The Friends of John J Nerden RTC Camp

Individual Donations

Tag Sales with some or all of the proceeds donated to Camp

Look for Businesses that may be willing to donate goods, services or money.

Consider giving donations "In the Name of" as Teacher's, Birthday or Holiday Gifts.

Distribute the Wish List to friends and family.

Check into Civic and Local organizations in your area.

Someone you know (or you, yourself) may be involved in one of these organizations - ask for help.

For More Information

about The Friends of

John J Nerden RTC Camp or

To get involved

Please call:

Victoria Brady 203-215-2813

Vickie Canale 203-271-1675

A Brief History:

The John J Nerden Regional Training Center is located on 15 acres of land next to Powder Ridge Ski Area in Middlefield, Connecticut.

The land was donated in 1965 and with a grant of $3,000.00, as seed money from the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation, the first season of day camp began on July 6, 1966.

Funding was arranged though the communities’ Park and Recreation Departments under the premise that it would be less expensive to support Camp Nerden than it would be to begin a program of their own.

Camp Nerden opened with a full program of sports, arts and crafts, nature study, etc.

For 40 years, Camp Nerden has provided many special needs children and adults with a summer filled with enjoyment and learning. Campers leave with many precious memories of summer with their friends.

Campers enjoy monthly off-seasons activities sponsored by the Camp. Daily attendance runs from 60-90 campers. Campers are supervised by a paid staff of 20 and many middle and high school-age volunteers.

FUNDING

Camp Nerden was set up as a free Camp to children and adults with Mental Retardation from the central Connecticut area.

Requests for funding are made to the communities through their Park and Recreation Departments based on the cost per camper per day.

Funding for program expansion, capital improvements and special activities depend on the sponsorship of many local service organizations, foundations and individual donations.

The Friends of John J Nerden RTC Camp is a group of camp parents whose mission is not only to raise awareness about this wonderful camp but to help raise the funding necessary to keep this camp running.

If you would like more information or would like to make a donation,Please contact:

The Friends of Camp Nerden

Victoria Brady at 203-215-2813

Vickie Canale at 203-271-1675 or E-Mail us at: FriendsofCampNerden@yahoo.com

To Mail In a Donation, mail to: The Friends of Camp Nerden c/o Brady 79 Briarwood Drive

Meriden,CT 06450

or:

The Friends Of Camp Nerden c/o Canale 872 Westside Road, Cheshire Ct 06410

Please make checks payable to:

The John J Nerden RTC Camp

**Lot of cuts on Meriden's list without hike in tax levy

Other cuts could come to programs and organizations like the neighborhood associations, the campership program and the Nerden day camp, among others. Those cuts would save the city $83,450 per year.

Editor: Camp Nerden

Wow! What a great summer my daughter had attending this camp for the first time. I had no idea this camp existed for as long as it has.

Bake Sale - Cheshire

A Bake Sale held by The Suarez and Cassella Families of Cheshire raised $225.00 for Camp Nerden

Funding restored

The City Council also approved the restoration of funding to community programs, which the Finance Committee had agreed on last week. Funding, for instance, has been restored to teen programs and the Nerden camp.

Camp Nerden funding

Editor: The John J. Nerden Camp (Middlefield) has been servicing our physically and mentally challenged (children) citizens since 1966, some 44 years. The Nerden Camp's purpose is to provide recreational programs and leisure-time activities for children and adults with special needs.

Budget reduces aid to organizations

The budget calls for cutting or reducing funding to the Nerden RTC Day Camp, the Augusta Curtis Cultural Center, the Women and Families Center and the Boys and Girls Club, among other organizations.

Special needs camp could face cash issues

In the face of their own budget issues, Cheshire Town Manager Michael A. Milone has recommended eliminating the town’s $10,000 contribution to the camp and Meriden City Manager Lawrence J. Kendzior has recommended eliminating the city’s contribution

Camp Nerden 2007 Service Club Picnic

The Camp Nerden Dance Team performed their routine to "Anyway" at the 42nd Annual John J Nerden RTC Camp Service Club Picnic held on Monday, August 6, 2007.

An Open Letter to all Campers, Staff & Volunteers at the John J. Nerden Regional Training Center Camp in Middlefield, CT -

By Frank LoGuidice

On May 25, 2007, I received two first place photography awards from the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists for photos that appeared

Power Ridge Plan Headed To Vote On April 10 By PETER DOWNS, Courant Staff Writer

The land not used for the ski slope - about 150 acres - would be owned by the town and be preserved as open space or recreational use. The town would also gain rights to about 16 acres now used for the Nerden Camp fronting Powder Hill Road

John J. Nerden Regional Training Center a

"Hidden Gem" By: Frank Logiudice

There's a wonderful gem in Middlefield and it serves people with developmental disabilities

Cheshire Parents to ask Town to help support Special Needs Camp - TakeAnotherStepStaff

Camp John J Nerden RTC Camp located in Middlefield, CT had been in existence since the mid 1960’s.

A Dream Quietly Realized

Generations of Volunteers at Regional

Summer Camp AMY ASH NIXON; Courant Staff Writer

For years, area teens have spent their summer vacations on a quiet, wildflower-covered hillside in front of Powder Ridge ski resort.

MIDDLEFIELD -- Like mother, like daughter. Mike Wright, Record-Journal staff

Since she was 8 years old, Meghen Fitzgibbons, now 18, has spent her summers at the John J. Nerden Regional Training Center where her mother

Regional Training Camp A Regional Resource By Frank LoGiudice

It was all smiles and nothing but joy at the John J. Nerden Regional Training Center Camp

AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL CAMPERS, STAFF & VOLUNTEERS AT THE JOHN J. NERDEN REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER CAMP IN MIDDLEFIELD, CONNECTICUT.BY FRANK LOGIUDICE

On May 25, 2007, I received two first place photography awards from the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists for photos that appeared in the Town Times and the Record-Journal newspapers.

The Town Times 1st Place Photo Award was for a news photo titled “Hardy Kids At The Penguin Plunge.” The second first place award was for a photo layout that appeared in the “Front Porch” section of the Record-Journal titled “John J. Nerden Regional Training Center Camp.” When I went to accept the

second award I was very happy not just for myself but for the campers at the John J. Nerden Regional Training Center Camp in Middlefield - Read More