Camp Barnabas is a great ministry for kids with disabilities and their families. However, I am a…read morepretty independent young adult with a mild physical disability who was looking for exciting accessible adventures and Christians with similar disabilities to relate to, but it's mostly a weeklong respite ministry for children and those with severe disabilities. I signed up for the Adventurers week thinking that it would be adults with physical disabilities, or if there were people at the camp not my mental age, they would not be in my cabin. Don't get me wrong, they were all sweet people in my cabin but Camp Barnabas Adventurers week felt not as promised. I was unable to even do all the activities because of the challenges of others in my cabin (even some with severe autistic symptoms.) At the very least, Camp Barnabas told me they are going to work on finding ways to make sure cabins will get to do all the planned activities in the future but it was still a very disappointing week for me. I was also treated like a child, not allowed to walk to the bathroom by myself, and asked about how much I ate, drank, slept and even my bowel movements each day. I don't want to knock this camp for everyone because it is a beautiful campus with many activities, and I know others have had very positive experiences. They will be sure to keep your special needs child safe. Still, there are many adults in the disability community like myself who are used to having a higher degree of independence at home and the point of this review is to warn that the camp was not designed for us. The waterpark was cool, and I'm sure everyone there meant well, but due to my negative experience, 2 out of 5 stars.

Beautiful. The people, the atmosphere, the mission...Camp Barnabas is a great place to be. If…read moreyou are looking for a wholesome place to volunteer, please look into this. I was already really familiar with CB from my last job, and when I found out they took volunteers, a group of us jumped at the chance. Brief overview: summer camp adapted for kids and adults with disabilities--mental and physical. Seems a simple enough concept...but CB takes it to another level. Horseback riding, canoes, gardens, ropes courses, ziplines, a great pool...all modified to work with wheelchairs or mobility issues (like pvc wheelchairs that can go into the water!) We volunteered to be 'party people', meaning that we helped decorate, participate, and clean up after their Sunday night camper party--which was a superhero theme, btw. So cute seeing everyone in their batman t shirts or face paint. I could ramble about how great this place is...but you seriously need to experience it for yourself. Everyone smiles and has an amazing down to earth attitude (even though they are dealing with some heartbreaking situations). The grounds are beautiful, but the heart and soul of Camp Barnabas alone is worth the drive.

A Mom's Heartfelt Thank You to Camp Kanakuk…read more As a mom, sending your child away for two weeks is not always easy. There is so much excitement for them, but there is also that little voice in the back of your mind wondering, Are they okay? Are they being taken care of? Do they feel loved? Do they feel safe? Are they having fun? I can honestly say that Camp Kanakuk gave me so much peace and comfort while my daughter was away. My daughter absolutely LOVED her time at Kanakuk. She loved her counselors, loved the activities, loved the friendships, and came home with so many stories and memories. The biggest compliment she could possibly give the camp was when she told me that she doesn't want to go to any other camp next year she only wants to go back to Camp Kanakuk! Before Kanakuk, she had attended YMCA camp, so I wasn't sure how she would feel about a different camp. But Kanakuk completely won her heart. One of the biggest things that stood out to me was just how much more she got to experience at Kanakuk. She was able to participate in so many different activities, try new things, make memories, and experience things that she simply hadn't gotten the opportunity to experience anywhere else. She was able to step outside of her comfort zone, have new adventures, and just truly be a kid. Hearing her talk about everything she got to do and seeing the excitement in her eyes made my heart so happy. As her mom, one of the things that touched me the most was seeing how much the counselors seemed to genuinely care about her. They braided her hair, spent time with her, encouraged her, and made her feel special. It wasn't just about supervising the kids it truly felt like they cared about her as a person. I was also absolutely amazed by the photographers! Somehow, they always seemed to find my daughter and capture the sweetest pictures of her. As a mom who was missing her little girl terribly, those pictures meant more to me than I can even explain. Every time I saw a picture of her smiling, laughing, or enjoying herself, I could breathe a little easier. Another thing that really stood out to me was how many people seemed to know who my daughter was. She wasn't just another camper. Staff knew her, recognized her, and made her feel seen. That meant everything to me as her mom. I know my daughter had an incredible time because I could see it in her face when she came home. She was excited, happy, and full of stories. She came home with memories that I know she will carry with her for years to come. And for me, the greatest gift was knowing that while she was away from home, she was being loved, cared for, encouraged, and having the time of her life. That is something a mom never takes for granted. Thank you, Camp Kanakuk, for taking such wonderful care of my daughter and for giving her an experience she will never forget. Thank you to her counselors for loving on her, encouraging her, braiding her hair, making her laugh, and helping her feel at home. Thank you to the photographers for capturing memories that I will treasure forever. And thank you to every staff member who knew her name and made her feel important. You gave this mama something incredibly valuable: peace of mind. And you gave my daughter a camp she already says she wants to return to next year. We are so incredibly grateful. Kanakuk has definitely made a place in our hearts, and I have a feeling this won't be her last summer there! Thank you for taking care of my girl. You loved her well, and this mama noticed.

