camp barnabas 2017 GAP(Group Application Packet) HELLO GROUP LEADER AND WELCOME! Congratulations on taking the first step in one of the most amazing experiences of 2017. In this packet you will find information about bringing a group to Barnabas as well as a two-page application form to complete and submit beginning October 4, 2016 for returning mission groups and November 1, 2016 for first-time mission groups. Placement of groups is on a first-come, first-serve basis so you will want to get this in as soon as possible after 9am that date. The packet also contains a copy of the Barnabas policies. It is important that each member of your team sees, reads and agrees to abide by these policies prior to committing to Barnabas. Please do not take this opportunity lightly. For you, and every member of your team, this decision will take total commitment. It is best to do all of the communicating, both before and during camp, with one person. Also, on the group application, you will be asked to commit to bringing a certain number of team members with equal ratios of males and females for each position. I know this is a difficult task, but I need you to be as accurate as possible. Once you make that commitment, our campers will be expecting you to come through for them. When guessing how many positions your group will need, it is better to underestimate than overestimate. Spending a week at Barnabas really is an opportunity of a lifetime! We want to help provide the best week possible for our campers. In that, my hope for you would be the same: to experience the best week of camp, learning from those around you, to serve wholeheartedly in humility and grace, and to see the Lord in a place so special to my heart and the hearts of countless others. I look forward to working with you to make this summer a great success! - Sarah Wilson- Missions Director If you are returning to Barnabas, please read this packet carefully for changes in 2017. spots are reserved on a first-come, first serve basis so submit your application as soon as possible beginning 9 am O ct. 4, 2016 for returning groups and Nov. 1, 2016 for first-time groups. the process- for groups 1. Read all of the information in this document and prayerfully consider spending a week with us at Barnabas. 4. Recruit your team! We will send you ideas along the way on how to recruit your team and get your group excited about camp. Please remember that we are looking for the most responsible and hardest working individuals. Because of limited bed space, we need you to commit to bringing the same number of males and females per job positions, i.e. 10 barnstormers means 5 males and 5 females. We know this is challenging, but it is very helpful for our program. 2. Complete the application and email it to sarah@campbarnabas.org beginning October 4, 2016 at 9 a.m. for returning groups and November 1, 2016 at 9 a.m. for new groups. 5. After your group is signed up, you will receive information on how each individual member may register for Barnabas online. Each person must be registered by April 1, 2016. 50% of your balance is due at this time. 6. Prepare your team! It is imperative that you prepare your team to come to Barnabas mentally and spiritually. We will email you ways to do this or feel free to contact us. 3. If your group is accepted, you will be sent a contract with dates for your week and the number of positions reserved for your team. Please sign this contract and return it with an initial non-refundable deposit in the amount of $55/position reserved by January 15. Fees to hold spots will increase as it gets closer to camp. The total cost for each person coming with your group is $225 (the $55 deposit plus $170). This cost helps cover meals and lodging at camp and is due two weeks before your arrival at camp. Background checks are required for everyone 18 and older. Permission to run a background check if you are 18 or over will be included in the application. The cost is included in the $225 fee. COME TO CAMP!
Everything you need to know... 2017 who we are...what we do...how you help who we are... Founded in 1994, Camp Barnabas is a non-denominational Christian summer camp for kids and young adults with special needs and their siblings. What we do... In 2017, there will be thirteen weeks of camp, each geared toward an age group and various diagnoses (such as Down Syndrome, autism, visual impairments, physical disabilities, deaf or hard-of-hearing, developmental disabilities or chronic illnesses). We will hold nine weeks of camp at our location in Purdy, MO and four weeks at our newest location in Shell Knob, MO with new, fun activities in a beautiful setting on the lake. How you help... Our hope is that each camper experiences the best week of summer camp possible and you make that happen when you are a part of the Barnabas team. details... Check-in will be at 4:00PM on Saturday. The next 24-hours will be filled with training to get your group ready. The campers wil arrive at 4:00PM on Sunday. Your group will be done around 11:30AM on Friday. We are looking for over 2,500 missionaries for summer 2017 to come and spend a week with us at Barnabas-giving of themselves to assist our campers in enjoying the Barnabas experience to its fullest. Our missionaries are mature, responsible, trustworthy and hard-working. They re ready to put aside their own needs and love our campers. 