In this informal, diarized YouTube episode, host Victor Justin Rhodes chats with Ben and Meg Hollar (and their children) about the recent Mighty Man Camp. They recount camp mishaps—lost four‑wheelers, a collapsing tent, a leaf‑blower‑powered kayak, and cooking adventures—while highlighting the joy of being together. The conversation then shifts to the Hollers’ upcoming fifth child, covering sleep deprivation, diaper logistics, and how older siblings will help. Rhodes shares a personal note about grieving his father’s death the previous year and how documenting camp experiences serves as therapy. The episode also teases future homestead activities, including a pig‑butchering event, and ends with light‑hearted banter about a soon‑to‑arrive baby in the extended family.
Chapters
Gannon, what was the worst thing that happened on Mighty Man Camp?
Four-wheelers.
What's that?
Losing four-wheelers.
Four-wheelers going by. Oh, we had some four-wheelers scare some people. Thought— we thought some people were coming.
Not catching any fish.
I thought you caught a fish, only it was maybe this big.
I didn't catch a fish.
Oh, you didn't catch one?
It was Jack who caught it.
Munchie, what was the biggest problem you encountered at Mighty Man Camp?
Like hot.
Oh, you got hot from sitting around the fire?
From in the tent.
Ah, it's got very hot. A little warmer than we thought, wasn't it? What was the biggest problem we encountered at Mighty Man Camp? Tent falling over. It's soaked everything. What was the most memorable moment from Mighty Man Camp?
The motorboat.
The motorboat.
So here is the pack with the leaf blower. I just have a Husqvarna leaf blower, and these attachment pieces just attach it straight.
If you could only tell your mom and dad one thing about Mighty Man Camp, what would it be?
Being together.
You like hanging out with the Rhodes boys? When you guys are 20, do you think you'll remember anything about this Mighty Man Camp?
Probably.
What do you think it'll be?
The fires. Probably kayaking. Papa, can I go kayak?
Yeah, if you put on a life vest. I'll help you a little bit. Just like that. Good boy. Can you paddle good?
Yeah.
Okay, good boy. Some of my most memorable moments is this tent— that's not using proper tent stakes, we couldn't find them— it collapsing in on us at night. The other thing is I'm pretty much camping with 7? 7 boys, middle school, grade school age. All the explosions, gun shooting, potato spud gun shooting. Did you know when you got that leaf blower it was going to be a motor for you?
Nope.
He's out of gas. That was short-lived. But here's some clips Jonah got yesterday.
Wow, he's actually going pretty fast. He's going really sideways and he's not even going straight sideways. So there you have it. That's a leaf blower-powered kayak.
All right, you guys are done with the bacon. You're about to put in the eggs. I gotta go milk. Just how you gonna come milk with me? Okay, we got hash browns coming up. You guys did real good. Beck, I think you might even eat these hash browns. You'll definitely eat this bacon. What about this cabbage, guys? I would keep going with it. Keep going with it. Takes a while. Hey, you're burning it up, guys. Look at all the smoke! Look at all the smoke coming! Yes! High five! Burn It Up Cooking Show! Oh, oh, oh, well, I got the work crew or the play crew today. We're getting it done. It doesn't really matter if the kids work or play, just as long as they come and there's a good association with being on the farm. Looky here, how'd they do?
I think they did all right. We'll see how it tastes.
Well, you're getting some, that's a good sign. What about that cabbage? It's— are you gonna get some Some of that cabbage?
We'll eat it.
You will?
The skins are a little darker than I would like.
It beats campfire food, huh? Hey boys, come on. They wanted a real meal. Yeah, we kind of spoil them, don't we? They think it just comes together, don't they? Meanwhile, at Prince's Palace, you learn how to— is that cross stitch?
I don't know what you call it.
What'd you make? All right, we've got all the stuff back from the lake. Oh my boy, was a bachelor party! Hot dogs, eggs, bacon. All right, who's gonna help us? Don't lose steam, we're almost— we're halfway done cleaning up. Come on, you having a persimmon party? Look, look who's here, Liliana! No, don't get the baby bug back.
I know, right?
It's too late for that.
I think it's a little late on that one.
I guess you should get the baby bug.
That's right, we have the baby bug already, don't we?
We need you.
We need you to show him the way.
So, so coach us, Ben and Meg. How do, how do we, us old people, 41 years old, we're gonna have our fifth.
You're 42.
So what's it like going from 4 to 5 with a big separation? In ages.
There's a lot that we forgot.
Yeah, for real. I feel like I'm doing this all over again.
Oh really?
It's like having our first kid.
What was the big thing you forgot? What's the big shocker?
No sleep.
Oh my goodness. Well, I'm so prepared for that.
I think that's nature's way. You start sleeping real good, right? You forget all about it. You start having babies, trying for babies again.
