S.S

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.

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.

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.

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.

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! :)

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.

Both of my kids came home having grown in their faith further.

All the parents I know who sent their children previously have been so impressed with the venue, teaching, atmosphere and value for money and have booked them in for next year. They seem to have the right balance of clean loopy fun and deep thought-provoking, faith-stretching teaching and discussion. I am hoping that all my children will be able to go at least twice to deepen their faith, make great friends, both with other homeschoolers and also the wonderful students and teachers at The Crossing, and to experience the fun and great teaching that is Jumpstart. My 2 older children are both keen to go again and again.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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

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

The Crossing is a great place to learn and have fun. The talent show and night games were very fun. I enjoyed the deep understanding of God that the teachers and small group leaders had which was ever present. I am definitely keen to go again.

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.

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