I wish something like Jumpstart had been available when I was a teenager. In just one week, campers can gain a solid foundation in both the written and living Word of God—enough to give them a truthful framework for navigating life. They also benefit from meaningful shared experiences with their “tribe,” forming positive relationships that can last a lifetime. I highly recommend Jumpstart camps for homeschoolers.
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K. P.
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.
S.K.
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.
S.S
Hi Mr. Epp,
Thank you so much for running Jumpstart again this year. I had such a wonderful week. I really loved all the classes and found them fascinating. In your session ‘The Devotional Life’ I was really interested in the plan you had for reading your Bible every day as I had recently been losing my enjoyment of reading the Bible and so I tried your idea and I find it is really working for me. Thank you so much.
I don’t have any recommendations for you, as I loved every minute of it and I am looking forward to Jumpstart 2016!!!!
Thanks for a great week and may God bless you as you continue doing His work.
Michael Thomas
After years of hearing about JumpStart through close associates, I finally had the opportunity of meeting Dale Epp and participating in JumpStart as a speaker. It was such an exceptional time of great fellowship and connecting with the heart of God PLUS "mandatory fun!". It was great to see kids excited about their relationship with God and taking a serious look at the scriptures. I also loved the natural tendency of all the leaders and campers to include everyone in! The content, context and community of the whole camp were excellent!
Sincerely, Michael Thomas
Celebrate Messiah New Zealand
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.
L. F.
My daughter attended Jumpstart 2011 alongside other homeschooled teenagers and I cannot express how wonderful it was for her. She had the best and most valued time she has ever experienced away from home. Take all these testimonials above, multiply it and believe it. Their feedback has had to be edited for the sheer size of their positive testimonies to the value and impact of Jumpstart and its teachers. I highly recommend you give your Christian teenagers the gift of attending jumpstart. Jessica is definitely going again in 2012!
R.A. (Australia)
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.
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.
M.P.
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.
N. T. (Australia)
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.
K.R.
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.
P.P.
Both of my kids came home having grown in their faith further.
Scott Brown
If you are the Christian parent of young adults in their teens, you are well aware of the superficiality of many youth ministries and programs in recent years. It is increasingly difficult to find events that will challenge our children spiritually while providing fun and meaningful fellowship.
As a dad who has home educated seven children over a period of 30 years, and as a pastor/missionary of 33 years, I've been privileged to participate in scores of youth events and camps. In recent years I have also served at several Jumpstart camps and I am delighted to tell you that I've never experienced a youth ministry that comes closer to a perfect bullseye every time!
You may have noticed that youth camps tend to excel at either recreation or education, but Dale and his team have somehow managed to master both. Jumpstart is a remarkable blend of fun, wholesome activities with meaningful, bibliocentric training. The leadership team works tirelessly to make every minute count, whether on the field in a sport activity or in the classroom learning life lessons from God's Word.
Best of all (speaking as a homeschool dad), Jumpstart provides a rare opportunity for our students to be affirmed and encouraged as members of the homeschool community. Sadly, our kids often feel that they are the oddballs in groups of peers who attend public schools. But there is none of that at Jumpstart. Everybody "gets it" so there is no need to hide or build walls, which only adds to the "free to be me" spirit that pervades the camp.
May I encourage you to do more than just send your child to Jumpstart for a week of fun, fellowship and foundation-building? Please consider investing financially above and beyond the low cost of registration. By giving generously you will provide scholarships for families who cannot afford to send their children to a life-changing event. And your donations will help ensure the continuance of a ministry that is truly strengthening families in New Zealand.
Scott Brown
Director, Celebrate Messiah NZ
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
B.S. (Australia)
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.
Misc
Dear Scott and Dale
I just wanted to say thank you and give you feedback on the recent camp. Our son attended the camp, and what a delight. He has attended other camps, and the spirit that he came back with was totally different this time. He came back as our boy, the son we love, and I tribute this directly to your values and the spirit that was there at the camp.
We as parents have learnt a lot from him in the few hours that he has been back and awake (it’s been a full-on camp by the sounds of it).
So thank you again, we as parents truly appreciate what you invest in our children. We are very keen for him to attend another camp in the future.
Is there a Jumpstart 2.0 for parents, or at least can we have a glimpse at the material that was presented?,… it sounds amazing.
Shalom and Shalom
S. P.
It was really awesome! The study is pretty intense, but there was a good mix of sport and other activities to break it up.. Yes, I do highly recommend it! :)
S & A
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.
Rosie Boom, Author and Speaker (from 2018)
Next week my son Jake will attend his third Jumpstart in Hamilton. He loves these camps because they don’t simply have activities and a speaker, but they get you involved in Bible study too. It’s Fun, inspiring, and challenging!!!
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.