Yeah, you're like, oh, it'll be no big deal.
As soon as the kids start sleeping through the night, you forget.
I'm so tired, but it's okay. Well, I was just asking Meg, what should— what should I put on a registry? I don't even know. Oh no, baby thing. I'm like, what do I need?
What you tell her.
I know, I don't— I don't really need a whole lot, and I don't want a whole lot. Yeah, so like clothes, but I'm like, but what am I else— I was like naming off the things that I put on there, and then I was like, but what am I forgetting? I think you've got it pretty much. I'm sure there's something.
Did you look at her registry?
Not yet. I just—
what would you tell her? What are the big 3 things?
She did— yes, clothes and blankets. Yeah, which blankets, clothes, a boppy, and then a diaper bag, a diaper bag. And then I'm gonna do some of like the, the medicines. Yeah, like probiotics. Yeah, probiotic stuff. That has helped her so much. Is she getting fussy?
Kind of, but she can't.
She just went potty, so that's good. Yes, now Chrissy can. She's probably getting hungry. Oh, she's hungry. Yes, it's been a minute. She's like, you don't have—
yeah, she's like, you're not the—
that's not my mommy. You are so cute though. Say thanks. Thanks. Where's the hair? Well, flip it.
Oh look, how does Teddy react?
Teddy likes the baby. He wants to lick her, I think. You like the doggy? You're not gonna lick her face though. You can't lick her face.
So to sum it up, get prepared to, uh, not sleep and hold the baby all the time.
And hold the baby. I'll do that.
Is it easier or harder now that you have so many other kids?
Easier.
It's easier.
Way easier.
Last time, like, we did, um 2 years in rapid succession. They're all 2 years apart. And so it was like we had 2 in diapers, like the twins were both in diapers, and then whoa, Brett was in diapers while they were still in diapers, and then they finally graduated and we had Munchie in diapers at the same time Brett was.
So it was just like, it was kind of stressful to be nice not having just one, one kid in diapers.
Only have to buy one size of diapers, and they're a big help.
They help with her so much, or they help around the house.
Are you guys gonna help with the baby?
Yeah, they've already argued over who gets to watch the baby.
Yeah, and Jonah's already said— we already said we're having the baby in the spring too, guys. Like, our sheep are going to be due at the same time, our lambs.
What's marching on? Everywhere.
And you know, we're going to be— and this man, he just said he'll do the chores. He's smiling about it. That's awesome. We had nobody to do the chores when we had him.
Yeah, we had Gideon.
Yeah, you weren't quite helping yet, so to speak.
Nope, maybe he was 7. Yeah, all right, boys do the laundry and cook dinner and all that. It's so nice.
All the chores, if I'm tied up, I'll just— I just have to say the word and the boys know what to do. They go out there and handle all the chores.
Yeah.
Nice.
Uh, it's just, it's weird being in a different place. Yeah, different age, you know. I'm gonna be 35 and it's like, it's different than it was 8 years ago.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Okay, words of wisdom from the masters, from, from the stud muffin and the homestead mama.
This is really just, just an example of fake it till you make it.
That's right, we're flying by the seat of our pants.
Okay, everybody say goodbye. Bye-bye.
Thank you. Thank you for having us.
Yeah, you're welcome. Thanks for coming to the camp.
Next year you guys can, uh, bring Ben.
Yes, I think next year I'm good. Yeah, you missed all the explosions, Ben. Come next year.
If I come next year, there will probably be more.
Bye-bye to the Holler Homestead. Those are our friends. They also have a YouTube channel, Holler Homestead. Coming back Thursday for the pig butchering, so we'll see them again soon. Hey, we're about to go wash these rough and tumble boys off. I think a jump in the creek will put us in this fast lane on that, won't they? There is one other thing I got out of Mighty Man Camp, and I want to thank you guys for the help on that. This time last year, the last day of Mighty Man Camp, my dad died. He was knocking on death's doorstep the day Mighty Man Camp ended. I was a wreck. Yeah, I was trying to find good out of it. The only thing I could come up with was watering the earth with my tears. But this year it's a lot different. It's like a totally different person back then. I think I've mourned well. I think, I think it's helped making these videos because I make the videos, then I watch, so I express myself, share it with you guys. So that's where I thank you for listening and bearing with me on that. Then I edit it and post it. I think it's just a good grieving process and therapy for you. Yep. And it's amazing what one year will do in healing. So I think that's my big takeaway from Mighty Man Camp this year, is time and sharing. Time and documenting heals a lot of wounds. Aunt Flossie going at it? No. She's gonna have that baby any day, Mom, isn't she? Yeah, she overdue or what?
She is a couple days overdue. She was due Friday.
Okay, Ben said she'd probably have it Thursday when we're butchering those pigs. Hey, Stephanie, cleaned up. You just gotta do it.
