Your Ideal Temple - What dreams are made of

The camp has been a topic of recent debate in town and the costs of buying it and fixing it up are ranged from the tens of thousands to around a million or so, but most of that is political kindling. The property is currently owned by Empire Tax Fund, as the most recent talk suggests, and a sign at the front gate says Land Equity Inc. with a phone number and "make an offer". If anyone besides myself would like to dig around more, we could uncover the answers to the financial questions. This is just one idea I had in mind, so travel limitations are a problem. I will say again that there are plenty of livable cabins already built on the property which just need to be fixed up and could easily house a small family with the proper work done.

some info for all to consider

Hugo Piesen and wife Anna G. transferred ownership of the tract to the Brooklyn Children's Fresh Air Fund Camp Association, Inc., on October 2, 1924. In 1930, the organization changed its name to the much less tongue-twisting "Camp Sussex, Inc." In addition to his own checkbook, Piesen received financial support for the camp from a variety of sources: local Brooklyn businessmen and merchants, local publications (like The Brooklyn Jewish Chronicle), and charities (like the local chapter of the B'nai B'rith.) Camp Sussex also had its own ladies auxiliary, which raised money year-round.


The camp opened for its first season in 1924. By 1926, the camp included an office, mess hall with two kitchens (one for meat, one for milk, in keeping with kosher dietary laws), two storage plants, a hospital/dispensary/doctor's office, six employee buildings, and seventeen bungalows.

Among its other amenities, Camp Sussex had its own electric generation plant, indoor plumbing with hot and cold running water, flush toilets, and a septic system. This was all the more remarkable given that at the time, the farms and villages in the surrounding area had no such modern conveniences, and wouldn't for some years. It was, as a local newspaper noted, "a little camp town by itself.

Out of sight are about 215 acres of baseball fields, tennis and basketball courts, an infirmary, a cavernous recreation building, a large theater with elevated stage, an arts and crafts building, a boathouse and swimming lane floats on Lake Glenwood. In all, there are 36 bunkhouses, 18 for boys and 18 for girls. Each used to accommodate 12 children and three counselors. The camp has a dining hall with two kitchens, one regular and the other one kosher. There are three residential buildings on the other side of the highway.

provided a completely free program to children recommended by local relief agencies, predominantly poor and orphaned children. The camp's budget came entirely from private contributions—campers paid nothing.

Over the summer, some 3,000 children would stay at Camp Sussex.

In 1926, one local newspaper fairly raved about the camp: "Nothing can compare with it in all the county, either in size, appointment, or the honest, fine work for which it was created."

At a time when real malnutrition—i.e. hunger—was an issue among the poor, it was proudly reported that campers at Camp Sussex generally gained between two and 15 pounds during their stay.

Duane Paul is a Greenwood Lake, N.Y.-based real estate consultant and broker who specializes in land sales in New Jersey and New York. He is trying to sell Camp Sussex for what may seem like a bargain, only $2 million.

Because of the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act, additional buildings cannot be erected, so the foundations that are in place limit development and potential uses for the property.

an unidentified party has a tax lien on the property for about $444,000

the Vernon Township Fire Prevention Bureau has issued $1.9 million in fire code violations

Heloise Ruskin, a member of the Environmental Commission stated to the town council that, “The Environmental Commission is not ready to give any money until the town makes a commitment to do whatever it takes to meet these standards. The town does not want to take any outside funding for this but you should consider it.”

Citizen, Robert Oliver stood up at the podium to express his feelings by saying, “Tax payers money? Without that how are you going to run it? How are you going to maintain Camp Sussex? There are 49 confirmed structures and you’re running into some serious money here.”

“The idea would be to repurchase the tax certificates,” said Marotta, vernon mayor, “The number that is quoted is a matter of public record, it is $495,000 and that includes all of the interest, all of the penalties that it would take for Vernon Township to re-own those tax certificates. The cost of foreclosure would be a million. At the present time we are foreclosing on 25 pieces of property and every opportunity before the state superior court and the cost of that normally runs somewhere between the $4-5,000 bracket so that terms of the overall cost is virtually nothing.”

Environmental concerns
Many questions arose after Craig Williams of Vernon’s Environmental Committee gave a statement from that group. They had been asked by Marotta to consider the acquisition of Camp Sussex, when after a special meeting on June 26, many questions arose about whether buying the property made sense for the township.
From an environmental point of view, there are questions concerning the buildings, such as the likelihood of asbestos, lead paint or other hazardous materials above and below ground and the question of whether there are underground fuel storage tanks on the property. Williams said it was not known if a professional inspector had checked the site to see if the buildings that the township has mentioned it might want to renovate are suitable. These include the gym and the building that has a stage.

