Camp Nerden will earn $4.50 per soup sold individually, and $13.50 for a gift box.
Gift boxes can be shipped directly to recipient. They Cannot ship outside the US.
Fundraiser is active now through May 6, 2026.
Order directly from our link and your soup purchase will be delivered directly to your home address.
(or Copy and Paste https://fundraising.happyvalleysoupcompany.com/?fund=670)
Or SCAN
Share the link with friends and family!
November, 2025
As another impactful year at John J. Nerden RTC Camp comes to an end, we want to take a moment to sincerely thank you for your continued support. Your generosity has greatly affected our community, allowing us to keep our mission alive by providing recreational programs and leisure activities for children and adults with special needs.
This year, we experienced both challenges and successes. We successfully concluded our 60th summer camp season. We served over 100 campers in central Connecticut, offering seven weeks of swimming, arts and crafts, music, outdoor recreation, and special events for individuals with intellectual disabilities. These milestones highlight the positive impact of donations like yours.
Yet, the demand for our services continues to grow. Due to increased expenses, camp has faced many economic challenges, and we need to expand our support to ensure all individuals with intellectual disabilities can access the resources we offer. That is where you come in. This holiday season, we invite you to make a vital end-of-year contribution to the John J. Nerden RTC Camp. Your gift will directly help us expand our programs, hire skilled staff, and serve even more individuals with special needs.
As we look forward to beginning our 61st summer, would you consider donating $25, $50, $100, or any amount you choose? Contributions can be made easily online at CampNerden.com or by mailing a check payable to John J. Nerden RTC Camp, P.O. Box 2617, Meriden, CT 06450. Every dollar you give can make a lasting difference.
We are excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to continuing this journey of positive impact with your support. Thank you for being an essential part of our mission. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and peaceful holiday season.
Warmly,
Laurie J Russell
President, Board of Directors
John J. Nerden RTC Camp
PS: If you donate before the end of the year, your contribution will be tax-deductible and help us start the new year strong. Thank you for your generosity!
Can and Bottle Drive to Benefit Camp Nerden
Saturday, October 4, 2025
9:30 am – 12:30 PM
John J Nerden Camp
89 Powder Hill Road – Middlefield, CT 06450
(or you can return your own bottles and cans and donate the proceeds at the link below)
Please Support Our Fundraisers! Thank You!
John J. Nerden RTC Camp, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Charitable contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by the law.
October 2025 Halloween Celebration $350
November 2025 Afternoon at the Movies $400
December 2025 Holiday Party $450
February 2026 Valentine’s Day Dance $350
March 2026 Bowling & Pizza Party $400
May 2026 Spring Picnic $350
Cookout 1 $150
Cookout 2 $150
Cookout 3 $150
Cookout 4 $150
Cookout 5 $150
Cookout 6 $150
Cookout 7 $150
All Special Camp Themed Days have been sponsored.
Thank You!
*****
If you can help with any of the Major Projects or Needs, please contact:
Evelyn Nassif – Director – campnerdendirector@gmail.com 203-819-6094
If you would like to sponsor a Winter Camp Activity, A Cookout or a Themed Day, you can donate by sending a check to:
John J. Nerden Camp – P.O. Box 2617 – Meriden, CT 06451
or donate online here.
*****
You can also visit our Amazon Wish List for an updated list of smaller camp needs.
*****
John J. Nerden RTC Camp, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Charitable contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by the law.
Our newly updated Amazon Wish List is up and ready to use!
Please consider donating one or more of these much needed items to camp.
This list will be updated regularly.
Thank you!
April 26, 2025
Can and Bottle Drive to support John J. Nerden RTC Camp.
Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
at John J Nerden RTC Camp – 89 Powder Hill Rd. Middlefield, CT 06450
Drop off Point Before April 26th:
Zima Academy of Dance – 2 Chapel Street – Unit 5, Wallingford.
(or you can return your own bottles and cans and donate the proceeds)
Please Support Our Fundraisers! Thank You!
John J. Nerden RTC Camp, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Charitable contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by the law.
Hello Camp Nerden Families,
With the 2025 camp season fast approaching, I’d like to take a moment to formally
introduce myself. My name is Evelyn Nassif, and I am thrilled to be stepping into the role of
Camp Nerden Director this year. It is truly an honor to lead this incredible camp, especially
as someone who has enjoyed so many memorable summers here in various roles. Our
dedicated staff and volunteers are hard at work preparing for the upcoming season, and
we cannot wait to deliver an unforgettable experience for everyone involved!
I’ve had the privilege of being part of the Camp Nerden community for nearly a decade,
beginning as a volunteer and gradually taking on several staff positions over the years.
