Fun Facts: Crawdads

Crawdads, Crawfish, Crayfish, Mudbugs…whatever you call them, they’re all over the grounds at DuBois Center! You might spot one of their stacked mud towers down by the creek, in a horse pasture, or even in the middle of grassy areas near the lake. Next time you go for a creek walk, tread lightly and observe – our resident creek lobsters are not hard to find. Just like humans, they are more active in the spring. If you’re lucky, you might see one swimming (backwards!) or even catch one!

In honor of these curious crustaceans, enjoy these fun facts:

  • Crayfish are relatives of lobster, shrimp, crab, krill and barnacles.
  • They lay about 800 eggs at one time.
  • Crayfish have eight pairs of legs; four are used for walking and four are used for swimming.
  • Crayfish limbs can regenerate.
  • Their eyes move independently of each other.
  • In captivity, Crayfish live on average 2 years, but in the wild they have been known to live up to 30 years.

Crawdads 2

CANCELED – Sunday Funday – April 30

Update on 4/28/17: We are sad to announce that this Sunday Funday has been canceled due to forecasted inclement weather. We apologize for any inconvenience, and hope to see you soon! If you were interested in camp orientation, please contact the office at 618.787.2202.

If you missed our first Sunday Funday this year, we have a second one coming up on April 30, 2017. If you or your potential future camper have never been to DuBois Center, Sunday Fundays are a great introduction. Visit the horses and ride one in the arena, cruise the lake in a pontoon boat, play a round of Ga-ga ball, roast marshmallows and tour the facilities – all for FREE! There are even orientations for perspective summer campers and their parents. See below for a schedule of events.

A yummy, reasonably-priced meal will be available – but optional. Meal costs are listed below. We’re planning to serve pork steaks with “think summer” picnic trimmings and a salad bar. A vegetarian alternative will be available as well. You are also welcome to bring a picnic instead or pick up something on the way. Meal reservations are due by noon on Monday, April 24 – that’s one week away!

View our 2017 Sunday Funday flyer to share and post. 

Sunday Fundays 1Schedule:     

Meal: Noon – 2 p.m.

Activities: 12:30-3:00 p.m.

Summer Camp Orientation: 2:30-3:30 p.m.

(Optional) Meal Costs: 

Adults (ages 13+): $11.00

Children (ages 5 – 12): $6.50

Ages 4 and under: Free

 

Camps for Older Children

Do you know of a camper who will have completed grades three through six this summer? We have plenty of camps just for them!

Classic or specialty camp, 3 days or 5 days – there is a wide variety of sessions from which to choose for this age group. Whether a first-timer or experienced camper, new adventures await. The cozy cottages on the main camp side of the lake are “home” for many campers in this age group, but those attending the Horsin’ Around, Rustic Sampler, and Splash! sessions venture out and live in the Rustic Village. The week of July 23-26 there are shorter sessions for those who would like “a taste” of horse or rustic camping. Additional camps for those completing grades 5-6, with older youth, can be found in the camp brochure.

For more details, pick up a brochure in your church office, click herOlder Children 2 for the online version or contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. Ready to register? Go to www.DuBoisCenter.org or click here.

2017 Counselor in Training Program

Counselor in Training (CIT) is a great opportunity for young people who are interested in developing their leadership skills, working with younger children, and having a great time at DuBois Center! The program functions much like a “lab school” with discussion, training, practice and evaluation sessions. Skills gained will help participants grow as positive Christian leaders, respond to challenging behavior, create a safe, fun environment, and teach basic camp skills. Scheduled for June 25-30, CIT is designed for youth who have completed grades 10-12. Previous camp experience is NOT required.

NOTE: A special application is required – in addition to the Camp Registration Form. The CIT application packet is available online or by contacting the DuBois Center office at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618.787.2202.

Summer Camp Staff – Catie

Welcome Catie Goetter to our 2017 summer staff team! Catie will be serving as a Barn Assistant / Counselor. She grew up in Maryville, IL as an active member of St. John Evangelical UCC and is no stranger to DuBois Center. She attended summer camp for years. During the school year, weekend horse retreat and volunteering at the barn kept her busy. In 2015, she successfully completed our CIT (Counselor in Training) program, and in 2016 she volunteered for four weeks of summer camp.

When asked about a goofy camp memory Catie wrote, “My parents sent me to camp when I was 7 for a half week session thinking they would pick me up never wanting to go back. When they got to camp to pick me up, I was hiding in the bathroom of Lakeside because I didn’t want to leave.”

Catie attends Missouri State University where she is majoring in special education. She is actively involved in student ministry and marching band. Marching season is her favorite season! She also volunteers with a therapeutic riding program. Catie is very excited to be a member of our 2017 Summer Staff, she says she “can’t imagine [her] life without spending the summer at DuBois.” Catie’s favorite thing about summer camp is “getting to see the campers grow from the beginning of the week to the end whether it was just coming out of their shell or trying something new or something they were scared of, like canoeing or horseback riding!” She is also very excited to be on staff with old camp friends, to make new camp friends and work alongside her older brother, Ryan.