Marotta maintained that no township funds would be used to acquire the property, since it is in arrears for taxes. He said the purchase price is $495,000, a figure that includes interest and penalties on its unpaid taxes.
But, if Vernon were just to foreclose on the property, it would cost the township about $5,000 in legal fees, according to Marotta.

The few camp officials left seem to have given up hope of reviving it.

A special meeting to further discuss it is set for Saturday, July 21, in the council chambers at the municipal building beginning at 9 a.m.

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spiritually this place has an awesome history

and people agree that something good should be done with it
but no one seems to have a solution
no one really seems to want to take responsibility for it

money is not that big of an issue.

Oh? :huh: Does that mean I will be seeing you at the gathering this year? Since money isn't that big of an issue to meet and train with Jedi I should truely hope that we will be seeing you at one of them. I personally will be going to the Jedi Training Camp in September to Train in Search and Rescue and Teach in Outdoor Survival. http://gatheredforcecommunity.com/index.php/eventcentral/upcoming-events/2015/lincoln-in-2015

Will you be there?

the date is to be determined so i cannot seriously answer that. looks fun though.


also for nearly half a million dollars you could purchase property and build your own creation, make it look really cool, with varying Star Warsesque archictecture. on the other hand with that much land you could still do that and live in the present structures. one thing to check into is building codes. many areas that once had no building codes now have them(and i won't get into the politics of this to avoid the absolute certainty of a fecal matter strorm(human compatibility). and yes i understand the original idea behind building codes. if you build a temple out of turds the turds could fall on your head.

ghost dog wrote: the date is to be determined so i cannot seriously answer that. looks fun though.

It's in September Join our facebook and help vote for a weekend.

OB1Shinobi wrote: some info for all to consider

Hugo Piesen and wife Anna G. transferred ownership of the tract to the Brooklyn Children's Fresh Air Fund Camp Association, Inc., on October 2, 1924. In 1930, the organization changed its name to the much less tongue-twisting "Camp Sussex, Inc." In addition to his own checkbook, Piesen received financial support for the camp from a variety of sources: local Brooklyn businessmen and merchants, local publications (like The Brooklyn Jewish Chronicle), and charities (like the local chapter of the B'nai B'rith.) Camp Sussex also had its own ladies auxiliary, which raised money year-round.


The camp opened for its first season in 1924. By 1926, the camp included an office, mess hall with two kitchens (one for meat, one for milk, in keeping with kosher dietary laws), two storage plants, a hospital/dispensary/doctor's office, six employee buildings, and seventeen bungalows.

Among its other amenities, Camp Sussex had its own electric generation plant, indoor plumbing with hot and cold running water, flush toilets, and a septic system. This was all the more remarkable given that at the time, the farms and villages in the surrounding area had no such modern conveniences, and wouldn't for some years. It was, as a local newspaper noted, "a little camp town by itself.

Out of sight are about 215 acres of baseball fields, tennis and basketball courts, an infirmary, a cavernous recreation building, a large theater with elevated stage, an arts and crafts building, a boathouse and swimming lane floats on Lake Glenwood. In all, there are 36 bunkhouses, 18 for boys and 18 for girls. Each used to accommodate 12 children and three counselors. The camp has a dining hall with two kitchens, one regular and the other one kosher. There are three residential buildings on the other side of the highway.

provided a completely free program to children recommended by local relief agencies, predominantly poor and orphaned children. The camp's budget came entirely from private contributions—campers paid nothing.

Over the summer, some 3,000 children would stay at Camp Sussex.

In 1926, one local newspaper fairly raved about the camp: "Nothing can compare with it in all the county, either in size, appointment, or the honest, fine work for which it was created."

At a time when real malnutrition—i.e. hunger—was an issue among the poor, it was proudly reported that campers at Camp Sussex generally gained between two and 15 pounds during their stay.

Duane Paul is a Greenwood Lake, N.Y.-based real estate consultant and broker who specializes in land sales in New Jersey and New York. He is trying to sell Camp Sussex for what may seem like a bargain, only $2 million.

Because of the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act, additional buildings cannot be erected, so the foundations that are in place limit development and potential uses for the property.

an unidentified party has a tax lien on the property for about $444,000

the Vernon Township Fire Prevention Bureau has issued $1.9 million in fire code violations

Heloise Ruskin, a member of the Environmental Commission stated to the town council that, “The Environmental Commission is not ready to give any money until the town makes a commitment to do whatever it takes to meet these standards. The town does not want to take any outside funding for this but you should consider it.”

