We are excited to hear that you are interested in learning more about the Boys JIM Club of America. On this page, can find three resources to give you a taste of what it’s like to attend JIM Club:
- Slideshow – See what happens during a two-week session.
- Electives – Explore the electives that you can select from while at camp.
- A Day at Camp – Read a typical daily schedule and what activities you can expect.
Additionally, you can review our digital brochure to learn more about camp and our program.
Slideshow
If you want to explore our camp and see some of the activities that the boys participate in, feel free to watch this end-of-session slideshow. (Click on “fullscreen” for a larger image.)
Electives
All first-year campers study Gospel Magic as their elective during their first week. In their second week, campers can select from any of the following electives:
- Gospel Magic
- Few things capture a group’s attention like a magic illusion. We will teach you the Commandments of Magic, how to present an illusion to a group, and a short patter that emphasizes a gospel truth relating to that illusion. We offer several illusions that cost $8 to $15 each.
- Ventriloquism
- One of the most effective ways to share the gospel is through ventriloquism. This is an art that is effective in communicating with both children and adults alike. We will teach you how to speak without moving your lips, how to control a dummy, and a short poem or skit.
- Ballooning
- Not only does the audience get to watch you twist balloons, but they also get to take it home with them! We will teach you how to twist balloons into animals or shapes, select a patter that you can learn, and show you how to include the audience in your presentation. Ballooning supplies typically cost under $10.
- Juggling
- Juggling is a visual way to catch a congregation’s attention. Despite how challenging it appears to be, it is a skill that most people can learn with enough practice. We will teach you how to juggle three balls and a patter that you can say while juggling. A set of juggling balls typically costs under $30.
- Music
- If you want to learn how to present a worship song solo during a Sunday service, this is your chance. We will select a song appropriate to your skill level, help you learn it, and provide tips so that you can be ready to present it at the Saturday Afternoon Program. (All campers who select Music must have prior training playing an instrument or singing.)
- Drama
- We live in a society that loves telling stories. This elective will teach you how to take on a character’s persona and deliver a monologue. We will select a dramatic monologue to fit your personality, help you learn it, and teach you how to present the character onstage.
- Mime
- This is the art of acting out a story without the use of speech. Instead, you will use your body to display your character and act out the storyline. We will select an appropriate mime routine, provide you with the music backing track, and teach you how to present the gospel message through mime.
Note: The electives offered each session may vary based on demand and capacity.
A Day at Camp
Below is what you can expect to enjoy on a typical day at camp. Of course, every day has some sort of special event, and we try to vary the order each day, but this gives you a glimpse into what life at JIM Club is like.
- 08:00am – “Radio Show” and Wake-Up
- This is your official wake-up call in the morning over the P.A. system. The show often features jokes, special guests, and a fun contest (the prize being a free item from the store!). Put on some clean clothes, brush your hair, and get ready for a fun day at camp.
- 08:15 – Personal Devotions
- Grab your Bible and head over to the The Burrows. We’ll assemble for a few minutes to talk, and then we’ll send you on your way to let you pray and read the Bible before breakfast.
- 08:45 – Praise & and Prayer
- Once you’ve finished praying and reading, come to the Rec Hall and we’ll sing a few songs or pray before breakfast begins.
- 09:00 – Breakfast
- Enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared for us by our wonderful cooks. Each day alternates between a hot and a cold breakfast.
- 09:30 – Room Cleanup and J.I.M. Jobs
- Return to your room to clean up your belongings and make sure everything is tidy. When you’re done, you can help with a bit of the cleaning work around camp. (As part of learning servant-leadership, each boy has a limited chore — cleaning and housekeeping to keep camp ship shape.)
- 10:15 – Morning Devotions
- Now that the camp has been cleaned, you can grab your Bible, a notebook, and a pen and go to The Burrows. We’ll start off by singing a few worship songs, and then we’ll hear some interesting Bible teaching from one of the counselors – maybe even your own counselor!
- 11:00 – Free Time
- A chance for you to have some free time! You can play a game of basketball, challenge a friend to a game of pool, or perhaps rehearse your sermon.
