We're driven by our passion for helping others, our love of Jesus Christ, and our commitment to making a difference in the lives of our Campers.
The Barnabas Experience
Our Mission
What We’re All About
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. They spend their year adapting and making modifications to their lives and routines in order to function in the world around them. At Camp Barnabas, we want our Campers to feel limitless. We want to create a place where they can feel the freedom to be who they were designed to be.
Since 1994, Camp Barnabas has welcomed more than 90,000 Campers with special needs and Missionaries to camp. Our goal at Camp Barnabas is to show others the love of Christ in every aspect of our ministry. We are passionate not only about changing the lives of those with special needs and chronic illnesses, but also about changing the lives of all who come in contact with Barnabas: Campers, siblings, high school Missionaries, parents, collegiate Staff, and donors.
Our Campers are individuals ages 7+ with a variety of diagnoses: developmental and physical disabilities, chronic illnesses, autism spectrum disorder, cancer, hemophilia, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, amputated limbs, atypically formed limbs, visual impairment, hearing impairment, spina bifida, and many other rare and debilitating diseases.
The heart of our camp is our youth Missionary volunteers. These men and women ages 13+ come from all over the U.S. to be challenged and grow in their faith. Before leaving, they gain a radically new perspective about themselves and others around them. Throughout their week, they serve, love, and learn from each other in ways they aren’t able to anywhere else. It’s incredible to witness the growth in compassion and companionship Missionaries gain from just one week.
Our Values
We inspire people to realize their abilities.
We serve people.
We know God created everyone with purpose and ability.
We point people to Christ in everything we do.
We exceed expectations.
We are leaders.
Christ comes first—always.
We make our surroundings safe, we make people feel secure.
