Rain, flooding and a weekend nor’easter couldn’t wash out the enthusiasm of New Jersey’s campground industry. More than 70 campground operators and industry partners gathered Sept. 28 for the New Jersey Campground Owners Association’s (NJCOA) Fall Tour & General Membership Meeting in the Greater Atlantic City Region, according to a press release.
The action-packed day featured tours of four area campgrounds, the association’s annual business meeting, educational presentations, networking, games and crafts, a lively auction, and the announcement of NJCOA’s annual award winners. The popular event moves to a different New Jersey camping and vacation region each year, allowing members to explore fellow operators’ properties, share ideas and strengthen industry connections.
“We had a lot of great conversations taking place during our tours and presentations, and everyone had so much fun during the pumpkin painting contest and ‘Deal or No Deal’ bingo,” said Joann DelVescio, NJCOA’s executive director. “Mike Sokol, of RV Electricity, gave an eye-opening presentation on GMI pedestal compliance, and Brian Greenberg, a CPA and NJCOA’s accountant, briefed us on NJCOA’s strong financial position during the annual meeting.”
Four Campgrounds Open Their Gates
DelVescio thanked the four campgrounds that welcomed attendees for property tours and meals:
- Winding River Campground — Mays Landing
- Spacious Skies Campground – Country Oaks — Dorothy
- Ocean City’s Coastal Escape RV Park — Egg Harbor Township
- Sleepy Hollow Family Campground — Egg Harbor Township
The event was made possible in part by the support of NJCOA’s supplier members.
Fall Tour Sponsors
- Acrisure
- Northeast Campground Brokers
- Woodall’s Campground Magazine
Meal Sponsors
- Fine D. Zine
- Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality Insurance
- Merchantry Tourism, LLC (dba Anderson’s Brochure Distribution Service)
NJCOA Members Elect Board Leadership
Members also conducted association business and voted on board positions during the annual meeting. Jace Kandle, of Lake Kandle Campground, will move from vice president to president, while Justin Crane, of Oldman’s Creek Campground, will transition from president to past president. Scott Turner, of Ocean View Resort Campground, will serve as vice president.
The 2026–2027 leadership team includes:
- Jace Kandle — President, Lake Kandle Campground, Sewell
- Justin Crane — Past President, Oldman’s Creek Campground, Monroeville
- Scott Turner — Vice President, Ocean View Resort Campground, Ocean View
- Clayton Taylor — Treasurer, Camp Taylor Campground, Columbia
- Lisa Torello — Secretary, The Great Divide Campground, Newton
- Will McCormick — Trustee, Tamerlane Campground, Ocean View
- Matt Benn — Trustee, Sea Pirate Campground, West Creek
Celebrating Excellence Across New Jersey’s Campgrounds
The Fall Tour also celebrated the creativity, hospitality and hard work of New Jersey’s campground community. A lively auction organized by Judy LaPorta, of Little Oaks Campground, added to the festivities, while DelVescio and Crane announced the winners of NJCOA’s 2026 annual awards program.
The 2026 NJCOA Award Recipients
- Best Brochure: Pleasant Valley Family Campground, Estell Manor
- Best Event: “Deal or No Deal” Bingo, Four Seasons Family Campground, Pilesgrove
- Best Event — Honorable Mention: “Plug the Dike,” Little Oaks Campground, Cape May Court House
- Most Creative Activity — Co-Winner: Spooky Mat Making, Ponderosa Campground, Cape May Court House
- Most Creative Activity — Co-Winner: Sea Glass Christmas Trees, Sleepy Hollow Family Campground, Egg Harbor Township
- Best Social Media: The Great Divide Campground, Newton, N.J. — Facebook page
- Best Social Media — Honorable Mention: TripleBrook RV & Camping Resort, Blairstown, N.J. — Facebook page
- Best Staff Person: Don Tozer, Little Oaks Campground, Cape May Court House, N.J.
- Best Photo: “Let’s Celebrate America’s 250th,” Timberline Lake Camping Resort, New Gretna, N.J.
- Best Video: “Beach Bash Boys,” Four Seasons Family Campground, Pilesgrove, N.J. — Watch the video
Next Stop: The Campground Conference & Trade Show
With another successful Fall Tour and Annual Meeting in the books, NJCOA is looking ahead to its next opportunity to bring the outdoor hospitality industry together.
DelVescio looks forward to welcoming campground operators and suppliers from New Jersey and across the United States and Canada to The Campground Conference & Trade Show, Feb. 25–27, 2027, near Orlando, Fla. Event information is available at www.campgroundconference.com.
