P.P.

My son travelled with other Christian friends from Hobart to NSW for the last Australian Jumpstart camp - he'd definitely be attending this one if it didn't clash with the start of his VET course next year.

He says it was streets ahead of any other camp he's attended, even though he was sick in bed for part of it! This is the type of camp where I trust the boundaries and teaching put in place will match or exceed my own.

I found jumpstart to be very helpful in bringing the word of God alive. And the way Dale and Kris and Doug taught us also helped me understand what they were talking about. I realised that I did not read the word as often as I should to have a proper friendship with Christ. Jumpstart is awesome and I think it is worth the time.

Highly recommend this camp! Definitely worthwhile sending your kids to. It's a small intentional camp that helps the kids connect with their faith.

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.

If you're on the edge thinking about this can HIGHLY recommend it.

My son went to the NSW one and it was truly a huge blessing - he came back a different kid. Made some wonderful friendships. But mostly his desire to learn and get closer to God was so great to watch.

So definitely work checking out and signing your kids up for. Awesome bunch of leaders.

My daughter has been gushing up with great reports of how camp & staff & campers were.  At Jumpstart her perspective about Bible Reading has changed from a duty to a desire.

Thanks so much for what you guys do - it was honestly such a wonderful experience for Max and seeing him come back a different kid was great. What he showed me he learnt warmed my heart so much - tackling the big topics and sharing truth. It was such an absolute blessing. 

So many friends asked if you ran a weekend one for school kids - desperate to see their children taught solid biblical concepts that aren’t watered down!!! 

Will definitely be praying for you guys in all aspects but for widening the area of influence. 

Thanks for all you and the team do - it’s appreciated more than you guys can realise.

Thank you Dale you have put into making the Jumpstart weeks so successful. It’s a fantastic opportunity for HS teens to have an intensive week of bible study, discussion, reflection as well as just good fun being teenagers together. It must be a huge feat to organise all the aspects of it and a big commitment for you outside of your regular work and family. The Paterson family have certainly benefited greatly from these weeks, over the years, and with 4 teens now having all been,  and I am very appreciative.

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.

We are so very grateful to Dale and team, for establishing the Jumpstart camps for home-schooling teens. I had earnestly asked the LORD specifically for solid Bible based camps for our teens, to support the Biblical foundation and development of a deep, personal relationship with Christ, that we were striving to emulate in our home. Jumpstart camps have done this, with plenty of fun and friendship as part of the package. We thank God for His faithfulness, and the on-going opportunities for some of our children to be leaders themselves and give back to the next group of young people following them.
Thank you.

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,

Jumpstart was an awesome way to study God's word with some very knowledgeable adults that shed a light on it that one's parents don't.

My daughter had an absolutely fabulous time. She made some wonderful friends whom she hopes to keep in contact with. She really enjoyed the way in which the camp was run - it wasn’t too stressful like others she had been on, and she was really encouraged in her faith. She also says it was worth taking the week off school for, as she was reluctant to do so initially. It’s a shame you couldn’t run two a year or something similar.

My son and I had a wonderful car ride home together this afternoon, where he told me all about the amazing Jumpstart camp!  We are so thankful to God for your faithful service to Him in putting together this camp, and for the leaders who were such great models of young men and women who love Jesus.  He said his highlights were the new friends he made, and the talks and discussion groups, which he said were really thought provoking.

JumpStart gives an opportunity for young people to ground their faith in the Word of God and at the same time be taught how to live it out in a confused and sometimes hostile world. It focuses on the sufficiency of Christ for all that life will bring now as well as the wonderful assurance of life with God for eternity. I would highly recommend JumpStart to any young person who wants to take their faith seriously. The camp is well led, provides sound, faithful teaching in a fun environment.

Peter Thomas
Capernwray Australia

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.

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!

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

This camp is such a blessing for homeschoolers. If you want your teens to connect with other Christian teens, look no further. We will definitely be sending our kids again, maybe even to one in another state.

My daughter attended this camp earlier this year. It has given her a great boost to her own personal walk with Jesus and has also allowed her to connect with other teens, who are now supporting each other daily and building friendships.