Former campers and staff of Gasper River participate in Mass with Bishop William F. Medley during the camp and retreat center’s Sept. 13 20-year kickoff celebration. RILEY GREIF | WKC
A community focused on Jesus
Gasper River kicks off 20-year celebration
BY BEN WARRELL, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
Our first homecoming was a wonderful celebration of a community focused on Jesus – and it was beautiful!
On Sept. 13, a total of 135 people came together at Gasper River Catholic Youth Camp and Retreat Center to kick off the yearlong celebration of 20 years of ministry. We gathered to have Mass with Bishop Medley, enjoy the grounds, share stories, ride the zipline and climb the vertical playground, and enjoy a cookout dinner. (Special thanks to Knight of Columbus Council 1315 for providing the food and grilling for us, and to Meltdown Ice Cream for providing dessert!)
Staff and campers from the very first summer to staff and campers from this past summer were in attendance and each had a special story or memory to share about their experience at camp. Bishop Medley noted that 11,000 campers have come through the gates the past 20 years and seeds of faith were planted in each of them. Thousands and thousands of meals have been served and thousands and thousands of rides on the zipline and the other program activities have been enjoyed.
A total of 135 people, including Bishop William F. Medley, attending Gasper River Catholic Youth Camp and Retreat Center’s 20-year kickoff celebration on Sept. 13, stand by the iconic outdoor crucifix. RILEY GREIF | WKC
Since the entire facility exits to help people encounter Jesus Christ, the most important numbers were the thousands of confessions and Masses celebrated and time in Adoration. Vocations to the priesthood, consecrated religious life, marriages, jobs with Catholic organizations all over the country and teachers in our Catholic schools right here in our diocese are just some of the fruits from this holy place over the last 20 years.
Not to mention thousands of campers and retreat guests encountering Jesus, many for the first time, and sharing their faith in their families and communities.
Dreams for the next 20 years were also shared with a focus on a new chapel, a new conference center, a new office building, a new maintenance area, and a new swimming pool to help enhance camper and retreat guests’ experience.
Please pray for the ministry here at camp for the next 20 years, and, if you are able, please visit our website, www.gasperriverretreatcenter.org and get signed up to be part of the Friends of Gasper River program. This is a monthly donor program to continue to help camp grow and help more young people encounter Christ for years to come.
Ben Warrell is the director of Gasper River Catholic Youth Camp and Retreat Center, a ministry of the Diocese of Owensboro.
Melinda Prunty, left, laughs with Bishop William F. Medley while attending the 20-year kickoff celebration for Gasper River Catholic Youth Camp and Retreat Center. Prunty previously served as the director of youth ministry for the Diocese of Owensboro. RILEY GREIF | WKC
Former campers and staff of Gasper River participate in Mass with Bishop William F. Medley during the camp and retreat center’s Sept. 13 20-year kickoff celebration. RILEY GREIF | WKC
Current Gasper River staff lead music during the Sept. 13 20-year kickoff celebration Mass. RILEY GREIF | WKC
Originally printed in the October 2026 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
