Jungle Jump Off

Escape from the jungle of routine living. Come to Jungle Jump Off and get a jump start introduction to the world of Missions!

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Experience a taste of mission field living

	No time or funds for an overseas missionary trip? No problem! Venture to the wilds of Waxhaw, North Carolina, for a program called Jungle Jump Off. You and your high schoolers (14 and older) or college age group can spend a week in a simulated remote village setting right here in the states.
Welcome to Jungle Jump Off!
Experience a taste of field living and missionary service for a minimal investment in time and money.

Explode some myths about missions

The JAARS Jungle Jump Off program includes a tour of JAARS and its two museums (the Mexico-Cárdenas Museum and the Alphabet Museum), demonstrations, videos, and a meal in the home of a JAARS family. Around an evening campfire, Wycliffe missionaries will describe their overseas experiences. The highlight of the week is a simulated mission experience called The Journey. It will explode some myths about missions and will expose your group to the realities of missionary life.

Expaaaaand your comfort zone

	New experiences for your group will include cooking on mud stoves located under a covered dining shelter, or over an open fire outside.
Jungle Jump Off Dining area

After a day blending challenges and fun, sleep will be sweet on a wooden floor in a champa (primitive house built on stilts) or in a hammock strung between trees in a heavily–wooded area at the JAARS Center.
	Sleeping in a champa

Explore some possibilities

Group devotions, your own Bible study, or personal quiet time will have special meaning when held outdoors in the beauty of God’s natural world. As you take time to listen you may find God cutting a trail for your future.

Perhaps you’ll begin exploring possibilities for a career as a Bible translator or support worker. You may find God leading you to contribute to a special JAARS project or get involved in supporting missions at your church. At the very least, your week at Jungle Jump Off will help you know how to pray more effectively for missionaries. It will expand your viewpoint of the world of missions and help you begin to examine what your part in it may be.

Show Me More

2007 group photos

Planning your JJO Trip

Requirements are:

At least one adult leader for every ten teens.
Minimum age: 14
Recommended group size (including leaders): 15 to 25 (maximum).

You will need to bring:

Food and cooking equipment
Dishes, utensils, clean-up supplies
An ice chest (we supply ice)
Lanterns and fuel are a must!
Flashlight and batteries
Sleeping bag and pillows
Air mattress or mat
Insect repellant
Sunscreen
Bible
Towels, soap, shower shoes
Work clothes, gloves, hat
Adults may want folding lawn chairs
Wood for cooking is provided—you may bring a camp stove and fuel, if desired

What not to bring:

Alcoholic beverages
Tobacco, drugs
Fireworks
Firearms
Prank paraphernalia

Those who have experienced Jungle Jump Off say:

“I think God might be calling me to make a decision to go to the mission field.”
“God can use even me to do His will.”
“I never knew quite so much went into becoming a missionary. I figured whoever felt they were called simply jumped on a plane and went.”
“I want to be open to missions myself and much more supportive of missionaries who go.”
“During one of the videos, God called me to be a pilot for JAARS—just a quiet urging that this is what I was meant to do. JJO continually asks you to think outside of your everyday 9-5 life, and truly make a difference for God.”

Jungle Jump Off is sponsored by JAARS. As part of the Wycliffe Bible Translators’ family of organizations, JAARS provides support services for Bible translation. Our goal is to help translate God’s Word into thousands of still unwritten languages throughout the world. JAARS uses pilots, technicians, information technology personnel, truck drivers, builders, media specialists, secretaries, and people with all kinds of talents to help accomplish the task.

JJO Weekly Schedule
Pastor/Youth Leader letter
Application for JJO Waiting List: html format - Word format - PDF format

Jungle Jump Off is also held at Wycliffe Illinois.

Visit WYnet, Wycliffe web site for youth, youth pastors and youth workers.
Also, WYnet International.