Local Scout Leader Honored by Camp Glen Gray

Greg Ziegler, a longstanding Caldwell area scout leader, will be inducted into the Camp Glen Gray Hall of Fame on Sunday, October 24th. The Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have helped grow and preserve the century old camp.

Greg Ziegler is a scouter’s scout. He started scouting with Pack 4 West Caldwell, and later moved up to Boy Scout Troop 4 West Caldwell. While a scout, Greg rose in rank from Patrol Leader to Senior Patrol Leader and earned his Eagle badge. He also attended summer camp at Glen Gray in 1961 through 1967.

As an adult, Greg became assistant scoutmaster and scoutmaster of Troop 4. He earned his Wood Badge and served on Wood Badge staff for several years.

Greg was also very active in the Order of the Arrow. He served as Lodge Chief and Area Chief. He joined the National Conference Staff of the OA. At the National Conferences, he was an aid to Dr. E. Urner Goodman and Col. Carrol A. Edison, founders of the OA. Dr. Goodman, in fact, was the original camp director of Treasure Island and knew Frank Gray. Perhaps Greg’s most significant contribution as an OA member was co-authoring the OA Handbook. His contributions were recognized by the Distinguished Service Award of the OA.

Greg’s involvement with Glen Gray did not end with his boy scout years. For a decade from 1968 to 1978, Greg was a staff member of the Summer Camps at the Glen. He served in many roles:

• Assistant Provisional Scoutmaster
• Ecology Conservation Director
• Commissary Director
• Business Manager
• Camp Director (1977-78)

He earned the Certificate of Merit for saving the life of a staff member who stopped breathing.

Greg shared his experience at the National Camp School held at Camp Schiff. He also served on staff at two National Jamborees in charge of physical arrangements.

At the council and district level, Greg participated in the council and district Camping Committees. He earned the District Award of Merit and Silver Beaver awards. He contributed countless hours of service to Camp Glen Gray during this time. He was called to the Old Guard in 1970. He served as Old Guard treasurer for eight years.

In his “civilian” life, Greg has been a science teacher for 41 years and currently is an adjunct staff member at Caldwell University and is Liberty Science Center Interpretive Associate. He has been married to his wife, Janet, for over thirty-four years. They reside in Caldwell, NJ.

Greg notes: “Glen Gray was a very special place to me as a camper and member of the staff. It gave me the chance to expand my knowledge in the program areas and later in the support areas. I learned many important life lessons. I had the opportunity help others to live by the Scout Oath and Laws. I loved Glen Gray very much and was saddened when it was sold. Happily, a very dedicated group of Scouters worked out a plan with Bergen County and has preserved and improved the Glen. “

Camp Glen Gray, one of the oldest camps in the U.S., was founded in 1917 as a scout camp. Today, the Glen Gray is a Bergen County park and is operated by a volunteer run, non-profit, The Friends of Glen Gray. In 2019, over 4,000 campers – representing a wide range of scouts, other youth groups and families – enjoyed the wonders of the Glen. The camp was closed at the start of the covid pandemic, but, thanks to the support of volunteers, donors and the county, re-opened to campers in September 2021.

Due to covid restrictions, this year’s Hall of Fame Induction will be held via zoom from 1 – 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 24th. For more information, go to www.glengray.org and look under the Homecoming / Hall of Fame event.