7:30am: Wake-up 8:00am: Inspiration Point 8:30am: Girls :Breakfast Guys: Cabin clean-up/devos 9:30am: Guy and girl cabins switch 10:30 am 11:15am: 1st Activity 11:30am 12:15pm: 2nd Activity 12:30pm: Girl cabins: Lunch Guy cabins: 3rd activity 1: 30pm: Girl Cabins: Missionary Break Guy Cabins: Lunch Sample daily schedule 2:30 p.m. Girl cabins: 3rd activity Guy Cabins: Missionary Break 3:30 pm: Open Activity Time 5:30 pm: Girl Cabins: Dinner Guy Cabins: Showers 6:30 p.m. Guy and girl cabins switch 7:30pm: Party 9:00pm: Wrap-up 10:30pm: Camper lights out *Missionary Lights out following family time* missionary Team Below you will find information about the different roles offered at Barnabas. There are requirements to be part of this team: you must be at least 14* years old and you must be ready to work hard and serve unselfishly during your entire week of service. *14-15 year olds serve as Barnstormers. The Barnstormer position isn t for the faint-hearted. Duties of barnstormers include waiting tables at meal times, washing dishes and helping keep the kitchen and restrooms around camp clean. Summer staff lead the Barnstormers in their tasks and help them to have fun and grow spiritually. This position is also a training ground for cabin counselors. Each barnstormer will be assigned to a camper cabin where they will get to interact with our campers and participate in daily activities. 16-29 years olds serve as Cabin Counselors. Each counselor is assigned to work one-on-one with one of our campers. The job of the counselor is to completely set aside their own needs and wants to care for all the needs of their campers while making sure that the campers have as much fun as possible. We are looking for compassionate, caring, mature individuals who are ready and willing to share God s love with everyone at camp. 30+ year olds serve as Adult Leaders around camp. Adults will be placed as cabin moms or dads. In this position you will have ample opportunity to love on the campers while also encouraging and showing the love of Christ to the missionaries and summer staff. You will also bless camp by helping prepare one meal a day. There are also positions available on our medical team and you may apply for this role by contacting our Medical Director, Tracie Bishop, at tracie@campbarnabas.org. *13 is ok if graduated 8th grade. Missions Director Sarah Wilson Email: sarah@campbarnabas.org Address: PO Box 3200, Springfield, MO 65808 Phone: 417-737-7082 Fax: 417-887-1300 Web Address: www.campbarnabas.org/become-a-missionary
CAMP BARNABAS POLICIES Statement of Faith: We believe God almighty to be our creator and heavenly Father, and His Son Jesus Christ to be our Lord and Savior. We also believe the Holy Bible to be His inspired Word and, as such, is our final authority for faith and life. We do not condone the abuse of drugs, alcohol or tobacco, as we believe that it is not in accordance with God s Word. It is our purpose to teach His Word and to glorify Him in all we do. Barnabas is excited to invite new people into the family of committed Christians who want to further the message of Jesus Christ. We want you to feel a part of our camp family and to realize that we strive to glorify Jesus Christ in everything we do. We especially want the campers to see our staff and Missionaries as living examples of Christ s life. In keeping with that, we have specific policies that we have stated below to allow you to understand what we believe is right and true in the eyes of our Lord. If you do not agree with these policies, it is important that you let us know. The decisions you make personally about such issues are between you and God. However, we believe those that join the Barnabas family are integrally woven here by the Lord. We ask that, as a part of our family, you join us in upholding the following policies. If you disagree, or feel that, for any reason, you cannot stand on these principles, please contact us by phone or email for discussion. Please read these policy statements carefully and sign your application only if you agree to abide by them. Alcohol, Illegal Drugs & Tobacco: Our staff does not condone or personally use illegal drugs or tobacco. We do not condone the abuse of alcohol or allow for drunkenness. Sexual Behavior: Although we love all of God s people and we know sin takes many forms, we do not condone premarital sex and homosexual relationships in accordance with God s laws. Appearance & Dress Code: God does not judge man by appearances; He looks at the heart. But, we still feel convicted to present a clean-cut appearance on the outside, as well as the inside. Men must shave daily. You may keep your facial hair if you come to camp with a beard or mustache that is well-groomed. Everyone should keep a neat appearance. Hair length is optional; however, men with long hair must keep it in a ponytail, for safety as well as appearance. All hair must be well-groomed at all times. Shirts: T-shirts should reflect a Christian image and not have inscriptions or advertising for questionable products (i.e., beer products or slanderous sayings). No spaghetti-strap, tight-fitting or low-cut shirts. Straps on shirts must be at least the width of two