Camp Barnabas is proud to announce the grand opening of the new Cook Family Foundation Dining Hall. The official Ribbon Cutting for this new facility took place on June 26th. This event honored all the Campers and major funders of the project. The Dining Hall has been thoughtfully designed to cater to the needs of Campers with special needs, providing them with an extraordinary experience. With the new Dining Hall, we will serve approximately 700 Campers, volunteers, and staff together and feature a facility with the following thoughtful design which includes: a custom quiet dining area for Campers with sensory sensitivities, accessible indoor and outdoor restrooms and changing rooms, centralized location on campus, lower level walking out to Water Park, expanded kitchen with larger walk-in freezer, fridge, and storage, larger dining space better suited to accommodate wheelchairs, and centrally located tornado shelter.

The Dining Hall holds a special place in our Campers' hearts as a space for cabins to gather together to share meals and recount their memories from the day. Our goal is to ensure it remains the most comfortable and enjoyable spot at Camp Barnabas. As the number of Campers and volunteers continues to grow, we recognize the need for a larger space to meet this demand and provide an even better experience.

"We're thrilled about the grand opening of the Cook Family Dining Hall at Camp Barnabas! It's not just a bigger space; it's a game-changer for our Campers and volunteers, adding a whole new level of excitement to our camp experience." says Brenda Brandt, Interim Camp Director.

Camp Barnabas, established in 1994, has been a haven for nearly 100,000 Campers with disabilities and the youth who serve them over the past 30 years. Our mission is to change lives through disability ministry, and the new Dining Hall is a significant step in achieving that goal. By fostering an inclusive environment and offering unique experiences, Camp Barnabas continues to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities. For more information about Camp Barnabas or to support our ministry, please visit www.campbarnabas.org.