JEMS Special Camp is a week-long Christian camp, for individuals with developmental disabilities. 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.The goal of our camp is to provide an opportunity for the developmentally challenged to experience a fun-filled time of activities in an atmosphere of Christian love. |
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JEMS Special Camp 2026 is scheduled for June 28 - July 4, 2026. Mark your calendars!
JEMS Mount Hermon Special Camp will be returning to Mount Hermon's Ponderosa Lodge. Mount Hermon Ponderosa Lodge is a traditional camp with cabin-style accommodations.
The theme verse for this year's camp is:
"You alone are God" Psalm 86:10
This year, we welcome back Mrs. Bev Hoshi as our Bible teacher for Special Camp 2026. To read more about Bev and her call to serve, please click here.
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.
This "Special Camp", first started in 1975, originated under the direction of Rev. Saburo and Marion Masada. This couple's daughter who is developmentally disabled, and others like her, needed a camp program designed specifically for their special needs. Over the years, the ministry of this camp has changed the lives of many people - both conferees and volunteer staff. JEMS Special Camp continues under the leadership of co-directors Christine Ito and Stephanie Suzuki and a committed core team who have served as Special Camp volunteers in various capacities for many years.
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.
The Lord has blessed us with a sufficient slate of candidate volunteers for the 2026 camp, and applications are no longer being accepted.
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.
Camper registration information has been sent out to returning campers' parents/guardians. Please note that the application deadline this year is April 1.
Application information is sent to interested/prospective new campers' parents/guardians only on a per-request basis. To inquire about registering a camper to attend Special Camp, please feel free to e-mail the Special Camp camper registrar at:
Please inquire in January, as the new camper application process is quite lengthy and involved. Please note that campers must be 13 years of age or older in order to apply.
There are several ways that you can support JEMS Special Camp. The first and most important is through prayer. Special Camp volunteers are sustained by the prayers of JEMS Special Camp supporters, especially during camp week. Please pray that each volunteer would be renewed and refreshed each day, as the Lord reveals Himself in new ways through our Special Campers. Please pray that the Lord would sustain each volunteer throughout camp week, as days are long and can be tiring as the volunteers care for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of each camper. Pray that our Special Campers will enjoy their week at camp and feel God's presence close to them as we worship Him together as one body. Pray that the campers' families and caregivers would enjoy their week of much-needed respite from the care they provide to their loved ones the remaining 51 weeks of the year. And above all, pray that God would glorify Himself through this very special ministry called JEMS Special Camp.