Tuesdays with Topher

By: Chris “Topher” Aderhold

The end of 2016 is nigh, but before we say goodbye to this remarkable year, a reflection of the past 12 months is in order.

However, as I attempt to reflect back on the year, my wandering mind instead keeps going forward, toward the 25th of December. Then again, as I look ahead to Christmas, my mind wanders back again – not to the past year, but instead back more than 2,000 years ago.

By: Chris “Topher” Aderhold

Hello friends!

As some of you know, each year on this date, I like to pull my graphing calculator out of it’s protective case, and I nerd out with lots of and lots of numbers. Next week, I’ll be writing 400-5,000 words reminiscing on the greatness that was 2016 at Camp Gray. Today, I’m excited to share with you more numbers than the fourth book of the Old Testament.

By: Chris “Topher” Aderhold As I type this blog post, visions of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, football, family, and friends dance in my head. Yeah, it’s quite a dance, and they’re dancing to this wicked awesome tune. I love Thanksgiving. It’s definitely in my AP Top 25 Holiday List. (In a surprising turn of events, … Continued

By: Chris “Topher” Aderhold

At the St. Joseph Cemetery, in the nearby town of Baraboo, atop a tree-covered hill, you’ll find the final resting place of Monsignor Francis Xavier Gray. It was Monsignor Gray that first dreamed the dream – he dreamed of starting a youth camp for young people.

By: Chris “Topher” Aderhold

November!
Here at Camp Gray, we love November!

By: Chris “Topher” Aderhold

On Sundays, during Summer Camp, between 2:30-4:30, I can typically be found standing at the first bend of Camp’s driveway. It’s there that I, along with a few other staffers, first greet families as they arrive for check-in.

By: Chris “Topher” Aderhold

Back in 1989, NBC launched a series of uber-successful public service announcements (PSAs) known as “The More You Know.” (How many of you, rather than simply reading those words, instead sang the famous jingle?) “The More You Know” PSAs typically feature celebrities sharing educational messages.

By: Chris “Topher” Aderhold

As the final whistle blew, I looked up to the heavens, from whence rain had consistently fallen throughout the 90-minute game, and said a quick prayer of thanks. There was much to be thankful for on that soggy Saturday afternoon.

As we inch towards the 200th Camp Gray Film, I’ve been doing a bit of reflecting on all of the great films we’ve created over the years. You might think that at this point in the history of Camp Gray Films, with our nearly 200 videos racking up almost 120,000 views, releasing yet another video would be, as the saying goes, old hat.

By: Chris “Topher” Aderhold

It was the culminating moment of months of planning. It was a moment that I’ll never forget. It was a moment unlike any other I’d ever experienced at Camp Gray. It all started with a big dream.