The John J. Nerden Regional Training Center Camp In Middlefield Celebrates "International Day"
Story & Photos BY FRANK LOGIUDICE. The photos & article appear courtesy of Frank LoGiudice.
It was a little slice of Italy, Mexico, the Caribbean, South Africa & Japan at the John J. Nerden Regional Training Center Camp in Middlefield this summer when the RTC Campers were able to experience the cultures of these countries during “International Day.”
The camp serves people with developmental disabilities both young and the not so young from central Connecticut free of charge. With an added twist to the camp’s regular activities of Arts & Crafts, Music, Swimming, Outdoor Recreation and Indoor Recreation activities the Camp Instructors were able to instill fun during “International Day” and they made it worthwhile for
the campers. RTC Staff member Heather Ross of Meriden commented “International Day” was about “Celebrating different countries.” Staff member Jackie Holoczyk of Meriden said “It creates an awareness of different cultures and countries for the campers. Something to spice up the day & make it fun for the campers.”
RTC Camper Erik Perrucio of Middlefield gets assistance
from RTC Camp Counselor Nick Dominello of Meriden in wrapping
string-spaghetti-around a fork during the "Spaghetti & Meatballs" game.
For each of the five areas the campers all had passports to go into each country during the day and it was stamped just like it is when people visit
a foreign country.
The Italian experience had the campers in a game of “Spaghetti & Meatballs”
where they had to roll a string on a fork-spaghetti-then once
they were done with it get up take the meatball and run to the basket to drop it in.
There were two teams for this game “The Godfathers” versus the team from “Venice”. The game had the feel of an Italian Restaurant with RTC Staff Counselor Nick Dominello of Meriden dressed as an Italian waiter.
RTC Camper Mike Canty of Wallingford slam dunks a
meatball in a basket during a game of "Spaghetti & Meatballs" at the RTC
Camp in Middlefield recently.
The campers’ trip to Mexico had them learn about the country through music. The campers danced to musical numbers like the Macarena and the Mexican Hat Dance. The trip to Japan had the campers learn about Japanese culture by making Origamis in arts & crafts. The adventure in the Caribbean took place at the RTC Camp swimming pool where the pool was decorated with Jamaican posters and art work. The campers learned about South Africa by playing a
South African game called “Mancala.”
RTC Camper Ryan Eno of Meriden takes a swim and cools off in the "Caribbean" during a hot day at the RTC Camp.
What do the participants think of the of RTC Camp? Camper Mike Canty of Wallingford favorite camp activity is outdoor recreation because he loves playing basketball games with other campers, staff & volunteers. “I love slam-dunking basketballs!” said Canty. Camper Silas Jungles of Durham enjoys the RTC Camp. Jungles favorite activity is outdoor recreation too
and commented “It’s fun!” Jungles loves going on the swings.
RTC Campers Danny Lespier & Josh Belzo both
from Meriden play basketball at the RTC Camp in Middlefield recently.
The RTC Camp has a total of 100 people registered as campers and about fifty
campers attend per day. The camp has about 18 staff and approximately 20 volunteers help out each day. Jackie Holowczyk leads the Arts & Crafts groups at the camp and this is her 3rd summer as a staff person. Before this she was a volunteer for 2 years. Holowczyk became involved because her brother was a volunteer for a little bit and she became involved after
her brother stopped being a volunteer. “I got addicted to the camp. You grow attached to it.” Holowczyk further stated she loves interacting with all of the campers, keeping them entertained and she will definitely come back next year. “I love it!” stated Holwczyk.
Volunteer Mike Burnell of Meriden and a 2007 graduate of Maloney High School has been a volunteer since he was in the 6th grade. Burnell stated “I love what the atmosphere does for the campers.” Another reason he is involved with the camp is his 19 year old sister Jessica is a camper in “E” group. Burnell shows his dedication to this camp by his perfect attendance “I have not missed a day of camp in four years,” and he said he will return next year.
RTC Camper Frank Boucher of Middletown works on an arts & craft project at the RTC Camp in Middlefield.
The 2007 camp season began on June 25 and ends on August 10th. During the summer camp season the RTC Camp offered many activities such as Friendship Day, Red, White & Blue Day for Independence Day, Hawaiian Lu-Au Day, Favorite Team Day, and every Wednesday at camp was cookout day in which the campers were treated to hamburgers & hot dogs.
On two occasions the campers
had surprised visits from Ronald
McDonald & an Elvis Presley
Ronald McDonald performs a magic show for the
campers at the John J. Nerden Regional Training Center Camp.
impersonator Tom Brady of Cheshire, the father of camper Michelle Brady. The camp is
funded by 15 local civic groups such as the Middetown & Meriden Civitans, the area's Kiwanis & Lion's Clubs, and the Meriden Motorcycle Club are among the many civic organizations that fund this wonderful camp.This past spring RTC Camp Volunteer Christina Stewart of Meriden a student at Mercy High School received an award from the Rotary Club of Middletown for
“Service Above Self” for being an outstanding student. In honor of her receiving this award the Middletown Rotary Club made a $300 donation to the charity of her choice, the RTC Camp.
Elvis Presley impersonator Tom Brady
of Cheshire with RTC Campers Silas Jungles of Durham, & Michelle Brady of
Cheshire.
Even though the RTC Camp is winding down on August 10, 2007 this does not mean the end of summer fun for the RTC Camp participants because they offer more activities throughout the year such as bowling, going to the movies, and parties all in the greater Meriden area. For more information about this outstanding facility, please call (860)-349-9826 and their mailing address is P.O. Box 2617, Meriden, CT 06451.
RTC Camp Counselor Rebecca Caron of Meriden shows RTC Camper Samantha Suarez of Cheshire how to do the Macarena at the RTC Camp in Middlefield recently.
