Volunteers Rally to Clean Up Camp Barnabas After Devastating Storm in Barry County, MO

Deep in Barry County, Missouri, its people are coming together after a disaster storm ravaged all in its path. From the power lines to the ground to massive trees that were torn out of the earth, everything was destroyed. One such place that was hit rather severely was Camp Barnabas – a high-demand summer camp that caters specifically to those with disabilities and illnesses.

Tuesday morning dawned with rain and fierce winds, and much more than that. The storm dealt a paralyzing punch to the serene grounds of Camp Barnabas, uprooting trees, snapping branches, and delivering fierce destruction to structures. Staff members saw entire trees crash into cabins, completely leveling at least three structures. The storm toppled about 37 record-sized trees on the campus, converting the normally celebratory camp into one of ruin and devastation.

Before long, summer was on the horizon and over 1,500 campers were going to be descending in weeks’ time, so it wasn’t long before staff at Camp Barnabas realized just how much a task was going to be ahead of them. “The minute I drove around the campus and saw how tough it was,” one of the employees replied, “I knew we had to act fast. We needed help and we needed it quick.” The call went out for help and the response was massive.

Within hours, volunteers began arriving in droves, chain saws at the ready, willing to do some work. They weren’t all merely friends who had come out to lend a hand; a few were storm cleanup veterans. Northwest Arkansas-based Spirit Tree Care, having suffered its own fair share of storm damage, sent crews to remove hazard trees off homes and sidewalks.

Their technical competence was being where they needed to be at the right time. Removing dead limbs is not something you can easily do by hacking them up and taking them out, one of them explained. “It’s a great deal of know-how and delicacy. Dead trees can be really recalcitrant and dangerous. We believed that we could come in with a specialized skill set and make a difference.”

Together with local residents, they labored day and night removing debris, chopping up trees that were brought down, and beginning cabin repairs. Camp administrators estimated almost 100 volunteers the first day alone of cleanup, and just starting, at that.

Throughout the property, there was a buzz of machinery, chainsaws, and authoritative voices in the air. Volunteers leaped into whatever was being done by delivering food to laborers and pulling tools. Even some of them arrived to work wearing their gloves, nothing more and giving only themselves and an open will to work. Despite tension and extent of demolition, people had good attitudes.

There’s a mission sense to it,” one volunteer stated. “Camp Barnabas has paid back the community so much, and the families as well. Rebuilding is the bare minimum that we can do.”.

The team leaders are upbeat about the plan in spite of all work still to be done. With the arrival of volunteers, they are sure that this summer season, Camp Barnabas will be operating full-tilt. “There’s a bunch of stuff going on right now, cutting down trees, fixing cabins, opening up trails. It’s a lot, but with all the help, I have no doubt we’ll be ready,” is what one of the team leaders remarked.

To those it affects, recovery is greater than repairing structures. It’s the rescue of something that matters this much to so many people. Camp Barnabas is greater than just a summer camp – it’s a sanctuary in which individuals with disabilities can fully participate in activities at camp within an open and empowering environment.

“These camp people make a difference,” one of the local volunteers commented. “For some of these campers, this is the only time during the year they ever feel entirely open and accepted. To see people work that hard to fight for that kind of experience is heartbreaking.”

The clean-up effort will go on over the next few weeks and days, and more volunteers and supplies are needed. Anyone who wants to be part of the cause by donating time, supplies, or a financial contribution is invited to be involved. Every donation gets the camp one step closer to opening its doors to the hundreds of campers eager for a great summer of friendship, acceptance, and adventure.

In the end, what might have been a death blow to Camp Barnabas is rapidly becoming a testament to kindness and community. From the initial downed tree to the final reclaimed cabin, the message is being spread: when people get behind something they believe in, there’s really little that can hold them back.

If you would like to be a part of the recovery or if you would like to learn how you can be a part, there is information available online. Your donation may be the difference in enabling Camp Barnabas to continue its legacy of healing, joy, and acceptance – this summer and in the years to come.