Regional youth ministry can be really rewarding, but it also comes with challenges—small youth groups, long distances, limited resources, and leaders doing a lot with a little.
That’s why the Mid-North Coast PY Camp in 2025 is such a great story.
Not just because the camp happened, but because PYNSW was able to play a key role in connecting people, sharing experience, and resourcing local leaders to do what they already longed to do.
For Reuben Carey, Pastoral Assistant at Nambucca River Presbyterian Churches, the camp was the result of years of planning, collaboration, and the steady support of PYNSW behind the scenes.
A shared vision takes shape
The Mid-North Coast PY Camp brought together around 50 young people from four Presbyterian churches, supported by 14 leaders, for a one-night regional camp. It was intentionally modest in scale, but big in impact.
The idea had been forming for some time. While Reuben was previously serving in Coffs Harbour, several churches had begun running combined youth nights. But as he reflects, one-off events had their limits.
“With our combined nights… we were struggling to get the different youth groups to talk to each other. They’d come and hang out in their own groups.”
Camp offered something different: time, shared space, and the chance for real relationships to form.
“Part of our aim was that connection would happen… so we were very deliberate in how we organised games and cabins and things to encourage youth to talk to each other.”
By God’s grace, it worked.
“One youth from Coffs said there were some girls her age from Nambucca and that they were now ‘besties’.”
The PYNSW difference
While local leaders carried the vision, PYNSW provided the scaffolding that facilitated the camp happening.
Reuben is clear about the difference that made.
“We used a lot of resources from PYNSW, things like the registration form, job descriptions, risk assessments, promotions… all the logistical stuff.”
For regional leaders juggling multiple roles, PYNSW’s long history of running camps meant they didn’t have to reinvent the wheel.
“PYNSW has been running camps for a very long time. Having that experience… we could draw on what has been tried and tested and work with that.”
Just as importantly, PYNSW provided people, especially through the local Presbytery Youth Representative, Jeff Allen.
“Having Jeff around and available was extremely helpful for our camp and beneficial for us. If we didn’t have him, the camp would have struggled a lot. He was a helpful voice and encouragement… a great blessing to us.”
Jeff not only promoted the camp across the Presbytery, but brought experience, credibility, and calm in moments of uncertainty.
Why camps matter, especially regionally
Reuben’s passion for youth camps is deeply personal. Having grown up attending PYNSW camps himself, he’s seen their long-term fruit, first as a camper, then as a leader.
“Seeing God at work in the lives of young people is amazing… In one of the early camps I led on, there was one night where I first-hand witnessed a youth become a Christian. That was one of the nights God used to push me towards full-time ministry.”
Camps create space and depth that weekly youth groups simply can’t.
“It gives the opportunity for leaders and youth to connect and leaders to speak about Jesus more so than you can on a Friday night.”
At the Mid-North Coast PY Camp, youth engaged deeply with God’s Word, working through Paul’s letter to the Philippians with camp speaker Jesse Barnwell, former student of Queensland Theological College and Pastoral Assistant at Evans Head Presbyterian Church. Jesse helped the youth to think about how to live for Jesus, why living for Jesus is worth it, and what it means to stand as joyful lights in the dark world.
“They found the talks really helpful and encouraging, which was an answer to prayer.”
Leaders noticed the ripple effects too.
“On the car trips home, youth were saying they felt convicted about what they’d heard and were keen to make changes.”
The Presbyterian strength
One unexpected gift of the camp was the atmosphere itself among the youth groups, all from Presbyterian churches.
“There’s a sense of like-mindedness… you’re operating from similar convictions.”
Reuben reflects that while broader interdenominational events can be encouraging and helpful, they can also be overwhelming and difficult for smaller groups.
“For us, gathering particularly for this camp, it was nice to have a relaxed atmosphere, to take time out, get to know people really well, and get into God’s Word.”
For small regional youth groups, that shared identity matters.
“It can feel isolating for them in their areas. Coming together… you can already see the positives.”
Looking ahead, and inviting others in
The 2025 camp was intentionally simple, a one-night event designed to be sustainable. But plans are already forming for what could come next.
“We missed out on a few things that can be really beneficial, like small groups after talks… that’s something we’d love to build in.”
Reuben hopes to see the camp grow and with more churches involved over time.
And for leaders in other regions wondering whether it’s worth the effort?
“Go for it. God really uses camps and those times away to grow teenagers in their faith.”
With distance and cost often limiting access to state-wide camps, regional camps, supported by PYNSW, offer something local and accessible.
“Being able to have smaller, regional, but still very beneficial and encouraging camps across NSW, that’s really cool.”
And it’s exactly the kind of thing PYNSW exists to make possible—to see Presbyterian Churches in NSW filled with children and youth who know, follow, love, and share Jesus, actively participating in the life of the church.
