About

WHO WE ARE

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.

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.

Camp Map

Camp Map
Camp barnabas map colored green

History

How We Started

As a child, Lauren Hauschild attended a summer camp for several years. She was diagnosed with cancer in 1992, and after going through chemotherapy and the loss of her leg, she still wanted to attend camp. Unfortunately, she often found herself in the camp’s Medical Center, unable to truly enjoy her summer.

When asked what her ideal summer camp looked like, Lauren said, “Everyone would be in a wheelchair or on crutches. No one would care that your hair was missing from chemo. It would be easy for anyone to do all of the activities of camp. Cancer wouldn’t isolate you—it would unite you—and when you came there, you would be loved.”

From there, an idea was born, and in 1994, Camp Barnabas was established. Then, in 1996, founders Paul and Cyndy Teas purchased Soaring Hawk Camp (Purdy, Missouri) and opened Camp Barnabas at Teas Trail. The organization has grown, but our goal remains the same: provide life-changing experiences.

Timeline

Camp counselors sitting on bleachers at Camp Barnabas
1994

Camp Barnabas is established

Camp Barnabas sign at the entrance
1996

Founders Paul and Cyndy Teas purchase Camp Soaring Hawk in Purdy, Missouri and open Camp Barnabas

Camp counselors walking towards a bunkhouse at Camp Barnabas
1998

First Medical Center is built

People playing a large bingo game at camp barnabas mess hall
2000

New dining hall is built

Kids swimming at a summer camp pool
2002

250,000 gallon zero-entry pool is built

Celebration fundraising event at Camp Barnabas with tents and people outside
2005

Featured on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

Camping cabins at Camp Barnabas
2008

21 accessible cabins built for both boys and girls

Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader logo
2010

Country music singer Joe Nichols selects Barnabas for his fundraising charity on “Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader?”

Campers and counselors at Camp Barnabas in the fall time
2011

Barnabas Prep is established. A $1.6M Well House is built

Aerial view of dorm at Camp Barnabas
2014

Branson property for Barnabas Prep is purchased thanks to Gary and Norma Smalley

Cabins at Camp Barnabas renovation
2016

Sibling tree houses built

Jordan Spieth golfer and donor to camp barnabas
2017

Professional golfer Jordan Spieth provides camper scholarships. Additionally, professional baseball player Cole Hamels and wife Heidi donate 32,000 square foot home on Table Rock Lake.

Overhead aerial view of Camp Barnabas cabins in winter
2018

Barnabas purchases Doulos Property in Branson, Missouri to grow Barnabas Prep program. Additionally, a brand new fully-accessible mini-golf course built.

Camp sponsors with their donation
2019

Celebrated 25 years of Camp Barnabas

Overhead view of the lake at Camp Barnabas
2021

Capital Campaign launched: New Lake constructed, Apple Cannons installed, buildings remodeled to add Game Room and Sensory Rooms

2022

Capital Campaign construction continues with New Farm and Warehouse

2023

New 10,000 square foot pool constructed featuring lazy river, sensory zones, splash pads, and adaptive slides

Barnabas Prep

Redefine What’s Possible

Equipping young adults with disabilities for a life of self-confidence, societal significance, and spiritual maturity in Christ.

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Our Team

John Tillack
Chief Executive Officer
Tracy Sherrow
Camper Registrar
camp staffer at camp barnabas bernadette
Bernadette Losh
Chief Operations Officer
Brittany Kramer
Assistant Health Services Director
Caleb Brandt
Missionary Coordinator
camp staffer at camp barnabas brenda
Brenda Brandt
Camp Operations Director
Cristal Mrosko
Spiritual Life and Recruitment Director
Matthew McDavid
Retreat Coordinator
Morgan McDavid
Leadership Academy Coordinator
Anna Luper
Registration Coordinator
camp staffer at camp barnabas debbie
Debbie Weathermon
Chief Business Officer
camp staffer at camp barnabas melissa
Melissa Pardeck
Executive Assistant/Development Specialist
camp staffer at camp barnabas brittany
Brittany Reed
Executive Director of Finance
Caroline Tillack
Development Specialist
Emily Friggle
Development Assistant
Abby Smith
Camp Creative Director
Maddie Gjorvad
Digital Content Coordinator
Kelly Cooper
Camp Intern
Andrew Park
Camp Intern
Jack Sadler
Camp Intern
Man with short hair smiling for the camera
Shawn Darst
Construction Director
Man smiling for camera with a hat on and trees in the background
Rick Thomas
Maintenance Director
Jonathan Mills
Landscaping Supervisor
Jacob Spain, MD
Chairman of the Board | Emergency Medicine Physician, Mercy Hospital Springfield
Larry Gibson
Vice Chairman of the Board | Managing Member, Gibson Properties LLC
Peter Herschend
Co-Founder, Herschend Family Entertainment
Robin Walker
CEO, Walker Asset Management LLC
Timothy Jones D.O., F.A.A.F.P.
President, CoxHealth Medical Group
Libby Schaller
Parent Educator
Jake Hornberger, DDS
Leftwich and Hornberger Dentistry

Hiring Disclaimer


Barnabas Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt corporation, Barnabas Foundation is a faith-based religious organization. As a faith-based religious organization pursuant to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. @2000e-1), we hire candidates who agree and attest to our Statement of Faith.

Media/News

Check Out the Latest News, Photos, and Videos

We love sharing all the latest camp happenings. Check out our media and news page to get the inside scoop.

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Barnabas Foundation – Mailing

Phone:

(417) 476-2565

Mailing Address:

PO Box 609
Branson, MO 65615

Camp Barnabas

Camp Address:

901 Teas Trail
Purdy, MO 65734

Phone:

(417) 522-6011 (Summer only)

Barnabas Foundation – Arkansas

Mailing Address:

1200 W. Walnut, Ste 3114
Rogers, AR 72756