fingers and completely cover bra straps. Shirts must cover abdomen, even when hands are lifted in the air. Shorts/Pants: For our campers, our standard of length for shorts is finger-tip length. Shorts must also be loose-fitting. No soffe style shorts. No shorts or pants with words across the seat are to be worn at any time. Shoes: Shoes must be worn at all times unless at the pool. Close-toed shoes or shoes with a strap going across the top of the foot and around the heel (i.e., Chacos or Tevas) are required during all activities, with the exception of to and from the pool. Swimsuits: Men must wear swim trunks (no Speedos). Women must wear modest one-piece swimsuits. Two-piece swimsuits will be permitted provided they completely cover the abdomen area even with hands in the air. No low-cut swimsuits are to be worn. If necessary, girls may wear shirts over their swimsuits as long as the shirts are not white. Tattoos & Body Piercings: While at camp, it is suggested that all piercings be removed for safety reasons. Some campers love shiny objects. If you do not choose to remove, please only use studs. Our Missionaries will wear no naval, eyebrow or tongue jewelry at camp (this is a safety issue). At the discretion of the camp directors, any tattoo that may be viewed as inappropriate will need to be covered at all times. You are an example of a Christian lifestyle to your campers. Parents count on you to represent a clean-cut example. If discussions occur about tattoos or body piercing with the campers or other participants, please try to steer the conversation in another direction and do not encourage campers or other participants to get tattoos or body piercings. Cell Phones & Laptop Computers: In the world of high technology, we have to make a policy for electronic use. To avoid distraction and to allow you to get the full Barnabas experience, laptop computers are not to be brought to camp for use. No emails are to be sent or received on any computer while you are serving at camp. We do not allow the use of cell phones at camp for any reason. If you need to make an emergency call, there are phones available. (Exceptions are made to this policy for group leaders and adult leaders - 30 and over.) These are our guidelines. Thank you for choosing to follow them. I know we re going to have a great summer. If you have any questions or comments about these policies, please ask us. Thanks and be blessed, Sarah Wilson, Missions Director Missions Director Sarah Wilson Email: sarah@campbarnabas.org Address: PO Box 3200, Springfield, MO 65808 Phone: 417-737-7082 Fax: 417-887-1300 Web Address: campbarnabas.org/become-a-misisonary
The GAP 2017 Group Application Packet - PAGE 1 OF 2 TO EMAIL TO SARAH@CAMPBARNABAS.ORG Church Name Church Address City State Zip Church Phone Name of Leader Best way to contact Home Phone Cell Phone Email Address Home Address City State Zip Have you brought a group to Barnabas before? Y or N If so, what years? How did you hear about Barnabas? 2017 Camp Schedule Please number the choices below 1 through 3 with #1 being for the term you would most like to attend: For more information on a particular session, go to www.campbarnabas.org/2017-missionary-schedule and click on the schedule box for that camp. June 3 - June 9-- Teas Trail Adult Friends* Intellectual/developmental disabilities & autism ages 18-45 June 3 - June 9-- Barnabas on the Lake Captains* Intellectual/developmental disabilities & autism ages 15-45 June 10 - June 16-- Teas Trail Challenge Physical disabilities ages 7-15 June 10 - June 16-- Barnabas on the Lake Navigators Intellectual/developmental disabilities & autism ages 7-18 June 17 - June 23-- Teas Trail Young Friends Developmental disabilities and/or autism ages 7-15 June 17 - June 23-- Barnabas on the Lake Voyagers Intellectual/developmental disabilities & autism ages 7-45 *Siblings do not attend these weeks of camp. June 24 - June 30-- Teas Trail Adventurers* Physical disabilities ages 16-35 June 24 - June 30-- Barnabas on the Lake Conquest Intellectual/developmental disabilities & autism ages 7-45 July 1 - July 7-- Teas Trail Heroes* Developmental disabilities ages 16-25 July 8 - July 14-- Teas Trail Soaring Hawks Asperger s, blind, chronic diseases or deaf/hearing impaired ages 7-25, blind ages 7-35 July 15 - July 21-- Teas Trail Bridge Builders Developmental & Physical disabilities & autism ages 7-18 July 22 - July 28-- Teas Trail Explorers* Developmental & Physical disabilities ages 16-35 July 29 - August 4-- Teas Trail Champions Developmental & Physical disabilities & autism ages 7-15
