J-Term is one of the most anticipated events of the school year, and it is just around the corner. High school students go on various local, regional and international trips to serve others and learn. J-Term is a great opportunity for missionary work and academic experiences, and the trips provide many unique moments that will be remembered for years to come.

Local:

Charlotte Serve:

Charlotte Serve is a local service trip that serves local ministries throughout the Charlotte area, such as the Charlotte Rescue Mission, Beds for Kids and Common Heart. Kay Brinkley, Kevin Honbarger and Donovan Law are the trip leads for the different trips. There are several other chaperones helping guide these trips as the students get ready to serve their community!

Internship:

The internship option is a choice that provides a unique experience. Students can plan their own service or mission related week that corresponds to their interests. This provides students with a possible experience in potential career paths, mission fields and more! The students provide written feedback and lessons from their various internships upon their return to school.

Regional:

Asheville:

Asheville is a well-known city in western North Carolina that is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and is known for the famous Biltmore Estate. Led by Dan Gwilt, students who go on this trip will partner with Adventures in Mission to serve people throughout Asheville and share the love of Jesus.

Chattanooga:

Chattanooga is a city in southeastern Tennessee that is divided by the Tennessee river and runs along the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. This is a girls only trip led by Melissa Solomon that partners with Widow Harvest to serve orphans and widows throughout Chattanooga.

Lumberton:

As the trip lead, Ben Bash will take students on this all boys trip to Lumberton, North Carolina and work with NC Baptists on Mission to help with their disaster relief efforts. During the trip, students will work on job sites and participate in fun evening activities.

Varsity Swim/College Tour:

Members of the Varsity Swim Team will travel throughout the Southeast to train, visit Universal Studios and the beach. This trip will be led by high school Varsity Swim coach Kate Johnson.

Distance:

California STEM (San Francisco):

Students on this trip will get to visit many industries throughout San Francisco and nearby cities in California that use STEM, such as the Intel Museum and the Exploratorium. Students will also get to walk across the Golden Gate bridge and visit Alcatraz, a famous military prison. The leaders for this trip are Marlin Mogusu and Sheila Nelson.

NYC:

The trip to New York City is a wonderful arts experience for those who are involved in the art and/or theater program. Christina McCorkle, the director of the arts here at Carmel, will travel with them as they get to experience the arts culture in New York City by going to museums, Broadway shows, Little Italy and Chinatown.

Orlando:

Amy Abbott will lead this trip to Orlando, Florida. It is a service trip that partners with ServeOrlando. Students will serve numerous ministries in Orlando and get the chance to go to Universal Studios before returning back to Charlotte.

International:

Costa Rica:

Students, led by Clay Kessler, will be visiting Costa Rica and serving those in need in San Jose through ministry opportunities while partnering with Atlas Abroad. Students will also get to experience the unique culture and rich landscape of Costa Rica while on this trip.

DR Freedom (Dominican Republic):

Students, led by Joel McMillon, will serve God in the Dominican Republic while they develop relationships with the local children. Students will also work to build buildings to help with the continuation of the ministry.

DR By Grace Alone (Dominican Republic):

The second group of students headed to the Dominican Republic will serve alongside Grace Alone Ministries through serving ESL classes in a Dominican public school and through after-school outreach programs for neighboring students. This trip will be led by Terry Menendez.

Guatemala:

Students visiting Guatemala will build homes for families in need. There will also be an opportunity to minister to the people of Guatemala and serve at a local orphanage. Students, led by freshman Spanish teacher Chad Meers, will be immersed in the Spanish language and will experience the culture of San Christobal.

Peru:

Led by Will Robertson and alongside Calvary Church, Carmel students will share Christ to people of Peru while also hosting a youth conference for their contemporaries. Students will also be able to experience the beauty and uniqueness of Peru’s culture on their visit.

Be sure to check back again after the J-term trips for reviews, features and testaments to the work being done all over the world through this unique ministry and academic opportunity.