CGS History

YMCA Camp Grady Spruce, named after H. Grady Spruce, began in 1949 on Constantine Peninsula of Possum Kingdom Lake as a continuation of YMCA Camp Crockett, originally founded in 1924. The peninsula was donated to the YMCA and the Boy Scouts in memory of Eugene Constantine by his parents and family. Out Main camp site sits directly across from a breath taking state landmark, Hell’s Gate.

Each summer, hundreds of children experience Grady Spruce for the first time. Year after year, campers return, and soon summer camp becomes much more than new found friends and fun activities; it becomes tradition – a long-time tradition passed on from generation to generation.

1999 marked Grady Spruce’s 50th anniversary. Through the years, many changes and new developments have been made to ensure that each year Grady Spruce provides the best camp possible.

Frontier Camp was added in the 1960s to meet increased demand for summer and off-season camping. The Ray Bean Camp addition in the 1970s increased the opportunities for both families and YMCA groups in summer and year-around camping.

Co-ed camping, introduced in the 1970s, provided the opportunity for girls to attend camp all summer. International exchanges in the 1970s became part of the Grady Spruce curriculum and expanded the Grady Spruce family worldwide.

In the 1980s, the Challenge Course was introduced as a new state-of-the-art, outdoor activity helping campers develop self-confidence, leadership, and trust in others through individual and group activities.

The 1990’s brought the Outdoor Education Program, which is offered during the school year. It is designed for 5th and 6th grade students and allows children to experience firsthand the interaction between man and the environment.

With new developments through the years and changes still to come, one thing remains constant at Grady Spruce: the atmosphere of Christian living which enables campers to grow and develop personal faith through relationships with others, nature and oneself.

Grady spruce is a tradition that is representative of excellence in atmosphere, counselors, and programs. Each year a better, stronger camp is built so the first-time camper becomes a part of the Grady Spruce “family” and continues the tradition for the next 50 years.