Monsignor Gray

It all started with a simple dream back in 1953. 

Monsignor Francis Xavier Gray, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Baraboo, WI, dreamed of a "place where youths would be free and away from the temptations of the streets; where they could enjoy nature and become acquainted with it firsthand. . . a place where they could commune, under supervision, with their Creator and away from paths so frequently leading to delinquency."

Read about the humble beginnings of Camp Gray!

1960s

Believe it or not, there was an era at Camp Gray that dodgeball wasn't played.  Arguably the most important improvement in the history of Camp Gray came in 1965 with the construction of the Gymnasium.  No doubt dodgeball was first played in the summer of '65, and has been played every summer since.

(We can't wait to challenge you to a game of dodgeball soon!)

See photos and read more about the 60s at Camp Gray!
 

Campers were grateful for the addition of the gym, in 1965

Riflery was a popular activity for boys in the 70s

1980s

What was the best thing to happen to Camp Gray in the 1980s?  Was it the new in-ground concrete swimming pool?  Nope.  Was it the expansion of the Camp Gray office?  Negative. 

The answer:  For the first time ever, girls are given an opportunity to experience Camp Gray!  Initially two weeks were set aside to accommodate girls only.  This only lasted a handful of summers as Fr. Bakke and the Board of Directors decide in the mid-80s to make Camp Gray entirely co-ed.        
 

See photos and read more about the 80s at Camp Gray!

Fr. Bakke celebrates Mass in Camp's old chapel (currently The Joe)

The first group of Voyageur paddlers smile big before they push off into the Bois Brule River

1990s

As the sun set on Fr. Bakke's time as Director of Camp Gray, a new and bright chapter in the Camp Gray history books began in the mid-90s. 

Camp Gray's first lay director, Jake Czarnick-Neymier (Lake Jake, anyone?), was hired by the Board of Directors, and one of Jake's first decisions was to hire a fresh-faced school teacher from Madison to be his Assistant Director.  His name?  Phillip Christopher DeLong. 

The 90s also saw the first groups of Pathfinders, Explorers, and Voyageurs.

See photos and read more about the 90s at Camp Gray!

2000s

Oh, the 21st Century! 

I know you're probably thinking to yourself, "Self, this Camp Gray place has really grown, how can they possibly keep this ship sailing?"

The ministry of Camp Gray continues to be a place where thousands of children's lives are changed each year thanks to the amazingly fun and faith-filled young adults that serve on both our summer staff and our year-round volunteer retreat team (started in 2000).

See photos and read more about the first decade of the 21st century at Camp Gray!

Look at that fine group of faith-filled young adults!  (Summer Staff 2008)