JumpStart South Island 
November 22nd - 27th 2026

What is JumpStart?
Jumpstart-Web_LOGO

An Awesome 5 Day Teaching Camp

God’s Word + mandatory fun!

JUMPSTART is a 5 day dynamic and directional teaching camp aimed at Christian home-educated teens between 15-17 years.

This camp is uniquely designed to provide solid foundational Bible teaching, contemporary apologetics, and to address some key life issues that Christian youth may be facing today. Jumpstart also offers a variety of planned recreational activities, meaningful worship, and the opportunity to develop wholesome and lasting friendships with peers who love Jesus.

Spiritual foundations will be reinforced, friendships will be strengthened, and most importantly, one’s relationship with Jesus Christ ‘as our LIFE’ will be taught, nurtured and encouraged.

Jumpstart is not only about equipping the next generation in the Word and ways of God, but even more importantly to help them discover who Jesus Christ really is, and all He wants to be and do in their life!

“See to it that NO ONE takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to CHRIST” (Colossians 2:8)

Camp Theme 2026

THE PROGRESS OF REDEMPTION
From Genesis to Revelation

Jumpstart SI@4x

Have you ever read (or tried to read) the Bible and wondered if it makes any sense? Often, when we read about God’s plan for the world in the Bible, we are confused and uncertain about what He is actually doing. We read the books (or parts of them) that we find in the Bible, attempt to piece together the different names and events, and often do so without clarity of understanding, or any concept of the historical situation and/or Bible characters. We look at all the oblique parts of the Bible and cannot grasp the big picture or the grand storyline that is ultimately unfolding before our very eyes.

The Old Testament narrative of the Bible recounts the grand story of God calling a people to be His own. God chooses, saves, and spares that nation as He builds them into a channel of redemption in order to spread His glory over all the earth. Ultimately, through this nation God sends His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for the sins of the world. What appears to be a defeat in the death of God’s Son becomes a victory, as Christ accomplishes redemption and conquers death in His resurrection!

In the New Testament we come to understand that God is still surely at work in His world through His new channel – the Church. These ‘born again’ followers spread the good news of Jesus Christ’s work on the cross and His powerful resurrection, beginning from Jerusalem, to the surrounding areas, and ultimately to the “ends of the earth.”  They explain that Jesus died FOR YOU, so that He would live IN YOU, so that He could live THROUGH YOU as a member of the new channel to spread His glory over all the earth, and that it takes Jesus IN us to live the life that God requires OF us.  They also announce the imminent return of Jesus Christ to earth a second time, and who alone will judge the world and bring redemption to completion.

This year at Jumpstart we will go on a journey through the entire Bible and trace the unifying theme of redemption as it progresses from Genesis to Revelation. We will see how the grand story of God’s redemptive plan begins, unfolds, and finishes!  There is hope, and Jesus Christ is alive and involved in our world of need!

Speakers

DaleEpp Profile

Dale Epp

JumpStart Director

Originally from Canada where he worked in construction by day and played in a ‘heavy metal’ band by night, Dale has been with the Capernwray ministry (formally Torchbearers International) for nearly 30 years. He and his wife Patti first spent several years on staff at His Hill before moving to NZ in 2003 to pioneer and lead the Bible school there for 11 years.

Dale is a regular guest teacher at several of the Torchbearer Bible Schools, and is also a self-employed builder in NZ.  He is the Founder and Director for Jumpstart - a growing camp ministry in NZ (and soon to Australia!!) aimed at home-educated teens.  Dale and his wife have 2 adult children.

Dave Firth (2020)

Dave Firth

Lead Pastor of Kaipaki Bible Church

Originally from the UK, Dave is the Lead Pastor of Kaipaki Bible Church - a rural fellowship just outside Cambridge in the heart of Waikato.

Prior to pastoring, Dave was the CEO of Authentic Christian Trust and founder of Authentic Men’s Magazine. Previously he spent 11 years at Capernwray New Zealand where he held the position of Communications Manager and directed the 10 week BML (Business, Ministry, Leadership) course. Dave also worked with Torchbearers International as Communications & Development Manager for 8 years, as well as working with the international office to oversee all Torchbearers promotional activity. See Torchbearers.org

Dave has a deep conviction to teach Biblical truth in a bright and refreshing way. “The Bible is an incredible book, but more importantly, it’s all about Jesus, from Genesis to Revelation. What else can we do with our time that is as valuable as learning from Him and His word? Not much!”

"Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” - Colossians 1:28

Location & Times

Curious Cove,
Marlborough Sounds.

November 22nd - November 27th, 2026

 

FERRY INFORMATION
Boat Departs Picton at 3:30pm, Boat Returns to Picton at 1pm.

Pricing

The price represents incredible value for money and includes all accommodation, meals, teaching sessions and activities.

All prices are in NZD.

$460.00 / person (Includes $40 ferry fee)

$440.00 - For each additional member of the same family (if more
than 1 attending)

*Please note, the actual costs for these camps are nearly double the stated costs. These camps could not be possible without the generous donations of individuals, Christian businesses, and Churches. Not only this, but the youth leaders are also taking valuable time off school or work in order to volunteer for each week of camp - a real sacrifice on their part. THANK YOU for supporting this unique ministry and investing in the gospel to and for the next generation!

Testimonials

  • All
  • Board of Reference
  • Campers
  • Parents

P. S.

I’d like to thank you for all that you’ve done in running Jumpstart. God used the Jumpstarts that I went on to really change my life. Before then, I was at a point when I was beginning in some ways to backslide. Finally when I came to the end of myself I cried out to God to conform me to the image of Christ. Around a month later I went to Jumpstart. I was really challenged then to seriously study the Bible and I began a regular quiet time each day of studying the Bible that I haven’t abandoned since. The subsequent two Jumpstarts continued to help to build my faith. Now I’m studying at Bible College and loving it! I look back over the Jumpstarts that I went to and thank God for using them in my life to bring me closer to Him. All glory be to God!

S.H.

Jumpstart has been the most impactful and most meaningful camp my 2 eldest sons have been to. While they have attended other Christian camps, both of my boys have said Jumpstart has hands down been the one camp that has both challenged and deepened their faith. Resulting in them walking stronger and differently with the Lord. The intentionality and care of the leaders, the small group discussions, and friendships they have fostered have been a blessing to my children.  If you send your teen to any camp - make it Jumpstart.

Misc

Dear Dale, Patti, and all involved in Jumpstart,
I just want to say how deeply I appreciate Jumpstart being available for Christian young people. 

My daughter first attended in 2019.  Shortly afterwards we were driving together and I mentioned that I was struggling to understand "the old man".  Immediately, she explained what she had learned at camp and let me borrow her notes on Colossians.  They were a great help to me.  

She returned with full notes from Jumpstart 2020 and I was able to take a week's retreat to read through and copy them for myself.  It was a rewarding investment of my time.  I am grateful for the clear teaching both in Eschatology and Life Issues.  I well remember struggling to apply the spiritual to the practical when I was young.  Jumpstart would have been a great help!

I am thankful to the Lord for including me in the ripples of blessing that extend from what you have allowed Him to do through you.

Yours because His,

A.B.

Thank you so much for organising this camp! My sister and I had an amazing time! There was a perfect balance of fellowship and learning. The only thing that could be improved about it would be if it was longer!

R & G

We highly recommend Jumpstart for all young adults.  It offers absolutely exceptional bible teaching and discipleship and a whole lot of fun as well.  It seeks to solidly ground young people in the Word of God and view the big issues of life from a godly perspective – to honour the Lord with their whole life.  The teaching is “meat” but it is also interspersed with a truckload of fun.  Our children say that they never laugh so hard and so much anywhere else!  It has been such a blessing to our family and is always one of the highlights of the year for our teenagers.  We reckon no Christian family should miss out on this wonderful opportunity.

Todd Roughton

It can be difficult for seriously-minded Christian home schooling students to find friends of their own age with whom they are able to easily relate, which often causes them to seek the more mature company of adults. However, the consistent feedback we have had from HSZN students attending Jumpstart camps is how much they have appreciated not just the first class worldview teaching, but also the opportunity to meet and form lasting friendships with quality young people of their own age. This is a worthwhile programme which we highly recommend.

Todd Roughton,
Director of HSNZ

M. P.

I got say that jumpstart was a fundamental part of my Christian walk as a teen and I'm so glad it's still being run.

L. P. (NZ)

This is an incredible camp. I recommend hugely. My daughter has been 2 times, and my son is going this year for his first time. It's quickly become one of our notnegotiable has to happen part of our school year.

Contact

If you require any further information or have any questions or queries please call
Dale on 027 398 7099 or email register@jumpstart.nz

JumpStart South Island Registration

JumpStart 2026 - Register Now!

JumpStart South Island - Camp Registration Form