A Brief History of
Camp Glen Gray, Mahwah, New Jersey

This description comes from “Montclair’s Scout Training Camp,” Season 1920, Boy Scouts of America, Montclair, NJ

“Uncle” Frank Fellows Gray

Uncle Frank, believed to be one of the founders of Scouting in the United States, and the namesake of our camp, was born near Syracuse, New York on December 31, 1863. He taught at military academies for boys on Long Island and upstate New York. He had relatives in Scotland that he visited regularly, and likely came into contact with the early development of Scouting by Lord Robert Baden-Powell in Glasgow, Scotland. Some people believed that “Uncle” Frank had served in the British Army, as he often wore a British medal. “Uncle” was a large and powerful man, but always gentle and joking.

The Early Years of Scouting

“Uncle” Frank started a troop based on Lord Baden-Powell’s Scouting program at the Cedar Street (now the Nishuane) School in Montclair in March, 1909. This troop, Troop 4 of Montclair, may be among the first active Scout troops in the country. The Montclair Council formed in 1910, and “Uncle” served as Scout Commissioner. A Glen Ridge Council formed soon after. The Montclair Scout Mothers Association also formed to support the Scout program. In February, 1912, Lord Baden-Powell visited Montclair, and his friend Frank Gray. During this visit, the father of Scouting bestowed his name on Troop 4 – “The Baden-Powell Troop.”

Early Scout Camping

“Uncle” Frank, following the theories of Baden-Powell, strongly believed in Scout camping as a tool in the development of boys to men. And with the onset of the incredible violence of World War I in 1914, many believed that the proper growth of boys into men was, without exaggeration, essential to the preservation of the nation, and perhaps western civilization. As Frank Gray wrote in a 1920 brochure for summer camp:

“Camping is a season of activities devoted to specialization in the development of strong, virile, clean manhood (male manhood, if you please) as such.”

“Camping is an experience on the part of the boy upon his own feet, among his peers; or, in other words, on his own plane.”

“Camping is a community of boys learning to live together, and to work out their own and community problems in companionship with adult advisers of tried worth and experience.”

The first summer camp for the Scouts of Montclair took place in 1911 at Dudley Island (Sussex County NJ), where eleven scouts spent eight days at a cost of $1.25 per boy. The next summer camp, June 21-28, 1912, was at Forge Pond on the Wanaque River and forty-one boys attended. Summer camping at Forge Pond continued from 1912 to 1915. In 1915, 74 boys camped for eight weeks. Also in 1915, “Uncle” Frank developed the “Old Guard” made up of camp veterans who had proven themselves to be trustworthy guardians of camp, camp traditions and Scouting values. The Old Guard continues to support Camp Glen Gray and Scouting to this day.

In 1916, summer camp was held at Durham Pond, near Charlottesburg (Newfoundland) NJ. Shortly after setting up camp, “Uncle” and the Scouts were told that they could not stay, and moved camp to nearby Earl’s Pond. While the camp was successful, lasting for thirteen weeks with 130 boys, the Council realized that it needed a home of its own.

Camp Glen Gray Before the Boy Scouts

Camp Glen Gray is located in a valley in the Ramapo Mountains in Bergen County, New Jersey. Millions of years ago, the Ramapos were thousands of feet taller than their present elevation of roughly 900 to 1,000 feet above sea level. The movement of glaciers in eons past shaved off the tops of the mountains, leaving them much as they are today. In addition, many of the random boulders and rocks found around the Glen were tossed there by the movement of the glaciers.

Before the arrival of Europeans in the 1700’s, the Lenni Lenape of the Algonquin nation lived in the area. They named the area “Remopuck,” or Ramapos, meaning land of small lakes. European settlers found iron and copper ore in the area of Ringwood and Wanaque in the 1730’s and began displacing the Lenni Lenape.

