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
Christ-centered
We keep Christ as the foundation of everything we do.
"And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father." - Colossians 3:17
Dignity
We believe everyone is created by God with inherent worth, dignity, and value.
For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10
Safety
We care for the needs and safety of everyone
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" - Galatians 6:2
Encouragement
We encourage people through intentional relationships and community.
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:24-25
Encountering God
We create opportunities for people to encounter God through service, worship, and Biblical teaching
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16
