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
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
"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
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
Geoff Westlake, Worldview Australia Director.
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.
L. B. (NZ)
Parents - this is such a great camp! My teens had a blast last year, developing a deeper hunger for God's word and making friendships for life.
Highly recommend going if you're able.
Thank you Dale and all the JumpStart team.
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.
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.
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
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!
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
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.
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
Donate / Support
We welcome gifts, which will allow us to continue offering these events. You can make Bank Deposit donations, or contact register@jumpstart.nz for other ways you can support.