State of the Camp Report
September 2023
State of the Camp Report
September 2023
Dear Friends of Glen Gray
We hope everyone has enjoyed the summer and found some time to relax and re-charge.
Since we last updated you in January 2023, there has been a wide variety of activities in camp. We had a successful sold-out New Scout Weekend in May. This long-time event remains popular, and we had a variety of units this year, including some first timers! We had over 200 adults and Scouts of which 70 were new Scouts. Many thanks to Glenn Kyle, OG 2015 for coordinating the weekend’s activities and to Scouts BSA unit leaders and older Scouts who ran the skill venues.
Our next event will be Outdoor Chef V in early November. This fun event draws a wide variety of youth groups who come to showcase their outdoor cooking skills. There is also an opportunity for Unit leaders to show their stuff.
We hope many of you will join us on Sunday October 22 for our annual Homecoming /Hall of Fame celebration. This year we are pleased to honor Glenn Kyle, OG 2015, James Construction Company, Inc. Oakland, NJ, and Frederick K. Vreeland OG 1915 (in memoriam)
Total camper days for 2023 YTD through September approached 10,000 which is closing in on our record in 2019.
The YWCA returned in June 2023 with their YWCamp@Mahwah day camp. Camp got off to a good start and reservations confirm larger numbers this summer. Camp runs through August 2023. The campers enjoy a wide variety of activities from the waterfront to the archery range to sports in Crowell Field. It is great to see young people throughout camp enjoying what we all hold near and dear!
Drew continues to be the quarterback that leads our part-time staff and reliable volunteers to keep the camp in great working condition and to make capital improvements. In October, he will mark a significant milestone; 20 years as our Resident Caretaker/Operations Manager! It is a tremendous accomplishment and his thoughtful leadership and personal commitment towards operating and improving Camp cannot be overstated.
As we previously communicated, we have been working with Drew on a transition plan to the singular role of Operations Manager. We are pleased to announce that Brandon Romaine will assume the role of Resident Caretaker effective October 15. Brandon is a Passaic County Sheriff’s Officer, and we look forward to having him join the team and working with Drew and the Trustees to continue to move Glen Gray forward.
Much has been accomplished in Camp this year Highlights of service performed and improvements made include:
• The Campmaster Kitchen project is well underway. Thank you to Paul Holland, Jerry Graham, Ernie Biron and Jerry Murnane for their efforts. The kitchen was gutted, including the rotted floor and back wall. A completely new subfloor was installed after restructuring deteriorated joists as needed. The back wall was rebuilt and now contains a new built-in air conditioner and awning window. A new range and OTR Microwave/Vent Hood donated by Paul and Rosie Holland are waiting installation. The exterior logs are being repaired and re-chinked where needed and will be repainted. A new beadboard ceiling and walls are being installed as will a tile backsplash and butcher block countertop. New flooring will be installed throughout. We hope to complete this project by the end of October. Many thanks to Mike McCusker OG 2019 for taking on the job of replacing the campmaster quarters electrical sub panel with a much-needed service upgrade.
• In early June, the Old Guard sponsored a Saturday Workday in Camp. These days had fallen victim to COVID and have long been helpful in getting basic maintenance done in Camp with tasks of all varieties for all skillsets. The focus was on:
▪ Cleaning up the waterfront area of leaves and branches resulted in more than 100 bags that were removed for composting.
▪ Boat dock beach replenishment with five yards of fresh sand
▪ Clearing of brush and debris on the Northwest side of the lake to open up more spots for fishing. Three truckloads of brush were removed.
▪ Preparatory site work for the Pi-Sunyer memorial bench
We had over 40 people in attendance from the Old Guard, cabin sponsoring Troops and other camp-related volunteers.
The next OG Workday is scheduled for September 23 which will focus on the camp roads; cleaning drainage ditches and culverts and filling in erosion with fresh stone as well as the repair of platforms in select tent sites. Thank you to Drew, OG Vice President Glenn Kyle, Les Litchfield, and the joint Maintenance Committee for their efforts to make the day successful.
