Since Zach’s moved out of the Bates house, he misses spending time with the middle boys, so he organizes a camping trip in hopes of having some bonding moments with his brothers. But in between skeet shooting and fishing, Zach gets a call that might put his overnight camping trip plan on pause. Later, Kelly Jo, Erin and Whitney gather up the younger kiddos for a swimming lesson. But will Kelly’s fear of the water cause Callie, Jud and Jeb to hesitate from diving in? Or will the kids take to the water like a school of fish?

The Fabulous Backwoods Bates Boys

Gil Bates

Kelly Jo Bates

Zach Bates

Whitney Bates

Erin Paine

Tori Smith

Michael Keilen

Carlin Stewart

Josie Balka

Alyssa Webster

Katie Clark

Nathan Bates

Warden Bates

Trace Bates

Lawson Bates

Isaiah Bates

Ellie Bates

Addallee Bates

Here’s the Scoop

The Night The Lights Went Out in Tennessee

It’s Wedding time – but who is walking down the aisle? Love is blooming for the Bates, with Carlin finding a “special friend” in Evan and Tori and Bobby deepening their bond. And even the married couples have big news, especially Erin and Chad. Will their family be growing by two?

Summer of Love

Carlin and Katie hit the road to spend some quality time with Carlin’s Songwriting Suitor, Evan, and his family. Evan and the girls have some fun at an indoor skating park and the young couple work on a special song for Evan’s family. Will Carlin pass the parent approval test and is a future courtship on the horizon? Meanwhile, Jackson is the next Bates family member in line to get his learner’s permit. Will he prove to be a better driver than his sisters, Josie and Katie?

Road Trip Romance

Bobby and Tori are making plans for the future! After he graduates from college, Bobby is hoping to move from Florida to Tennessee to be closer to Tori. Before he makes a final decision, he heads to Knoxville to interview for jobs and look for a place to live. And in an effort to add a little structure to Jud and Jeb’s roughhousing, Kelly Jo takes the boys to a martial arts class. Later, Bobby and Tori discuss their future timeline with Gil and Kelly Jo over dinner. Is an engagement on the horizon?

Bobby's Movin' In

It’s Sister bonding time! Erin, Tori, Carlin, Whitney, Josie and Katie join together for a self defense class and engage in a little friendly competition! Meanwhile, Gil has many young Bates drivers behind the wheel, he gathers the kiddos for a ‘Car 101’ lesson. Later, it’s double date night for the married couples! Since Erin and Zach have a serious appreciation for cooking, they convince Whitney and Chad to join them for a cooking class!

Sibling Revelry

Kelly Jo cashes in on her ‘I Love you Day’ gift from Gil and wants him to clean up the shed. Can Gil complete the project in a timely fashion and without any complaints? As the boys help Gil organize the shed, Nathan gets sidetracked and uses scrap items to make an impromptu zip line. Meanwhile, Carlin escapes clean up duty and opts to paint lines on the new Bates Basketball court! Later, Trace plays a pickup basketball game with a few college players. Will he be able to keep up and secure a spot on the team or will Lawson sabotage the game?

He Said, She Shed

On this special ‘Newlywed’ Episode of ‘Bringing Up Bates,’ we’ll see how well the younger Bates couples know their partners! Can they guess their spouse’s favorite meal? How about their dream vacation destination? Let’s hope they’ve been paying attention to each other over the years, otherwise things could get awkward!

Newlywed Edition

Erin and Chad have expanded their family with twin pygmy goats, but having extra ‘kids’ means more household chores. So Gil and the younger kids stop by to help Chad paint the goats’ new shed. Back at the Bates household, Nathan’s impromptu zip line wasn’t the safest, so Gil and the kids reconfigure a longer and much safer design. Once they settle on the perfect spot, the kids test it out! And later, Erin surprises Chad with a 30th Birthday Adventure with an escape to Hot Springs, NC for a romantic getaway without the kids.

Don't Worry, We've 'Goat' This!

The Bates family will never forget their house fire, and so they organize a car-washing fundraiser to give back to the heroic volunteer firefighters who responded to their emergency situation. Right before the big day, Zach insists on giving the Bates kids a tutorial on the do’s and don’ts of properly washing a car. But will a family water fight put an end to Zach’s lesson? Meanwhile, Chad and Erin are interested in purchasing a ‘fixer upper’ house and begin the search for a property that they hope to renovate and call their own!

