Welcome Team – Thank You!

Posted on June 13, 2018 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

We had an amazing turn-out for the Sunday Welcome Team on June 10! Fifteen volunteers greeted and welcomed campers and parents on the first summer camp check-in day of the season.

A special THANKS to Casey & Kris Avise-Rouse, Debbie & Mark Beckmeyer, Norma Borgmann, Sue Davis, Aaron, Susan & Harmon Fuchs, Audrey Hicks, Shelby Jackson, Wendy Juenger, Don Kaiser and Sandy & Scott Kuether. These volunteers packed a whole lot of welcome into just three hours after church. They assisted with the camp store, paperwork review, health screenings, pontoon boat & dock duty and people-moving.

The Welcome Team joined forces with seven full-week volunteers – Donna Asbridge, Nicole Avise-Rouse, Bethaney Brickeen, Rev. Todd Mushaney, Dan Schmidt, Alana Scherle, Marcus Vaughan and the camp staff to make check-in run smoothly. Many of these volunteers hail from Illinois South Conference churches; others are “friends” of DuBois Center. UCC churches represented include Christ UCC – Dupo, St. John UCC – New Athens, St. Paul UCC – Columbia, St. Paul’s UCC – Freeburg, St. Paul UCC – Waterloo, St. Peter UCC – Centralia and Zion UCC – Hoyleton. THANKS for your service. We couldn’t do it without you!

Are you interested in joining our Welcome Team? We have June 24 and July 8, 15 and 22 left this summer! Contact the office at DCInfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202 for more information.

Meet our Summer Staff: Jordann

Posted on June 9, 2018 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

Welcome Jordann Sipe to our 2018 summer staff team! Jordann comes to us from Gordonsville, Virginia. She is a student at Virginia Tech and is double majoring in Dairy Science and Animal & Poultry Science with an emphasis in Livestock & Equine. This summer she will be serving as our Barn Coordinator. Jordann has been riding since she was five years old and is an avid foxhunter! In addition, she is an experienced lifeguard, swim instructor and coach. Numerous horse camps and 4-H camps are also part of her resume.

After graduating, Jordann hopes to work with the 4-H program in her state, teaching young people about animal genetics and the importance of genetics in livestock production. She is very excited to be at DuBois Center this summer where her strong faith, love of horses, and passion for helping young people believe in themselves will intersect. Some of Jordann’s favorite things include Sour Patch Kids; southern fried chicken; and anything to do with cows, pigs, and horses. In fact, during the ten days between her last day of classes and heading to camp, she spent time in a dairy working on low stress handling of livestock before heading back to her home barn to help prepare for a rodeo.

We are excited Jordann decided to make the trek from Virginia to Illinois for the summer. This was her first big road trip, and she is looking forward to more in the future. Welcome Jordann!

Summer Camp Volunteers

Posted on June 8, 2018 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

Consider a week (or even a few days) at DuBois Center and join our Summer Camp 2018 team! Wanted: fun, engaging and caring volunteers to serve as nurses, cabin counselors, activity specialists and barn helpers. Minimum age is 18 for most positions; young adults and older adults are welcome. Give of your time and talent, make a difference and gain a wonderful sense of satisfaction!

For more information, go to the volunteer page of our web site or contact Shirley at shirley.director@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

It Takes a Village

Posted on June 7, 2018 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

This common phrase is often used when referring to raising healthy children or families. It is also a great way to describe caring for a camp like DuBois Center. Without the support provided by scores of volunteers, the ministry of DuBois Center would be greatly diminished. Each year, thousands of hours are donated as volunteers care for campers and facilities, provide spiritual guidance and moral support, raise needed funds, and plan and prepare for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.

Last month, teams from St. Paul UCC in Belleville and Christ UCC in Dupo logged over 500 service hours. Currently a youth mission team from O’Fallon UCC is helping with final preparations for summer camp. On June 10, the first volunteer greeters, nurses, chaplains and counselors of the season will open their arms and welcome campers. Watch for pictures and stories highlighting volunteer efforts in coming editions of Weekly Connection.

Welcome Team – Join Us! June 10, 24, July 8, 15, 22

Posted on June 6, 2018 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

On these five Sundays, scores of UCC campers will arrive at DuBois Center eager and excited to begin their time at camp. Twelve volunteers are needed for each of these Sundays plus summer staff to ensure the check-in process runs smoothly! Volunteers assist with greetings, parking, the camp store, registration, health screenings, dock duty and people-moving. They arrive by 1:15 pm and are done by 4 pm.

