Welcome to Camp Barnabas

Camp Barnabas is a unique ministry providing Christian camping experiences to individuals with special needs and chronic illnesses.

Happening at Barnabas

The Barnabas Difference: LOVE

Changing Lives Through Disability Ministry

Camp Barnabas is a ministry in Southwest Missouri dedicated to providing a unique Christian summer camp experience to individuals with special needs, their siblings, and youth from across the United States. It’s a summer full of fishing, canoeing, archery, ziplining, swimming, mini-golf, and so much more. We want our Campers to have a summer just like everyone else because, for most of the year, our Campers are on the outside. We want to create a place where they can be who God designed them to be. Campers and Volunteers grow in their walk with Christ and leave forever changed.

Every program and activity is adapted so that each person, regardless of ability or age, can participate. Each week is geared to a specific age range and a set of diagnoses so that each Camper is in a cabin with others similar to themselves. Campers are paired with a trained volunteer (Counselor) so they can get the full care and support they need. Camp Barnabas also provides an on-site medical facility with nurses and doctors to accommodate medical needs.

Our goal is to show others the love of Christ in every aspect of our ministry.

Click Here To Learn More Click Here to Serve With Us

Camp Barnabas App & Photos

Get a glimpse into all that Barnabas has to offer through the photo gallery! To access photos, you can either download the Camp Barnabas mobile app or visit the online gallery. Both options allow you to access and browse our gallery for free, but will require you to create an account. Once you've created an account, use the access code "TEASTRAIL" to view photos.

Viewing and downloading low-resolution photos from the online gallery is free. If you'd like to use facial recognition to find photos of your Camper, Missionary, or download high-res images from our gallery then sign up for a paid package by downloading the app from the Google Play Store, Apple App Store, or visiting the online gallery.

Download App

Campers

Experience Love, Joy, and Excitement this Summer

Campers age 7 and up will experience a life-changing week full of activities designed with them in mind.

Click For The Best Week Of Your Life

Serve

Not Your Average Missions Trip

Missionaries spend a crazy awesome week walking hand-in-hand with our Campers to help provide experiences that will change their lives forever.

Serve With Us

Summer Jobs

Your Adventure Awaits

We're not your average job, or summer camp. We're bold and daring, and we don't back down from a challenge. Each summer, it's our mission to create an unforgettable experience for anybody who enters our gates.

Join The Team

Campers

Experience Love, Joy, and Excitement this Summer

Campers age 7 and up will experience a life-changing week full of activities designed with them in mind.

Click For The Best Week Of Your Life

Serve

Not Your Average Missions Trip

Missionaries spend a crazy awesome week walking hand-in-hand with our Campers to help provide experiences that will change their lives forever.

Serve With Us

Summer Jobs

Your Adventure Awaits

Join The Team

Camp Barnabas App & Photos

Download App

About Us

Our History, Our Values, and Our Mission

FAQs & Testimonials

Although we do not require proof of a negative COVID test or vaccination, we ask that you not attend if you have been exposed to someone who has recently tested positive for COVID or if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms. We hope you will be able to join us but understand if based on risk, now is not the right time and we look forward to having you attend future Barnabas events.

Each week that we have is geared to a specific age range and a set of diagnoses. The youngest we can serve is 7 years old, and some weeks you can not age out. If you have any questions about the ages served each week feel free to consult our summer schedule page on our website. If you have questions after going over that information feel free to contact our Camper Registrar.

If you go to our website and click on login in the upper right-hand corner, you will enter your email address and click on sign in. You will then be asked to enter your password(if you forget your password, click on forgot password and you will be prompted to reset your password) once you click sign in you will then see a Blue circle on the upper right-hand side of the screen - click here to take you to your dashboard.

All Camper families will need to create a new username/password (this can be the same as their old one). If they have already registered for 2023, then they can click the "reset password" button.

