For Your Visit

Accommodations

Housing is available at the JAARS Base. For pricing and reservations, call 704.843.6020 or email housing.jaars@jaars.org. Please note, this is a separate charge from the ICC course fees.

Transportation

The JAARS Base is located about 50 miles from the Charlotte Intl Airport. Our two closest towns are Waxhaw, NC  6 miles, and Lancaster, SC 10 miles from JAARS.

ICC participants are responsible for their own transportation. While a car is not required to attend ICC, most people find it helpful to bring their own car for shopping and to attend the assigned international church on Sunday. If you have children, be sure to bring your own car seats to use with your rental car. If you are coming from the airport we recommend contacting Uber, Lyft or the volunteer airport group at bit.ly/wxw_airport_dropoff and bit.ly/wxw_airport_pickup.

Food

Participants are responsible for their own meals.

• Base housing is equipped with a kitchen that includes pots, pans, dishes, and utensils.
• Lunches are available Monday to Friday in the JAARS Cafe.
• Restaurants and grocery shopping are in Waxhaw (6 miles away) or Lancaster (10 miles away).
• Snacks, coffee, and tea will be served during ICC breaks.

Health Services

The JAARS Clinic is available for your use during ICC. Along with appointments due to illness, they also offer immunizations, lab work, and medical consults in preparation for going overseas.

• During required ICC hours, only necessary appointments for illness may be made.
• Appointments for lab work, immunizations, or other non-emergency medical consultations may not interfere with any part of the ICC schedule. For these services, plan to arrive before ICC or stay after, as you will not be excused from class for these items and will have to reschedule the appointment.

Contact the JAARS Clinic at 704.843.6222 or clinic.jaars@jaars.org to make arrangements ahead of time.

Mail

While you are at JAARS, friends and family may send mail to you at the following addresses:

Letters:
JAARS/ICC
Your Name
PO Box 248
Waxhaw, NC 28173

Packages:
JAARS/ICC
Your Name
7601 Radin Road
Waxhaw, NC 28173

Counseling

Wycliffe professional counseling services are available during ICC to all participants free of charge. ICC staff are also available to you during the course for personal coaching. Contact the counseling staff to arrange an appointment at tim_sieges@wycliffe.org

Other JAARS Services

• Airplane/Helicopter Rides: flightcoordinator@jaars.org
• Printshop: printshop.jaars@jaars.org
• Land Ops: land.transportation_jaars@jaars.org
• Mailroom: mailroom@jaars.org
• Sea Ops: maritime@jaars.org
• Missionary Boutique: boutique_manager@jaars.org
• Museums: alphabetmuseum@jaars.org
• Purchasing/Shipping: pas-airfreightjaars@jaars.org
• Pool: pool@jaars.org
• JAARS Tours: tours@jaars.org

Childcare

Immunization is required by law in North Carolina. To be eligible for childcare provided by JAARS, it is mandatory that your child be current with his or her immunizations (does not refer to Covid-19 vaccine).

Babies and Preschool

• Babies ages 3 months and younger may be in class with parents.
• Children ages 3 months through preschool attend MK Station.

School-Aged Children

• Summer ICC Session: Children who have completed Kindergarten through 5th grade attend the Summer Safari program, when provided. ICC will provide some age-appropriate training for elementary children to help them transition into life as missionary kids.
• Winter ICC Session:
  • To enroll your children in the local school, bring:
    • health records
    • current immunization records
    • birth certificate
    • Social Security card
  • Homeschool assistance may be available. For more information, contact the Director of Third Culture Kid Care & Education at stephen.sweeney@jaars.org.

Teens

• During the Summer ICC Session, teens who have completed grades 6–12 may attend our Teen ICC program.