𝙰𝙱𝙾𝚄𝚃 𝚄𝚂
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our Mission
Camp Barnes is committed to providing a free, enriching camp experience for the youth of Delaware. Our mission is to empower campers by fostering initiative, leadership skills, and a strong sense of accomplishment. Through hands-on activities and meaningful experiences, we help build self-confidence and encourage personal growth, preparing campers for future success.
Our History
Our Mission
Our Mission
In 1947, Superintendent Herbert Barnes Sr. established a camp dedicated to providing underprivileged children in Delaware with a meaningful and enriching summer experience, helping them reach their full potential and exposing them to opportunities beyond crime and hardship.
He preposed the idea to the Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police, an organization which was composed of active law enforcement and correctional officers. They accepted the challenge to undertake this project to combat juvenile delinquency in the first state. A committee was appointed to investigate the problems confronting youth. His resulting recommendation led to the establishment of Camp Barnes for the recreation of youth from throughout the state.
Over the years, the entire Barnes family has worked alongside the Delaware State Police and other organizations to ensure that Camp Barnes remains a premier facility for the youth of Delaware. Herbert Barnes Sr. instilled in his family the importance of preserving and continuing the legacy of this camp for future generations. Countless individuals have poured their blood, sweat, and tears into maintaining and improving the camp, and he was deeply grateful for the unwavering dedication of both his family and the many committed supporters who helped bring his vision to life.
Herbert Barnes Jr., his daughter Juli Barnes-Duke, and their family, along with the DSP Board Members for Camp Barnes, continue the legacy of Herbert Barnes Sr. Their dedication plays a vital role in funding and supporting DSP’s fundraising efforts, generously contributing both their time and financial resources to ensure that Camp Barnes continues to bring joy to Delaware’s youth for generations to come. The legacy lives on!
Camp Barnes is situated on Millers Creek, a tributary of Little Assawoman Bay. Since its establishment in 1948, the camp has provided thousands of children from across Delaware with the opportunity to experience a enriching summer camp experience.
Our Program
Our Mission
Our Program
Camp Barnes is open to all children who are residents of the state of Delaware and are between the ages of 10 and 13. Children attend the camp at NO COST to the camper or their family.
The camp is in session from early June until August and accommodates approximately 90-100 campers per week for six weeks. During our summer camp, Camp Barnes is staffed by 16 counselors, 2 cooks, and 1 nurse. All Counselors are required to have a criminal background check prior to working at the camp. There is a State Trooper and a nurse on the grounds at all times while the camp is in session.
There are many activities that campers get to experience while at the camp.𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽:
• 𝙎𝙬𝙞𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣 𝙊𝙡𝙮𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙘 𝙨𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙤𝙡
• 𝙆𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙈𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝘾𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙠
• 𝘼𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙮
• 𝘾𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙗𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜
• 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙨
• 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙒𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙨
• 𝘽𝙖𝙨𝙠𝙚𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙡
• 𝙎𝙤𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙧
• 𝙇𝙖𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙚
• 𝙇𝙤𝙬 𝙇𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙍𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚
• 𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨
The campers also get to attend several demonstrations/classes throughout their week. The Delaware State Police K-9, Mounted Patrol, and Aviation Units provide demonstrations every week during the summer. Also, DNREC – Division of Fish and Wildlife provide demonstrations and classes during the Camp Barnes season.
Camp Barnes is also used by many fine organizations including 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝟰𝗛, 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀, 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽, 𝗕𝗼𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿.
Camp Barnes Inc. is a non-profit organization that is run and operated by the Delaware State Police. Camp Barnes Inc. receives funds in different ways:
- Through the Barnes Family Legacy Donations.
- Through donations from the public and civic organizations.
- Through three different fundraisers put on by the Delaware State Police. They are the following: The Camp Barnes Stock Car Race, the Camp Barnes Wrestling Classic, and the Camp Barnes Golf Tournament.
- Through a grant in aid given to the Delaware State Police and Camp Barnes Inc. from the State of Delaware.
With so much to see and do at Camp Barnes, it is easy to see why so many children enjoy their experience at the camp.
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗘’𝗦 FAVORITE 𝗖𝗔𝗠𝗣!!!
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𝘑𝘉𝘋 2025.03.13
A Camp for the Youth of Delaware 2025
Donations Welcome!
Camper spaces are now filled for 2025 summer season. We are truly sorry if spaces filled up and your child did not get a spot. Please come back March 2026 to apply for 2026 summer season. Spaces are limited and tend to fill up quickly due to capacity constraints. Thank you for your understanding and support! CIT Applications will close 3/31/2025 (15 yr. old is the min. age)