Please consider joining our Sunday Welcome Team on one or more check-in days. You are invited to wear a church t-shirt and show your spirit. Even consider bringing a team from your church! Let us know in advance when you can help; contact the DuBois Center office at dcinfo@duboiscenter.org or 618-787-2202.

Meet our Summer Staff: Marcus

Posted on June 5, 2018 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

Welcome Marcus Vaughan to our 2018 summer staff team! Marcus is returning for his third summer on staff and will be serving as our Waterfront Coordinator. He calls Llanfyllin, a small town in Wales, home but he loves to travel and has made good friends and has “homes” around the world – one of them in Marion, Illinois. In 2012, Rev. John Holst and his family hosted Marcus during his first week-long lifeguard certification class. They developed a strong bond and have stayed connected ever since.

Youth development is Marcus’ passion. Since last at DuBois Center, he worked for two years at Camp Chief Hector YMCA in collaboration with the Canadian Rockies Outdoor Learning Centre. During his time there, his responsibilities progressed from canoe out-tripping leader to high ropes course director to outdoor school coordinator. After some time back in Wales, Marcus headed to Melbourne, Australia for a year of travel and work. There he served as a behavioral and welfare officer at a Christian boys college (high school to us Americans) working with students with behavioral challenges. Long-term, Marcus plans to work with youth in the correctional system, helping them to develop strategies and make long-lasting changes in their life situations.

In addition to traveling and youth development, Marcus has a passion for soccer. In his late teens, he played professionally and coached youth teams. His family is also very important to him, and he is looking forward to spending quality time with his young niece after returning to Wales. Marcus is excited to be back at DuBois Center, to see all the familiar faces, make new friends and have another fun and rewarding summer.

We are excited for all the experience and energy he brings to our team. Welcome back Marcus!

Summer Volunteers Needed

Posted on June 4, 2018 by Dubois Center — 2 Comments ↓

Consider a week (or even a few days) at DuBois Center and join our Summer Camp 2018 team! Wanted: fun, engaging, and caring volunteers to serve as nurses, cabin counselors, activity specialists and barn helpers. Minimum age is 18 for most positions; young adults and older adults are welcome.

Give of your time and talent, make a difference, and gain a wonderful sense of satisfaction! For more information, go to the volunteer page of our web site or contact Shirley at shirley.director@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

It’s Not Too Late to Register for Camp!

Posted on June 3, 2018 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Summer vacation is a great time to get outside, unplug and make new friends face-to-face. Give your kids the gift of joyful, low-tech, faith-filled fun this summer! 2018 Summer Adventures at DuBois Center are filling quickly – some already have waiting lists! However, there are still lots of great options available, just don’t wait too long.

Pick up a brochure in your church office, click here to view the online version or contact DuBois Center to have one mailed to you – dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. Ready to register today? Click here.

Registration for Rainbow Camp is Open

Posted on June 2, 2018 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Rainbow Camp is a day filed with activities and fun, where everyone is recognized as a child of God. Come play in the water, take aim with archery, try your hand at crafts, or just take in the outdoors from horseback or pontoon. We have activities for all ages.

We will gather on Sat, Aug 18 from 9 am to 7 pm, at DuBois Center. Rainbow Camp is for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & queer singles, couples and families. Straight allies are welcome too. If there are at least 15 people interested, we can stay Friday night as a group at Hickory Lodge. During registration, you have the option to select “Rainbow Camp” for the day camp option or “Rainbow Camp Overnight” to stay the night.

Register now to get the early bird rates. See this flyer for more details. Click here if you’re ready to register. Got questions? Contact ISC Pride at iscpride@iscucc.org.

Pallets Needed!

Posted on June 1, 2018 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

We’ve got HAY! After a very dry end to the 2017 growing season, our supply was running low. Now, in preparation for heavy summer rains, additional sturdy wooden pallets on which to set the bales are needed.

Storing hay off the ground keeps it out of the mud. The drier the bales remain, the more able we are to reduce the growth of mold. Mold contributes to large amounts of waste. In addition, moldy hay is not healthy for our horses. Keeping the hay drier also helps to retain its nutritional content throughout the year.

Approximately 30 additional new or gently used sturdy pallets are needed. If you have or can find any that meet these specs, contact Scott Kuether at sekuether21@gmail.com.

Monthly Archives: June 2018