Camp Gray

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Camp Gray is a Catholic summer camp and retreat center located in Lake Delton, Wisconsin. It is a ministry of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, and is among the camps accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA). Its mission is to "offer a natural sanctuary for people of all faiths to experience God, discover self, and walk hand in hand with friends."

Camp Gray's summer program consists of 9 one-week sessions with campers ranging in age from 6 to 18. Archery, art's and crafts, fishing, tower climbing, horseback riding, canoeing, and mountain biking are a sample of the activities offered at Camp Gray's summer camp program. [1] Camp Gray also has a ranch camp program, a rustic camping program, and a wilderness triping program.

In addition to a summer camp, Camp Gray also serves as a retreat center. During the school year, Camp Gray offers Environmental Stewardship Retreatsas well as team-building initiatives, spiritual retreats, and alternative spring break trips. Groups including family reunions, youth groups, school classes, ski groups, and more also use Camp Gray facilities throughout the year.

[edit] History

In 1953, Monsignor Francis Xavier Gray, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Baraboo, Wisconsin, established the camp. He bought the original 100 acres from a local businessman for the price of $400. The original cabins started as ammunition crates from the nearby Badger Army Ammunition Plant.

In the early days, Camp Gray was a boys' youth summer camp, owned by St. Joseph Parish and directed by the parish priest. Summer camp started in 1958 under Fr. Francis Schmidt's direction. Four weeks of summer camp for boys were offered, and the counselors were diocesan seminarians.

In 1968 the Catholic Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, incorporated the camp. In 1980, Fr. Larry Bakke's second summer as director, the first summer session for girls was held. In 1984 Camp Gray held its first co-ed session, and soon after became entirely co-ed. In 1994, Camp Gray hired its first lay director, and began expanding its summer camp program offerings, including the Explorer program, the Voyageur program, the Pioneer program, and the Ranch program.

[edit] External links

• Camp Gray Web Site