- 11:45 – Platform Practice Class
- Meet up with your counselor to work on your sermon, gospel magic illusion, ventriloquism, dramatic monologue, or whatever you’re working on. This is a great chance to get some advice and polish up, especially if you want to present at the Saturday Afternoon Program or on a Gospel Team.
- 12:30pm – Lunch
- Another great meal prepared by our mom cooks. Typical lunches include sandwiches, taco bar, pizza, chicken fingers, or macaroni and cheese.
- 01:15 – Rest Period
- After a busy morning, you get a chance to lie down and rest in your room. If you don’t feel like sleeping, then you can read, draw, memorize a sermon, or write a letter.
- 02:15 – Store / Free Time
- You can head on down to the Store to purchase a chocolate bar, soft drink, candy, or other delicious item. If you don’t feel like buying anything, then enjoy some free time.
- 03:00 – Sports
- Meet at the flagpole to break off into teams. At JIM Club, we play a wide range of sports – basketball, soccer, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, tag football, softball, ball hockey, gaga ball, or speedball (a weird mix of soccer, football, and rugby). We play a different sport each day.
- 04:00 – Swimming
- After sports, it’s time to cool off – and what better way than to go for a swim in Chautauqua Lake? Head down to the lake, choose a buddy, and get ready to have fun in the water!
- 04:45 – Dry Off
- A quick break to dry off and change after swimming.
- 05:00 – Electives
- We offer several elective classes that campers can choose from. The classes are taught by counselors who have practiced these skills for many years. Scroll to the top of this page to learn more about the electives we offer.
- 05:45 – Dinner
- Meet at the Rec Hall for your third meal of the day. Typical entrées include roast chicken, fish and chips, hamburgers, spaghetti, or chicken à la king. Dinner often includes a rice/vegetable side and dessert.
- 06:30 – Free Time
- Another chance to relax and have fun. You can play a game of foosball, get some friends together for a game of ball hockey, or just talk with your counselor.
- 07:00 – Recreation
- Meet in the Teardrop for a cross-camp game such as Capture the Flag, Star Wars, The Last Samurai, JIM Club Clue, or perhaps even a water fight if it’s hot enough.
- 08:00 – Break / Cool Down
- A short break to cool down after a fun Recreation time. Sometimes we will offer a light snack such as ice cream, popsicles, or watermelon.
- 08:15 – Evening Group Devotions
- Head over to The Burrows with your Bible for a nighttime devotional. Depending on the evening, we might hold an all-camp devotion led by one of the counselors, an in-room devotion with just your counselor and roommates, a “concert of prayer”, or a campfire. Be sure to get a glimpse of the sun setting over Chautauqua Lake.
- 09:00 – Get ready for Bed
- After the devotion finishes, head back to your room to brush your teeth, get changed, and get into bed. Your counselor might read a short story to you, share a short Bible passage, or close the day in prayer with your roommates.
- 09:30 – Lights Out
- After a long day, it’s time to turn off the lights and go to sleep. Be sure to get a good rest – it all happens again tomorrow.
Additionally, we hold a number of special events throughout each session. Here are some potential events that you might experience during a two-week session:
- Picnic Lunch
- Grab your picnic basket containing sandwiches, juice boxes, and snacks and find a comfortable place to eat with your counselor and roommates.
- Movie Madness
- Watch a family-friendly movie in the Rec Hall. Enjoy some popcorn and refreshments.
- Camper-Counselor Time
- Each counselor will host a different activity around camp. This could include board games, a basketball tournament, a theological discussion, frisbee golf, or making a video. Pick which activity you want to attend, and have fun!
- Gospel Teams
- Visit a local church on a Sunday morning (or a midweek Vacation Bible School) to present your sermon, magic illusion, or juggling routine.
- Talent Show
- Do you play an instrument? Know a funny skit? Have an unusual skill? This is your chance to share it and impress your friends.
- Trip to Midway State Park
- Midway is one of the oldest amusement parks in the country, dating back to 1898. After making the 10-minute walk to the park, campers can go on the rides, buy a snack, or play Skee-Ball.
- Hot Dog Roast
- Head down to the firepit next to the lake, grab a stick, and roast your own hot dogs and s’more.