CAMP GRAY HISTORY
It all started with a simple dream way 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.”
After personally scouting many potential sites, Monsignor Gray became enamored with an unoccupied, uncultivated, 100-acre wooded tract west of Highway 12, about 8 miles northwest of Baraboo.
To experience the growth of Camp Gray over the past many, many decades, keep scrolling! We’re always on the hunt for more information about the history of this great place. Please email us if you have any Camp Gray historical information or artifacts that you’d like to share! Thanks!
April 1974
The St. Vincent Retreat Center
The St. Vincent Retreat Center (Vinnies!) is built in 1974.
Extensive remodeling was done to “Vinnies” during the winters of 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, infusing new life into this beautiful building.
January 1979
Fr. Larry Bakke
Fr. Larry Bakke, who had been serving in the Diocesan Office of Youth Ministry, was hired to serve as Camp’s new Camp Director. During Fr. Bakke’s first year on the job, he oversaw extensive remodeling to bring several buildings up to code, and he was also responsible for the winterization of several buildings to enable year-round usage of camp.
June 1981
Girls Welcome
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 until 1984, when Fr. Bakke and the Board of Directors decided to make Camp Gray entirely co-ed.