Camp Gray - A Catholic Summer Camp

Camp Gray in the News

Catholic Herald Article 2/2/2006

Choosing Camp Gray. . .

by: Joe Van Tassel, Operations and Development Manager

“When you can spiritually inspire a 12 year-old boy – you’re doing great! He wanted to go to Camp Gray instead of going to a basketball camp. That says a lot!” With all the activity options now available to children, why do parents and campers consistently choose to come to Camp Gray each summer?

Why Camp Gray?

Camp Gray combines faith, friends, and fun in an encouraging environment. Campers learn the emotional and spiritual skills they need in order to mature, make good decisions, and grow closer to God. Campers also become more independent, create new friendships, and form a supportive community. Oh yeah, did we mention that all of this is occurring while campers are a having rip-roaring, foot-stomping good time!? Camp is truly a fun, vibrant place to spend a week during the summer.

As one camper writes, “Camp Gray is very fun, and at the same time you learn about your faith, your relationship with God, and your inner-self.” Campers participate in activities such as mountain biking, archery, climbing, and swimming, all in the context of exploring themselves and their faith. A camper parent writes, “We [choose] Camp Gray because it’s amazingly fun, and the spiritual growth our kids experience is incomparable.”

Camp Programs

Camp offers a wide variety of programs for campers spanning grades 2-12. According to Camp Gray Director Phil DeLong, “Our programs are designed to grow and mature along with our campers. We try to provide new challenges and experiences each summer. New options like the climbing tower, mountain biking, the rope swing, rustic camping experiences, and wilderness trips become available as campers grow older. We offer many different programs in order to meet the needs of campers of all ages.”

The high-energy, fun-filled traditional Settler and Trailblazer programs are offered for campers from second through eighth grades. Campers take part in morning program areas such as canoeing, fishing, performance, or arts and crafts, and they spend their evenings at such events as the Sunday campfire, Survivor: Camp Gray, or cookout and Capture-the-Flag extravaganza.

The Pathfinder program, available for eighth through tenth graders, focuses on the campers discovering themselves as individuals through activities such as the low-ropes adventure course, service projects, and in-depth devotion time.

Offered to 10^th and 11^th graders, the Explorer program gives campers the opportunity to cook, sleep, play, and pray with their counselors on their own in the woods of Explorer village. Explorers focus on developing community and leadership skills.

Those who love horses can earn their spurs at Ranch camp, which is offered for campers in grades 7-11. Ranchers spend their week learning to ride and care for horses, all while living a more rustic cowboy and cowgirl life.

In the Voyageur program, available for 8-12 graders, campers bring the spirit of Camp Gray with them as they travel off camp for a week of backpacking or canoeing coupled with outdoor survival and powerful community-building. Single-gender backpacking trips are offered for 8^th and 9^th graders. Campers looking for a bit more adventure can chose a 10-day trip to Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The Leaders-in-Training program is designed for 12^th graders looking to learn and practice the skills it takes to be a great Camp Gray staff member. It is a three-week program.

Positive Youth Development

Camp Gray is continually improving the summer camp experience for campers. Over the past two years, Camp Gray was one of just 20 camps to participate in a national study conducted by the American Camp Association and Youth Development Strategies, Inc. The purpose of the research was to determine how to improve camp programs in order to improve youth development outcomes.

When campers attended camp in 2005, the second year of the study, they encountered many exciting and positive changes. Some of the improvements included: adding cooking and “Going Ballistic” (fun science) to the morning program area options, building a rope swing at Lake Jake, and creating a new evening program area called “Survivor: Camp Gray,” in which tribes of campers would compete in challenges ranging from an obstacle course to a life-sized version of Battleship on the athletic field. Changes like the “Getting to Know You” cards used at Sunday check-in or improved Thursday evening devotions were less visible, but just as important in creating a more beneficial camp experience.

In the fall of 2005, the results from the past two years were compiled and analyzed. Camp Gray was pleased to be one of the top performing camps, both in absolute terms and in positive change from one year to the next. The study affirms that Camp Gray provides powerful supports and opportunities for positive youth development in our campers.

“We were very pleased with the results from the outcomes study. “They validated all the hard work we put into improving camp, and they confirmed all the glowing anecdotes we get from parents and campers.” said DeLong. “The process doesn’t end here, though. We have already begun to assess our programs again and figure out how they can be even better this summer.”

Benefits of Camp

Parents often ask how camp will benefit their children. By creating an open, supportive environment, Camp Gray gives kids a place where they feel free to be themselves. In the words of one camper, “What’s so cool about Camp Gray is that you can just relax and be yourself; nobody is going to judge you.”

Camp also gives campers the chance to live in community, meet new people and make new friends. “Well, I’ve been to other camps, but Camp Gray is the best. It feels like you’re family” said a Trailblazer about his experience at camp.

Camp Gray gives campers the opportunity to try new and exciting activities, challenge themselves, learn new skills, and discover new talents. From climbing on the tower, to horseback riding at the stables, from building campfires on a Voyageur trip, to stepping out of your shell at the talent show, there are many opportunities to do things at camp that you can’t do anywhere else.

Through its unique ministry as a Catholic summer camp, Camp Gray also gives parents a valuable resource, aiding in instilling faith and values in their children. One parent writes, “At least for our daughter, the way you present ideas [on faith and values] reaches her in ways we can’t at home or at church.”

Positive Role Models\

Perhaps most importantly, Camp Gray gives campers positive role models and fun, responsible leaders through the camp staff. “Camp Gray staff members are dedicated young adults who are great models of faith, excitement, and responsibility. Their importance in creating a quality camp experience cannot be overstated,” says DeLong.

This sentiment is echoed by parents as well. One writes, “The staff are genuine and good role models. They are the reason kids are at this camp. They are cool adults and show kids how to have God in their lives.” Another parent writes, “I can rest assured that when I leave my child at Camp Gray, she will be safe with the best, most well-trained staff available.”

How to Sign Up

There are still spaces available this summer, but don’t wait too long, as sessions are filling up fast. Visit www.campgray.com to read more detailed information on the summer programs, to view a regularly-updated session chart, or to print out an application. Call 608-356-8200 or email bigfun@campgray.com with any questions, or to receive a brochure and application by mail.

Camp Gray, located between Baraboo and Wisconsin Dells, is owned by the Diocese of Madison. It is also fully-accredited by the American Camp Association. In addition to summer camp, Camp Gray also facilitates Environmental Stewardship retreats for middle schools, family backpacking trips, teambuilding initiatives, and confirmation retreats throughout the school year.

If you know any parents or children who could benefit from a week at Camp Gray, please let them know about us. We hope to see you this summer!

Camp Gray ● E10213 Shady Lane Road, Reedsburg, WI 53959 ● 608-356-8200 ● www.campgray.com ● Email Us