• The doors on the Cook Shack (screen, entry, and bathroom) were replaced by the Donald Cabin Association. Thank you, Les, Pete, Kurt and Chris.
• The swimming docks were set up by Paul Holland OG 1998 and FOGG Trustee over several weekends in May. Thank you to all Old Guard members and other volunteers who helped to “launch” the sections.
• The wood stove in Price Cabin was replaced by the Donald Cabin Association. Plans are underway to replace the two remaining stoves in Benedict and Tindall Lodges before the end of the year.
• Paul Wilson, OG 2009 and FOGG Trustee continued to manage our wireless network which experienced a variety of weather and service provider outages this year. He is often found on a ladder or the roof checking and replacing equipment and working to improve system stability and performance.
• Paul has started a project working with Drew and others that will result in wireless cameras being installed in the parking lot and surrounding areas so we can remotely observe unauthorized visitors when the camp is closed.
• Our loyal supporter James Construction donated a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 4WD utility truck to camp in May. This is the fourth truck James has donated to FOGG over the years in addition to countless loans of specialized tools, access to their shop and support from their mechanical and technical staff. They are true friends of Glen Gray and we very much appreciate their support over the years.
We continue to carefully manage expenses with a focus on needed maintenance and select equipment purchases and capital improvements. Thank you to Drew, our part time staff (Mike, Bill and Anthony) and all of our loyal Old Guard volunteers and cabin sponsors who continue to put in significant time to keep Camp running and in great shape. Also, thanks to all who have supported weekend camping by providing Campmaster service. We have some new Campmasters this year and we look forward to their contributions.
Our 2023 Annual Appeal will formally commence in September, however, through July we have raised $9K in support of camp operations and capital expenditures. Many thanks to all who have generously contributed this year.
Thank you again for your continued support and partnership. We look forward to seeing you in Camp.
Sincerely,
The Trustees and Professional Staff of The Friends of Glen Gray
We hope everyone has enjoyed the summer and found some time to relax and re-charge.
Since we last updated you in January 2023, there has been a wide variety of activities in camp. We had a successful sold-out New Scout Weekend in May. This long-time event remains popular, and we had a variety of units this year, including some first timers! We had over 200 adults and Scouts of which 70 were new Scouts. Many thanks to Glenn Kyle, OG 2015 for coordinating the weekend’s activities and to Scouts BSA unit leaders and older Scouts who ran the skill venues.
Our next event will be Outdoor Chef V in early November. This fun event draws a wide variety of youth groups who come to showcase their outdoor cooking skills. There is also an opportunity for Unit leaders to show their stuff.
We hope many of you will join us on Sunday October 22 for our annual Homecoming /Hall of Fame celebration. This year we are pleased to honor Glenn Kyle, OG 2015, James Construction Company, Inc. Oakland, NJ, and Frederick K. Vreeland OG 1915 (in memoriam)
Total camper days for 2023 YTD through September approached 10,000 which is closing in on our record in 2019.
The YWCA returned in June 2023 with their YWCamp@Mahwah day camp. Camp got off to a good start and reservations confirm larger numbers this summer. Camp runs through August 2023. The campers enjoy a wide variety of activities from the waterfront to the archery range to sports in Crowell Field. It is great to see young people throughout camp enjoying what we all hold near and dear!
Drew continues to be the quarterback that leads our part-time staff and reliable volunteers to keep the camp in great working condition and to make capital improvements. In October, he will mark a significant milestone; 20 years as our Resident Caretaker/Operations Manager! It is a tremendous accomplishment and his thoughtful leadership and personal commitment towards operating and improving Camp cannot be overstated.
As we previously communicated, we have been working with Drew on a transition plan to the singular role of Operations Manager. We are pleased to announce that Brandon Romaine will assume the role of Resident Caretaker effective October 15. Brandon is a Passaic County Sheriff’s Officer, and we look forward to having him join the team and working with Drew and the Trustees to continue to move Glen Gray forward.