The GAP 2017 for (church name) PAGE 2 OF 2 TO EMAIL Barnstormers (14-15) *13 is ok if graduated 8th grade Cabin Counselors (16-29) Adults* (30+) Males Females *Adults (limit 1 per every 10 students) Please list the number of people for each position that you are committed to bringing. Please only list numbers you feel absolutely confident you can fill. Our campers are counting on you, and if you bring fewer participants than you have committed to, it puts a negative impact on our program. Please have an equal ratio of males and females for each position unless otherwise informed and agreed upon. This is a MUST due to bed space. In addition to the roles listed above, I have a registered nurse or physician that would like to attend. (NOTE TO GROUP LEADER: Please make sure this individual contacts our Medical Director, Tracie Bishop, to get more information on the medical team. You may email tracie@campbarnabas.org Please explain how you will determine whether an individual is ready for this mission opportunity: If you have brought a group to Barnabas previously, what was the most valuable thing you learned in that experience? If you are new, what would you like for your students to learn at Barnabas? Please read the following items and initial that, once your application is approved, you will comply with these statements. I understand that the cost of camp is $225 per team member. (There is a partial scholarship given for medical team applications, contact Tracie Bishop at tracie@campbarnabas.org for details.) I understand that $55 per spot reserved and a signed contract are due January 15th or 30 days after receipt of contract if after December 15. This fee is non-refundable. I understand that 50% of our balance will be due April 1st. I understand that, if our team is selected, there will be a deadline of April 1, 2016 for the completed registration of each individual coming as part of our team. I must let the Missions Director know at this point what spots we can t fill and the $55 registration fee per person will not be refunded. I have the option to still reserve these spots if they can t be filled by the waiting list. Please, no exceptions to this policy. We do this to make sure our missionaries are as invested as our campers. I understand that, if anyone on our team cancels, it is my responsibility to try and replace that team member with someone who is the same gender and in the same age range of the canceled position. I also understand that I need to notify the Missions Director of any cancellations as soon as possible. I understand that, if we are selected and decide not to attend, I need to notify the Missions Director immediately and depending on the date will be charged a certain amount for each spot dropped. Drops January 15th-April 1st will be charged $55 per spot. Drops between April 2nd and 30 days before will be charged $150 per spot. Drops less than 30 days before camp will be charged the full $225 fee. I understand that each person who needs a special diet will be charged $100 on top of the $225 charge for their food that week. I understand that a criminal background check will be completed on every individual 18 or older. The cost of each background check is included in the $225 fee. I have read the enclosed Barnabas participant policies and standards and I agree that all the members of my team must abide by these policies. I will review these policies with my team members. I have read, prayed over my decision, and accept the contract noted in the Commitment Letter I will receive upon confirmation of my team s acceptance to participate in this Summer 2017 mission trip. Signature Date
Hi Guys! Thank you so much for considering bringing a group to Camp Barnabas this summer. Barnabas is a place that has taught me how to love people with God s love and how to step out of my own comfort zone and trust that Jesus will help me with whatever he calls me to do. At Barnabas, you are daily asked to put someone else s needs before your own. As a result, you and each of your students learn what it looks like to love others more than you could possibly do on your own. Last summer, our theme was JustOne and we focused on serving one God with everything we have. It was incredible to see campers, missionaries, and staff learn what it looks like to follow God with all their heart, soul, and strength. It was so humbling to watch as missionaries lived out their faith and loved with everything they had. This summer, our theme will be ALL IN. Colossians 3:17 is our theme verse and it says And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. I can t wait to see how the Lord is going to bless this summer as we serve and go All In with our faith. I want to encourage you to bring a group to Barnabas. We are a family at Barnabas, and whether you would be coming for the first time or you have been coming for the entire 22 years of Barnabas existence, we want to welcome you home this summer. God always meets you right where you re at when you are at Barnabas. He teaches you, in a real and tangible way, that His love for you and all His children is perfect and good. My job as Missions Director is to walk you through the process of getting to camp. I am here to answer your questions and help you get prepared. We can t do camp without you! Over 80 different youth, college, and young adult groups from over 30 different states use Camp Barnabas as their primary summer mission trip. As the group leader, I ask that you would work to pick a great group of students that are willing to work hard and serve others. Please let me know if you have any questions as I am here to help you and your group have the best summer missions experience ever. I am praying for you and your team! Your partner in the Barnabas experience, Sarah Wilson Missions Director Camp Barnabas Missions Director Sarah Wilson Email: sarah@campbarnabas.org Address: PO Box 3200, Springfield, MO 65808 Phone: 417-737-7082 Fax: 417-887-1300 Web Address: campbarnabas.org/become-a-missionary