OUR CAMPAIGN
Camp Grady Spruce is YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas’ flagship camp. For 75 years, young people have come to YMCA Camp Grady Spruce to connect with nature, practice independence, find belonging, develop confidence, and become leaders. Families, schools, and community organizations are drawn to YMCA Camp Grady Spruce to help children grow into resilient adults.
The YMCA has launched a $5.4 million capital campaign as Phase I of a $10.2 million campaign to renovate and expand our facilities at YMCA Camp Grady Spruce.
Phase I of our project will include:
- Eight new cabins on the Ray Bean side of camp:
Eight new cabins will provide improved sleeping accommodations, ADA accessibility, and an increased nightly capacity from 140 campers to 256. These cabins will offer year-round comfort while meeting the needs and expectations of youth, adults, families, and groups. - A new Welcome Center:
A new Welcome Center will serve as the check-in point to control access and enhance security. It will be the YMCA Camp Grady Spruce headquarters, housing administration and staff offices, a conference room, restrooms and an open lobby that displays the history of Camp and Possum Kingdom Lake. - Ray Bean Dining Hall Renovations and upgrades:
Currently the Ray Bean Dining Hall is only used 50% of the year due to the condition and occupancy of the Ray Bean cabins. With eight new cabins, the increased year-round demand necessitates the renovation and expansion of the dining area, allowing us to serve one setting for campers, families, and retreat groups. Dining facilities also provide critical year-round program space. - Aquatic Area and Waterfront improvements:
Aquatics programs, including swimming and boating, are central programs and distinguish Camp Grady Spruce from other camps. To ensure that we can offer all participants the chance to experience our beautiful lake, we need to maintain and update equipment and boats, including lifejackets, sail boats, paddle boards, kayaks, ski boats and pontoon boats. - Equestrian Facility:
A new Equestrian Center will offer a covered and enclosed training arena, tack room with restrooms and a covered hitching post to protect both riders and horses from the Texas sun. The new Equestrian Center will improve both the experience and safety of our equine programs and allow us to offer additional activities and skill development.
Project Timeline
The Ray Bean Cabins are currently under construction, with an estimated completion of May 2025. Six of the Eight Ray Bean Cabins have been funded and named. The new cabins will increase the bed count from 140 beds to 254 beds offering more space for our campers, and ADA accessibility.
The new Welcome Center is expected to start construction in Phase 2 of this project. Architectural drawing and engineering plans for the Welcome Center have been completed.
Renovations to the Ray Bean Dining Hall began in March 2025. This will include a new main entrance, kitchen remodeling, new bathrooms, roof, siding, windows, doors and a new deck.
Stay tuned for updates!
Construction has began for the Equestrian Facility. The new and improved facility will include:
- Covered hitching posts – Giving campers and horses shade and comfort in the hot Texas sun
- New stalls – Improve organization and create a safer, more efficient environment for campers and staff
- A washing bay – Supports proper horse care, allowing staff to focus on camper instruction and safety.
- A new covered riding arena—complete with a tack room, restrooms, and horse shelters—to support safe, year-round riding.
Learn More About Our Campaign
