"THE CAMPOUT" recap!

We kick things off with a little chat about Alison Balson, who played the unforgettable Nancy Oleson, along with some fond (and hilarious) memories from Dean and Alison. Here's a quick shout-out to Nancy—she brought a whole new level of wild to Walnut Grove! Let’s hear it for a little Nancy love!

Now, cue the bug spray and brace yourself—it's time for The Campout!
An epic misadventure in the great outdoors where the Olesons and the Ingalls attempt a relaxing weekend of camping, (spoiler: no one was relaxed), a questionable school project and some very odd ideas of what one would consider a "vacation".

This episode marks the beginning of Katherine MacGregor’s comedic brilliance on the show, while also giving us a peek into Mrs. Oleson’s more vulnerable side. Yes, underneath all the feathers and finger-pointing, she’s got feelings! And this peek behind the curtain only deepened our love-hate obsession with her. It also opened up a whole new dimension to the Olesons and deepened our love-hate relationship with them. Especially the hate part.

Alison spills the tea on what the Olesons were actually eating at that dinner table, how they filmed the now-iconic floating-down-the-river moment (it was way more dangerous than it looked), and the very creative (read: gross) way she and Melissa Gilbert stayed warm in their wetsuits. Let’s just say it involved a bodily function and a lot of friendship. Dean and Alison also dive into Katherine MacGregor’s unique approach to her role, including how she wove elements of her real life into many of Mrs. Oleson’s unforgettable moments.And finally, things get real when Pamela asks the question we didn’t know we needed:

“What’s your damage, Pa?!”Grab your bonnet, pour some of Ma’s coffee, get out your anti-itch ointment, and join us for a laugh-filled, memory-soaked deep dive into one of the most delightfully chaotic episodes Little House ever gave us. This one’s a classic!

Then join Pamela, Dean, and Alison over on Patreon for an honest and heartfelt conversation about the growing negativity on Little House social platforms. We're taking a stand against toxic, bigoted, and harmful behavior from those who, somehow, believe there’s space for hatred in the world of Walnut Grove. It’s a powerful moment of reflection, solidarity, and setting the record straight—and one you won’t want to miss.


Don’t forget to subscribe, comment, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow Bonnetheads.
Links and Resources:Haven’t signed up for Patreon yet? Link is below!

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/LittleHousePodcast

www.LittleHouse50Podcast.com to connect with our hosts and link to their websites.The merch shop is under renovation - we will keep you posted on the status!

www.LivinOnaPrairieTV.com  Check out the award-winning series created by Pamela Bob, with special guest stars Alison Arngrim and Charlotte Stewart.

Prairie Legacy Productions - the place to go for info about all new Little House events!
LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE CAST REUNION Columbia State Historic Park in California’s Gold Country!June 6–8, 2025Secure your tickets now through TIXR athttps://plp.tixr.com/little-house-gold-country

To learn more about Little House on the Prairie, Visit www.littlehouseonthe