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starry nights austin 2026Thursday, April 16, 2026, 6:30 PM
The Junior League of Austin Featuring Entertainment by: Blue Water Highway Band Celebrate Camp Allen in Austin and honor Ashley and The Rev. Miles Brandon at Starry Nights and Groovy Lights! Starry Nights brings together the Camp Allen community from across Central Texas for a night of connection, celebration, and shared purpose. By becoming an underwriter, you help provide scholarships and program support for the thousands of children who experience Camp Allen each year.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] or call 936-825-7175. Thanks for your support—we look forward to seeing you April 16! |
meet OUR honorees:
Dr. Ashley and the Rev. Miles Brandon
Few couples embody the spirit of Camp Allen and the life of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas quite like Dr. Ashley Brandon and The Rev. Miles Brandon.
Married in Port Aransas in 2007, Ashley and Miles have built a life rooted in faith, community, and joyful service. In 2009, they were founding planters of St. Julian of Norwich Episcopal Church, which began with a small group gathered in the basement of St. Matthew’s and has since grown into a vibrant parish in Austin.
That same spirit is woven throughout their long and meaningful relationship with Camp Allen.
For nearly two decades, Miles has faithfully served as Chair of Starry Nights Austin—every year since the event’s inception. Under his leadership, Starry Nights has raised more than $1 million in support of camper programs and scholarships, opening the doors of camp to thousands of children.
His connection to Camp Allen runs even deeper. For seven years, Miles served as volunteer director of the high school summer camp sessions, helping shape the experience of countless campers. He later served eight years on the Camp Allen Board of Trustees and continues his leadership today as a member of the Advisory Committee. Ashley’s connection to camp is just as strong—from her early days on summer staff at Camp Capers to leadership roles at both Camp Capers and Camp Allen, and through years of ministry and mentorship forming young people in faith and confidence.
Ashley currently serves on the Advancement team at St. Andrew's Episcopal School in Austin, after many years as a teacher and school chaplain. She holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, the Seminary of the Southwest, and Virginia Theological Seminary, where she earned her Doctor of Ministry in Educational Leadership. Miles, a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Virginia Theological Seminary, serves as Rector of St. Julian’s.
Together, their leadership extends far beyond Camp Allen. Ashley has served on the Episcopal Student Center Advisory Board, as a CASA volunteer, on the Board of Trustees for Magdalene House Austin, and in numerous ministries at St. Julian’s. Miles has served on boards including Trinity Episcopal School, All Saints’ Episcopal Day School, the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools, El Buen Samaritano, West/Southwest Industrial Areas Foundation, Central Texas Interfaith, Life After Loss, The Great Commission Foundation, and Camp Allen, along with extensive leadership across the Diocese of Texas.
Camp Allen is woven into the fabric of their family. Their daughters, Amelia and Mary Ellen, are third-generation campers, and this summer Amelia will step into her own leadership role as a counselor. Along the way, Ashley and Miles have shared a love of hiking, fly fishing, and cheering on the Longhorns.
We look forward to honoring Ashley and Miles for the countless ways they have invested in Camp Allen and in the lives of those who pass through its gates. Their leadership, generosity, and faith have shaped this place in lasting ways, and their impact will be felt for generations to come.thank you underwriters!
Mirrorball Majesty
Bishops of Texas
Groovy Gold Glow
All Saints’ Austin
Bleckley and Sharon Dobbs
Kellye and Kenton Heinze /
Braun & Butler Construction
Seminary of the Southwest
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School
St. Stephen's Episcopal School
Jane Stone and Don Walker
Boots & Boogie
Laurie and Mike Mahaffey
Deborah and James Smith
St. Michael's Episcopal Church
Debbie and The Rev. Robby Vickery
Julie and John YancyFunky Flash
Beaver Aplin
Donna and Mark Emery
The Rev. Courtney and Ryan Greene
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church
Flower Power
Amanda and John Bindel
Katherine and Mel Bland
Renée and Bill Carberry
Patricia and Brent Crawley
Carol and George Dehan
Patty and Jack Ely
Kerry and John Hancock
Holli and Allen Kight
Sarah and Loren Kirkpatrick
The Rev. Lacy Largent
Terry Mason
Anne and David Morley
Pam and Art Nolting
Susie Piaget
Karen and Ed Pickle
St. David’s Episcopal Church
Crystal and The Rev. Merrill Wade
Bonnie and Trent Walton
The Rev. Carol Petty and George ZwickerEVENT INFORMATION
Thursday, April 16, 2026
6:30 PM
The Junior League of Austin
5330 Bluffstone Ln, Austin, TX 78759
Attire: Cocktail Casual or Disco Flair
Parking: Complimentary On-Site Garage
Schedule of Events:
6:30 Social Hour
7:00 Welcome & Blessing
7:05 Campfire Bites & Disco Delights (food stations)
Music by Blue Water Highway Band
7:50 Program
9:15 Moonlit FarewellGIVING opportunities
Camper Scholarships
During tonight's program, we invite you fill out an envelope with support for Camp Allen scholarships! These funds will directly support partial and full scholarships for campers and students. Last year, over $235,000 was awarded in scholarships to over 2,000 children to attend Camp Allen!
Wish List
Visit the Wish List Board to view a variety of tangible wishes and needs for Camp Allen's Discovery Program, Summer Camp, and Equestrian Center. To participate, add your name to a tag for a category and donation amount of your choosing. Your fully-deductible contribution will directly purchase these items for Camp Allen.
Heads or Tails
For $30 per player, see a Camp Allen staffer to grab your light-up ring and get ready to call it—heads or tails—at the start of the program. Winner will receive $1,000 Buc-ee’s Beaver Bucks plus a gift certificate for a two night stay at Camp Allen’s new Quiet House.
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camp allen history & starry Nights mission
Turning into the driveway of the serene, tree lined 1,100 acre Grimes County property, one might not guess the humble beginnings of Camp Allen... It all started with one innovative idea, two determined individuals, a handful of tents, and a sky full of stars. In the early 1900s, Rt. Rev. Clinton S. Quin shared a dream with Christ Church Cathedral member, Rosa Lum Allen: to create a place for young people of the Diocese of Texas to go deeper in their faith. Rosa then opened up her home on Galveston Bay in the summer of 1921 and hosted the first summer camp of the Episcopal Church. Camp Allen has since traversed over 150 miles and 100 years to reach where it is today. With a journey from 10 to 1,100 acres and 36 campers to 70,000 annual guests, the ministry remains the same. Camp Allen is known for being a place where lives are transformed by the gospel and leaders are made.
The challenge today is that many children from economically disadvantaged families and schools need financial assistance in order to be able to participate in our nationally known programs. The mission of Starry Nights is to bridge this gap by supporting the camp’s Scholarship Fund and programs which makes it possible for more children and youth to experience Camp Allen. Thank you for your support!
The challenge today is that many children from economically disadvantaged families and schools need financial assistance in order to be able to participate in our nationally known programs. The mission of Starry Nights is to bridge this gap by supporting the camp’s Scholarship Fund and programs which makes it possible for more children and youth to experience Camp Allen. Thank you for your support!
