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Elks Camp Moore

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Large Heated Pool is Completely wheelchair accessible	Have Lunch at our Pavilion

Telethon Dorm and Music Room


Meals are served in our spacious cafeteria	Our New Playground donated by the North West District

Elks Camp Moore's History At a Glance

Set in the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, Camp Moore was originally established in 1936 by the Democratic League of Essex County to provide Summer activities for the children of Newark. The Camp was named in honor of A. Harry Moore, 39th Governor of New Jersey. In addition to being a 3-term Governor, Moore also served as a United States Senator, was Past Exalted Ruler of Jersey City Lodge No.221 AND in 1924 he became the twelfth President of the New Jersey State Elks Association.

June 1970

With the buildings being poorly maintained and facing financial difficulties, one of the founders of Camp Moore turned the Camp over to PGER William Jernick and the New Jersey State Elks Association with the stipulation that the Camp would always be called Camp Moore.

Spring 1971

A Board of Trustees for Elks Camp Moore was appointed in the spring of 1971, and their first assignment was to evaluate and determine what was needed to get the original 10 buildings fully operational to open as a special needs camp. The buildings were in disrepair and the Board requested help from our lodges to renovate the buildings, and to supply money and materials to get the work completed for the 1971 Camp season.

July 1971

After many hours and weekends spent by Elk members, the first 3 campers were officially welcomed to Elks Camp Moore on July 7, 1971.

1971 - 1972

Long Branch Lodge brought bus loads of members each weekend to renovate the First Aid building, which was ready for 1971. Members of Asbury Park Lodge converted their building into offices and living quarters. This was completed and ready for the 1972 Camp season.

August 1972

Elks Camp Moore was officially dedicated on August 6, 1972. Woodbridge Lodge adopted one of the original ten buildings and named it in honor of PER George Wittenzellner, who was instrumental in enlarging and renovating the building and installing two outside lavatories. Witt Hall was transformed into a beautiful recreation building by the start of the 1972 Camp season. Eight other cabins were adopted and renovated by Closter, Lyndhurst, Nutley, New Brunswick, Cedar Grove, Weehawken, Asbury Park and Ridgefield Park.

1972 - 1973

In 1972 $35,000 was pledged by the North and Northeast Districts to build the Camp’s first large dormitory. PER Ed Van Vooren from Wayne Lodge No. 2181 pledged to erect a brick building for that price which became Jernick Hall in honor of PGER William Jernick.

1973

The Southwest District constructed Buch Hall in 1973, dedicated to PGER Joseph Buch who was the founder of our Special Children’s Committee.

1977

Ed Van Vooren, who was also very involved in the renovation of several buildings and the construction of the first pool. Prior to the installation of the first pool by the North Central District, a railroad tie support
wall was built by hand on the side of the mountain.

In 1977, PER Ed became the General Chairman of the Camp, overseeing a number of projects. He remained in that position until he was elected President of the New Jersey State Elks Association in 1981.

1980 - 1989

The Camp would continue to undergo expansion and renovation throughout the 1980s and1990s through the efforts of the Lodges and Districts of the State Association.

1990-1991

In September 1990 the NJ DOT requisitioned 0.231 acres of Elks Camp Moore for the construction of Route 287. Through negotiations the State reimbursed the State Elks Association for the property by relocating the pool, flag poles and erecting a new fence. The new pool was built in 1991 as well as Cantoli Hall, named in honor of PGER
Kenneth V. Cantoli, which would house 28 campers and a one-acre recreation area and pavilion.

1992

In 1992, the NJ DOT again claimed portions of our property for Route 287, and through negotiations, it was replaced with a parking lot four times the size of the original lot.

During the same year, Elizabeth Lodge donated $100,000 which provided for the construction of a new counselor/camper cabin housing 12 campers.

The same year, Paterson Lodge donated $100,000 for a new infirmary and nurse’s quarters

2016

In 2016, the State SCC Trustees entered into an agreement with Tilcon Industries to allow them to construct an access road at the rear of our property.

2017

An Interactive Spray Park was constructed and dedicated in 2017
through donations from various Lodges and a $10,000 donation from Tilcon.

Spring 2020

Campers enjoyed attending Elks Camp Moore every year from 1971 through 2019. The 2020 and 2021 in-person camping seasons had to be canceled due to COVID-19. Through the efforts of our Camp Director & Assistant Camp Director and our State Special Children’s Committee, a virtual camp was held during these two years. Each camper received a bag with arts and crafts to be used during virtual camp. Virtual camp allowed our campers and counselors to stay connected to our campers even though they couldn’t be there in person.

2020 - 2022

While we were saddened to not be able to have our “in-person” camp operational, this time proved invaluable for the preservation and renovation of our beloved Elks Camp Moore. Districts continued to
arrive at the Camp each weekend for work duty. Our pool was reconstructed and resurfaced. Witt Hall was replaced with a state-of-the-art recreation center adjacent to the pool and includes an accessible entertainment stage, gaming floor and covered seating on the pool deck.

A second floor was added to Jernick Hall and dedicated as the Malcolm J. McPherson, Jr. Residence Hall in honor of PGER Malcolm J.
McPherson, Jr. This addition to Jernick Hall houses counselors in dormitory style sleeping quarters and includes restrooms with showers and an elevator.

Plans are underway to add a second floor to Cantoli Hall with the same purpose in mind. Most recently, Buch Hall was completed renovated from top to bottom including a new kitchen, new bathrooms, a new arts/crafts room and all new furniture.

These much-needed renovations will prepare the Camp for many more years of creating smiles on the faces of our Special Children.

Spring 2022

The 50th Anniversary Celebration of Elks Camp Moore had to be
postponed due to COVID-19, but was held in 2022. Elk Members and their families came from all over the State of NJ and were able to see all of the great improvements being made!

2024

From its first season in 1971, Elks Camp Moore has been supported by our Lodges and Districts. The Miracle on the Mountain Fund was established and through the financial investing guidance of PGLC/PSP Stephen Terrible, the cost per camper was reduced over the years. Right now, the cost for Lodges to send children to Elks Camp Moore is ZERO Dollars.

The State Special Children’s Committee Trustees continue to maintain and improve Elks Camp Moore. Our Miracle Run Committee has been supporting Elks Camp Moore for almost 25 years. Through the support of our members, Lodges, District and State Committees, the State Major Project of the New Jersey Elks Association continues to flourish and provide a unique camp experience for our Special Children

NOTE: Much of this article was taken directly from the Spring 2021 issue of The New Jersey Elk and information at that time was supplied by PDD John Cangelosi, Jr. and PDD Richard Altieri. Updated information was added.

For more information e-mail our State Headquarters, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.