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!
October 2022
St. Francis of Assisi Chapel
Originally built in 2006, Camp’s St. Francis of Assisi Chapel has served as the heart of Camp ever since. In 2022, in an effort to continue meeting the demands of an ever-growing Camp schedule, the Chapel received extensive remodeling to nearly double the size of capacity.
May 2023
Tim Chaptman
On May 1st, Tim stepped into the role of Executive Director, replacing the long-serving former Director, Jeff Hoeben. For more than 15 years, Jeff and his family faithfully served at Camp Gray. Tim was no stranger to Camp Gray, having served as Jeff’s right-hand man for the past six years and serving on Camp’s Summer Staff between 2005 – 2011. Tim takes over as only the ninth Executive Director in Camp’s 70+ years.
September 2023
Thanks.
Friends, the continued growth of Camp Gray is impossible without the remarkable support of the Camp Gray family. Thanks for being a part of the family! The future of Camp Gray is immensely bright as we continue to dream big on ways to best impact the lives of all those that join us at Camp – thank you for your support and your belief in this great mission!