Absolutely. Every Camper deserves to have a life-changing week at Barnabas! They also have a right to a safe and healthy week. In order to make sure your Camper is well taken care of we do have a few general extra medical care need protocols we have to follow:
First, contact our Health Services Director to discuss your Camper's needs in detail prior to camp. Second, if your Camper requires overnight medical care, we require Camper families to provide a private nurse during their time at camp. Third, if your Camper has a trach or utilizes a vent, we require Camper families to provide a private nurse as well.
We have a dedicated team of doctors and nurses that stay on camp grounds at all times throughout the summer. Members of this team are in charge of administering daily medications, tube feedings, health checks, etc.

At this time, our registration process is done completely online. If you do need help with registering your Camper please feel free to contact our Camper Registrar.

You can email your request to our Camper Registrar. We cannot guarantee that your request will happen but we will do our very best to honor it.

Cancellation requests received prior to March 1st will result in a full payment refund minus the non-refundable registration fee of $100. Cancellations occurring March 1-May 1 will allow for payment transfer to another week within the summer or toward registration for the following summer less the registration fee of $100. After May 1, all funds are forfeited. All cancellation requests must be in writing and sent to our Camp Registrar.

At Camp Barnabas, we strive to create a joy-filled week of fun for all of our Campers. To see that in action, visit our YouTube channel, where you'll find weekly videos from previous years along with other camp-related content.

Yes, Camp Barnabas is completely wheelchair accessible.

Every Camper will have a volunteer that stays with them throughout the entire week and is there to help meet all of their needs. In addition to our one-on-one ratio we have a policy that states that no Camper will ever be alone with just one Volunteer or one Staffer. One number one priority is the safety of everyone who enters through our gates.

The information on the registration site is basic info that will help us best care for your child’s needs and help our cabin staff and Missionaries serve your Camper more thoroughly. The information in Campdoc is Medical information such as medications and how to be administered, Doctors numbers, Insurance information all very critical to our Med Team in providing the utmost in care for your Camper.

We strive to provide everyone at camp with the safest, most current medical practices. If able, Campers should bring medication in pre-packaged (multi-dose strip packaging or multi-dose blister packs) by a pharmacy. Doing so will minimize potential medication errors, and follow the best-practice standards set by the American Nurse Association (ANA). However, we understand that not all insurances and pharmacies are able to assist with this process. In this case, please send your child's medication in the original pharmacy container with the pharmacy label intact, and no written edits on the instructions. Thank you for your support in making your child's stay at Camp Barnabas as safe as possible.
As a reminder, liquid medications must also be in the original pharmacy container.
Pre-Packaging Definitions:

Multi-Dose Strip Packaging – Each strip consists of individually sealed compartments containing all medications in pill form that are to be taken at a medicine pass delivery time (listed above).
Multi-Dose Blister Packs – Each blister pocket contains all the medication, in pill form, that is to be taken at a medicine delivery time (listed above). These can often be ordered online.

Thank you for your support in making your time at Camp Barnabas as safe as possible. If you have questions, please contact our Health Services Director.

We strive to glorify Jesus Christ in everything we do. We especially want Campers to see our Staff and Missionaries as living examples of Christ. We have specific policies designed to allow you to understand what we believe is right and true in the eyes of our Lord. These policies are also designed for your safety and wellness during camp. If you have questions about these, please contact our camp office.

If you are an individual or family with siblings flying and need transportation from the Springfield, MO airport, please enter your flight information into our registration system at least 20 days prior to arrival. Pickup will be between 3-5:00 pm on Sunday and drop off will be between 11:00 am to 12:30 pm on Friday (Closing Day). The fee is $50 for pickup and $50 for drop-off ($100.00 round-trip fee). The fee must be paid prior to camp and the individuals being picked up must be at least 18 years old, or have written consent from a parent. NOTICE: We are unable to accommodate group transportation pick-ups and drop-offs at this time. Thank you!

To make a payment, you will select the Camper account, click make a payment and enter the amount you wish to pay.

