Senior Seville Skinner volunteers by helping out at a summer camp and her church’s ministry which both focus on helping people with special needs.

Camp Barnabas, located in Barry County, Missouri, is a summer camp that specializes in providing a fun experience for children and adults with all types of disabilities. As a missionary, Skinner works as a one-on-one partner with campers.

Camp Barnabas provides new experiences to campers that may not be achievable at home. Camp activities like climbing a rock wall or going on a zip line are made to be accessible for everyone, including people who use wheelchairs.

“A lot of times when we’re doing [activities] we do it together, just me and my camper,” Skinner said. “It’s an easy way to form special bonds. We get inside jokes that only us two know. Doing those games, activities and sports together really helps build a special connection.”

Although Skinner enjoys the work at Camp Barnabas, there are a few obstacles she faces.

“There are challenging campers that are lower functioning and need a lot of help in different areas, and it’s harder to make time to [ensure] that they’re okay too,” Skinner said. “There’s been times where if I have to spoon feed my camper, I end up not eating that meal. [It’s hard] making sure that me and my friends are also doing okay.”

Skinner works through Westside Family Church’s special needs ministry. Similar to being a missionary at Camp Barnabas, her boss, Keri MayBee, pairs Skinner up to be a one-on-one buddy. Skinner gives reports to her buddy’s parents and helps the buddy be included in church activities.

“She has built a beautiful relationship with her [buddy],” MayBee said. “I have observed her jump in and help support her [buddy] even when she isn’t serving.”

A big part of Skinner’s volunteer work involves her faith.

“That can be a big thing [to remember] with [people who have] special needs, they’re all created beautifully and wonderfully in the Lord’s image,” Skinner said. “Teaching them that God made them how they’re supposed to be and that it’s okay to be a little bit different than everyone else is something we prioritize at camp.”