The Ramapos were important in the Colonist’s fight with England during the Revolutionary War. Besides having the iron and copper mines and forges to supply Washington’s army with weapons, many trails led through the Ramapos, far from British troops in New York City, connecting Continental forts at Morristown, Jockey Hollow and Pluckemin with West Point, New York.

The land for the camp was purchased from families who lived in the area. The camp road coming up the hill from Oakland, known as the Midvale-Mountain Road, split into two roads in the valley where Lake Vreeland is now located. The south fork went over the hill, past Mary Post’s property, to Midvale. Mrs. Post ran an inn after the Civil War, and you can see the foundations of the building in the southwest corner of the Bobcat Hollow campsite, near Price Cabin. The north fork ran roughly along the present Cannonball Trail to John Saunder’s farm near the Troop 3 Glen Ridge cabin.

The Development of Camp Glen Gray

In November of 1916 it was clear that the Boy Scouts needed a permanent camp. Five sites were under consideration, including Camp Glen Gray. Glen Gray was picked as the one “that the good Lord had saved for us,” according to Frank Vreeland. Due to financial limitations, not all the camp property was purchased at once. The first portion of camp purchased was 150 acres, including the land that would become the Lake. The first purchases were made with $8,000 of Council funds, and more land was purchased with funds raised by the Scout Mothers, local Community Chests (the forerunners of the United Way), donations of cash from Walter Kidde, Joseph Van Vleck and Col. Isaac N. Lewis, and donations of land from E. Winans Robinson and H.W. Schieren. The 10 acres of Mary Post’s land (now Mary Post Field and the Bobcat Hollow campsite area) was purchased in 1918.

Many men volunteered their money, time and knowledge in the development of the camp. Frederick K. Vreeland was a naturalist who tried to preserve as much tree and plant life as possible during the construction of the camp. “Woodsman, spare that tree” was his constant warning to inconsiderate lumberjacks hired to build camp. He also supervised the planting of over 2,000 Hemlock seedlings in 1923 which now ring the Lake, particularly in the Hemlock Chapel area.

The Kidde-Miller dam was named for Walter Kidde and Arthur B. Miller who helped engineer and arrange for the financing of the camp and the dam, designed by Clemens Herschel. Frank Vreeland developed the plans for the construction of the buildings in camp. The dam was completed in 1925, the same year the Council purchased Saunder’s 130 acre farm.

Frederick Vreeland described the early camp as “a little bit of Scout’s paradise as nature made it.” He felt that Scout camping “means a place to which the Scout can carry his tent, his axe and his blankets, pitch his own camp, chop his own wood, build his fire and bake his bannock [pan-fried bread] and test his Scout qualities of self-reliance and resourcefulness.” The camp was dedicated May 19, 1917.

Settling In

Getting There – Since very few people owned cars in the early days of camp, there were two ways to get to camp. One was by a bus operated by Arthur Heyer. Photos of the old bus show lots of Scouts stuffed into, and gear lashed on top of the bus, hence its nickname “the Ark.” Due to the condition of the camp road, a 1920 Camp brochure stated “The bus does not guarantee to go up the hill.” Scouts could also get to camp by taking the Erie Railroad from Montclair to Wanaque, then hike a mile or so along the Midvale Trail, coming into camp near the present Lenni Lenape campsite.

Camp Buildings – The Hospital, now known as “Sleepy Hollow” or the Old Guard Cabin, was built in 1918 and was the first building in camp. Aside from serving as a hospital, it was also a place for assemblies. Mothercroft, located above the lake between the Library and the Old Guard cabin, was constructed in 1922 as an activities lodge that provided shelter from bad weather. It was named Mothercroft in honor of the Scout Mothers who helped raise money for its construction. “Uncle’s” Cabin [the Library] was also built in 1922. Due to illness, “Uncle” moved his personal headquarters from the Old Guard cabin high on the hill above Mothercroft to the newly constructed cabin beside Lake Vreeland. With “Uncle’s” permission, the cabin was converted to the Library in 1933.

