July 8, 2026
Drew and Ellie did a surprise concert last night!
The Details:
- We made the announcement at lunch. I, dressed up as a Rockstar, did a kind of over-the-top job (jumping onto a tabletop) with the script. The screams of delight could be heard all the way up the Green River Valley. Certainly, one of the highlight moments of the summer!
- It almost rained. We were in the path of a large rain cloud; the hourly forecast increased to a 75% chance of rain showers (no lightning), and Drew made the call 20 minutes before the show was to start: let’s try it outside. Like a miracle, the storm cloud split and the rain did not hit camp (only areas North and South of camp). God is good!
- The Holcombs’ connection with the girls is wonderful. Authentic emotion flows both ways. Many of the campers have grown up with Ellie concerts at camp (some remember Drew and Ellie living at camp and doing morning assemblies and devotions with cabins). They are like family (who happen to be famous). Ellie’s love of God is deeply felt and effectively conveyed to large groups with her joyful smile and scripture-focused words. We love this family!
In other news, today is “Do Nothing Day”. This is a tradition at Main Camp that was started a few years ago. The girls love it so much that we don’t think we can ever take it away… but we never put it on the calendar. IF we do it, it’s a surprise. We (me as Rockstar) announced it just before the Drew and Ellie news, to a deafening roar. That two-part announcement was a doozie!
Do Nothing Day is a “free” day that celebrates the languid, lazy, “all the time in the world” middle of the summer. We are showing movies (Camp Rock 1 and 2), playing all the ball games (tennis, pickleball, volleyball, kickball, softball, basketball), all the card games, all the board games, reading books, walking, running, practicing lines, doing skits, rolling down the hill, fishing, naping in our bunks, sitting on our porch… pretty much anything we want to do). It is glorious!
We are “doing nothing” in the dark! Power went out at 7:00 AM and will not be restored until 5:30 PM. A tree fell on the power line that feeds Lake Summit… but the only things people notice are that showers are cold, rooms are dark, and there is a persistent drone from generators in key buildings. Emergency protocols are never perfect, so moments like this are great for fine-tuning. Each time it happens, we get better… I am very proud of the way our team handled it today!
Tonight we will have Corn Roast. A perfect ending to a Do Nothing Day. The girls get dressed up in Country/Western clothes, and have an evening of “county fair” type activities (including two photo booths). A bluegrass band plays and some girls dance… the vibe is chill, and the feelings are high as the girls put an exclamation point on this memorable day.
About forty Skip Year Girls (campers who aged out of camp last year but are not yet in college) will join the Corn Roast and breakfast tomorrow. They have returned for a taste of camp, extending what for some is a 12-year legacy. Earlier in the week they were on a three-day hike with Jennifer Pharr Davis, Greystone Alum and one of our most accomplished alumnae. After roughing it for a few days, they love coming back to camp and getting dressed up for a big party. We give them a luxury house (only 5 bedrooms and 4 1/2 baths)… it feels like the most awesome cabin reunion ever! They will be so happy to see their camper friends tonight!
That’s all for now… thank you for checking in.