Each year has been an enriching experience, and I’m excited to see what Summer 2025
holds for our Camp Nerden family! Beyond my work at camp, I recently earned my Master’s
in Social Work and currently serve as a Social Worker in a school, working with both youth
and families in the Hartford community, an opportunity I truly cherish. My passion for
inclusion has been shaped and strengthened by my time at Camp Nerden, which played a
pivotal role in guiding me into the field I am in today. Working in the school system allows
me to continue to be a part of this magical place, balancing both worlds in a way that feels
truly fulfilling.
As your new Director, my goal is to foster a safe, fun, and nurturing environment for
all campers, volunteers, and staff. We’re excited to continue our cherished camp
traditions while also introducing new and exciting experiences for our campers to enjoy. I
look forward to a season full of adventure, laughter, and growth, and I can’t wait for the
seven weeks of camp fun that lie ahead.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly at 203-819-6094 or campdirector@gmail.com if
you have any questions or concerns as you get all your paperwork in order!
Warmly,
Evelyn Nassif
Camp Nerden Director
Dear Camp Families and Friends,
As we enter the new year, Camp is preparing for its 60th summer camp season. It is hard to believe that the dream of a free summer camp program for children and adults with intellectual disabilities has reached this milestone.
The Camp Board of Directors is excited to announce that a new leadership team is in place and ready to move Camp forward in a positive direction. We say goodbye to Sue Chenard after her 10-year service as Assistant Director and Director and wish her the best. We welcome Evelyn Nassif as our new Camp Director and Conor Walsh as Supervisor of Talent and Operations. Rebecca Hanlon, returning as Assistant Director, will be instrumental in helping make this a smooth and successful transition for Camp.
There is lots of work to be done as we prepare for the upcoming summer camp season. We hope to have Camper applications up on our website sometime in March. We will also be posting information on upcoming fundraising events such as a Comedy Show on March 28th, a Bottle and Can Drive at the end of April, and how we will celebrate our 60-year anniversary. In the meantime, please consider making a donation to Camp either through our website or by mailing to PO Box 2617, Meriden, CT 06450. It is due to the support we receive from those in the communities we serve that we are able to continue to provide our program at no cost to the families of our campers.
Warm regards,
Laurie J. Russell, President
Board of Directors.
As someone who has been involved with camp for over 50 years, and as the parent of a child who has spent many enjoyable hours involved in the programs and activities at the John J. Nerden RTC Camp, it is difficult for us to imagine a time when camp would no longer be available to us. As President and Secretary of the camp’s Board of Directors, we face the reality that these difficult economic times make that possibility evermore threatening. While Board members and Directors work diligently to keep costs down, and to find the necessary funding to support these costs, it is becoming increasingly difficult to reconcile the two. In our constant effort to ensure the future of our camp for your child and others, we find we must seek your assistance.
Let us give you a brief history of how camp started and how camp is funded so that there is no cost to the families of our campers.
How did we begin?
Back in 1965, there were no recreational programs available to those children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The Regional Training Center and Sheltered Workshop located in Meriden (now known as Kuhn Employment Services) decided to start a camp to serve those in Meriden, Wallingford, Southington, Cheshire, and all of Middlesex County. The Board of Directors of the Regional Training Center applied for and received a $3,000 grant from the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation which was awarding seed money to groups and communities starting programs. The Board of Directors then approached Louis and Herman Zemel who at the time owned Powder Hill Ski Area in Middlefield. The Zemel brothers very generously donated 15 acres of land to be used as a recreational facility for those with special needs. Parents from the local ARCs along with members from local service clubs, and businesses donated their time and hard work getting a building with bathrooms erected, a pool donated and installed, and gathering all the supplies and equipment necessary to start a summer day camp program. Opening day was July 6, 1966, and campers came from Meriden, Wallingford, Southington, Cheshire, and all the cities and towns in Middlesex County served by MARC.
How are we funded?
At the end of each summer for the past 59 years, we have added up the number of campers from each town and the number of days they attended. We then multiply the number of days times our per/camper day cost to come up with a total cost for each town served that summer. A request for funding is then sent to each town in December/January. For the first 25 years of camp, cities and towns found it more cost effective to honor our request for funding rather than having to set up and run a program of their own. Over the years however, many towns have continued to send campers to us, but have stopped sending funding. Many towns offer free summer recreational programs for their residents; however, we have found that these programs are either not appropriate or are not equipped to service the special needs of our campers. We feel strongly that our campers deserve the same recreational opportunities as their non-disabled peers.
How can you help?