Quilt Raffle for DuBois Center

On this Saturday, April 22, St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah will host their 38th Annual Quilt Show. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 200+ quilts will be displayed, and activities including Bed Turning and Quilting Demonstrations will take place throughout the day. Items for sale will include baby quilts, queen size quilts and hand crafted items.

There will also be a raffle prize drawing for a youth quilt with a “Secret Life of Pets” theme (pictured). All proceeds will be donated to DuBois Center. Raffle tickets will be available at the quilt show for $1 each or six for $5. Admission to the show is $3.00 and lunch and baked goods will be available.

For more information, contact Kay Ostrom at 618-556-8776 or ostromdk@charter.net. The church’s address is 55 West Church Street, Mascoutah, IL 62258.

 

Register for Horse Camp

Git along… or you might miss out! Horse Camps are filling quickly, but there are still great options available. Horse campers still enjoy popular camp activities like 9-Sqaure and archery, but they also spend significantly more time around the barn and out on the trails!

Horse 2Some mornings, it’s up and at ‘em long before chow time – the horses need to be fed and groomed before breakfast. Some evenings, it’s untacking, feeding and barn chores before evening games. As long as the weather allows, horse campers have the option to ride each day! Depending on the skill level and interests of the group, horse times may include cantering, riding bareback, playing games on horseback in the arena or educational “horse sense” sessions.

 

For more information, check out the 2017 camp brochure or contact DuBois Center at dcinf@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202 to have one sent to you. Ready to register? You can register online today!

 

Work Day Update

Work 3

 

Youth and adults from across the Illinois South Conference have put their hands, hearts and backs into a variety of projects at DuBois Center this spring. Cords of wood have been split and stacked; the water is back on in many of the rustic areas of camp, and benches have been moved out of winter storage. The patio on Oak Lodge is now much cleaner and Phase 1 of the swim area renovation is complete. The aging docks in the swim area have been removed and dismantled and the area prepped for Phase 2. In addition, work has begun on the bathrooms in Woodside; they’re getting a facelift.

A special thanks to the workers from our Father-Son Retreat, Grantfork UCC, St. John UCC – Trenton, St. Paul – Columbia, St. Paul UCC – Nashville, Zoar UCC – New Hanover. Rev Bev Kahle stacked wood with the Nashville confirmands and Rev RJ Morgan coordinated both the dock and bathroom projects.

 

Don’t worry, we still have plenty of projects for those looking to come out for our next Service Saturday on Earth Day – that’s this Saturday, April 22. Please RSVP to the DuBois Center office if you plan on coming so we know how many to expect.

Work 2

Summer Camp Staff – Grace

Welcome Grace (Gracie) Allen to DuBois Center’s 2017 summer staff team! She will be serving as Counselor/Activity Specialist. Gracie lives in Maeystown, IL where she is an active member of St. John UCC and a PK (Pastor’s Kid). Gracie is new to our staff, but not to DuBois Center. She has attended Winter Weekends with her church and served as a summer camp volunteer. She has also participated in our Buddy to Buddy Mission Experience a number of times, working with young people from the residential program in Hoyleton.

Gracie loves to sing and perform in community theater productions. These talents, as well as her unique ability to sound like Chewbacca, will be put to good use at camp. Gracie is currently working part-time and studying for her associate degree in education at SWIC (Southwestern Illinois College). Her references all agree; she is kind, very responsible and has a great attitude. Gracie is very excited to be serving at DuBois Center this summer. When asked why she said, “When I had volunteered I had loved every aspect of camp… I am most excited about helping kids have a great time…”

Fathers and Sons Pack the House!

A total of 46 fathers, sons, grandfathers and mentors – hailing from 12 ISCUCC churches and beyond – made the trek to DuBois Center for our annual Father & Son Retreat on March 31 – April 2 of this year. Together, pairs and trios explored the creek and the bottoms, built a geodome, and dismantled the old docks from the swim area.

Some caught big fish, others lots of fish. Some hunted for dinosaur eggs; others used a bike pump to launch plastic bottles filled with water. The group also boated on the lake, constructed cool crafts, enjoyed a hay ride, made new friends, hiked the trails and explored on horseback rides. They also experienced campfires with singing, s’mores and quiet time for reflections.

And God was among us everywhere! Throughout the weekend, we explored Bible stories of the vine, the branches and bearing good fruit as positive role models, true friends and caring “neighbors.” After a weekend packed with activities, good food, service projects, and multiple rounds of 9-Square and Ga-ga, the group was challenged at our closing worship to “get out of the Ga-ga pit” and go into the world and produce more good fruit.

Interested in coming to camp as a Father-Son (Grandfather-Grandson, Uncle-Nephew, etc.) group? The Father & Son Retreat takes place each spring – stay tuned next winter to find out more! If you can’t wait that long, DuBois Center also offers a “Just You and Me” part-week camp for campers ages 5-7 on June 11 – 13 this summer. Check out the 2017 summer camp brochure or contact the office to learn more. If you’re a Mother-Daughter duo, we’ll have more information out soon about our Mother & Daughter Retreat this fall.

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