All through is life, Gray had a special interest in the welfare of young people, and he saw the challenges that youth are bombarded with every day. In 1953, with the help of several local businessmen, he purchased 100 acres eight miles northwest of Baraboo with the dream of establishing a youth camp. He wanted to create a safe place in nature where young people could grow in their faith, make life-long friends, and have loads of fun. Unfortunately, shortly after purchasing the camp, Monsignor grew ill and returned to Ireland to recover with his family. He returned to Wisconsin in 1956 after it appeared he had regained his health, but sadly he died a year later, on July 27, 1957.

Monsignor Gray’s friends in Baraboo picked up the mantle and saw that Gray’s camp became a reality. To honor the man that dreamed the big dream they named his camp Camp Gray. Today nearly 5,000 young people take in a Camp Gray experience each year. Monsignor Gray’s legacy of dreaming big to impact the lives of young people remains as strong as ever.