Chauncey Niziol Director

Philip “Chauncey” Niziol has made the outdoors his career as well as his passion. He currently hosts “Chauncey’s Great Outdoors” on ESPN Radio Chicago AM-1000. The show is Chicagoland’s #1 listened to outdoor radio show and reaches a 200-mile radius stretching from Iowa to Ohio. Chauncey also writes weekly columns for the Liberty Newspaper Group and leads outdoor education seminars for both schools and Bass Pro Shops. He was the outdoor columnist for the Chicago Tribune and had a weekly television show on CLTV covering hunting, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

Chauncey has been involved in Scouting since 1961, from Cub Scout to Eagle Scout and beyond. As a Vigil Honor Member of the Order of the Arrow, Chauncey has held numerous positions including Treasurer, Chapter Chief, and Dance team leader. He was recognized with the Silver Beaver Award for lifetime service to youth.

Chauncey has been a camper, staffman and volunteer at Owasippe Scout Reservation for more than 40 years. His experience on summer camp staff from 1970 to 1976 led him to be a founding board member of the Owasippe Staff Association, a camp staff alumni organization that donates funding, material and labor to the camp. Chauncey served as the OSA’s first president and has been recognized as an Honorary Life Member, the highest honor the OSA bestows on its members. He is an active volunteer with Owasippe’s camp staff training program and has served as chairman of the Chicago Area Council’s Owasippe Camping Committee.

For a time, Chauncey and his wife, Marybeth, lived in Blue Lake Township where Chauncey was a year-round camp ranger and Marybeth taught in the Reeths-Puffer school district. Now Chicagoland residents, the Niziols continue their involvement in Scouting – both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts – and both of their daughters have served on Owasippe camp staff.