Camp Barnabas offers a mission trip like no other. It's a life-changing week serving our Campers with disabilities
Not Your Average Mission Trip
Camp Barnabas welcomes youth groups, college ministries, schools, sports teams, and organizations to serve our Campers with disabilities and chronic illnesses. The impact of Camp Barnabas goes beyond a week of summer camp. During this six-day mission trip, Missionaries and groups experience a transformational week, gain a deeper understanding of their faith, learn to love and serve others, and build a stronger relationship with Jesus. Groups come away more connected as they spend a week together in a cabin unplugged and challenged to put others above themselves.
Build Your Missionary Team:
Barnstormers (13-14 years) have a servant’s heart and a great work ethic. They keep the camp in tip-top shape by serving food and tidying up during the week. Barnstormers enjoy building relationships with their bunkmates and creating lasting memories.
Counselors (15-29 years) experience the week side-by-side with their Camper while providing unconditional love and care for all of their needs during the week.
Cabin Parents (30 and up) play a big part in cheering on Counselors and Campers. They provide extra support and encouragement for cabins as an adult volunteer all while enjoying the adventures of camp life. Group Leaders will serve in the Cabin Parent role even if the leader is not 30 years old.
Barnabas provides all the training you need as well as the programming. On top of that, we'll provide spiritual resources including devotions, daily lessons, and group discussion guides. Our team will help guide you through the registration process, make sure you have all the information needed to communicate to students and parents, and pray for you and your group before and after your time at camp.
Missionary Roles
Barnstormers
Age: 13-14
Barnstormers have a servant’s heart and a great work ethic. They keep camp in tip-top shape by serving food and helping to clean the Dining Hall and bathrooms around camp. Barnstormers interact with Campers at activities and parties and are spiritually led and mentored by Barnabas Staff. Depending on our needs, some Barnstormers may be asked to move up to a Counselor role.
Barnstormers can receive 75 service hours per week at Camp.
Barnstormer Duties:
- Wash Dishes in the Dining Hall.
- Set tables and serve food.
- Clean bathrooms throughout camp.
- Have fun with Campers!
Counselors
Age: 15-29
Counselors make up the largest percentage of our Missionaries throughout the summer and are our greatest need each year. These incredible individuals experience the week side-by-side with their Camper. Counselors put aside their desires for the needs of Campers—like how Jesus laid down his life for the sake of others. They unconditionally love, accept, and care for their Campers’ needs during the week. It is a challenging role but an incredibly rewarding and spiritually revealing experience.
Counselors can receive 75 service hours per week at Camp.
Counselor Duties:
- Be a friend to their Camper.
- Assist with ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) when needed.
- Come alongside Campers during devotions.
- Help Campers participate in activities with their cabin.
Cabin Parents
Age: 30+ (or Group Leaders who are not yet 30)
Cabin Parents are essential in supporting Counselors, Campers, and Staff each week. They are assigned to a cabin but have separate living quarters. Although this role is titled “parent,” adult leaders are encouraged to step back during the week and let the Staff and Counselors in their cabin problem-solve and grow. The purpose of Cabin Parents is to support and love all the people in their cabin.
Cabin Parents can receive 75 service hours per week at Camp.
Cabin Parent Duties:
- Assist with ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) when needed.
- Assist with kitchen duties.
- Wash Camper laundry if soiled.
- Attend cabin activities.
- Encourage Counselors, Campers, and Staff in the cabin
- Optional: provide snacks and party supplies for the cabin.
Apostles
Age: Current Juniors in High School
The Apostleship Program is designed for Missionaries seeking leadership development and service beyond one week at camp. Over three weeks, Apostles will serve Campers, Role Models, and Sibling Campers, and will shadow various Summer Staff and Directors. This lets you see the many sides of camp that make our ministry possible! The program includes Bible studies led by our Summer Leadership, intentional leadership development training, and community time with others. Apostles get the opportunity to fundraise for support for their position, which demands high expectations and standards. Don't worry; our team will walk beside you and invest in you throughout the program. With the Apostleship program, our heart is to develop a passion for service and encourage your knowledge and love of Jesus through your experience at Barnabas. The Apostleship Program is for individuals who will finish their Junior year of high school in the Spring of 2026.
APOSTLE PROGRAM INVESTMENT
Because this is a three-week program during the summer, the investment to participate is $800. This cost helps cover meals and lodging. Apostle investments also cover programming, activities, adaptive measures, safety resources, and medical supplies. Any remaining amount goes to our Camper Scholarship Fund to further aid our Campers with disabilities get to camp! Many of our Apostles go on to lead a life in ministry; that's why we encourage Apostles to fundraise their fee to teach additional ministry skills while also pushing them to rely on the Lord. If you have questions about this, we'd be happy to answer. We encourage our Apostles to fundraise to reach their $800. If an Apostle needs to cancel after being accepted and fundraising has begun, every donation will still make an impact. Those funds will go directly to our Camper Scholarship Fund, ensuring Campers with disabilities have the opportunity to experience a life-changing week at Camp Barnabas.
Group Rates
The total cost for each person in your group is $310. This includes a $100 deposit plus a $210 fee. This covers meals, lodging, and a background check.
2026 Weeks and Registration
Let Us Host Your Retreat
Enjoy all that Camp Barnabas has to offer when you host your youth group, family, friends, church, or work retreat at our gorgeous campground. There’s no shortage of adventurers at Camp Barnabas. We offer a game room, basketball courts, mini golf, fishing, pool (closes after Labor Day), rock wall, zipline, field sports, apple cannons, gel blasters, and canoeing.
With a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces, we can accommodate both small and large group gatherings. We handle the essential details, including meals and lodging, allowing you and your group to leave our grounds feeling recharged and refreshed. We work with you to plan exciting challenges and outdoor adventures designed for your group’s age and abilities.
Questions about Camp?
For questions about camp, registration, and serving, please complete the form. You can also call or email Caleb Brandt, our Missions Director.
Schedule a Meeting to Learn More!
