The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches has embarked on a $3.7 million campaign to renovate and open Camp Sorensen in Nassau County in order to provide expanded youth camping programs in Northeast Florida. The camp will be located on approximately 130 acres, on the St. Mary’s River west of Hilliard, Florida.

The campaign was launched when Firehouse Subs Co-Founder Robin Sorensen and his wife, Tabitha, made an anchor gift to purchase, renovate and open Camp Sorensen. The Sorensen’s funded the Youth Ranches $900,000 purchase of the former First Baptist Church Jacksonville Hilliard Retreat Center. The couple has a big heart when it comes to kids and are large donors of several children-focused charities in Northeast Florida.

Camp Sorensen will provide camping services for deserving children from around the state each year. Our summer camping programs teach boys and girls team-building activities while having fun with volunteer deputies. Camp activities include high ropes, challenge course, swimming, canoeing, archery and a host of traditional camp activities.

During the remainder of the year, Camp Sorensen will offer programming related to leadership, diversity, athletics and team-building through community partnerships.

Youth Ranches President Bill Frye stated, “Our camping programs are full every year with a generous waiting list. This is a great opportunity to serve more boys and girls. We are grateful for this generous gift and an opportunity to expand our services in Northeast Florida.”

The campaign is structured so that donors can choose particular areas of interest to support with possible naming and recognition opportunities. “The Youth Ranches is a donor-funded organization and relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations, foundations and companies to fund our programs. We have reached 37% of the campaign goal but more is needed to complete the project,” shares Frye.

For a complete informational packet about this project or if you wish to donate, please call Maria Knapp at (386) 842-5501.

If you wish to donate to the Camp Sorensen campaign online, please visit here.