To view your Camper’s statement or Download a copy, Select the Camper account, click view statement and then download if you wish to print off the document or send it electronically.

A Third party payment is welcomed. The party may call in and make the payment over the phone or may mail a check to the following address making certain to write the name of the Camper in the memo field for proper distribution: Camp Barnabas Attn: Acctg Dept. Po Box 609 Branson, MO. 65615.

We never want cost to be a barrier to attending Camp Barnabas. Camper families may apply for additional financial support when registering for camp as part of the registration process. Any family wishing for pre-approval for a scholarship may reach out to our Camp Registrar at [email protected] Please know that approval for a scholarship does not guarantee a spot in a week at camp, you must also register your Camper for the week of your choice.

“Barnabas is a place where kids like my daughter can come and feel accepted. We have watched her work really hard to fit into the real world. But when she comes to Barnabas, it’s her world and everyone else gets to step into it.”

—Camper Parent

“It’s like when you throw a rock into a pond and it ripples out; Camp Barnabas is blessing people connected to that Camper. You are giving someone back home a break. You are allowing a sibling back home time with mom and dad that they don’t get when the Camper is at home. I don’t think a lot of people understand that. Thank you.”

—Camper Parent

“Camp Barnabas means freedom to me. I was able to enjoy Camp without limitations or fear for the first time in my life.”

—Camper

“Camp is a safe place to make friends, learn about Jesus, and be around other people just like me.”

—Camper

“Camp Barnabas is a place where you can be free of judgment, of your insecurities... you can just let go and have fun and you’re able to be who you wanna be.”

—Camper

Counselors are 15-29 years old. Barnstormers are 13-14 years old. Cabin Parents are 30 years old and up.

Yes, we do. For more information about missionary scholarships click here.

Click here for the different roles of camp.

Right here.

Click here

and get ready for a life-changing week at camp!

Contact our Missionary Coordinator.

That’s okay! Before you even get to camp, you’ll receive required e-learning materials to prepare you for your time at Barnabas. Once you’re at camp, you’ll complete a full training in addition to the online training you already completed to get you ready to serve the Campers well.

YES, you are welcome and invited to serve more than one term!

*If you stay in between terms you must be 18 or over and have approval from our Missionary Coordinator prior to staying at camp. You will be responsible for your own personal food, transportation, and entertainment as our staff will be on break. You will be expected to follow the camp rules even during the break. We will have a place for you to sleep and people will be around for emergencies.

A core policy at camp, for the safety of our Campers, Missionaries, and Staff is that you can never be alone with your Camper. There will be a third person with you—always! The majority of the time, you will be with your whole cabin.

Yes! We strive to provide everyone at camp with the safest, most current medical practices. If able, Missionaries should bring medication in pre-packaged (multi-dose strip packaging or multi-dose blister packs) by a pharmacy. Doing so will minimize potential medication errors, and follow the best-practice standards set by the American Nurse Association (ANA). However, we understand that not all insurances and pharmacies are able to assist with this process. In this case, please send your child’s medication in the original pharmacy container with the pharmacy label intact, and no written edits on the instructions. Please refer to the Medical Form included in the Barnabas Bound Packet for further instructions on medication packaging. Thank you for your support in making your child’s stay at Camp Barnabas as safe as possible.

As a reminder, liquid medications must also be in the original pharmacy container. Please refer to the Barnabas Medical Form in your Barnabas Bound Packet for our policy on topical creams, eye drops, ear drops, or anything that is not a pill.

Pre-Packaging Definitions:

Multi-Dose Strip Packaging – Each strip consists of individually sealed compartments containing all medications in pill form that are to be taken at a medicine pass delivery time (listed above).
Multi-Dose Blister Packs – Each blister pocket contains all the medication, in pill form, that is to be taken at a medicine delivery time (listed above). These can often be ordered online.

