Graceland + Spectacular

Since 1973, Graceland has been home to this week-long event, which blends faith, friendly competition, and personal growth in the kind of setting that only Graceland can provide. For more than 50 years, SPECTACULAR (SPEC) has offered high schoolers a chance to live on a college campus, worship together, and discover who they are — all in a place designed to help them feel that they belong. In a world where so many young people struggle to find connection, SPEC’s message resonates deeply: You are loved. You are valued. You belong.

“SPEC is one of the most unique and meaningful events we host each year. It not only gives hundreds of high schoolers a glimpse of what life at Graceland is like, but it also reflects what this institution stands for — community, faith, learning, and belonging. SPEC embodies the best of who we are.”

PRESIDENT JOEL SHROCK, PhD

A Shared Legacy of Faith & Education

The campus comes alive with vibrant energy as camp participants rep their delegations with themed shirts throughout the week.

Community of Christ and Graceland University have always shared more than a name on the marquee — they share a mission. SPEC began in 1970 at the church’s headquarters in Independence, Missouri, before finding its permanent home in Lamoni three years later. While the camp was paused during the COVID-era, the partnership is back — better and bigger than ever.

Throughout the week, students live in the residence halls, eat in the Floyd McDowell Commons, and fill classrooms, fields, and auditoriums across campus. Every corner of Graceland becomes a hub of activity: morning worship in the Shaw Amphitheatre, volleyball and basketball tournaments in Morden Center, and evening activities varying from a silent dance party to a talent show. The camp makes full use of Graceland’s facilities, and recent campus improvements — like the addition of air conditioning in Morden Center — have helped create a more comfortable and welcoming experience for participants and staff alike.

“It’s amazing to see how the Graceland community rallies around SPEC each summer,” Shrock added. “Faculty, staff, and students all contribute to making this week special while not infringing on the special experience the students have on our campus. It’s a living example of radical belonging and the way the church’s enduring principles are lived out by community.”

Building Leaders Through Belonging

Camper and future Yellowjacket Gia DeRose ’30 was one of six Wallace B. Smith Scholarship recipients this past July.

While SPEC is known for its energy and fun, its purpose runs deeper. Campers are encouraged to explore leadership, creativity, and faith through workshops, arts, and recreation. It’s a place where future Graceland students — and future community leaders — discover their strengths.

Over the years, the connection between SPEC and Graceland has only grown stronger. Many SPEC campers go on to attend Graceland, drawn by the same sense of purpose and belonging they experienced during the week. The university and the church work hand in hand to help make that possible.

Investing in the Future

That shared commitment is exemplified through the KATHY & JOEL ROSS INSPIRED LEADERSHIP FUND, established in 2023 to nurture leadership and service among Graceland students. The fund supports key scholarships like the Wallace B. Smith Scholarship, which offers two full-tuition scholarships, as well as additional half-tuition awards for students who have participated in SPEC.

“These scholarships ensure that the sense of belonging young people find at SPEC can continue long after camp ends,” Shrock said. “They help us invest in the next generation of leaders — people who will carry Graceland’s and Community of Christ’s values into the world.”

A Place That Feels Like Home

As SPEC has returned to full strength in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, its importance feels greater than ever. The camp has evolved to include new opportunities for creative expression, service, and personal reflection while maintaining the traditions that generations of participants remember fondly.

For one week each summer, Graceland becomes more than a campus — it becomes a living, breathing community of belonging. Campers arrive as strangers and leave as family, united by a shared experience that stays with them for life. And when the buses pull away, Graceland remains changed, too — refreshed and inspired by the energy of hundreds of young people who, like generations before them, found something spectacular on “the Hill.”

Graceland Alumni at the Heart of SPEC

Behind every great camp experience is a team that makes the magic happen. For SPECTACULAR, that team includes a group of Graceland alumni who lead, mentor, and serve with dedication. Co-directors Jamie Varvaro ’81, Doug Roberts, MA, ’02, and Jenn Glandon ’96 Killpack, MA, describe SPEC as a place where transformation happens through community.

“All are welcome and belong at SPEC. We take that seriously.”

DOUG ROBERTS, MA, ’02

“It’s about recognizing each person’s worth and remembering that we are all one community — no matter what team we’re on.”

JENN GLANDON ’96 KILLPACK, MA

Varvaro, who has served in leadership roles for decades, said it best:

“SPEC is a safe space made of love, where we can all be ourselves — a place where dreamers can believe.”

JAMIE VARVARO ’81

SAVE THE DATE  Mark your calendars and join us July 11-18 for an incredible SPEC 2026!