Dear Parents,
As Summer 2023 approaches, the John J. Nerden RTC Camp staff is happy to welcome back our many
old friends, and reach out to the new ones by sending out our camper application. As a refresher for
returning families, and to first time camper families, we send along the following information to help
you prepare for a great camp season: Camp will run from June 26 - August 11, 2023
1.ELIGIBILITY: Children and adults with intellectual disabilities are eligible to enroll at camp.
Camper age may range from 6 years through adulthood. Eligible campers are those who the camp
directors feel will benefit from the program, and whose behavior will not seriously interfere with the
physical and material welfare of other campers, volunteers, or staff. Eligibility decisions are made at the
sole discretion of the camp directors and may be changed at any time throughout the summer season, if
needed.
2. CAMPER APPLICATION: Please complete and return. Applications must be mailed to P.O. Box
2617, Meriden, CT 06450. Applications must be received by May 31st or brought to the Open House on
Saturday, June 3rd. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Please note: No child will be
allowed at camp without access to parent or emergency contact person by phone at all times.
3. REGISTRATION: Camp is open for 7 weeks. Campers can sign up for any days/weeks that work
for their schedule. This application will be reviewed by the Camp Directors and medical staff. You will
be contacted if there are questions concerning the application. For returning campers once paperwork is
sent in, unless you hear from us, your child MAY begin camp on June 26, 2023. New campers are not
allowed to start unless there has been a confirmation from the director that the camper is all set.
4. MEDICAL FORMS: Please have your child's Doctor complete the attached forms. (A copy of the
school physical done within the last three years is acceptable.) The Medical Forms MUST accompany
the application in order for your child to attend camp and must be signed by a parent and physician.
Please be sure to sign ALL MEDICAL FORMS. Medical Forms I, II and III are to be completed
and signed by the medical doctor.
5. MEDICATION: If your child is required to take medication at camp, a copy of the Doctor's
prescription MUST accompany the original pharmacy bottle. This must be brought on the first day.
** Please note the additional requirement of x-rays to rule out Atlanto Dislocation in Down Syndrome Children.
6. ABUSE AND NEGLECT: It is the policy of the John J. Nerden RTC Camp to follow the state law
and report child abuse or neglect. A full and complete written statement of our policy and procedure is
posted at camp.
All forms must be completely filled out and signed before a child can attend camp.
The John J. Nerden Regional Training Center Camp, Inc. is a community supported facility for the handicapped.
7. TRANSPORTATION: For Meriden/Wallingford residents, please refer to the Bus Schedule. Please
write YOUR bus stop on the camper application. Scheduled times for pick-up and return may vary
slightly the first week, as we try to accommodate all of our campers. It is recommended that you arrive
at the bus stop 10-15 minutes early. Please indicate what the transportation will be if not one of our
buses.
8. CLOTHING/PERSONAL BELONGINGS: Please clearly label all clothing. A bathing suit and
towel are needed daily. Sneakers rather than flip-flops or sandals are suggested. If your child is not toilet
trained or is prone to accidents, please send a change of clothes. Please also send in sunscreen. We
recommend keeping a sweatshirt in campers’ bags for cooler weather conditions. We are not responsible
for any lost or stolen items and strongly discourage bringing any valuables to Camp; this includes cell
phones and electronic devices and toys.
9. LUNCH: Campers need to bring a bag lunch with a drink every day.
10. CAMP HOURS: Camp runs from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM. Campers may begin arriving by bus or
other transportation at 9:00 AM. Buses leave camp at 3:00 PM. If a camper has their own transportation
they need to be picked up at 3:00 PM, and need to check out with camp directors before leaving.
Our camp activities of Arts & Crafts, Music, Outdoor Recreation, Indoor Recreation and Swimming
begin at 10:00 AM preceded by Opening Ceremonies at 9:30 AM.
11. REACH: This will be the twenty-fourth year of our REACH PROGRAM (Recreational
Entertainment After Camp Hours). This program of special activities and dinner runs from 3:00 PM to
8:00 PM on Tuesday and Thursday for five weeks out of the seven-week session. All participating
campers will be picked up by parents at 8:00 PM. *If your child is selected to participate for a
REACH Night, an application form will be sent home with your child. This program costs $15 per
session.
*Camper participation in REACH is by invitation only at the discretion of the Camp Directors.
12. RAINY DAYS/SEVERE HEAT: Please use your judgment in sending your child to camp on a
rainy day. Even though we are open on rainy days, we have limited indoor facilities. Directors may
make the decision that the Rainy Day program is not appropriate for certain campers. Parents should be
prepared to make alternate arrangements if necessary. Additionally, when severe heat is forecasted, we
may send home a notice discouraging attendance due to limited facilities with air conditioning.
13. OPEN HOUSE: We will host an Open House on Saturday, June 3rd from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. We
strongly encourage all new families to attend.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call Sue Chenard at (203) 631-8948 or Rebecca Hanlon at
(203) 631-2672. Our Camp Board of Directors and Camp Staff are looking forward to another great
summer.
Sincerely,
Sue Chenard
campnerdendirector@gmail.com
