Author: Camp Nerden

Staffing Changes for 2026

May 11, 2026

Dear Camp Nerden Families,

We hope you are all looking forward to another amazing camp season with us at Camp Nerden! As we transition into this 2026 camp season, we wanted to share an important staffing update with our camp community. Our Assistant Director, Conor, has accepted an exciting new professional opportunity and will be transitioning into a new role outside of Camp Nerden. While we are sad to see him step away from his current position, we are incredibly proud of him and grateful for the dedication, care, and energy he has brought to our camp families, volunteers and campers over the years in many different roles.

Although Conor will no longer be serving as Assistant Director, he will still remain a part of the Camp Nerden family. He plans to visit throughout the camp season and lend a helping hand whenever he can, and we know our campers will be excited to still see him around.

At the same time, we are also very thrilled to welcome Erica Flanagan into the role of Assistant Director. Erica has been a part of camp for 14 years, and has been running E Group for 10 of those years! Erica brings great enthusiasm, experience, compassion, and commitment to supporting our campers, volunteers, and staff, and we are excited for everyone to get to know her this summer in this new role. 

Lastly, I wanted to also announce Lauren McPhee as our new “Jack of all Trades” where she will not only be helping with logistics, fill-ins, and organizational aspects of camp, but she will also be helping to oversee our volunteers, and work on community outreach! Lauren has been a part of camp for 16 years and has been running F group for 10 of those years! Lauren has already started bringing amazing ideas, creativity and energy while starting this position. 

Thank you all for your continued support, trust, and partnership. We are looking forward to an incredible 2026 camp season filled with fun, growth, and memorable experiences for all of our campers, staff, volunteers, and families. 

Sincerely, 

Evelyn Nassif 

Camp Nerden Director 

Save the Date – Sans Souci 1st Annual Golf Tournament

SAVE THE DATE: Sans Souci 1st Annual Gold Tournament

Hunter’s Memorial Golf Club Meriden, CT – September 25, 2026

All proceeds will benefit camp.

Details and Registration will be available soon!

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While you are here; Take a look at a few other fundraisers that are coming soon or are already in progress.

Happy Valley Soup Company Fundraiser to Support Camp Nerden

We are hosting a Happy Valley Soup Company Fundraiser to Support Camp Nerden. You can help by purchasing soup, sharing the fundraiser with friends and family and posting about it on 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.

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!

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BOTTLE AND CAN DRIVE

Saturday, April 25, 2026 – 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Camp Nerden – 89 Powder Hill Rd., Middlefield CT.

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Camp Nerden – Amazon Wish List – Ongoing

Amazon Wish List

Wish List Will Be Updated Regularly

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!

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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.

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You can also visit our Amazon Wish List for an updated list of smaller camp needs.

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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.