Rustic Block Party – Rain or Shine

Rain or shine, we’re having a Block Party and middle & high school youth groups are invited!

Join DuBois Center staff and volunteers for an afternoon of fun, food, games, contests and music. One of the best parts – IT’S FREE.

We’ll roast hot dogs and make s’mores for our late afternoon snack, meet some of the horses, and explore the Rustic Village. If it rains, we’ve got great back-up plans that may involve some mud – so dress for the weather and bring extra clothes and shoes… just in case.

Whether you are a DuBois Center camper or not, you’re invited! Load up right after church, grab some lunch and head to camp. We’ll be on the move from 1-4 pm, but arrive when you can. Youth must be accompanied by adult chaperones or parents.

RSVP by Wednesday, May 1 – we need to stock the coolers and send you final details. For more information check out this flyer. To RSVP, contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618.787.2202. Click here for a permission form to print and distribute.

VOLUNTEERS are the HEART of DuBois Center

Volunteers are the heart of strong and healthy outdoor ministry programs. At DuBois Center, volunteers serve throughout the year on committees and teams, at the barn, in the office, on work projects, as retreat leaders and fund raisers. During the summer, there are a variety of ways to be involved and make a difference in the lives of the young people we serve. Join us for a few hours on a Sunday afternoon, a couple days during the week or a full session of camp. Volunteers work hand in hand with paid summer staff to provide our fun, engaging and faith-filled program. For more information contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. Volunteer applications are available online.

 

Summer Opportunities Include:
● Cabin Counselor
● Chaplain
● Nurse
● Barn Helper
● Sunday Welcome Team
● Activity Specialist
● Photographer

SUMMER CAMP: Faith, Friends, Fun

Current studies show that exposure to quality outdoor environments can have significant health benefits. Even more studies show that opportunities for kids to just be kids are critical to their development. Active, unplugged, joyful, connected and adventuresome are all words that describe the DuBois experience. It’s good old-fashioned fun and a modern classic. All this as well as an opportunity to experience God in new ways, make new friends and have loads of fun.

To find out more about summer camp at DuBois Center, check out the camp brochure online or pick one up at your UCC church. To have a brochure sent by mail, contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

SPRING CLEANING? Your trash could be our treasure!

Each year, DuBois Center has a seeming odd list of items we are collecting. If you have any of these objects gathering dust somewhere, we would love to give them a good home.
● Pool Cues: Ours are old and in disrepair. We have a table in the game room that is used by weekend guests and during inclement weather.
● Puzzle Pieces: If you have old puzzles with missing pieces of any size, we can put them to good use. They are fun additions to our stash of craft supplies. With a summer camp theme of “Peace Works” – the possibilities are almost endless.
● Scrabble Letters, Buttons & Ribbon:More great additions to our Craft Grotto!
● Glass Jars or Containers: We are looking for ones that are 16 ounces or smaller for a variety of projects.

Items may be delivered to DuBois Center or the Illinois South Conference office in Highland. If this doesn’t work for you, contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202 to make other arrangements.

High School Week – June 16-21

One week, two great options: Wrangler and X-Plore! It’s a week to be yourself, make good friends, find new adventures and explore your faith – with all the favorite DuBois Center activities plus MORE! Choice times return with even more unique options. Last year chair kickball and Kwik Cricket were all the rage. Who knows what might top the list in 2019?!

If you have completed grades 8-12, this is a great week to spend quality time outdoors and have some unplugged fun with a great group of people! Pick up a camp brochure at your UCC church or download one. To receive a brochure by mail, contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. If you are ready to register, click here.

Rustic Block Party – RSVP by April 30th

We’re having a Block Party in the Rustic Village and middle & high school youth groups are invited! Join DuBois Center staff and volunteers for an afternoon of fun, food, games, contests and music. One of the best parts – IT’S FREE. We’ll roast hot dogs and make s’mores, meet some of the horses, and explore the Rustic Village. Whether you are a DuBois Center camper or not, you’re invited! Load up right after church, grab some lunch and head to camp. We’ll be on the move from 1-4 pm, but arrive when you can. Youth must be accompanied by adult chaperones or parents.

RSVP by Tuesday, April 30 – we need to stock the coolers and send you final details. For more information check out this flyer; to RSVP contact DuBois Center at 618-787-2202 or dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org.  Click here for a permission form to print and distribute.

Why International Staff?

Why do we bring in international staff members for our summer camp program? Because they’re great!
Each summer, DuBois Center recruits 4-5 international staff members through agencies like Camp America and from Eden Theological Seminary. With accents that draw you in and stories about life in their home countries, it’s easy to see why our international staffers are much beloved by campers and local staff alike.
We appreciate the perspectives they bring, the games and songs they teach, and the unique opportunities they provide just by spending the summer at DuBois Center. The cultural exchange they facilitate is not just educational – it can also be very entertaining: a favorite game is to check for reactions to breakfast staples like coffee cake or biscuits and gravy! It’s also fun to try eating like a Brit for a meal.
This summer, we will welcome Aleksandra from Poland, Elina from Finland, Jayde from New Zealand and Mtipe from Tanzania. We will also welcome back Jack AKA Chip from New Zealand.
Do you know, or can you guess which flag represents which country?
             

SPLASH! Camp Sessions

We had such a great time with this camp session last summer, we decided to offer two sessions in 2019 – June 16 – 21 AND July 7 – 12.

All DuBois Center campers spend time at the waterfront, but SPLASH! sessions are designed for those who want to spend even more time IN, ON and NEAR the lake. Sand castles, masks & fins, early morning canoeing, crazy water games & challenges, water experiments, vespers on the beach – who knows what cool adventures might drift our way!

Both sessions will be based out of the main camp cottages. The age groups do vary a bit between the two, so be sure to check the schedule.

Pick up a camp brochure at your UCC church or download one today. To receive a brochure by mail, contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. Space is limited, so don’t wait too long. If you are ready to register, click here.

Male Counselors Needed

DuBois Center is in search of a few good men to round out our summer staff roster. We have more than enough solid applicants for the female cabin counselor positions, but not for their male counterparts. If you or someone you know enjoys working with people, has a heart for ministry and is looking for a resume-building summer job – look no further!

Check out the Summer of Service flyer and consider whether serving outdoors with a dynamic team might be just the opportunity for you. Believe it or not, working at camp is a REAL JOB with tangible benefits. Click here to read further about the benefits of working at camp.

Questions? Contact Shirley at 618-787-2202 or via email. Application packets are available online or can be sent by mail upon request.

Lenten Work Days – Recap

      
It is truly amazing what can be accomplished by enthusiastic and willing workers in short periods of time! A HUGE THANKS to volunteers from Carbondale Church of the Good Shepherd UCC, Grantfork UCC, Trenton St. John UCC, Nashville St. Paul UCC, New Baden Zion UCC, Hookdale St. Peter UCC, and other friends of DuBois Center for joining us for our Lenten Work Days this spring.
Rotted sections of wood were removed from the Nature’s Classroom buildings. In their place, a new deck was built and fascia installed. New gutters are awaiting their rain barrels. Leaves and dead branches throughout camp have been removed, as well as a fallen tree that was blocking a horse trail. Benches and equipment were moved out of storage and set in place. Work continued on the fences around camp and at the lumber shed. Deer Run Lodge was opened and tidied. And last, but definitely not least, support work on the bridge between Oak and Hickory Lodges was completed.
This work makes a significant difference! We are thankful for the new and old friends and their gifts of time and talent!