New Jersey State Elks Association
Join the Smile Squad
Don't take it from us, take it from those who have had the experience!
See why working at ECM has positively changed their lives.
Jenny's Journey
Jenny B, - Returning Special Needs Camp Staff
New Jersey, USA
My journey at camp started in 2019 as a counselor. I found myself absolutely inspired by the campers and immediately wanted to come back. Covid threw a wrench in the plans for a few years but I never stopped thinking about camp, and I returned in 2022 and 2023 as a cabin leader. In 2024 I entered a new role as lead counselor, using my years of camp experience to support the newer staff.
Before starting at ECM I had an idea that I wanted to work with kids with special needs, but I was not entirely sure what that entailed. At camp, I fell in love with this population and have never looked back! I have since worked in a school for students with autism, where my experience at camp proved invaluable. I was also accepted into a top masters program in speech-language pathology, and I truly believe that talking about the unique opportunities of camp made me stand out as an applicant. But the most influential part of ECM has been the lifelong connections I have made both with counselors from around the world and the amazing campers that I continue to stay in touch with over the years.
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Elks Camp Moore has absolutely changed my life!
Rob's Experience
Rob - Special Needs Camp Counselor
Gosport, United Kingdom
Elks Camp Moore holds a very special place in my heart and I'll never be able to put into words what that place means to me, from meeting amazing campers from all over New Jersey to meeting amazing counsellors from all over the world, we all may have different accents, traditions, languages etc but we all have the same goal... making it the best day we've all ever had counsellors and campers alike. ECM is an absolutely amazing place and my favourite place on earth and that's all down to everyone who attends, management, campers and counsellors alike do their best to make it the best summer ever and I'm truly grateful for the miracle on the mountain. What will never end is my love/admiration for this little camp in Haskell, NJ and all the people that are involved.
I first joined ECM in July of 2017 and instantly fell in love with the place. As good as us counsellors are we're only as good as our Directors, Todd & Jenna and the leadership team who are genuinely some of the best people I've worked under. I've now done 5 summers 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023 & 2024 and throughout that time I've been blessed to have worked so many amazing campers but also have been so fortunate to watch many of them grow up throughout the years and watch them bless the world with their presence. Not only have I watched them grow up physically but also in confidence, speech abilities and in so many more amazing aspects. It's truly heartwarming watching them thrive and continue to break barriers! As much as I am blessed to meet these amazing individuals I'm also incredibly fortunate to get to meet their amazing families as well who are equally as inspiring with their genuine love and adoration for their children. Each year I meet different families and each time they amaze me with just how much they love their kids and want them to have the best chance in life and with these families I know they've got that chance.
I'll never forget and unappreciate what bonds I have made with these campers and families and will hold them forever. Camp has had a massive impact on my life, it has given me confidence I never thought I had and has given me an outlook on life that you just can't get from not working at camp. It's truly made me the person who I am today and I'll be honest I'm so proud of who I am and what I stand for and I'll always credit camp for that and will forever be grateful.
Elks Camp Moore I'll never forget you and will always have the fondest of memories. Even a rainy day at camp is better than a sunny day anywhere else. Thank you for everything you have done for me.
Megan's Impact
Megan H, - Activity Specialist / Camp Counselor
Haltwhistle, United Kingdom
Elks Camp Moore is so exciting and one thing I enjoy is that no two days are ever the same. I love that at camp we have themed days and as an activity specialist, we assist in the running of various activities, as well as getting to run our own program sessions. The main aim of being an activity specialist is to make the campers smile and have the best day ever. Being an activity specialist is something I never thought I could achieve; however, this experience has massively built up my confidence whilst pushing myself way beyond my comfort zone doing things like dressing up for themed days and running activities like chorus and flags which make me feel extremely proud to be part of the campers experience.
What makes this all the more rewarding is when you see the positive impact it has on the campers as we help them develop in the camp environment! My favorite part of being an activity specialist is seeing the campers achieve things that they wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to do in a non-camp setting. I especially enjoy seeing the campers thrive with our support and build their own confidence and making great friendships with other campers and councillors.
I also work on a 1 to 1 basis as a counselor and I am very grateful as this allows me to experience both sides at camp, although challenging, it is fun and exciting being able to see the other sides of activities when supporting campers to engage in the experience and seeing them enjoy their time at camp.
Camp is such an amazing opportunity and would encourage anyone interested to apply. I have made lifelong friendships and amazing relationships with campers. It’s made me develop as a person, helped with my independence, and am grateful for all the experiences I have had at camp which I could only have ever dreamt about!
World Wide Staffing Team
Elks Camp Moore is very proud of our diverse hard working staff that have come from all around the world to support our campers have the best experience, care, supervision and time at Elks Camp Moore. Countries staff have traveled from include:
Australia, Bolivia, Columbia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Kenya, England, Ireland, Germany, Jamaica, Hungary, Jersey, Netherlands, New Zealand, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Wales, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States, & United Kingdom