Much has been accomplished in Camp this year Highlights of service performed and improvements made include:
• The Campmaster Kitchen project is well underway. Thank you to Paul Holland, Jerry Graham, Ernie Biron and Jerry Murnane for their efforts. The kitchen was gutted, including the rotted floor and back wall. A completely new subfloor was installed after restructuring deteriorated joists as needed. The back wall was rebuilt and now contains a new built-in air conditioner and awning window. A new range and OTR Microwave/Vent Hood donated by Paul and Rosie Holland are waiting installation. The exterior logs are being repaired and re-chinked where needed and will be repainted. A new beadboard ceiling and walls are being installed as will a tile backsplash and butcher block countertop. New flooring will be installed throughout. We hope to complete this project by the end of October. Many thanks to Mike McCusker OG 2019 for taking on the job of replacing the campmaster quarters electrical sub panel with a much-needed service upgrade.
• In early June, the Old Guard sponsored a Saturday Workday in Camp. These days had fallen victim to COVID and have long been helpful in getting basic maintenance done in Camp with tasks of all varieties for all skillsets. The focus was on:
▪ Cleaning up the waterfront area of leaves and branches resulted in more than 100 bags that were removed for composting.
▪ Boat dock beach replenishment with five yards of fresh sand
▪ Clearing of brush and debris on the Northwest side of the lake to open up more spots for fishing. Three truckloads of brush were removed.
▪ Preparatory site work for the Pi-Sunyer memorial bench
We had over 40 people in attendance from the Old Guard, cabin sponsoring Troops and other camp-related volunteers.
The next OG Workday is scheduled for September 23 which will focus on the camp roads; cleaning drainage ditches and culverts and filling in erosion with fresh stone as well as the repair of platforms in select tent sites. Thank you to Drew, OG Vice President Glenn Kyle, Les Litchfield, and the joint Maintenance Committee for their efforts to make the day successful.
• The doors on the Cook Shack (screen, entry, and bathroom) were replaced by the Donald Cabin Association. Thank you, Les, Pete, Kurt and Chris.
• The swimming docks were set up by Paul Holland OG 1998 and FOGG Trustee over several weekends in May. Thank you to all Old Guard members and other volunteers who helped to “launch” the sections.
• The wood stove in Price Cabin was replaced by the Donald Cabin Association. Plans are underway to replace the two remaining stoves in Benedict and Tindall Lodges before the end of the year.
• Paul Wilson, OG 2009 and FOGG Trustee continued to manage our wireless network which experienced a variety of weather and service provider outages this year. He is often found on a ladder or the roof checking and replacing equipment and working to improve system stability and performance.
• Paul has started a project working with Drew and others that will result in wireless cameras being installed in the parking lot and surrounding areas so we can remotely observe unauthorized visitors when the camp is closed.
• Our loyal supporter James Construction donated a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 4WD utility truck to camp in May. This is the fourth truck James has donated to FOGG over the years in addition to countless loans of specialized tools, access to their shop and support from their mechanical and technical staff. They are true friends of Glen Gray and we very much appreciate their support over the years.
We continue to carefully manage expenses with a focus on needed maintenance and select equipment purchases and capital improvements. Thank you to Drew, our part time staff (Mike, Bill and Anthony) and all of our loyal Old Guard volunteers and cabin sponsors who continue to put in significant time to keep Camp running and in great shape. Also, thanks to all who have supported weekend camping by providing Campmaster service. We have some new Campmasters this year and we look forward to their contributions.
Our 2023 Annual Appeal will formally commence in September, however, through July we have raised $9K in support of camp operations and capital expenditures. Many thanks to all who have generously contributed this year.
Thank you again for your continued support and partnership. We look forward to seeing you in Camp.
Sincerely,
The Trustees and Professional Staff of The Friends of Glen Gray