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.

Michael Thomas

Michael Thomas

Celebrate Messiah New Zealand - Director

Michael Thomas is the director of Celebrate Messiah New Zealand.  He was raised in a completely secular home, came to faith during his High School years through a ministry called YoungLife.  He started really pursuing God in his 20s while living in Alaska and serving in the military, and has remained in various lay ministry roles through much of his life.  

In 2017 Michael and his wife Teresa became full time missionaries in New Zealand sharing the Gospel with Israelis and teaching about the importance of Israel in God’s word.  His strongest pursuit is to figure out what God really desires of himself and his brothers and sisters in Christ and present it as clearly as he can.

"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 27thst, 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

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.

Peter Thomas

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

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 

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!!!

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.

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.

S

I can't really write in words how Jumpstart impacted me. It was really a combination of everything. The amazing teachings, the people there, The Crossing itself and the absolute fun with games and activities we had. It made me see that there ARE other people out there who have a desire to learn more about our Creator but also to have a lot fun doing it! Everyone was kind, enthusiastic, funny and open. It was wonderful to see that all had a real desire to learn. The games were a lot of fun and everyone enjoyed themselves and had an absolute blast. The Staff gave their absolute all! The only thing I didn't like about it was that it was only 5 days!

Johan Jansen van Vuuren

Jumpstart is a program that offers five fun-filled days of intensive Bible teaching for homeschoolers. The program’s motto, “God’s Word + Mandatory Fun” perfectly captures the balance between learning and recreation that Dale has perfected.

It is impressive to see how willing and eager the kids are to listen to in-depth Bible teaching. They are not only engaging, but they also ask inquiring and insightful questions that are indicative of their hunger to learn the Word. This is a testament to the amazing job their parents are doing with their homeschooling.

As someone who was part of Jumpstart in November 2023, I can attest to the program’s effectiveness in developing an ever-increasing love for God’s Word in young people. The kids’ interaction with each other was a joy to observe. They have something in common that binds them together: not only are they all homeschooled, but they are also followers of Messiah Jesus. These commonalities must be nurtured and developed, and this is exactly what Jumpstart does.

The leadership team equally impressed me. Dale has put together a bunch of amazing young people who gave 100% all the time to make this experience the best.

Ariel Ministries New Zealand is all about disciple-making through intensive Bible teaching, and therefore we highly endorse Jumpstart.

Johan Jansen van Vuuren
Director, Ariel Ministries New Zealand

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 your interest.