Camp Barnabas launches capital campaign

The camp launched an $8 million capital campaign following the Oct. 16 airing of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” which featured a $1.5 million makeover of the Purdy, Mo., camp.

Phases one and two of the campaign will finance the upgrade, replacement and expansion of the camp’s physical facilities. New cabins, a barn-style nature center, an administration office, a maintenance building, an equestrian center and a chapel will be built. Funds also will be used to install a new water system, renovate the camp director’s house and help pay off the camp mortgage.

Phase three will raise money for an endowment for future scholarships and operational funding. The cost of bringing a single child to the camp is about $1,000, but tuition is $540. The endowment will help make up the difference.

“If every person who hits our Web site gives just $5, we will be able to financially help every child attend camp. If every person gives just $20, we can soon build one more new cabin,” said camp co-founder Cyndy Teas in a news release. “We want people to know that every dollar counts.”

The ABC project was finished in a week in August and rebuilt the owners’ home and added volunteers’ quarters, a media center, a playground and a high-rope course.

Camp Barnabas is a nonprofit summer camp for children with illnesses, disabilities or other special needs.

Donations can be made online, through the camp’s call center at 1-800-217-1750 or by mail at P.O. Box 3200, Springfield, 65808.