THE JOHN J. NERDEN REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER CAMP IN MIDDLEFIELD, CONNECTICUT
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 in Middlefield this summer. The camp serves people with developmental disabilities both young and the not so young in activities ranging from swimming, music, arts & crafts and outdoor recreational activities. The 2005 camp season marked its 40th Anniversary year and it began June 27 and ends on August 12th. The camp hours are from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Regional Training Center Camp serves the central
Connecticut area including Middlesex & New Haven Counties. But the camp would accept people from other areas of Connecticut as well.
Jennifer Straub of Wallingford the Director of the R.T.C. Camp said 125 people are registered to attend the camp but approximately 70 people attend per day.
The camp does not charge a fee to its campers for attending the camp. It is supported by local towns and area service clubs according to Straub. Specifically, the Middletown Civitans, the Meriden-Wallingford Civitans, Meriden Lion’s Club, the Meriden Motorcycle Club, Unison Club, Probus Club, Tri-Town Kiwanis, the North Italian Club Ladies Auxiliary of Meriden, the Rotary Club and the Connecticut Thunderbirds Auto Club. The RTC Camp has 22 paid staff members and 30 volunteers.
In addition to the regular camp activities like swimming and arts & crafts the camp also has special events during the season such as “Friendship Day,” “Olympics Day,” “Favorite Team Day,” and “Carnival Day.” Every Wednesday at the RTC Camp is “Cookout Day” when the campers are treated to hamburgers & hot dogs on the grill.
First year camper Mike Canty of Wallingford-age 18-favorite camp activities are basketball and swimming. Canty perfects his skill at “slam-dunking” the basketball during the camp season. Senior Staff Member Mike Puglia of
Wallingford has been affiliated with the RTC Camp for a total of nine years-the first two years as a volunteer & seven years as a staff member.
“I look forward to it every year,” said Pulia. Pulia is a music education major at Penn State University. Andrew Bickford of Wallingford has been a camp volunteer for six years. He began because his cousin was a volunteer
at the RTC Camp and he kept coming everyday. “It’s great! It’s a good experience!” stated Bickford. Bickford will be a junior a Sheehan High School in Wallingford in September. Camp Director Jennifer Straub & Assistant Director Cindy Fuda of Meriden has been affiliated with the camp for a total of 20 years first as volunteers, then staff members and now as administrators of the RTC Camp. Both Straub & Fuda are Special Education Teachers in the Meriden School System.
Even though the John J. Nerden Regional Training Center Camp will be ending on August 12th this does not mean the end of summer fun for the RTC Campers. Every six weeks in the Fall & Winter months the camp offers off
campus activities such as bowling, movies, parties, and more at locations in the greater Meriden area. For further information about this outstanding facility, please call (860)-349-9826.