Kanakuk has persisted in hiding and minimizing the complete atrocities that it perpetrated…read moreknowingly on campers in the past. When they first knew of the sex abuse they protected their reputation instread of protecting kids. They kept the camp going without letting parents know there was a serious systemic issue and then they quickly re-organized the ownership status to limit personal liability. They kept the camp going in order to sweep in the revenue and protected the guilty because they did not want to hurt Christ's reputation. The lack of a huge sincere public apology ever is disturbing.

Our son was here for a week last summer. He seemed to enjoy it. Sounds like he wants to go again…read morenext year, so they must have been doing something right. Looks like a good place as well.

What a great facility! My kids have been having wonderful experiences at Green Valley Bible Camp…read morefor many years. It's a bit rustic, especially the bath houses, but the super people and Bible study make up for it. The pool is a nice size. The food is good, and the staff is amazing. There are several great weeks of Bible camp to chose from.

This is a great place to send the kids for about a week I grew up going here even got my cousin…read morebaptized here the minsters for the weeks are great sending my kids here soon I enjoyed it, it was a great active for sports singing week was the best I loved making friends with alot of people from all over

Honestly I can't say enough great things about this studio. We have been a part of this studio for…read morealmost 2 years. My kids have gained confidence a hundred fold and the instructors are amazing at meeting each of my kids where they are to help them develop both physically and intellectually. I started training well after my kids started and now we train and play together! Even if martial arts is only planned to be a season of life, your kids and family will benefit for a lifetime by joining this group of amazing instructors.

This is a great martial arts school! Awesome, caring instructors that truly invest in their…read morestudents (both children and adults). I appreciate the other lessons that are built in as well during the kids classes. These discussions address a wide range of topics from personal responsibility to bullying to academics.

We had a great stay during parents weekend at UAK. Rooms very clean, super comfy beds, nice plushy…read moretowels and the location the top of the hill seals the deal. Awesome for watching the sunset.

Beautiful lookout and cross statue on the hilltop in Fayetteville. No parking so you have to park…read morenearby and walk but not far. Nice grounds nearby for events and weddings but kind of run down with trash all over the lot.

I have been shocked at how hard it has to find an indoor pool that is open year around ! Ozark has…read morea beautiful facility but their swim program is rarely functioning. Nixa's pool has been under construction forever and even when it is open it is outside. Republic is outside too. Enter the good old YMCA. Their swim program is well managed in the hands is Marcella. Their program is positive and dependent and the swim team price is very manageable. I am so happy with the swimming I haven't even begun to check out their amazing classes. I haven't read nothing but great things

I love the Downtown YMCA. I was a member here when I was in college in the late 80s and am a member…read moreagain after moving back to Springfield a few years ago. A friendly atmosphere. They have fitness classes daily and open swim times in their basement pool. It's really great the way it is divided into different levels depending on what you are looking for. Most of the weight machines plus free weights and indoor rock climbing are in 2nd floor. The 3rd floor has a track which goes around the entire upstairs and mainly has cardio equipment. The weights include the only four way neck machine I have seen at a commercial gym. They also have a deadlift platform, power racks, pull-up machine, dumbbells to 120 lbs. Plus they have too many extras to mention. It's a great place that does a lot of good for the community with kids activities and a true health focus. I live close enough to walk and feel very fortunate to live so near. Highly recommend!

My nephew's Eagle Scout ceremony was really special. The relationships created over the years by…read morethis troop were really great. Thank you to everyone for making the day really special. We all enjoyed looking around the building at all of the memorabilia and notable scouts.

I had a chance to work with the folks at the council level and really have not met a more dedicated…read moregroup of volunteers and professionals working toward a wonderful goal of serving our youth.

Nice easy trail for an early morning walk. Even though the water was low, enough was flowing to see…read morethe namesake waterfalls. Birds were singing and we saw several squirrels that seemed to not mind our presence. Lots of lizards and water spiders along with pools of minnows It was well worth the 90 mins we spent here.

Beautiful trail with amazing views! The family enjoyed it tremendously, I couldn't go since it's…read morenot scooter friendly, but the pictures and videos are great!