Citizen, Robert Oliver stood up at the podium to express his feelings by saying, “Tax payers money? Without that how are you going to run it? How are you going to maintain Camp Sussex? There are 49 confirmed structures and you’re running into some serious money here.”

“The idea would be to repurchase the tax certificates,” said Marotta, vernon mayor, “The number that is quoted is a matter of public record, it is $495,000 and that includes all of the interest, all of the penalties that it would take for Vernon Township to re-own those tax certificates. The cost of foreclosure would be a million. At the present time we are foreclosing on 25 pieces of property and every opportunity before the state superior court and the cost of that normally runs somewhere between the $4-5,000 bracket so that terms of the overall cost is virtually nothing.”

Environmental concerns
Many questions arose after Craig Williams of Vernon’s Environmental Committee gave a statement from that group. They had been asked by Marotta to consider the acquisition of Camp Sussex, when after a special meeting on June 26, many questions arose about whether buying the property made sense for the township.
From an environmental point of view, there are questions concerning the buildings, such as the likelihood of asbestos, lead paint or other hazardous materials above and below ground and the question of whether there are underground fuel storage tanks on the property. Williams said it was not known if a professional inspector had checked the site to see if the buildings that the township has mentioned it might want to renovate are suitable. These include the gym and the building that has a stage.

Marotta maintained that no township funds would be used to acquire the property, since it is in arrears for taxes. He said the purchase price is $495,000, a figure that includes interest and penalties on its unpaid taxes.
But, if Vernon were just to foreclose on the property, it would cost the township about $5,000 in legal fees, according to Marotta.

The few camp officials left seem to have given up hope of reviving it.

A special meeting to further discuss it is set for Saturday, July 21, in the council chambers at the municipal building beginning at 9 a.m.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

spiritually this place has an awesome history

and people agree that something good should be done with it
but no one seems to have a solution
no one really seems to want to take responsibility for it

Perhaps we could offer to help restore it a little bit? Such as cutting back the overgrowth on the buildings, basic caretaking, perhaps even some repairs. This could be good for a few ways: 1. It would show we would be serious about restoring this place. 2. Even if we ended up not buying it, our help in restoring it would help get our name out there. 3. It would be a great community service for us and Vernon.

OB1Shinobi wrote: some info for all to consider

Hugo Piesen and wife Anna G. transferred ownership of the tract to the Brooklyn Children's Fresh Air Fund Camp Association, Inc., on October 2, 1924. In 1930, the organization changed its name to the much less tongue-twisting "Camp Sussex, Inc." In addition to his own checkbook, Piesen received financial support for the camp from a variety of sources: local Brooklyn businessmen and merchants, local publications (like The Brooklyn Jewish Chronicle), and charities (like the local chapter of the B'nai B'rith.) Camp Sussex also had its own ladies auxiliary, which raised money year-round.


The camp opened for its first season in 1924. By 1926, the camp included an office, mess hall with two kitchens (one for meat, one for milk, in keeping with kosher dietary laws), two storage plants, a hospital/dispensary/doctor's office, six employee buildings, and seventeen bungalows.

Among its other amenities, Camp Sussex had its own electric generation plant, indoor plumbing with hot and cold running water, flush toilets, and a septic system. This was all the more remarkable given that at the time, the farms and villages in the surrounding area had no such modern conveniences, and wouldn't for some years. It was, as a local newspaper noted, "a little camp town by itself.

Out of sight are about 215 acres of baseball fields, tennis and basketball courts, an infirmary, a cavernous recreation building, a large theater with elevated stage, an arts and crafts building, a boathouse and swimming lane floats on Lake Glenwood. In all, there are 36 bunkhouses, 18 for boys and 18 for girls. Each used to accommodate 12 children and three counselors. The camp has a dining hall with two kitchens, one regular and the other one kosher. There are three residential buildings on the other side of the highway.

provided a completely free program to children recommended by local relief agencies, predominantly poor and orphaned children. The camp's budget came entirely from private contributions—campers paid nothing.

Over the summer, some 3,000 children would stay at Camp Sussex.

In 1926, one local newspaper fairly raved about the camp: "Nothing can compare with it in all the county, either in size, appointment, or the honest, fine work for which it was created."

At a time when real malnutrition—i.e. hunger—was an issue among the poor, it was proudly reported that campers at Camp Sussex generally gained between two and 15 pounds during their stay.

