Falling Creek & Illahee Dance: A Camp Tradition

There’s nothing quite like a summer camp dance—especially when it’s with our friends from Camp Illahee.

By late Saturday afternoon, you could feel the anticipation building. Shirts were tucked in, hair was (mostly) combed, and boys were sneaking extra glances in the mirror before heading out the door. It was time for the second dance of the summer, and our campers were ready to launch.

Our younger Tsuga and Sorrel lines traveled over the mountain to Illahee’s beautiful campus in Brevard, while the older Betula and Robinia lines stayed behind to host Illahee’s oldest campers here at Falling Creek.

Camp Illahee and Falling Creek go way back—more than just neighbors, we’re part of the same camp family. Illahee’s directors, Gordon and Laurie Strayhorn, actually met as counselors here at Falling Creek in the early 1980s. Their story began around the campfire and under the same mountain skies our boys call home today. Now, decades later, they’re leading Illahee with the same spirit of adventure and character that brought them together in the first place. It's a full-circle friendship that continues to shape both camps in all the best ways.

Here at camp, we kicked things off with chicken tacos in the Gym before jumping into some classic STEEL-led songs, games, and friendly competition. The evening featured lip sync battles—Camp Illahee brought the drama with “She Needed Me” by T-Pain, while FCC fired back with an all-in rendition of “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey. The dance-offs within each performance were a highlight, complete with cartwheels on both sides. But it was Archery Anthony’s FCC cartwheel that nearly brought the house down. Dueling chants of “FCC!” and “ILL-A-HEE!” echoed across the gym, with both sides sounding so strong it was nearly impossible to call a winner. By the time the lights dimmed and the music kicked in, everyone was on the floor. Dance circles formed, line dances made a comeback, and the gym turned into one big, unforgettable party.

Meanwhile, at Illahee, our younger campers were greeted with warm hospitality and a lively dance atmosphere of their own. Some dove right into the action; others hovered on the edges until a good song or a friendly face drew them in.

At both camps there were sweet sibling reunions, new friendships formed, and plenty of energy from start to finish.

Before the night began, Matt and Yates gathered the boys to remind them that being a Falling Creek gentleman means showing up with confidence, kindness, and respect. As always, they delivered.

Whether it was their first-ever camp dance or one more chapter in a growing collection of summer memories, the boys left the night with full hearts, tired legs, and stories they’ll be telling for days.

With just under a week left of Main Camp, this was a night we won’t soon forget.