Monthly breakfasts and other events
rasie money to help local youth
By:Krzysztof Scibiorski
Eric Nivison, a sixth-grader at Hillsborough Middle School, has gone to summer camp for the last three years.
That, by itself, might not seem unusual, but 11-year-old Eric is not your typical camper. He has severe cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, but thanks to generosity of the Hillsborough-Manville Elks Lodge, he can join in the fun with other children at the Elks Camp Moore in Pompton Lakes.
"The number of camps that are suitable for children with Eric’s condition is very limited, and Camp Moore is unique and phenomenal in that the Elks cover all of the costs," said, Bill Nivison, Eric’s father.
Each of New Jersey’s Elks Lodges sponsors a number of handicapped children at the camp, and each lodge, including the Manville-Hillsborough Elks Lodge on Brooks Boulevard, hold fund-raisers throughout the year to benefit their Handicapped Children’s Committee Fund.
According to Robert Shields, the local committee’s chairman, eight local children including Eric attended Camp Moore in the summer of 2001, thanks to the money raised at pancake breakfasts, Christmas tree sales and the membership dues of more than 260 members.
And those campers enjoyed a special week. Camp Moore was designed specifically for the needs of handicapped children by the New Jersey State Elks. The group purchased the site of a former children’s camp in the Ramapo Mountains in 1971 and set about constructing a location offering children who may not otherwise be able to go to summer camp, a chance to enjoy the camaraderie and fun camps offer.
Camp Moore has 18 buildings, including dormitories, an infirmary, kitchen and dining area, arts, crafts and game rooms and a large, wheelchair-accessible heated pool.
"We have never refused a child because he or she is too severely handicapped," Mr. Shields added. "Many campers receive one-on-one attention from the counselors at the camp."
When his parents speak about the camp experience, Eric’s face lights up and he laughs warmly at the memory of his stay at Camp Moore.
"The camp lets Eric grow, he learns to trust other people around him and that’s very important," Mr. Nivison said.
According to the Nivisons, Eric’s first stay at the camp was somewhat challenging and he did not stay for the entire week-long session.
"This year, though, when we dropped him off at the camp he was like, ‘Bye’ and that was it," his mother Lisa said. Ms. Nivison was extremely happy with the international staff that works with the campers. "For the last two years Eric’s counselor, Jenn, was a physical therapy student from Liverpool, England, who was great and Eric loved her very much."
Hearing Jenn’s name, Eric breaks into a happy laugh and eagerly agrees with his parents’ assessment of the camp.
According to the Nivisons, Eric’s favorite activities at the camp included swimming in the heated inground pool, the camp trip to the New Jersey shore and the music activities that included a performance in front of the assembled parents.
The Nivisons are also thankful for the camp because it gives them an opportunity to engage in activities with their younger son, Karl.
"During the camp, we sometimes do things, or go to places with Karl, that Eric would not enjoy as much," Ms. Nivison said.
The Nivisons praise Camp Moore and support the Elks by attending the lodge’s fund-raising events.
According to John Orzechowski, "Exalted Ruler" of the Manville-Hillsborough Elks Lodge, Camp Moore is one of its anchor charities but the Elks are also involved in increasing drug abuse awareness among Manville and Hillsborough students.
"We work with both Manville and Hillsborough to hold events that make students more aware of the insidious disease that drugs represent," Mr. Orzechowski said.
Upcoming Elks fund-raisers for the Handicapped Children’s Fund will include a breakfast Oct. 28 at the lodge and the annual Christmas tree sale starting the first week of December.
Parents of handicapped children who would like to attend Camp Moore, or want more information about any of the lodge’s activities, should call the lodge, at 725-1717. The address is 1500 Brooks Blvd., Hillsborough, NJ, 08844.