The New Jersey Campground Owners Association (NJCOA) brought together more than 70 campground operators and industry partners for its Fall Tour and General Membership Meeting Sept. 28 in the Greater Atlantic City region, where attendees toured four campgrounds, conducted association business and recognized industry achievements despite challenging weather conditions.
The annual event featured campground tours, educational presentations, networking activities, an auction and the announcement of the association’s 2026 award recipients. The gathering moves to a different New Jersey camping and vacation region each year to give members opportunities to visit other properties and exchange ideas.
During the meeting, Mike Sokol of RV Electricity delivered a presentation on GMI pedestal compliance, while Brian Greenberg, a certified public accountant and the association’s accountant, provided an update on NJCOA’s financial position.
“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,” Joann DelVescio, NJCOA executive director, said in a press release.
The campground tours included Winding River Campground in Mays Landing, Spacious Skies Campground – Country Oaks in Dorothy, Ocean City’s Coastal Escape RV Park in Egg Harbor Township and Sleepy Hollow Family Campground, also in Egg Harbor Township. The participating properties hosted attendees for tours and meals.
The annual meeting also included elections and leadership transitions for the association’s 2026-2027 term. Jace Kandle of Lake Kandle Campground will move from vice president to president, succeeding Justin Crane of Oldman’s Creek Campground, who will serve as past president. Scott Turner of Ocean View Resort Campground will assume the vice president position.
Other board members include Clayton Taylor of Camp Taylor Campground as treasurer, Lisa Torello of The Great Divide Campground as secretary, and trustees Will McCormick of Tamerlane Campground and Matt Benn of Sea Pirate Campground.
The association also announced its 2026 awards, recognizing campground activities, marketing efforts and staff contributions. Pleasant Valley Family Campground received the Best Brochure award, while Four Seasons Family Campground won Best Event for its “Deal or No Deal” Bingo.
Ponderosa Campground and Sleepy Hollow Family Campground shared the Most Creative Activity award. The Great Divide Campground received Best Social Media, and Don Tozer of Little Oaks Campground was named Best Staff Person. Timberline Lake Camping Resort won Best Photo for “Let’s Celebrate America’s 250th,” while Four Seasons Family Campground received Best Video for “Beach Bash Boys.”
NJCOA’s next major gathering, The Campground Conference & Trade Show, is scheduled for Feb. 25-27, 2027, near Orlando, Florida. The event is expected to bring together campground operators and suppliers from the United States and Canada.
