A Day in the Life of Camp Grady Spruce
Story by Mary Hill | Photos contributed by Camp Grady Spruce
Ronatta, 15 – enjoying a sailing club activity.
Imagine a place teenagers describe as “majestic,†“welcoming,†“positive†and “simply the best place in the world.â€
YMCA Camp Grady Spruce is that place, where young people relate feeling a deep sense of belonging, and where they are welcomed and accepted for who they are.
The camp is more than just a destination, though. It’s also a community filled with positive energy and endless possibilities, tucked into the heart of the PK community and situated on almost 500 acres on the Constantine Peninsula just across from Hell’s Gate.
When asked what they like most about Camp Grady Spruce, campers and counselors in training eagerly shared their thoughts, such as:
- “Time away from electronics helps your mindset and cleanses your soul.â€
- “This camp is genuinely a safe place. No one is judged, and everybody is included.â€
- “There is no need to know the time of day here. We just wake up, have fun and do it all over again.â€
- “Whenever you go home, you want to come right back.â€
- “Disconnecting makes you realize how much better things are here.â€
- “There is so much going on here. This place teaches you to talk to people.â€
- “We just keep coming back. There is something about this place that just keeps pulling us back each year.â€
- “This place feels like home, where the staff brings everyone together and you get to feel like a kid.â€
- “The instant I get home, the countdown begins on my calendar until the next visit.â€
Counselor, Shane Lester, with campers Hank and Auggie during the color wars evening program.
The camp’s executive director, Cassandra Marlatt, and leadership team member Ethan Goff also shared their insights about this special place that has served the PK community and the surrounding area for 76 years.
Marlatt has been with Camp Grady Spruce for almost seven years, initially joining as its equestrian director in 2018. She assumed her current role in February after transitioning from her previous position of associate executive director.
Goff, who is part of the leadership team responsible for marketing, events and website coordination, has worked for the camp for five years. He attended the camp when he was 9 years old, and also served as a junior counselor and senior counselor.
Marlatt said her secret in finding the right staff is finding team members who are focused on serving the campers. She said she looks for those who are genuinely passionate about their roles and have that passion “in their soul†rather than someone just seeking a summer job.
Camp Grady Spruce has 130 staff members (many second- and third-generation) who support the facility’s offerings of summer camp and outdoor education, in addition to serving other groups and conferences.
A typical day at the summer camp, which runs weekly from Sunday to Saturday, begins at 6:50 a.m. with a morning “energizer,†followed by the 7:15 a.m. flag-raising ceremony. Before the 9 a.m. start time for selected club activities, such as water skiing, sailing, wakeboarding, canoeing, archery and horse riding, campers eat breakfast and attend chapel, where they share stories and sing songs together.
After completing two club activities, campers then engage in cabin activities and eat lunch, which is followed by a rest period. The camp’s schedule divides throughout the day to accommodate the activities of the younger campers (ages 7-12) and their meals in the dining hall.
After more cabin activities, some free time and dinner, all campers attend the evening program at 7:10 p.m., with the themes and activities varying each night. At 9 p.m., the flag-lowering ceremony brings the camp’s activities to a close.
A day in the Life of Camp Grady Spruce is probably best experienced through a photographic journey, where memories are made with each step.