Thank you for your support in making your time at Camp Barnabas as safe as possible. If you have questions, please contact our Health Services Director, Bernadette Losh, at [email protected]

We strive to glorify Jesus Christ in everything we do. We especially want Campers to see our staff and missionaries as living examples of Christ. We have specific policies designed to allow you to understand what we believe is right and true in the eyes of our Lord. These policies are also designed for your safety and wellness during camp. If you have questions about these, please contact our camp office.

“I credit Camp Barnabas for my confidence because it is a safe haven for Campers and Missionaries and anyone who is lucky enough to walk through those gates. Because of Camp Barnabas, I am now a certified and licensed interpreter and constant advocate for everything Camp Barnabas is and does.”

—Missionary

“When the camper’s faces light up... there’s nothing quite like that.”

—Missionary

“Camp Barnabas is an amazing place for people with disabilities to feel the love of God, and to see that in action through the Missionaries and the Staff.”

—Cabin Parent

“Camp Barnabas is a great place for joy, and for hope. Joy because of what the Campers get to experience, and hope for what we see happening in these young people’s lives.”

—Cabin Parent

“You need to come. Everyone needs to come and experience what God is doing here. Everyone needs to come and experience something that will change your life.”

—Missionary

With the support and guidance of our Director of Health Services, physicians care for the wide range of medical issues that can arise during camp sessions. Physicians are available around the clock to evaluate Campers, Missionaries and Staff, supervise medical procedures, and prescribe medications.

Camp nurses are responsible for the daily dispensing and documenting of Camper medications, providing treatments and procedures (infusions, nebulizers, feeding tube, urinary catheter and central venous catheter care, etc.) and responding to Camper and Staff drop-in visits for everything from splinters, fevers, and tummy aches to other serious accidents or illnesses. Support and supervision are provided by the Well House and Health Services Director and volunteer physicians.

To learn more about what roles we have on our Medical Team, click here.

Medical Team members arrive on Saturday between 2:00 and 3:00 pm and leave on Friday at 10:00 am.

Not yet, but we promise that we are looking into it.

We’re located in Purdy, Missouri. Fun fact: Extreme Home Makeover came to visit Teas Trail in 2005. We’ve added even more cool things to our camp since then and we can’t wait for you to come check us out!

Healthcare staff accommodations are shared, air-conditioned bedrooms and suites with attached bathrooms. The Well House has laundry available.

By law, all medications must be stored in the Camp Barnabas Well House. Immunization status will need to be confirmed prior to attendance at camp. While Camp Barnabas is a fun environment, all Medical Team volunteers should be aware of the intense and demanding nature of a camp session to ensure that personal health limitations will not interfere with camp responsibilities.

Physicians may bring spouses and family. However, due to the high level of medical care required for our Campers, we are not able to accommodate space for additional family members for nurses at this time. Thank you for understanding! Nurses are encouraged to enroll children ages 7+ years as sibling, Campers or Missionaries. These will require separate registration.

Please contact our Health Services Director for more information.

Nurses must have a Missouri license or an NLC (nurse licensure compact) license. Physicians must be licensed to practice in their state.

Yes, as long as they fit within our roles. To learn more about our Medical Team roles, visit here. We also have other serving opportunities for adults.

You can register here!!

We welcome paramedics, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physician assistants and other healthcare professionals to join us in the health center too. If you have lots of extra letters after your name, let’s talk. Camper check-in day is always a time that we can use help. If you can only give a couple hours of your time, this might be a great way to get involved.

“I loved every minute of serving as a volunteer nurse. It has been the most rewarding and fulfilling part of my life. The Campers have touched my heart and made me smile in so many ways. They have taught me more than a nursing textbook ever could.”

—Med Team Member

“Camp Barnabas is the most wonderful place in the world. Volunteers and staff work together to make the Camper’s week the best of the year... It is a life changing experience in a piece of heaven on earth.”

—Med Team Member

“Safe-haven is probably the best word I can use to describe Camp Barnabas, because my son can enjoy the things that I can’t offer and I don’t have to worry about it.”

