YMCA Camp Grady Spruce Celebrates Grand Opening of New Welcome Center

Camp Grady Spruce marked a major milestone this month with the Grand Opening of its new Welcome Center, a project made possible by the passion, vision, and generosity of Beth and Paul Taylor and Marla and Van Shaw, along with the many donors who supported Phase I of the camp’s capital campaign.

More than 80 guests gathered at Possum Kingdom Lake to celebrate the occasion, including camp alumni, donors, community partners, and staff. The program featured remarks from YMCA Camp Grady Spruce Executive Director Lewis Knisley, YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas President and Chief Executive Officer Curt Hazelbaker, and lead donors Van and Marla Shaw and Paul and Beth Taylor.

A New Front Door to Camp

The Welcome Center represents more than a new building — it serves as the front door to Camp Grady Spruce, welcoming campers, families, and guests into the heart of the camp experience.

As Curt Hazelbaker shared:

“It’s an exciting time at YMCA Camp Grady Spruce. After dedicating new Ray Bean Cabins, a renovated Dining Hall, and improvements to the Equestrian and Aquatics areas, we’re now celebrating the front door of camp — our new Welcome Center. This milestone reflects the impact our 16 Ys make across North Texas each year.”

The new facility builds on a summer of significant improvements across camp, including eight new Ray Bean Cabins and fire pits, enhancements to the SCHEELS and Creed Ford III Aquatics Areas, upgrades to the Equestrian Center, and renovations to the Ray Bean Dining Hall.

A Day of Celebration and Reflection

Prior to the ceremony, guests toured the Welcome Center and enjoyed panoramic views from the new Constantin Foundation Observation Deck. Following the program, Lewis Knisley treated attendees to homemade ice cream before leading guided tours of the updated facilities across camp.

Each of these improvements has been made possible through the generosity of donors who contributed to Phase I of the capital campaign.

Throughout the celebration, speakers reflected on the lasting impact Camp Grady Spruce has on young people and families.

As Beth Taylor, Camp Grady Spruce alumna, volunteer, donor, and former Board Chair, shared:

“Camp Grady Spruce is so special because of the impact it has on the trajectory of the lives of the people who come. Relationships are built, people experience things that they’ve never tried to do before, and they take their experiences back into their lives at home, in school, with family, and they impact even more people.”

That sentiment was echoed by Lynn Lish, Camp Grady Spruce alumna, longtime volunteer, and donor, whose connection to camp spans decades:

“For me, Camp Grady Spruce is my entire life… I look at the wall of pictures, and the history is just unbelievable. It’s what made me. I am who I am because of Camp Grady Spruce, and I love that we continue to do that for so many kids.”

Looking Ahead

The completion of the Welcome Center marks an important step forward, but the work continues. Future plans include a new Main Camp Dining Hall, waterfront improvements, and additional enhancements that will ensure Camp Grady Spruce remains a place of growth, adventure, and lifelong memories for generations to come.