05/23/2026
*Important Announcement from Tim Chaptman, Executive Director*
Dear Camp Gray Family,
Camp Gray has a way of changing people for the better. That’s certainly been true in my life. It is from that place of gratitude and growth that I write to share some news. After prayerful discernment, I have made the decision to step down as Executive Director of Camp Gray after this summer. This has not been an easy decision, but it has been a prayerful decision full of unexpected peace.
My first experience at Camp Gray came 25 years ago as an awkward teenage camper. In the years that followed, Camp Gray was where I came to know Christ, forged lifelong friendships, fell in love with my wife, and now I’ve had the amazing opportunity to call Camp my full time home for the past nine years.
To the summer and full-time staff I have had the privilege of serving alongside over these years — thank you. You have been among the greatest gifts of this chapter of my life. You showed up, you gave everything, and you did it because you believed the mission was worth it. You were right. I have learned from each of you more than you know, and I carry your example with me.
To the families and supporters who have walked alongside Camp Gray over the years — thank you. You are the reason this place exists. You trusted us with your children, your resources, your time, and your prayers, and that trust was never lost on me. Every camper, every retreat, every moment of generosity you offered made it possible for this mission to thrive. You did not just support a summer camp — you invested in something eternal, and I am profoundly grateful to have been on the receiving end of that gift.
When I think about what I am most proud of from my time at Camp Gray, it is not the metrics or the milestones achieved. It is the people who left this place changed. The camper who encountered Jesus Christ for the first time. The staff member who learned that it is in giving that we receive. The family that came back year after year because this place felt like home. That transformation is not my work. It is God's. I am overwhelmingly grateful that He chose me to witness it so closely.
Camp Gray's mission is bigger than any one person, and I firmly believe its best days are still ahead. The foundation that has been built here — the culture, the community, the commitment to excellence and the Catholic faith — is strong. I am excited to watch what God continues to do through this place and through all of you.
Thank you for trusting me with something so sacred. It has been an incredible honor.
-Tim Chaptman, Executive Director
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*A Letter from Bishop Donald Hying*
Dear Camp Gray Family,
It is with a grateful heart that I write to you today regarding a significant transition at Camp Gray, one of the most treasured ministries of the Diocese of Madison. After nine years of devoted and effective leadership, Tim Chaptman will be concluding his service as Executive Director of Camp Gray at the end of this summer.
Tim’s tenure at Camp Gray has been a great gift to the Diocese of Madison. Under his leadership, Camp Gray has grown in reach, deepened in mission and Catholic identity, and strengthened in its financial footing. His commitment to developing a strong staff culture, expanding programming, and serving the young people and families who grace the property each year has left a lasting mark on this apostolate. I am personally grateful for the care and integrity he has brought to this important work on behalf of the Diocese.
We celebrate all that Tim has accomplished and wish him every blessing in what lies ahead. Please hold him and his family in your prayers as they discern their next step.
Further details about the search process will be communicated in the weeks ahead. Since Tim is not leaving until after this summer, there will be ample time for a thorough search and a smooth transition. We are committed to identifying a leader who shares our Catholic mission, brings proven organizational experience, and has a genuine passion for serving the Church through outdoor ministry and retreat programming.
Our beloved Camp Gray has touched the lives of so many young people through faith-filled experiences and authentic encounter with the Lord, and I trust God will provide the leadership needed for an even brighter future. I ask for your continued prayers for Camp Gray, for Tim and his family, and for all those who will carry this vital apostolate forward.
Yours in Christ,
Bishop Donald Hying