—Camper Parent

“It just feels like a privilege, to have the trust of parents, who I’m sure have concerns and reservations. Every parent of a kid with complicated, out-of-the-ordinary needs would want us to feel for their child. To be there for them, not just in some sort of sterile clinical capacity, but to be a part of a human encounter with a person that is loved and valued by God.”

—Med Team Member

“It is an opportunity for Christian formation for our whole family, and I see our children having known and loved their brother, bringing the empathy that they’ve been trained up with to camp. I love it, I just feel like Camp Barnabas makes our whole family more holy, more grounded, and more Christ-like.”

—Med Team Member, Camper/Missionary Parent

Counselors are ages 15-29 years old. Barnstormers are ages 13-14 years old. Cabin Parents are 30 years old and up.

Yes, we do. For more information about Missionary scholarships click here.

Click here for the different roles of camp.

Right here.

Click here

and get ready for a life-changing week at camp.

First, if you are a first time Missionary watch this registration tutorial or if you are a returning Missionary watch this registration tutorial.
If you could still use some help, contact our Missionary Coordinator, Caleb, at [email protected] or 417-597-3223 for assistance with registration.

If you are an individual or family with siblings flying and need transportation from the Springfield, MO airport, please email your flight itinerary to [email protected] at least 20 days prior to your flight. Pickup will be between 3-5:00 pm on Saturday (Missionary Arrival Day) and drop off will be between 11:00 am to 12:30 pm on Friday (Closing Day). The fee is $50 for pickup and $50 for drop-off ($100 round-trip fee). The fee must be paid prior to camp and the individuals being picked up must be at least 18 years old, or have written consent from a parent. NOTICE: We are unable to accommodate group transportation pick-ups and drop-offs at this time.

YES! You are welcome and invited to serve more than one term.

Pre-Packaging Definitions:

Multi-Dose Strip Packaging – Each strip consists of individually sealed compartments containing all medications in pill form that are to be taken at a medicine pass delivery time (listed above).
Multi-Dose Blister Packs – Each blister pocket contains all the medication, in pill form, that is to be taken at a medicine delivery time (listed above). These can often be ordered online.

Thank you for your support in making your time at Camp Barnabas as safe as possible. If you have questions, please contact our Health Services Director, Bernadette Losh, at [email protected].

We strive to glorify Jesus Christ in everything we do. We especially want campers to see our staff and missionaries as living examples of Christ. We have specific policies designed to allow you to understand what we believe is right and true in the eyes of our Lord. These policies are also designed for your safety and wellness during camp. If you have questions about these, please contact our camp office.

“I send my kids to Camp Barnabas because it teaches them something you can’t get in a service, altar call, or Bible study. It is putting the Bible into practice intensely for a week. It is showing the love of Jesus, not just experiencing it or reading about it.”

—Youth Group Leader

“Compared to other summer camps, a week serving at Camp Barnabas is half the cost and twice the experience! Students who serve at Camp Barnabas discover that being a contributor to ministry is far greater than being a consumer of ministry. Together, we learn about the joy of selfless service, the beautiful, God-given value of every human life, and the community-building power of shared experiences. Serving Christ at Camp Barnabas is one of the most impactful things we do as a ministry.”

—Youth Group Leader

“This mission trip is a tangible opportunity to experience the light of Christ. My youth don’t come back and revert to the way they always were. Their ability to love and serve is different because a piece of their life has been changed forever.”

—Youth Group Leader

“There is no life change that I’ve seen in our students like a week at Camp Barnabas.”

—Group Leader

“I think Camp Barnabas has challenged me to not just serve individuals with special needs just one week out of the year but look for opportunities all around me in my context to be the hands and feet of Christ.”

—Group Leader

That is completely okay, and this does not eliminate you from being a potential Barnabas staffer! We have a whole week of training before any Campers arrive to train anyone who has never worked with an individual with special needs before.