Duane Paul is a Greenwood Lake, N.Y.-based real estate consultant and broker who specializes in land sales in New Jersey and New York. He is trying to sell Camp Sussex for what may seem like a bargain, only $2 million.

Because of the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act, additional buildings cannot be erected, so the foundations that are in place limit development and potential uses for the property.

an unidentified party has a tax lien on the property for about $444,000

the Vernon Township Fire Prevention Bureau has issued $1.9 million in fire code violations

Heloise Ruskin, a member of the Environmental Commission stated to the town council that, “The Environmental Commission is not ready to give any money until the town makes a commitment to do whatever it takes to meet these standards. The town does not want to take any outside funding for this but you should consider it.”

Citizen, Robert Oliver stood up at the podium to express his feelings by saying, “Tax payers money? Without that how are you going to run it? How are you going to maintain Camp Sussex? There are 49 confirmed structures and you’re running into some serious money here.”

“The idea would be to repurchase the tax certificates,” said Marotta, vernon mayor, “The number that is quoted is a matter of public record, it is $495,000 and that includes all of the interest, all of the penalties that it would take for Vernon Township to re-own those tax certificates. The cost of foreclosure would be a million. At the present time we are foreclosing on 25 pieces of property and every opportunity before the state superior court and the cost of that normally runs somewhere between the $4-5,000 bracket so that terms of the overall cost is virtually nothing.”

Environmental concerns
Many questions arose after Craig Williams of Vernon’s Environmental Committee gave a statement from that group. They had been asked by Marotta to consider the acquisition of Camp Sussex, when after a special meeting on June 26, many questions arose about whether buying the property made sense for the township.
From an environmental point of view, there are questions concerning the buildings, such as the likelihood of asbestos, lead paint or other hazardous materials above and below ground and the question of whether there are underground fuel storage tanks on the property. Williams said it was not known if a professional inspector had checked the site to see if the buildings that the township has mentioned it might want to renovate are suitable. These include the gym and the building that has a stage.

Marotta maintained that no township funds would be used to acquire the property, since it is in arrears for taxes. He said the purchase price is $495,000, a figure that includes interest and penalties on its unpaid taxes.
But, if Vernon were just to foreclose on the property, it would cost the township about $5,000 in legal fees, according to Marotta.

The few camp officials left seem to have given up hope of reviving it.

A special meeting to further discuss it is set for Saturday, July 21, in the council chambers at the municipal building beginning at 9 a.m.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

spiritually this place has an awesome history

and people agree that something good should be done with it
but no one seems to have a solution
no one really seems to want to take responsibility for it

this place has an awesome history. i doubt that you could keep livestock here which is something i think should be an option, even if it is only alpaca for high quality Dhjedi hoodies, when considering the amount of money this will require. the history should be a plus in helping to raise funds for it's purchase though.

not being able to erect additional buildings is a major con imo.

Kitsu Tails wrote:

money is not that big of an issue.

Oh? :huh: Does that mean I will be seeing you at the gathering this year? Since money isn't that big of an issue to meet and train with Jedi I should truely hope that we will be seeing you at one of them. I personally will be going to the Jedi Training Camp in September to Train in Search and Rescue and Teach in Outdoor Survival. http://gatheredforcecommunity.com/index.php/eventcentral/upcoming-events/2015/lincoln-in-2015

Will you be there?

what i meant to convey, in the context of that post, was that money is not that big of an issue if people join together and contribute equally, one way or another, to achieve modest(perspectives differ) projects. money is an issue in many ways. such as when people join together and one party provides all the money, and others fail to contribute significantly in any way other than detrimental ones. money is also an issue if u spread yourself or cause too thin in attempt to go too big too soon.

one can get by on not that much once things are set up. with the internet, the right timing, if the right people come together, with the right vision there are numerous fund raising avenues that would allow for money to not be that big of an issue.

with the right timing, people, and vision something huge could also be accomplished in my oh SO humble opinion.

that is IF people are willing to put in the effort, or are capable of doing so, to put in the time and work themselves and put aside their egotistical psychosis and personal differences to accomplish whatever............................

ghost dog wrote: what i meant to convey, in the context of that post, was that money is not that big of an issue if people join together and contribute equally, one way or another, to achieve modest(perspectives differ) projects. money is an issue in many ways. such as when people join together and one party provides all the money, and others fail to contribute significantly in any way other than detrimental ones. money is also an issue if u spread yourself or cause too thin in attempt to go too big too soon.

As an organizer / Co-Organizor of gatherings since 2004 I do believe you are over estimating even the "Right" kind of people. :dry: