John J Nerden Camp Service Club

Leaving "No Eye Dry" in the House, the “RTC Dance Troop” performed their dance routine to the Celine Dion hit “Because You Love Me” at the John J. Nerden RTC Camp Annual Service Club Picnic on Monday, August 6, 2006.

Camp Nerden held their annual picnic to thank the many local civic groups who donate their time and money to keep this special camp running.

Camp Nerden has provided 7 weeks of summer camp to special needs children and adults for over 40 years, at no cost to families. The daily schedule includes swimming, arts and crafts, outdoor rec., indoor rec., music and an array of activities to keep the campers involved and having fun.

The camping schedule is full of “Special Days” such as Disney Day, Hat Day, T-shirt Day, International Day, Friendship Day, Birthday Party day, and many others that have the campers checking their calendars for their favorite day.

The campers display their art projects at the yearly arts and crafts show. The annual music show involves each group making props and performing for their friends. This year’s theme was Disney movies.

This camping season comes to an end on Friday, August 11, 2006, with the Camper Award Ceremony.

The Camp is partially supported through requests for funding through the participating Town or City's Park and Recreation Department. “Monies from the towns pay staff, insurance, unemployment, utilities, supplies

(food, medical, arts & crafts, etc.),

- in other words all of our bills in running a business” said Laurie Nerden-Russell, the President of Camp Nerden’s Board of Director’s. “The contributions we receive from the service clubs, foundations, and individual contributions go toward renovations such as roofing, siding our buildings, appliances, new flooring, winter camp activities, new tables and so on.”

A special award was presented to the Meriden Motorcycle Club. There was also an announcement that the Town of Cheshire, whose camper enrollment is second only to Meriden, agreed to allocate $10,000.00 to their Park and Recreation budget to help support the campers that have been attending for years.

Laurie went on to say, “Each summer we recognize a club or an individual who has gone above and beyond. The Meriden Motorcycle Club has been great. We are the only project they support. In addition to money they also perform many "dirty hands" projects for us. They will be doing some sheet rocking for us this fall.”

The Middletown Civitan Club has been involved for many years. They took out a loan in 1971 for $7,500 to build our pool.

The other clubs involved and supportive each year are: Meriden/Wallingford Civitan Club, Meriden Wallingford AARP, Meriden Kiwanis,

Meriden Lions, Meriden Women's Club, North Italian Ladies Auxiliary, The Thunderbirds Club, Tri-Town Kiwanis, Daughters of Isabella, Meriden Intermediates. We also have individuals who donate their services or give us a discount.”

The Service Club picnic has gone through many changes over the years. It began as a weekend event with softball games between the civic organizations in attendance. The next version was a catered barbecue.

This final version which seems to be the favorite, is held at the camp with entertainment provided by the campers and the camp staff serving the guests.