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.

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 point people to Christ in everything we do.

We make our surroundings safe, we make people feel secure.

We serve people.

We exceed expectations.

Christ comes first—always.

We know God created everyone with purpose and ability.

We are leaders.

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.

Learn More

Our Team

camp staffer at camp barnabas john
John Tillack
Chief Executive Officer
camp staffer at camp barnabas julie
Julie Novak
Executive Director of Project Management & Logistics
Bearded, brunette man smiling with trees in the background
Mike Mrosko
Senior Camp Director
camp staffer at camp barnabas debbie
Debbie Weathermon
Executive Director of Development & Communications
camp staffer at camp barnabas bernadette
Bernadette Losh
Executive Director of Health Services
camp staffer at camp barnabas brittany
Brittany Reed
Executive Director of Finance & Human Resources
Man smiling for camera with a hat on and trees in the background
Rick Thomas
Maintenance Director
camp staffer at camp barnabas brenda
Brenda Brandt
Programs Director
camp staffer at camp barnabas melissa
Melissa Pardeck
Executive Assistant/Development Specialist
camp staffer at camp barnabas abby
Abby Smith
Graphic Designer
Maddie Gjorvad
Digital Content Coordinator
camp staffer at camp barnabas jake
Jake Parker
Staff Director
Blonde woman smiling with trees in background
Tracy Sherrow
Camp Registrar
Young man smiling for the camera with trees in the background
Caleb Brandt
Missionary Coordinator
camp staffer at camp barnabas matthew
Matthew McDavid
Retreat Coordinator
Blonde woman with orange shirt smiling for the camera
Morgan McDavid
Leadership Academy Coordinator
Man with short hair smiling for the camera
Shawn Darst
Construction Director
Jonathan Mills
Landscaping Supervisor
Don Hubbs
Chairman of the Board | Trustee, Jedel Family Foundation
Steve Butcher
CEO, SLB Consulting Ltd
Peter Herschend
Co-Founder, Herschend Family Entertainment
Myron Mizell
MD, Cardiology (Retired)
Robin Walker
CEO, Walker Asset Management LLC
Larry Gibson
Managing Member, Gibson Properties LLC
Timothy Jones D.O., F.A.A.F.P.
Jacob Spain, MD
Emergency Medicine Physician, Mercy Hospital Springfield
Libby Schaller
Parent Educator
Jake Hornberger, DDS
Leftwich Dentistry

Our Careers

There are currently no open positions, but we're always looking for talented people to join the Barnabas crew. If you're interested in a position email us.

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.

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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

Got questions about Camp?

For further questions about camp please complete the form or call or email us.