If you know someone in your town who serves on the Town Council, Finance Committee, or works in the
Park and Rec Dept. please go and speak to them about camp.
Consider a fundraising event or donation:
1.Have a Tag Sale
2.Have a Casual Dress Day at your office/school
3.Make a donation to Camp in honor of someone’s birthday, anniversary, graduation, retirement, etc.
4.Designate Camp as recipient of donations in memory of someone who as passed away.
5.Attend/Support Camp fundraisers. Groups in the communities we serve often have annual events to raise money for camp. These events are usually listed on our website, and emails are generally sent to the parents of our campers.
We cannot emphasize too strongly how crucial to the continuation of our camp family your involvement at this time is. You are an important factor. If you have any questions please call.
We thank you for your cooperation and know you will recognize this matter as one of the greatest importance to our children and our families.
Sincerely,
Laurie J. Russell, President – 203-238-3691
Vickie Canale, Secretary
Board of Directors
John J. Nerden RTC Camp, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Charitable contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by the law.
OUR PURPOSE – To provide recreational programs and leisure-time activities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
The John J. Nerden RTC Camp is a seven week day camp for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
We offer:
Swimming, Arts and Crafts, Music, Sports, Dances, Friendships, Special Events and Lots of memories!
OUR HISTORY – The John J Nerden Regional Training Center Camp is located on 15 acres of prime land in the town of Middlefield. The land was donated in 1965. The Board of Directors of the training center started work immediately on planning a Day Camp program for the summer of 1966. Applications were made to the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation for a grant to help establish the new camp, and were fortunate to receive one of the two grants allocated to the State of Connecticut in the amount of $3,000. The Foundation also assisted tremendously in the supplying of information, advice, guidance and in sending of two key staff members to a one week seminar at Southern Illinois University.
On June 20, 1966 the camp site was a lovely hayfield. On July 6, 1966 the camp opened with a full program of outdoor sports, arts and crafts, nature study, etc. There were two buildings, one 30’x60’ closed building and one 24’ x 60’ pavilion type shelter. Our own pool was installed the second week of the program, so that all of the activities were then combined around the main building. We had a total enrollment of 144 campers ranging in age from 4 years to 31 years. They came from the areas covered by the local Associations. Daily attendance ran from 75 to 116 campers . Campers were supervised by a paid staff of 10, most of whom were college educated and professionals in their fields.
WHO DO WE SERVE – Camp is open to children and adults with Intellectual Disabilities from the central Connecticut area. We presently have enrolled approximately 125 individuals ranging in age from pre-school to adults. Transportation arrangements are currently in place for clients from Meriden and Wallingford; others can be investigated upon request.
WHAT PROGRAMS DO WE OFFER – For seven weeks each summer full day recreational programming is provided at our Middlefield location. This program includes swimming, arts and crafts, music, outdoor recreation, cook-outs, and special events. During the winter months a variety of activities are available such as bowling, swimming, field trips, dances and holiday events.
HOW ARE WE STAFFED – The Camp is proud of their dedicated staff and volunteers. With a certified Social Worker as Director and a certified Special Education Teacher as Assistant Director, each area of the program is supervised by one or two experienced college students or adults who make up our paid staff. We have full-time Nursing Supervision. In addition we are fortunate to have a large group of middle and high school student volunteers from our surrounding towns. These fine young people play a major role in the camp’s total operation. Because of their dedication we are able to provide a high level of supervision while keeping our total camp budget to a minimum. The operation of our camp is overseen by a committed Board of Directors made up of parents, service club representatives and interested members of our communities. These Board Members volunteer countless hours to ensure that our camp grows and continues to provide quality programming for our special needs population.
WHAT IS THE COST – In our attempt to keep costs down, requests for funding are made to the communities through their recreation departments based on cost per camper day. These requests reflect the budget and number of campers who attended our programs the previous year.
Funding for program expansion, capital improvements, and special activities depends on the sponsorship of many local service organizations, foundations and individual donations.
WHEN IS CAMP OPEN – Our summer program runs through the months of July and August for seven weeks. The camp day is 9AM to 3PM. Campers are welcome to attend for the full seven weeks, or to attend any portion that suits their needs or schedule. Winter activities are scheduled approximately once per month from October through May.
WHERE IS THE CAMP LOCATED – The JOHN J. NERDEN RTC CAMP is located on Powder Hill Rd. in Middlefield, CT. The 15 landscaped acres, housing our recreational facilities, overlook Lake Beseck and the old Powder Ridge Ski area.
There are many ways you can get involved:
Call us for more information about how you can help.
John J. Nerden RTC Camp 