J.E.M.S. Camp

JEMS Special Camp is a week-long Christian camp, primarily for individuals with developmental disabilities of Asian descent.  Sponsored by the Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society (JEMS), Special Camp runs concurrently with the other JEMS summer camps in the Santa Cruz area of Northern California.  The mission of JEMS Special Camp is:

To share the message and model the love of Christ to those with developmental disabilities, primarily of Asian Pacific American descent.
The goal of our camps is to provide an opportunity for the developmentally challenged to experience a fun-filled time of activities in an atmosphere of Christian love.

This year’s camp
JEMS Special Camp 2019 is scheduled for June 30 – July 6, 2019. Applications will be accepted starting in early- to mid-February.  Mark your calendars!

JEMS Mount Hermon Special Camp will again be returning to the Monte Vista Christian School (MVCS) campus for this year’s camp.  We are thankful to the MVCS leadership and staff for permitting us use of their beautiful facilities again this year!

The theme verse for this year’s camp is:

TBD
Mrs. Koko Yee will again be Bible teacher for Special Camp 2019, serving for her ninth year in this capacity. To read more about Koko and her call to serve, click here.

How do I volunteer?
JEMS Special Camp enlists volunteers primarily through the JEMS-affiliated network of churches across California and the Pacific Northwest. No previous experience working with individuals with special needs is required; regional training will be provided prior to camp.  Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to apply.  Applications will be accepted starting in early- to mid-February 2019; please check back here to apply.

If you are 18 years or older, you’ve never served as an aide at Special Camp before, and would like more information on applying as a new aide at Special Camp (as reference for applying to next year’s camp), you can download new aide information here.

What we do at camp
A typical day at camp begins with everyone getting ready for breakfast, followed by morning exercises, worship, Bible lessons, and arts and crafts.  After lunch, activities vary daily such as bowling, swimming, a presentation at JEMS Family Camp, a carnival, and Special Camp field games.  After dinner, we have a time of worship followed by a special evening activity and cabin time. After the campers go to bed, staff enjoy worship and a brief devotional time, staff meeting, and fellowship.

All of these events and activities add up to a fun-filled and meaningful program geared specifically for individuals with developmental disabilities. Special Camp is a place where they can come to learn, fellowship, worship, and grow in the Lord.

Registering a Camper
Applications are not yet being accepted for JEMS Mount Hermon Special Camp 2019.  Application information is sent to interested/prospective campers’ parents/guardians only on a per-request basis.  To inquire about registering a camper to attend Special Camp for this coming year’s camp or in a future year, please feel free to e-mail the Special Camp camper registrar at:

Please note that campers must be 13 years of age or older in order to apply.

Application packets will be sent out to returning campers (those who have attended Special Camp within the past two years) in mid-February.