The Knickerbocker Greys is a non-profit, non-discriminatory, leadership-developing corps of spirited boys and girls ages six through sixteen. The Greys meet on Tuesday afternoons each week, in the historic 7th Regiment Armory on Park Avenue at 66th Street, and the Corps members enjoy special trips and weekend activities such as the annual Sham Battle with real soldiers at Camp Smith in Peekskill, NY.

The main focus of each weekly meeting is to learn traditional armed forces marching and drill routines, but cadets learn much more than the drill itself. Greys learn discipline and the habits of orderliness, and from that they develop leadership capabilities themselves. How to motivate others, deal with subordinates firmly but respectfully and command a group of peers. These elements of leadership will help them in all areas of their school lives now and with their jobs and families later in life.

The cadets have regular pizza and movie parties, occasional lectures on American history, three Dress Reviews a year and, of course, the famous Sham Battle. Buried within the activities are the camaraderie and spirit of doing things together, whether it be learning respect for American history and those who fought for the freedoms we take for granted or helping new cadets learn the drill routine, or just how to be a teenager in New York and give that leadership back to younger children. Best of all, they learn by example, not be lecture. It's just the world they experience through being a Grey.

Many Greys have gone on to great careers, and many have gone on to serve their communities in untold and unsung ways. Some have come back to be honored by the Veterans Corps of the Greys or by the Cadets themselves. All were touched by the discipline, orderliness, fairness and kindness that characterized their experience in the Knickerbocker Greys. These are the ideals that we all want for our children, but have few ways of imparting them in their usual after-school activities.