Author: Camp Nerden

Happy Valley Soup Company Fundraiser to Support Camp Nerden

The Holidays are over but we still have a long cold winter ahead of us.

What better to fight the cold? Soup, of course!

Please participate in our Happy Valley Soup Company Fundraiser to Support John J. Nerden RTC Camp by purchasing soup, sharing with friends and family and posting to your social media accounts.

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.

Order Here

(or Copy and Paste https://fundraising.happyvalleysoupcompany.com/?fund=670)

Or SCAN

Share the link with friends and family!

Happy Valley Soup Company Fundraiser to Support Camp Nerden

A great holiday gift idea!

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.

Order Here

(or Copy and Paste https://fundraising.happyvalleysoupcompany.com/?fund=670)

Or SCAN

Share the link with friends and family!

Year End Appeal

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

Donate

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!

OCTOBER BOTTLE AND CAN DRIVE

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!

Donate

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.

Annual Camp Wish List

Camp Wish List 2025

Major Projects

  • Replace baseboards in bathrooms 
  • Refinish patio sets on the breezeway
  • Repair/Replace door frames of Arts & Crafts Building, Fuda Building, where needed
  • Sand Picnic Tables
  • Paint Arts & Crafts ceiling and walls

Needs

  • New Grill Wheels
  • HP Ink #63
  • Heavy Duty In-Ground Pool Vacuum Hose with Swivel Cuff (1-1/2inch by 40feet, neutral)
  • Aquatix Pro Pool Vacuum Head, (22” Extra Large, 10 weighted Plates, 2x hole adapter, Flex Swivel Swimming Pool Head with Bottom Brush)
  • Screens for windows 
  • Pop-up Canopy Tents (for outside)

Sponsor a Winter Camp Activity:

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

Sponsor a Wednesday 2026 Camp Cookout :   

Cookout 1    $150                                         

Cookout 2 $150                                       

Cookout 3 $150      

Cookout 4 $150                                       

Cookout 5 $150                           

Cookout 6 $150                           

Cookout 7 $150                           

Sponsor a Camp Themed day:

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.

BOTTLE AND CAN DRIVE

April 26, 2025

Bottle and Can Drive

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!

Donate

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.

A Letter From Our New Director – March 2025

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

Change in Leadership Announcement – January 19, 2025

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.