifelong friends, my kids best friend, amazing resources, not to mention all the fantastic road trips we experienced getting to it over the years.” -Rachael

    Button

Featured Speakers


A black and white logo for the heathman lodge

Discover the Northwest as it was meant to be seen at the rustic Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, Washington. Built with hand-hewn logs and adorned with décor indigenous to the area, the Heathman Lodge resonates with the true flavor of the Northwest. Conveniently located in the heart of Vancouver and just minutes from Portland, it has been said that with its rustic mountain timber construction, oversize pine furniture and massive basalt fireplaces, The Heathman Lodge is “the unexpected urban retreat.”

Learn More
A large lobby of a hotel with a staircase leading up to the second floor.

Many Thanks To Our Sponsors

Please support them so they can continue to support us!

Partner with LIFE is Good!

We have terrific opportunities available for sponsors, advertisers, and exhibitors to partner with us and create a unique community experience for unschoolers worldwide! You can begin the process by filling out this form.  A dedicated volunteer will be in touch to explain this year’s options.


Still Unsure if the LIFE is Good Unschooling Conference is Right for You?

Get a sneak peek before you register!



Join a free Continuing Connection call that happens every month to hear directly from conference veterans. Hear their experiences, what it was like attending for the first time, and get answers to any questions you might have.


This call is perfect for:

  • Families considering attending the LIFE is Good Unschooling Conference
  • Anyone curious about the conference atmosphere and offerings
  • Those who want to make the most of the early bird pricing


This call is your chance to hear honest experiences and get your questions answered! Check our Facebook group for the date and time of the next call.

Join Our Facebook Group

Latest Insights  & News from the LIFE is Good Unschooling Conference

Read our blog for the latest updates, inspiring stories, and helpful resources for unschooling families. Stay connected and informed with tips, news, and conference highlights!

By Mary Jensen May 17, 2026
For years, I’ve watched children grow up inside the LIFE is Good community, kids who spent their days building forts in the hallways, staying up too late with friends, and discovering who they were in an environment that trusted them deeply. Now many of those same kids are adults. Some are parents. Some are stepping into the very role their own parents once held: deciding how to raise children in a world that doesn’t always understand freedom, autonomy, or self directed learning. And as they step into that role, they’re doing something completely natural. They’re reflecting. Every grown child, unschooled or schooled, eventually looks back and asks questions about how they were raised. It’s not a rejection. It’s not a crisis. It’s simply adulthood arriving with its own clarity. As a long time conference host, I’ve come to see these reflections as a gift. They help us evolve our approach to unschooling without losing its heart. Below are the themes I hear most often from grown unschoolers, paired with the solutions and strengths I believe our community is uniquely capable of offering.
Rustic Heathman Lodge lobby with log beams, stone floors, and leather seating.
By Mary Jensen May 17, 2026
A look back at the Heathman years of LIFE is Good—loss, rebuilding, homecoming, and the community that kept us connected.
Scrabble tiles spelling ‘NEWS’ and ‘UPDATE,’ surrounded by scattered letters.
By Mary Jensen April 24, 2026
LiG is continuing! A new Conference Coordinator is stepping in, and the next chapter begins this year. Join us to be part of LiG’s future.
Shoes on pavement facing a painted forked arrow showing two possible directions.
By Mary Jensen April 20, 2026
Explore LiG’s Nomad Years, from Portland to Tigard, and how our unschooling community thrived while searching for a new conference home.
Five people in colorful costumes, including Wonder Woman and a gnome, smiling in a cozy room.
By Mary Jensen April 1, 2026
A warm, nostalgic look back at the Hilton years of the LIFE is Good Unschooling Conference (2012–2015), celebrating growth, community, and joyful learning.
Colorful 2009 t‑shirt graphic with the theme “My unschooling life is good,” featuring word‑cloud.
By Mary Jensen March 17, 2026
A nostalgic look at the Red Lion Years of the LIFE is Good Unschooling Conference—four years of connection, creativity, and unforgettable community moments.
By Ronnie Maier February 11, 2026
Discover what one mom has learned after years of unschooling, from the biggest mindset shifts to the everyday realities. These thirteen frequently asked questions offer honest insights, practical reflections, and encouragement for families exploring a more self‑directed path.
By Mary Jensen February 8, 2026
A reflective look at how the LIFE is Good Unschooling Conference evolved from 2007 to 2008, including expanded programming, a new venue in Vancouver, WA, and the birth of beloved traditions like the UNtrepreneurial Fair, the Fairy Godparent Game, and dedicated gaming spaces.
Green graphic with text
By Mary Jensen January 21, 2026
A heartfelt look back at the first LIFE is Good Unschooling Conference in 2007. Join us as we honor the beginning of nearly two decades of connection and community.
2025 Group
By Mary Jensen August 22, 2025
The 2026 LIFE is Good Conference will be our final gathering. Read more from Mary the conference coordinator.
Show More

A drawing of a daisy with the words life is good unschooling conference learning in freedom everyday

Join us as we

Learn In Freedom Everyday!

Register Now