Why Church Camp?

Because church camp is joyful fun! It is a sacred place. It is intensely relational, and positive role models abound! Though an integral part of many congregations’ year-round faith formation efforts, church camp is different from Vacation Bible School or Sunday School. Campers and leaders live, work, play and worship together from early morning until late into the evening. They grow together through shared experiences in God’s amazing creation and form an intentional community. They hear our faith stories in new places and new ways, and find opportunities to share their own. The activities are fun, challenging and filled with opportunities to grow as part of a Christian community.

Learn more in our Summer Camp brochure.

2018 Beyond Belief

Father-Son Retreat — April 13-15

Calling all dads, lads, granddads, uncles and nephews! Spend quality time together at the annual DuBois Center Father-Son Retreat. Join Rev. RJ Morgan and DuBois Center staff and volunteers for a weekend to remember. Fish, hike, canoe and explore together. Make cool crafts, share in vespers and work on your archery skills.
Families participate together; activities are geared for boys age 5 and older. Horseback riding is available for an additional fee. Lodging is in heated cottages and Hickory Lodge. Register early for first choice of housing!
Get more details in the flier and reservation form or just register online. Questions? Contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@duboiscenter.org or 618-787-2202.

Meet our Summer Staff!

Oftentimes, due to the visa application process, international staff are hired long before our local summer staff. This week, we would like to introduce another of our 2018 team members from overseas… Alice McKinnon from Carlton, Australia. Alice is very excited to be joining us as a Counselor/Activity Specialist and is looking forward to learning more about our country and culture.

She is passionate about being outdoors, staying fit and a variety of land and water sports. Alice camps, plays netball and volleyball, studies dance – ballet, jazz and contemporary, bikes and swims. She has experience working with children and peers in a variety of capacities – babysitter, coach, mentor and teacher assistant. One of her references wrote, “Alice is an enthusiastic dynamic young woman. She lights up a room with her happy disposition.” She attended Catholic schools growing up and embraces and practices the “mercy values” she was taught. She believes that faith helps you to be “the very best version of you.”

Alice considers herself very lucky to have traveled a fair amount with her family. Their adventures include Bali, Thailand, Fiji, Tasmania, the United States and Canada. She has also traveled around coastal and inland Australia. Did you know that Australia is about the same size as the continental USA, but with a population closer to that of Texas? Favorite foods? Fresh fruit “and of course chocolate.” She absolutely adores dogs and loves watching American TV series.

Welcome to the team, Alice!

Alice

Bunco Recap

THANKS to everyone who turned out for a great evening of family fun on February 24. It truly was a family affair. In fact, one young man – about 7 years old with a hot winning streak – was there with his parents and sister from Zion UCC in Marion and his grandparents and aunt from Maeystown. Thanks to Region 2 for sponsoring the event, St. Paul UCC – Columbia for hosting, and all the pastors who supported it. They were there in force – playing, facilitating and MCing. Thanks to the church members and friends who organized and set-up, those who made and donated gift baskets, prizes and snacks, and those who came and played and donated food items.

Between admission fees, the silent auction, a 50-50 drawing and other donations a total of $1,487 was raised for DuBois Center and 323 food items were collected! The group with the most “players” in attendance won the honor of selecting the recipients of the collection. Uni-Pres Kindercottage received 285 of the items; the emergency pantry at St. Paul UCC received 38 items that were less appropriate for Kindercottage.

Summer Job Opportunities!

Looking for a summer job that’s fulfilling as well as resume-building? Love being outdoors and working with kids? DuBois Center is hiring energetic, caring, fun and safety-focused individuals for our summer staff.

Out of our pool of Counselor/Activity Specialists, we try and hire at least seven to eight who are also lifeguards. Our waterfront program is based on the idea that the best fun is also safe, and our staff works hard to ensure that environment. Lifeguarding classes include the required First Aid and CPR training, and lifeguards are paid a little extra over the course of the summer to recoup the cost of the course.

For more information, check out our website page or email shirley.director@DuBoisCenter.org.

Service Saturday in Two Weeks!

Stretch your muscles, get a little dirty and make a difference! Help spruce up the grounds for our busy spring and summer seasons. We can’t do it without YOU! Projects vary, depending on the weather and the skills of the workers – carpentry, cleaning, painting, raking and more. We may even remove or install a dock. Serve together with friends and family, and gain a sense of satisfaction. Lunch is provided.

RSVP to DuBois Center by Monday, March 19, at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. If you can’t make it out to the March date, there will be another Service Saturday on April 21 – or call to set up a different day for your church group!

Summer Brochures are Coming!

It’s that time of year again – DuBois Center’s summer camp brochures are HOT off the presses and will be finding their way to your mailboxes and churches soon! Inside the brochure, you’ll find details on camp weeks, dates, this year’s theme and much more.

If you don’t receive a brochure and would like one, please contact the office at 618-787-2202 or dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org to be added to the mailing list, or check out the digital version on our website.

Why International Staff?

Have you ever wondered why we hire international staff? The answer is easy – because they’re great!

Each summer, DuBois Center recruits four to six international staff members, both through recruiting agencies and from Eden Seminary. Recently, they’ve journeyed from Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, Poland, South Africa and the United Kingdom. With accents that make them easily approachable and stories about life in their home countries, it’s easy to see why our international staffers are much beloved by campers and American staff alike. We appreciate the perspectives they bring, the games and songs they teach us, and the unique opportunities they provide just by spending the summer at DuBois Center.

Counselors in Training (CIT) — June 24-29

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, manage problematic behavior, create a safe, fun environment, and teach basic camp skills.

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 DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org. For more information, check out this flier.

Summer Jobs – Apply Now!

Is this the year for more than just another summer job? DuBois Center is searching for fun-loving and child-focused individuals with a heart for ministry to serve on our summer staff.
Amazing memories + resume building skills = a summer to remember. Check out the Summer of Service flier and consider whether serving outdoors with a dynamic team might be just the opportunity for you. Open positions include cabin counselors, barn staff and coordinators. Lifeguard certification is a plus for all positions. Questions? Contact Shirley at shirley.director@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. Application packets are available online or can be sent by email or mail.