There's a wonderful gem in Middlefield and it serves people with developmental disabilities both
young and old in recreational and leisure type activities during the summer season.
It is the John J Nerden Regional Training Center (RTC) Camp off Powder Hill Rd.
Presently the Camp serves 100 individuals with 20 staff members and 30 volunteers.
The staff is comprised of a certified special education teacher as the director, experienced college students and full time nursing supervision. Plus, volunteers from local middle schools and high schools provide a valuable asset to the camp and the campers. The Camp season began on June 30 and ends on August 15, 2003.
How did the camp come into existence?
I the early 1960s a need existed all across America for camps that served people with
developmental disabilities, according to
Laurie Nerden-Russell of
Meriden who serves as the president of the board of directors. The
local Associations of Retarded Citizens (ARC), including MARC from Middletown, the Meriden-Wallingford Society for the Handicapped, the Southington ARC and the Cheshire ARC, got together to form the Regional Training Center. The local associations were made up of parents who had their children involved in the organizations. Long before it was a camp the RTC Center was a workshop or school. It trained and paid their clients to do jobs in the community, according to Nerden-Russell.
Soon the RTC realized that they needed a summer camp and decided to start their own. The RTC approached Louis and Herman Zemel about the camp. Louis had a son Benjamin, who has a disability and who currently resides in Durham. The Zemel brothers graciously agreed to deed the 15 acres of land they owned in front of their Powder Ridge Ski Area to the RTC for $1.00 in 1965 for use as a summer camp. The stipulation was that the property had to be used as a camp for people with disabilities. The property was an ideal site for the camp, not only because of the donation, but also it's central Connecticut location. The camp now has a monument dedicated to the Zemel brothers, with the inscription, "The Gift of Land by Louis and Herman Zemel makes possible this recreation facility for the handicapped. May it's service through the years to all who can benefit from it's programs bear witness to the love and generosity of both brothers."
The Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation awarded a $3,000.00 seed grant over a two year period to help the camp get started. Then area civic organizations became involved to help establish the camp. Organizations involved with the opening were The Middletown and Meriden Civitans, plus other area Civitan Clubs, The Meriden Motorcycle Club, Meriden Probus Club, the Unison Club of Meriden, the areas Lion's Clubs and Kiwanis Clubs. The camp officially opened on July 6, 1966 with a "full program" of outdoor sports, arts and crafts, nature study". An outdoor swimming pool was installed during the second week of camp, according to their brochures.
At the end of the second year of the camp's opening the Kennedy Foundation sent representatives to inspect the camp and give it's seal of approval if it complied with the foundations' goals.
Photos from top: 1. RTC Campers Carese and Dale enjoy a swim in the pool. 2. Shawn loves swimming
3. Camper Michelle plays cards
Photos from top: 1. Crysal learns some new dance moves 2. Staff member Kyle gives bowling tips to happy camper
Photos from Left:
1. Michael has fun in the pool
2. Anthony works on an arts and craqfts project
The camp was named the fourth best camp of all receiving seed money. "As far as we know the RTC camp is still the only camp in the nation that is free to campers with disabilities."
The camp is named after John Nerden of Meriden, one of the individuals who was instrumental in helping the camp get started. He also served as the first president of the board of directors. The current president, Laurie Nerden-Russell, began her service as a camp volunteer when she was just 13 years of age.
The RTC Services the Central Connecticut area, but would not turn away potential campers from outside this area. Everyone who wants to attend this camp is welcome.
Sports activities were offered the first two years of the camp. They called it "Special Olympics" because it was a day of sports competitions. The camp had been doing "Special Olympics: for two years before Eunice Kennedy-Shriver founded the "Special Olympics" in 1968. The first Special Olympics games were held in Soldier's Field in Chicago. The Special Olympics at camp are still held but are not affiliated with the Special Olympics organization. Other activities at camp include hat day, carnival day, camp dances, cookouts and T-shirt days. Off-season, the camp offers activities such as movies, bowling, dances and holiday parties.
For more information about the facility call 349-9826. The mailing address for the camp is PO Box 2617, Meriden CT 06451.
From Top: 1. Enjoying an art break are campers Michael, Mercedes and Ashley
2. Camper Lauren and staff member Kailtyn dance to an infectious beat
