A Cabin Called Bradley: A Surprise That Cemented a Legacy

Two beloved siblings and Camp Grady Spruce alumni, Sharon and David Bradley, were shocked to learn that the camp where they spent countless summers as campers and counselors would soon carry their family name in a lasting way. When the Bradley family learned that a longtime family friend had named a newly built Ray-Bean cabin in their honor, they were thrilled—and deeply moved—to know their legacy would live on for generations of campers.

Camp Is a Family Tradition

Sharon and David’s connection to Camp Grady Spruce runs deep—rooted not just in childhood memories, but in family tradition. Their father, Dr. Frank Bradley, attended Camp Crockett in the 1930s and ‘40s under the direction of Mr. Grady Spruce himself. Sharon calls him “the finest mentor in my dad’s entire life,” and it’s clear that legacy has flowed down through the family tree.

“I ran the whole gamut of camp,” Sharon recalled. “From age 8 all the way through the leadership and CIT programs, then worked as a counselor, and later as a fundraiser.” She’s been honored to serve on the “Dirty Dozen” for her consistent efforts to rally donors and support camp causes since the 1990s.

For David, his camp years were just as impactful. “I was out there 13 years—winter camp, summer camp, weekends working as a dishwasher before I could be a counselor. It’s where I learned leadership and where I really found my voice,” he said. “I’d call my parents and ask if I could stay an extra week. I didn’t want to leave.”

The Heart of Camp Lives On

Even decades later, the memories remain vivid: lakeside morning chapel, waterfront adventures, deer walking near their tents, and late-night stories under Texas stars. “It was simple,” Sharon said. “You got stickers on your feet. You didn’t have fancy tech. But you found something more—connection, community, and confidence.”

It was that sense of lasting impact that led Brad and Rena Douglass—dear friends of the Bradleys and fellow camp parents—to make a remarkable decision. After finding out there was a capital campaign underway, Brad unexpectedly reached out to John Nitardy, VP for Major Gifts, about funding a cabin in honor of the Bradleys.

“We’ve considered the Bradleys family since 1982,” Brad said. “David introduced us to camp—he even taught me how to water ski—and got us excited about sending our kids. Our daughter went every year growing up. One summer, she even asked us to extend her stay.”

“Camp Grady Spruce taught her independence, toughness, how to make and keep lifelong friends,” Rena added. “She’s still close with some of her camp friends today.”

Brad continued, “For us, supporting this campaign is a full-circle moment. It’s a chance to give back—not just as parents, but now as grandparents too.” 

More Than a Renovation

When David found out, he was in awe. “He called to tell me the news,” Sharon remembered. “He said, ‘They’re naming the cabin after us. Because of Mom and Dad. Because of what camp meant to them, to our kids, and to us.’ It was one of the most generous, heartfelt gifts we’ve ever received.”

For the Bradleys, honor is about more than nostalgia. It’s about investing in what’s next, creating a space where future generations can build the same kind of friendships, confidence, and lifelong connection they did.

“This next chapter of Camp Grady Spruce—the renovations, the Welcome Center, the year-round programs—this is our chance to grow camp’s reach,” Sharon said. “We’re not just rebuilding buildings. We’re building opportunity—for every child who sets foot here.”

And while the new cabins feature air conditioning and updated decks, David says the spirit of camp remains. “You still wake up with deer walking nearby. You’re still surrounded by nature. Camp didn’t change. It evolved. And I’ll be out there one day, sitting on that deck, watching it all happen again.” 

(From left to right: Becky Bradley Paterik, Sharon Bradley, David Bradley)