The Northern Ohio Youth Camp has proudly provided a week of life-changing summer camp to the youth of Ohio and surrounding states for over a decade. Beginning in 2010, the NOYC! was formed out of a desire to involve the youth of local churches throughout the state in actively serving the Lord. Since the camp’s beginning, God has done a great work in this ministry each year by adding in attendance, worship, and lives changed for Him. Now located in the beautiful rolling hills of Warswaw, Ohio, at the Warsaw Retreat Center, the NOYC! hosts around 400+ during our annual week of summer camp. In addition to an amazing week of camp, the NOYC also provides additional events such as youth conferences and sporting events through out the year as well. Since 2016, the NOYC has also ministered by offering Christian content and resources such as custom curriculum series & Podcasts that specifically challenge young people to live the victorious Christian life In Christ.

Though many things have changed in the past decade of ministry, one constant has remained and that is the motivation that drives everything we do at the NOYC. It is our desire as a ministry to see lives changed and set on a course of newness of life in living for Christ. In the past ten years we have watched as the youth who first attended our camp many years ago, are still faithfully serving the Lord and even bringing their own families, now as adults, back to camp. Many of these same young adults can be found now working in the camp as counselors, worship leaders, game directors and more. Although the NOYC is geared directly for youth, the NOYC is so much more than your typical youth camp. At the NOYC youth and adults alike set their differences aside and come together in child like faith in pursuit of a more genuine and authentic relationship with Jesus Christ. Over the years we have seen hundreds of lives changed by attending camp, many even resulting in salvation, answering a call to ministry, and becoming more devoted to Christ.    

A typical day at the NOYC will include 3 amazing home cooked meals per day (plus snack!), 2 Bible classes, 2 sport activities, wacky games, 4 prayer stations, crafts, music class, the Amazing NOYC Race, an out-of-this-world camp church service, and much MUCH more! Every day we make it a priority to saturate the campers and counselors in as much Bible teaching and spiritual activity on a personal level as possible. Strong preaching, God-glorifying singing, and great fun are all in store for you at the NOYC! 

Even though our top priority is closeness with Christ, a the NOYC we fully believe that life, especially for the Christian, is meant to be a blast! For this reason, every moment at the NOYC is intentionally planned and prepared for the utmost fun- down to the detail. Beyond the exciting daily activities, the NOYC also offers several special events during our week of camp which attendees can look forward to including; the Mestival (over 300+ lbs of slime), kiddy pool kick ball, the Nerf War Arena, and the NOYC one-of-a-kind Escape Room, and more!

   Above all at the NOYC, our desire is to reach a generation who has seemingly turned their back on God. Through God’s provision we have witnessed a miracle take place each year at camp- as young people are turning their attention to the things of the Lord. Many churches and ministries have sadly turned their back on this seemingly rebellious generation that seems impossible to teach or understand, yet the truth is this generation is desperately seeking Truth and authentic Christianity that works. The NOYC is far more than a youth camp, it is a joining together of like minds, in unity of the desire for God’s Word which will show us His plan for each of our lives. This is why you will find people of different denominations, belief systems, backgrounds, walks of life, and even generations coming along side one another, united in one mind for the cause of Christ at the NOYC. We greatly encourage individuals, groups, families, youth leaders, pastors, and more to join our NOYC family and witness what God can do.

We invite you to come experience a life changing, soul saving, ridiculously fun week at the NOYC!

Director Garry Sorrell

Director Garry Sorrell has served as the senior Pastor of the Sandhill FWB Church in Sandusky Ohio for over 15 years. Although being a pastor keeps Garry busy, he also finds time to serve as the director of the Northern Ohio Youth Camp where he has served for over a decade. Director Garry oversees the spiritual and over all direction of the camp from year to year.

Asst. Director Renee Sorrell

Sis. Renee Sorrell, who is married to Director Garry Sorrell, oversees many of the clerical components of camp including registration. Sister Renee enjoys singing in Church as well as playing piano and has been doing so her entire life. She also brings a passion for both youth and all people to the table for the NOYC. Sis. Renee is also intricately involved in the camp worship team where she assists with singing, arranging, and learning camp songs each year.

Camp Coordinator Josh Sorrell

Bro. Josh has served in many capacities over the years of camp including but not limited to; counselor, game coordinator, worship leader, administrator, photographer, scheduler, kitchen help, and more. Today Bro. Josh serves the Camp year round as our full time camp coordinator where he oversees all marketing, administration, and planning for the camp. Brother Josh garners the vision for each year of camp through the direction of the Lord in both choosing the theme, writing, directing and overseeing the lessons, videos, and curriculum. As camp coordinator Josh will oversee all work and planning leading up to camp as well as all operations during the week of camp. Brother Josh will also personally over see all camp staff and volunteers. In addition Bro. Josh is also a part of the camp worship team.

Teaching Pastor

Adam Brown is the Youth Pastor of the First FWB Church of Shelby where he has attended his entire life. Bro. Adam has a personal passion for the applicable truth of God’s Word lived out in the lives of believers. Adam assist in the planning and writing of each yearly theme for the NOYC as well as additional content throughout the year.

Media Coordinator CJ Hines

Bro. CJ has quickly become an integral part of camp in its present state. Beginning his career at Camp as an often impromptu counselor, CJ now serves as the media coordinator for Camp. Through out the year CJ will coordinate the upkeep of the camp website, film and edit all videos, lessons, and promotional videos, as well as oversee all media staff during the week of camp.

The Minions

It is quite difficult to put into words the details of the efforts made by these amazingly dedicated folks. Each of our minions grew up attending camp, and after turning 18 made the decision to work for the Camp, often at great sacrifice. Sis. Rachel Hines has served the camp as a lead minion for 7+ years. Over the years she has become an invaluable asset to the coordination of Camp both during the planning process as well as at camp. Sis. Jayme Hines has served as a dedicated Minion for 5+ years and also assists with the coordinating of camp both before and during camp. Sis. Amy Hensley serves both as a part time minion as well as the Camp treasurer before camp, and a coveted counselor while at camp. She is greatly dedicated and passionate about Camp and provides valuable input as a representative of the people who attend camp during the planning process. Additional minions include but are certainly not limited to; Tim Hensley, Lucas Hines, Jacob Moore, and many others. The minions jobs may include the unthinkable, un-understandable, the crazy, tricky, and impossible. These folks put in extensive and lengthy hours through out the year and especially at camp in order to make the NOYC! A success.

Camp Administrator

Tami works primarily in administration by utilizing her (sometimes unhealthy) organizational obsession to assist in planning and tracking of tasks and projects in preparation for camp. Tami also develops and maintains the email and mailing lists that we use to communicate with our campers and many churches. When not working her administrative magic at NOYC, Tami is a life-long member of the Rosedale Free Will Baptist Church where she volunteers as a cat herder (aka youth advisor) and directs the youth choir there.