The original Mess Hall was built in 1927 by woodsmen from Maine. The open-air log building was destroyed by fire in April, 1961, and the present Dining Hall was later built in its place. Under the Dining Hall you can see the original stone foundations of the Old Mess Hall. At the right side of the base of the dam, there was a small gazebo, called Mother’s Pavillion. It was constructed by Scout John McMullen and his father. This was a place for mothers of Scouts to rest during visits to camp, or to watch games in the playing field, now the parking lot. Visiting hours for women were 9:30 A. M. to 6:00 P.M. on Wednesdays and 2:00 to 6:00 P.M. on Sundays. Fathers were encouraged to spend vacation time at camp with their sons. A large brass compass rose with a Boy Scout fleur-de-lis marking north was placed in the center of the Pavilion [Now moved to the Nancy Gasser Memorial Pavilion near Explorer Cabin]. The Hanson building, constructed in 1928, continues to serve as the Camp Headquarters. Until the 1960’s, the Camp Ranger also lived in the building.

“Uncle” Frank’s Illness and the Development of Eagle Rock Council

“Uncle” Frank became ill in the Fall of 1925, and moved to Clinton Springs Sanitarium (a nursing home in New York State) to recover, and was able to return to camp in 1926 despite physical pain. Due to continuing illness, “Uncle” retired, and was named Scout Commissioner Emeritus in the Fall of 1928. He was last able to visit camp in August, 1930.

“Cubbing in Montclair,” the forerunner of today’s Cub Scout program began in 1930. The Eagle Rock Council was formed in 1931, merging Scout Associations in Montclair, Glen Ridge, Verona, Caldwell, West Caldwell, North Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Roseland and Fairfield, and “Uncle” was chosen as honorary Scout Commissioner.

He returned to the Sanitarium in 1932 but continued to write for the Eagle Rock Council “Scout Gazette” newsletter as well as writing his remembrances of the founding of Scouting and Glen Gray. Shortly before his death in March, 1935 he wrote the following poem about his beloved Camp and happy days at his cabin for the “Scout Gazette”:

Frank Fellows Gray is buried in a beautifully marked grave site on the north side of the entrance drive of Mount Hebron cemetery in Upper Montclair.

Continued Growth

While the first campsite in Camp Glen Gray was down the road at Tulip Springs, the location of summer campsites have changed quite a bit in 75 years. Some of the earliest campsites were around the Hospital [Old Guard Cabin] and Mothercroft. Sites were spread out in the 1930’s along the hill near the Dining Hall, as well as across the lake above the Trading Post [Rotary] and Waterfront. The names of these campsites included “Stumble-Up,” “Easy Street,” “Pattigumpus,” and “Upper and Lower Bluntville” located above the lake near the Trading Post [Rotary], and the sites’ latrines were named after European cities attacked during World War I. Many of the existing troop cabins were built in this period, and the Rotary Club of Montclair built a new Hospital in 1938, and the old Hospital above Mothercroft was renamed “Sleepy Hollow.” The Rotary Building was used as the Summer Trading Post. Today, it is the newest cabin in camp. Electricity came to the Glen in 1939.

In 1954, the Hayden Foundation donated many of the present buildings in camp, including the Glen and Gray Cabins; Gilwell Lodge, and the Boathouse. Later in this period, the present campsites were developed.

At the 25th Anniversary of Camp Glen Gray in 1942, a time capsule was buried containing important bits of Scouting and Camp memorabilia, but this capsule was never located. At the 50th Anniversary in 1967, a new capsule was dedicated and it was opened during the 75th Anniversary celebration. Two monuments marked the 50th Anniversary year, the gateway that you pass on the way into camp, and a monument outside the Nishuane School in Montclair marking the place that “Uncle” Frank founded Scouting in the United States. For the 75th anniversary, a new time capsule was buried just outside of the Trading Post. A plaque marks its location (see a picture of the plaque at the top of this page).

