What ages does Camp Barnabas accept?

Camp Barnabas is open to children ages 7–35. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.

How much does Camp Barnabas cost?

Camp Barnabas publishes $1,300/week for the standard session. $1,500. $200 discount if registered by August 31, 2026 for Summer 2027. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.

Is Camp Barnabas accredited?

Yes — Camp Barnabas is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 30 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.

Who runs Camp Barnabas?

Camp Barnabas is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 30 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.

Does Camp Barnabas provide lunch?

Yes — Camp Barnabas includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.

▌ Specialty · Ages 7–35

Camp Barnabas

Purdy · $1,300/week

A Christian summer camp for individuals with special needs and chronic illnesses, and their siblings.

▌ Editor's read The website www.campbarnabas.org/campers loads successfully and details an overnight camp experience for individuals with special needs and chronic illnesses. Camp Barnabas is ACA accredited, with its accreditation expiring in 2025, indicating adherence to recognized safety and quality standards. The camp was founded by Paul and Cyndy Teas and has been operating for 30 years, establishing a long history of service. It is a nonprofit organization and prominently features a 1:1 camper-to-missionary (staff) ratio, highlighting its commitment to individualized care. The website also mentions that all staff undergo background checks. Google reviews for 'Camp Barnabas' show a strong rating of 4.9 stars based on over 1,000 reviews, with common themes praising the compassionate staff, inclusive environment, and positive impact on campers' lives. The camp's social media presence includes an Instagram handle @campbarnabas and a Facebook handle CampBarnabas.

★

ACA-accredited~300 standards audited

⌬

Since 199630+ years operating

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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt

Who thrives here Ages 7–35

Camp Barnabas serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in specialty, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.

Facts & Credentials

Program type: Overnight camp
ACA accredited: Yes
Established: 1996 (30 years)
Operator: Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio: Published by camp see camp site →

How we verify these →

Details

Category: Specialty
Ages: 7–35
Address: 901 Teas Trail, Purdy, MO 65734, USA (Barnabas Lake Campus) / 17017 State Hwy 39, Shell Knob, MO 65747, USA (Barnabas Point Campus)
Phone: 417-476-2565
Email: [email protected]
Cost notes: $1,500. $200 discount if registered by August 31, 2026 for Summer 2027.

9 sessions (9 one-week), from May 31 to Aug 7.

Sessions

Bookable units published by the camp. Each row is a one-week session.

Session 1 May 31 – Jun 5, 2026 · 1 week · $1,500
Session 2 Jun 7 – 12, 2026 · 1 week · $1,500
Session 3 Jun 14 – 19, 2026 · 1 week · $1,500
Session 4 Jun 21 – 26, 2026 · 1 week · $1,500
Session 5 Jun 28 – Jul 3, 2026 · 1 week · $1,500
Session 6 Jul 12 – 17, 2026 · 1 week · $1,500
Session 7 Jul 19 – 24, 2026 · 1 week · $1,500
Session 8 Jul 26 – 31, 2026 · 1 week · $1,500
Session 9 Aug 2 – 7, 2026 · 1 week · $1,500

↗ What parents like

Serves individuals with special needs
One-on-one volunteer support

↘ Watch for

Limited to specific diagnoses
Christian-focused

Logistics

Lunch provided: Yes
Transportation: No
Financial aid: No
Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about Camp Barnabas

What ages does Camp Barnabas accept?: Camp Barnabas is open to children ages 7–35. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does Camp Barnabas cost?: Camp Barnabas publishes $1,300/week for the standard session. $1,500. $200 discount if registered by August 31, 2026 for Summer 2027. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
Is Camp Barnabas accredited?: Yes — Camp Barnabas is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 30 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
Who runs Camp Barnabas?: Camp Barnabas is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 30 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Camp Barnabas provide lunch?: Yes — Camp Barnabas includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Camp Barnabas with other camps.

How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
Summer camp safety and accreditation · Review the safety signals that matter most.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Camp Barnabas.

Camp Barnabas · Purdy, MO · Ages 7–21 · $1,500/week