Stop, Drop and Wash

With 19 kids you never know what’s going to happen! And as we’ve seen, the Bates kids are chock-full of hilarious sayings and entertaining moments. Here’s a look back at some of the funniest and wackiest things the Bates kids have said and done, updated with even more fun clips and mishaps!

MORE Bloopers, Outtakes and Mishaps, Oh My!

Now that Lawson’s wrapped up recording his country album, he’s taking the next step with his career and making a music video, co-starring actress Sadie Robertson. But can he turn his song about heartbreak into a high quality music video? Meanwhile, Kelly Jo thinks it’s time the middle boys receive a manners lesson so they can become gentlemen. After giving them a few pointers, like making sure to always say please and thank you, the boys take their mom out for a special lunch and put their manners skills to the test!

Lawson and Sadie's Big Breakup

Now that Bobby’s graduated from college, it’s a time of celebration, love and new beginnings! Before his big graduation party, Tori and Josie meet up with Bobby and his best friend Kelton for a few rounds of disc golf. As Bobby and Tori catch up and discuss their future together, Josie gets the chance to spend some time with Kelton. Is a budding romance on the horizon? Meanwhile, we catch up with Alyssa and John in Florida and see how they juggle two businesses, while raising a new baby and a toddler that never sleeps. And later, the Bates family reunites with Bobby’s family for his graduation party! Will the younger kids keep their manners in check for the occasion?

One Cap, Two Gowns?

Now that Nathan is a certified flight instructor, he’s moved back to Rocky Top, TN to teach flight lessons. Eager to put his new skills to work, we catch up with him as he gives one of his first lessons to a novice pilot. Has Nathan found his calling? Meanwhile, Kacie Lynn is turning the big “One.” Zach and Whitney honor the occasion with some priceless pictures! Back at the Bates house, a power outage leads to an impromptu slumber party and game night!

Kelly Jo, Erin, Carson and Tori head to Chicago to visit Michaela and Brandon and take in a few sights. Will culture shock set in for “country girl” Erin, as she explores new terrain in the big city? Meanwhile, back at the Bates house, Carlin, Josie and Katie are on babysitting duty while mom’s away. To help pass the time, the kids split up in teams, and have a contest to see who can make the best homemade ice cream flavor. Since Katie’s an ice cream fanatic, she volunteers to pick the winner! And later, it’s an emotional moment for the sisters, when Michaela confides in Erin about her challenges with getting pregnant.

A Bates Summer wouldn’t be complete without a family vacation! This year the family is headed to an adventure resort on the rim of West Virginia’s New River Gorge. But as the family packs up for their getaway, Tori’s down in the dumps because Bobby won’t be joining her on this trip – or will he? Meanwhile, Carlin is extra excited to have her boyfriend Evan along for the ride. Now that their relationship is blossoming, Evan and Carlin sit down with Gil and Kelly Jo for a “large talk.” But will they get the greenlight to officially start courting? Later, Kelly Jo attempts to overcome her fear of heights during a Ropes course activity, while Bobby realizes that this vacation is the perfect time to ask Gil a very big question.

Courtship, Kiddos, and Future Son-In-Laws?

It’s a family affair, as the Bates family, along with Tori’s Boyfriend Bobby and Carlin’s suitor Evan, continue their thrill seeking vacation at Adventures on the Gorge, in West Virginia! Rain or shine, the Bates brave a high level white water rafting course. It’s sink, swim or scream time as the family navigates some intense rapids. And later, Gil is in for a big surprise when Bobby pulls him aside and asks him for permission to pop the big question to Tori!

Uncharted Waters

Twenty-seven years ago Gil and Kelly Jo Bates tied the knot with no plans to have kids. Fast forward 19 kids later and this tight-knit family, seemingly too good to be true, has a tremendous bond but are far from perfect. As you will see, when you have a house full of 19 children, from ages two to 25, daily chaos is multiplied exponentially, but so are the joyful and poignant moments that life can bring.

The Fabulous Backwoods Bates Boys

Seasons10

Season 6 Episodes16

Cast18

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Episode Summary