1970’s and 1980’s, Merger and Temporary Decline

In 1976, Eagle Rock Council agreed to merge with the Orange Mountain Council and the Robert Treat Council, forming Essex Council. Later, much of the former Tamarack Council joined Essex Council. The mergers gave the “Glen” an infusion of cash for needed repairs, including dredging the lake and construction of a cabin and a Health Lodge (near the amphitheater, you can see some of the foundation there) that was destroyed by lightning in 1978. In addition, the present waterfront dock and other equipment from Robert Treat Council’s Camp Mohegan (which was purchased by the federal government for parkland) came to Camp Glen Gray. In 1999, Essex Council became part of the newly formed Northern NJ Council along with Bergen, Passaic and Hudson-Liberty Councils.

Through the late 1970’s, the camp ran four two-week summer camp sessions, but attendance began to decline, forcing the Council to cut summer camp back to three two-week sessions in the early 1980’s This pattern generally followed the declining number of boys in northern New Jersey, witnessed by the closing of many elementary schools in the northern part of the state. Forced by declining attendance at camp and resulting financial stresses, formal Boy Scout summer camping was cancelled after the 1983 season. The following years saw several attempts to maintain some Boy Scout summer programs at Camp Glen Gray, known as the “Big Events.” At the same time, some area churches used camp for day camp programs. Even in the face of an uncertain future, Camp Glen Gray continued in its eternal mission of serving youth. Many Scout and other groups used its cabins, leantos and tent sites for their weekend campouts.

A New Mission

Beginning in 1987, Camp Glen Gray took on a new role. Faced with ever-shrinking Boy Scout needs for summer camping at Camp Glen Gray, the Council reopened summer camping for Cub Scouts. While the program needs of Cubs may be different than Boy Scouts, Camp Glen Gray performed well. Attendance at the Cub Resident Camp grew each year, training thousands of young boys in the ways of Scouting – training that will help today’s boys become the leaders of the Twenty-First Century.

Boy Scout camping opportunities still exist. The Camp is used by Scouts all year long for weekend camping and for special events such as the Klondike Derby and Camporees. The “Glen” is also used extensively for adult leader training courses year ’round. Remembering that he helped establish “Cubbing in Montclair” in 1930, and the early adult training courses, we are sure that “Uncle” Frank would be pleased by the continuing success of his beloved Camp.

Jack Dean, Historian,
Old Guard of Camp Glen Gray
May, 1992

2002 Update

In 2001, the Northern NJ Council, Boy Scouts of America decided to sell the camp. Working with many partners, the Old Guard of Glen Gray and the Friends of Glen Gray became part of a new era for the camp. The camp was sold to the Trust for Public Land, acting as an agent for Bergen County. While the property became part of the Bergen County park system, the operation of Glen Gray was contracted to the Friends of Glen Gray. It continues in its mission of providing a haven of woods and hills and lake for everyone to enjoy – “Same Trees, Different Management”

GOING TO CAMP IN 1920

Let’s suppose that rather than going to camp today, it is June, 1920. Here’s what the summer camp would be like:

1. How long would you like to attend? – Camp opens June 23, 1920 and closes September 1, 1920. You can stay for two, four or ten weeks if you like. Last year, 160 boys went to summer camp and 40 stayed for the entire summer. The weekly fee for Scouts and Scout Fathers is $9.00, $20.00 for non-Scouts under 12 and $15.00 older non-Scouts.

2. Getting to Camp – The bus leaves the Scout Headquarters, located at the Madison Building, Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, every Wednesday at 10 A.M. Please drop off your gear by Tuesday noon so it can be trucked up early. Scouts wishing to travel by railroad should take the Erie Railroad from Montclair to the new “Glen Gray Trail” stop, just north of Midvale station.

3. What to bring – The Camp cannot supply personal gear. Each Scout should bring:

• A 5×7 tent, or a 7×7 tent if your father will join you. Only one Scout per tent.

• Cot

• Trunk for personal belongings. Keep one key around your neck and leave another at the Camp office

• Mess kits and toiletries

• Two “Official Uniforms” consisting of shorts, shirt, hat and belt.

