Jeff and Rebecca have a long history with Camp Gray. (They even got married here at Camp!) Their kids, Andrew, Josh, & Mary, have long histories with Camp Gray, too. They've lived here their WHOLE lives.
Camp Co-Directors: Jeff & Rebecca Hoeben
Rebecca is originally from Black River Falls, Wisconsin. She received her degree in Psychology from UW-Stevens Point with a minor in Adventure Education and Camp Administration (how apropos!). Rebecca was a Camp Gray camper when she was still in high school – going on the very first Voyageur trip. Before becoming Camp Director, Rebecca worked at Camp Gray as a kitchen assistant, Settler/Trailblazer counselor, and Wilderness Programs counselor, and camp’s year-round Program Director. She loves playing outside, backpacking, kayaking, canoeing – basically anything and everything under the sun. She even spent some time building a cabin in Denali National Park.
Jeff happens to be married to our co-director, Rebecca. He is a graduate of Xavier University with a degree in Organizational Communication. He enjoys kayaking, building wooden boats, working with fiberglass, backpacking, and cross country skiing. He worked at camp as a part of the volunteer Servant Leadership Team in 2003-2004 and once volunteered with the Missionaries of Charity in Katmandu, Nepal. Together Jeff and Rebecca co-direct the Camp Gray ship.
“Live simply, so that others may simply live.” – Gandhi
“Time’s fun when you’re having flies.” – Kermit the Frog
Few things put a bigger smile on Topher's face than being next to Clyde, his favorite horse!
Assistant Director: Chris “Topher” Aderhold
Topher hails from the one and only; Edmond, Oklahoma. He earned a Marketing degree from Oklahoma’s premiere University, The Oklahoma State University (Go Pokes!). Topher was a summer camp counselor, Explorer/Voyageur counselor, the Wilderness Programs Coordinator, and a part of Camp’s Servant Leadership Team before taking on his current role. He enjoys reading, being outdoors, listening to country music, sipping coffee in the company of fine people, studying theology, watching/playing sports, and rooting on his OSU Cowboys. He also has a great passion for traveling, and once drove with two friends to Alaska, which inspired the 2005 hit film “Alaska or Bust”.
“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” – Mother Teresa
Paul and Ann have a great fondness for Camp Gray, but not as much as their fondness for sons Christian and Damian.
Program Director: Paul Coakley
Paul, from Hanford, CA, is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville (Go Barons!), where he majored in Business. Paul enjoys flying remote control airplanes, horseback riding, spending time with his family: sons Christian and Damian, and wife Ann, who he met at a summer camp in California (read more about her below!), and rolling his kayak. Additionally, Paul loves to travel. He has driven to or through all of the contiguous 48 states and Alaska, and if there were only a bridge to Hawaii, he most likely would have traveled there, as well!
Ann is originally from Lewisburg, TN, and also attended Franciscan, where she studied Theology and Business. Ann enjoys kayaking, cooking, photography, scrapbooking, and she is attempting to be a domestic diva by conquering her dancing skills. In addition to past experience working at camps, she’s also the oldest of 8 children, so being around so many children at Camp Gray is second nature to her!
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words.” - St. Francis of Assisi
Oftentimes during Mo-T's freetime (which actually isn't that often), she can be found sitting on the office front porch reading.
Retreat Coordinator: Theresa Wilks
Theresa joins us all the way from Mechanicville, NY. Theresa (or Mo-T, as she’s known around these parts) has been a staple around camp since ought five. Before she began her long tenure here at camp, she attended St. Thomas Aquinas College, where she successfully earned a degree in Religious Studies and Philosophy. When she’s not hard at work planning and facilitating retreats, she enjoys cross country skiing, reading Church documents, strumming on the guitar, and sneaking snacks from Tricia’s secret snack stash. But mostly, she enjoys loving and changing the lives of children. Oh, and if that isn’t enough to fill even Mo-T’s extra large-sized plate, she finds time to study, as she is currently pursuing her Masters in Theology from Ave Maria University. This education, and busy schedule, will be good training for the future, because she will soon be joining a religious order.
“You cannot be half a saint; you must be a whole saint or no saint at all.” - St. Therese of Lisieux
"Thanks for calling Camp Gray; Tricia speaking."
Guest Services Manager: Tricia Sanborn
Tricia performs many different duties at Camp Gray. She serves at the camp registrar, entering campers and groups into the database and managing the summer sessions and rental calendar. In addition to coordinating the details of each groups’ stay, she is continually making little improvements to camp that make a big difference. She is also the organizer of many social events for the rest of staff. A vet-tech by training, she houses one pug, a labradoodle, a cat, and a cockatiel named Amen. Disney World is a favorite vacation spot, and with the exceptional customer service she gives, we can see why.
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney
This guy couldn't more be more happy to prepare your food!
Camp Chef: Kevin Hoeben
Kevin Hoeben – brother of Jeff, and son of Phyllis and Denny – has been a familiar face around Camp Gray since his time as a camper back in 2007. Since that time, he’s worked as a kitchen assistant, climbing specialist, and part time Manny to Jeff & Rebecca’s plethora of children. He’s excited to step into this role to keep the many retreatants of the next few months well fed. When Kevin isn’t preparing delicious and nutritious meals for folks at Camp Gray, he enjoys taking in a good movie, throwing around a Frisbee, and hunting. At times he marches to the beat of his own drum, which explains his answer to the question, “McDonald’s or Burger King?” on the full-time-staff-webpage questionnaire: Wendy’s. We’re thrilled to have Kevin take the reins of the Camp Gray kitchen, and if you’ll be visiting camp in the coming months, come hungry. He’ll fill you up right.
“If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” - Ronald Reagan
Tom Thill: Devoted Husband. Loving Father. Fantastic Grandfather. Phenomenal Property Manager. Turkey Fryer Extraordinaire.
Property Manage: Thomas Dale Thill
Because many of Camp’s buildings were built in the 60s, they require constant care and maintenance. That’s where Tom comes in. While all that care might seem redundant, Tom simply sees it as “job security.” There’s no maintenance job too big for Tom, and because he’s been around since the mid-90s, he knows the ins and outs of Camp Gray better than anyone. Tom resides in nearby Baraboo, WI, with his wife, Micky. He enjoys the outdoors, archery and woodworking. Officially “retired,” we’re sure blessed that he loves his profession enough to keep on keepin’ on, and to keep Camp Gray looking (and smelling) as good as the a fried turkey on Thanksgiving day!
“More power!” – Tim Taylor
Technology & Maintenance Specialist: Mark Sanborn
Sans Mark, Camp Gray would be without technology and with a fleet of vehicles that underperform
Mark makes up the other half of two dynamic camp duos: one is being married to Tricia, and the other is taking care of many technical aspects of Camp Gray’s operation such as phones and computer networking. He is a skilled mechanic and keeps the Camp Gray vehicle fleet up and running as well. When Mark isn’t conquering all of Camp’s technical and vehicular troubles, he can be found walking his dogs, watching stock car racing, or visiting his favorite vacation destination: Disneyworld!
“I’m a precision instrument of speed and aerodynamics.” – Lightning McQueen
Faith, Friends, & Fun! Camp Gray is the Catholic Summer Camp and year-round Retreat Center of the Diocese of Madison, WI.