Director's Remarks (…scroll down for online sign-up)
Hi there. Thanks for your interest in Camp KidJam. I have no doubt that your child will enjoy camp and experience growth in their personal relationship with Jesus. They will also experience some challenges, but come out feeling a little more confident about who they are and what they're capable of. Your child will also deepen friendships with other kids from church who attend camp as they'll form a special bond over a unique shared experience.
If this is your child's first venture into something as daunting as summer camp, I get it. I was a kid who despised my one and only summer camp experience that occurred between my 4th and 5th grade school years.
But as an adult, I've overseen church outings to Camp KidJam since 2013. I am convinced my 10 year old self would've had a far greater appreciation for summer camp had I gone to a camp like Camp KidJam. Here's why:
- Shorter duration. Monday afternoon through mid-morning on Thursday. That's it. The camp I went to as a kid was a full week. That's a little too long of a time to be away for most elementary kids.
- It's local (for us). My camp as a kid was well over an hour from my house (which was probably good since I would've tried to escape and run home) and a camp my brother attended was over 2-3 hours away. Camp KidJam, however, is literally down the street at Taylor University. Kids from our church have "home field" advantage for their initial camp experiences and can feel confident enjoying camp on a campus that is pretty familiar to them. Plus, the nearby locale will put you at ease as a parent knowing you're just a short drive away if there were to ever be an emergency.
- Modern amenities. Kids will stay in dorms on campus with clean and modern restrooms and showers. The camp I went to as a kid had Port-a-Potties and large group-style showers. Guess who dreaded going to heed nature's call or having to get a required shower before bed or before breakfast? Me. (And I'm sure every other kid at camp)
- Great food. Kids eat at the Dining Commons on campus and often rave about how good the food is. My camp had questionable food that seemed to be repurposed and reheated several times over as an entree, then as a soup, then a gravy…
- Quality staff. Camp KidJam is setup and run by Orange, the organization that publishes Sunday curriculum for Kids Under Construction (and thousands of other churches globally). They've been at this church ministry thing for a while and are the best in their field. Additionally, they lead a group of high school and college interns that are always super friendly and helpful…including our very own, Marissa Zolman, who joined the ranks as an intern in 2019. Ask Marissa what she thinks of the behind-the-scenes operations at Camp KidJam. Seriously. Marissa plans to re-up her commitment as an intern for summer of 2020. Marissa also hopes to see your kids at camp this year…and I do to! Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions about sending your child to camp.
Kevin Duecker / 765-506-7480 (call or text)
If this is your child's first venture into something as daunting as summer camp, I get it. I was a kid who despised my one and only summer camp experience that occurred between my 4th and 5th grade school years.
But as an adult, I've overseen church outings to Camp KidJam since 2013. I am convinced my 10 year old self would've had a far greater appreciation for summer camp had I gone to a camp like Camp KidJam. Here's why:
- Shorter duration. Monday afternoon through mid-morning on Thursday. That's it. The camp I went to as a kid was a full week. That's a little too long of a time to be away for most elementary kids.
- It's local (for us). My camp as a kid was well over an hour from my house (which was probably good since I would've tried to escape and run home) and a camp my brother attended was over 2-3 hours away. Camp KidJam, however, is literally down the street at Taylor University. Kids from our church have "home field" advantage for their initial camp experiences and can feel confident enjoying camp on a campus that is pretty familiar to them. Plus, the nearby locale will put you at ease as a parent knowing you're just a short drive away if there were to ever be an emergency.
- Modern amenities. Kids will stay in dorms on campus with clean and modern restrooms and showers. The camp I went to as a kid had Port-a-Potties and large group-style showers. Guess who dreaded going to heed nature's call or having to get a required shower before bed or before breakfast? Me. (And I'm sure every other kid at camp)
- Great food. Kids eat at the Dining Commons on campus and often rave about how good the food is. My camp had questionable food that seemed to be repurposed and reheated several times over as an entree, then as a soup, then a gravy…
- Quality staff. Camp KidJam is setup and run by Orange, the organization that publishes Sunday curriculum for Kids Under Construction (and thousands of other churches globally). They've been at this church ministry thing for a while and are the best in their field. Additionally, they lead a group of high school and college interns that are always super friendly and helpful…including our very own, Marissa Zolman, who joined the ranks as an intern in 2019. Ask Marissa what she thinks of the behind-the-scenes operations at Camp KidJam. Seriously. Marissa plans to re-up her commitment as an intern for summer of 2020. Marissa also hopes to see your kids at camp this year…and I do to! Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions about sending your child to camp.
Kevin Duecker / 765-506-7480 (call or text)
PAYMENT: Secure a spot for your child with a non-refundable $50 deposit (which will also go toward full payment). Full camp price is $280 ($230 remaining balance after submitting $50 deposit). Sorry, but there are no discounts for having more than one child register for camp.
HOW TO PAY: Pay by check (written to Pierce Church or Upland United Methodist Church) or cash at the church office (M-Th, 9 AM - 3 PM). You may also submit payment online by entering amount on the "CKJ Fee" line under the OTHER category. Please enter amount and your child's name in the text box.
HOW TO PAY: Pay by check (written to Pierce Church or Upland United Methodist Church) or cash at the church office (M-Th, 9 AM - 3 PM). You may also submit payment online by entering amount on the "CKJ Fee" line under the OTHER category. Please enter amount and your child's name in the text box.
Example Schedule
DAY 1 (Monday, June 29)
DAY 2 & 3 (Tuesday and Wednesday, June 30 and July 1)
DAY 4 (Thursday, July 2)
- 12:30 pm: Meet at Pierce Church for departure
- 12:45-3:00 pm: Campus Registration, Rooming Assignments, and Activities
- 3:45 pm – 4:15 pm: Leader Orientation/Kid Only Time
- 4:15 pm – 4:45 pm: Camp-wide Orientation
- 5:00 pm: Group A Dinner
- 5:30 pm: Group B Dinner
- 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm: Jam Session
- 8:00 pm – 8:45 pm: Small Group Time/Snack
- 9:00 pm – 9:25 pm: Late Nite
- 9:30 pm – 10:00 pm: Church Group Time (optional)
- 10:30 pm: Lights Out
DAY 2 & 3 (Tuesday and Wednesday, June 30 and July 1)
- 7:30 am: Group A Breakfast
- 8:00 am: Group B Breakfast
- 8:30 am – 8:45 am: Quiet Time
- 9:00 am – 10:00 am: Jam Session
- 10:15 am – 11:00 am: Small Group Time
- 11:15 am – 12:15 pm: Color Wars/Tracks/Leader Training
- 12:15 pm: Group A Lunch
- 12:45 pm: Group B Lunch
- 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Color Wars/Tracks/Leader Training
- 3:15 pm – 4:45 pm: Free Time
- 5:00 pm: Group A Dinner
- 5:30 pm: Group B Dinner
- 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm: Jam Session
- 8:00 pm – 8:45 pm: Small Group Time/Snack
- 9:00 pm – 9:25 pm: Late Nite
- 9:30 pm – 10:00 pm: Church Group Time (optional)
- 10:30 pm: Lights Out
DAY 4 (Thursday, July 2)
- 7:15 am – 7:45 am: Wake Up/Pack Up
- 7:45 am: Group A Breakfast
- 8:15 am: Group B Breakfast
- 8:45 am – 9:00 am: Quiet Time
- 9:00 am – 9:15 am: Check-out
- 9:15 am – 10:30 am: Jam Session
- 10:30 am: Head Home