• Other recommended gear includes gym suits, night clothing, Bible, Scout handbook, axe, lantern, blankets and poncho.

4. On entering camp – Deposit any and all money you have at the camp “bank” located in the Headquarters. The Camp Engineer will assign you a place to pitch your tent.

As you enter the camp area, you will find three buildings at the far end of the playing field: Chef Lewis’s kitchen and ice house, the canvas-covered mess tent for dining, and the storehouse for camp equipment. An important rule: KEEP OUT OF THE KITCHEN. The cooks are dangerous, and might mistake you for either green stuff, or for veal. The Camp Store sells Scout supplies, stationery, fruit and crackers. Scouts must not bring pastries, cakes or confections with them to camp. The Hospital cabin is located up the hill on the North side of Lake Vreeland in case of emergencies.

5. Camp Management and Government – “Uncle” Frank F. Gray, Scout Commissioner, is the head of the Camp. The Camp Government consists of several “Departments,” led by a “Commissioner,” while the camp itself is divided into “Wards” with a “Leader” at the head of each. The Leaders report to the Camp “Mayor,” such that the Camp Government correspond to the municipal government. Scouts desiring to be Commissioners of the following Departments must possess the following “Civil Service” credentials badges noted in parenthesis:

• Department of Safety: includes life saving, first aid and the shore watching of swimming periods. (Badge: Life Scout)

• Navy Department: looks after all pertaining to the lake, such as canoeing, boating and watching on the water. (Badge: Life Saving, boat handling)

• Public Works: is responsible for all camp engineering, such as the laying of out of “Wards,” locating tents, laying out necessary trails, assisting at surveys, marking boundaries, etc. (Badge: Camping or Surveying)

• Fire Protection: looks after not only the tent area, but also the woods in general. It provides wood for the campfires, and has general care of the “Public Square,” where these are held. (Badge: Firemanship)

• Sanitation: is responsible for all indicated by the name, including fly prevention and extermination (We have not had mosquitoes so far) and garbage disposal (Supervisory only – Badge: Public Health)

• Instruction: is responsible for Scout Examination preparation, general nature lore, and the teaching of the camp traditions and customs – an important feature in our economy. (Badge: Star Scout, with Scholarship)

• Conservation: looks after the wild life, both plant and animal; also the general property, preventing waste, neglect or needless damage. (Badge: Conservation)

• Mobilization: is responsible for hikes, games, sports, drills, etc., including the “Big Games.” (Badge: Athletics or Physical Training)

• The Ward Leaders or “Aldermen”: are in charge of eight tents each. They are responsible for ward discipline and inspections, roll calls and general oversight. These must be certified leaders, or else must have taken the preliminary course in camp leadership.

• The Mayor heads up the whole. (Badge: Star or Eagle; Rank: Senior Leader or Assistant Scoutmaster)

6. Activities

• Regular daily duties – Everyone is happier for sharing in the duties as well as in the pleasures of life

• Night Watch – Each camper will spend an hour once or twice a week on the Night Watch to look after cases of sudden illness, sleepwalking or other emergencies.

• Garden work – While the kitchen garden was planted long before campers arrived, Scouts will help gather and prepare the vegetables for use

• Special Training – This is in the regular Scout subjects, with opportunities for examination and promotion

• Scoutcraft – Scoutcraft is taught in classes and individually. Last year, 223 tests were passed and the Court of Honor held two sessions at Camp

• Religious Services – Services are held near the lake at twilight on the Sabbath.

• Campfires – Campfires are held to award merit badges and promotions. Expect to do a lot of singing, and if we are lucky, “Uncle” will play his flute. The Old Guard will conduct a closing campfire to call out new members and remember those Scouts killed in action in the World War

• Field Games – Games of the season include fox and hunter, hare and hound, short hunts, kidnapping, flag raiding in three forms, treasure hunts, baseball, overnight games (war), shooting matches, tent raids, field meets and water sports.