Camp Barnabas is located in Southwest Missouri, specifically Purdy.

To be on Summer Staff you need to be at least 18 years old, or have graduated high school. Not quite 18? We have other incredible serving opportunities! Learn more here!

All Summer Staff are paid per session. Email our Staff Director to find out deets.
As an added bonus, we can help you secure internship credit for your hours. See Internship FAQ below.

As long as you can still bust dance moves in it, yes.

Absolutely. All staff are required to attend a paid Staff Training Week.

Yes! We strive to provide everyone at camp with the safest, most current medical practices. If able, bring medication in pre-packaged (multi-dose strip packaging or multi-dose blister packs) by a pharmacy. Doing so will minimize potential medication errors, and follow the best-practice standards set by the American Nurse Association (ANA). However, we understand that not all insurances and pharmacies are able to assist with this process. In this case, bring medication in the original pharmacy container with the pharmacy label intact, and no written edits on the instructions. Please refer to the Medical Form included in the Barnabas Bound Packet for further instructions on medication packaging.

Pre-Packaging Definitions:

Multi-Dose Strip Packaging – Each strip consists of individually sealed compartments containing all medications in pill form that are to be taken at a medicine pass delivery time (listed above).
Multi-Dose Blister Packs – Each blister pocket contains all the medication, in pill form, that is to be taken at a medicine delivery time (listed above). These can often be ordered online.

Thank you for your support in making your time at Camp Barnabas as safe as possible. If you have questions, please contact our Health Services Director, Bernadette Losh, at [email protected].

There will be a dance test. Please come prepared. JUST KIDDING! But do bring all the moves you’ve got.

We’ve got you covered here. Our camp Chef’s whip up delicious eats during the summer and you get to stay in our air-conditioned cabins all summer long.

During your weekly time off, many of our staff enjoy venturing into town to enjoy local restaurants, snacks, and other summer treats.

Of course! Rest is needed. You get roughly 24 hours off at the end of each week for R&R. If you work All Summer, you get an additional 6 days off to use as you choose.

You did! We are able to provide internship credit accepted by most college departments. Want more information on this? Email our Staff Director.

We are super pumped to hear that you are interested. You can find our position list here! Once you have submitted your application, our Staff Director or Staff Intern will contact you to set up an interview!

“This place is where the different becomes normal, and the impossible is obtained.”

—Summer Staffer

“I think we model servanthood here. It’s gonna push you, it’s gonna make you uncomfortable. Camp is always pushing you past yourself where you are no longer capable of doing it, and that forces you to rely on God and rely on the people He’s put in your life.”

—Summer Staffer

“Our camp couldn’t exist this long if we weren’t all sharing the gospel and pursuing Christ, and I think that is truly what makes us different. It is a glimpse of heaven on earth. Each day, people are leaning on Christ and creating a space that is safe for anybody with a disability or just anybody at all to come to.”

—Summer Staffer

“This summer is going to change you in such incredible ways that you aren’t even expecting, and so you’re going to experience immense growth here. You will grow most in those places of un-comfortability.”

—Summer Staffer

“God’s love is very evident at camp. One of the things I love most about camp is that you get to love on people that don’t get to experience God’s love everyday.”

—Summer Staffer

You can see the way we figure our prices here.

Our Teas Trail location can hold 500 people.

Yes! We are more than happy to cook for you and your group. Our price quotes always include us cooking and serving meals for you.

Absolutely. We want you to be able to keep your family happy, because that makes ministry or event planning ten times easier. See our lodging page for images of some our rooms that can accommodate families. We have a few mini fridges that we can move around to keep baby formula cold.

Yes, we have Wi-Fi access in our camp office. We try to limit the amount of time people spend on the internet because our Wi-Fi is naturally slow and gets slower as more and more people connect to it.

Cell phone service is available yet limited depending on your carrier. Most of the Barnabas staff have AT&T or Verizon and our service is fine. We also have landlines that you can use if needed.