Welcome Team – Join Us in July

We have had great turnouts for the Sunday Welcome Team in June. Now we are gearing up for July! In addition to our summer staff, 12 to 15 volunteers are needed each Sunday to ensure the 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. You are invited to wear a church or camp t-shirt and show your spirit. Even consider bringing a team from your church! RSVP by Wednesday to 618-787-2202 or dcinfo@duboiscenter.org.

Volunteers Needed: July 7, July 14 and July 21. The spots for July 7 & 21 are nearly full, but there are lots of opening for July 14.

Are You a Yard Sale Enthusiast?

Plans are coming together for DuBois Center’s annual Fall Festival. One area still in need of an implementation team is the Upscale Resale Shop & Silent Auction. Volunteers to pick-up, store and deliver items to camp are already in place. Now a team is needed for Saturday and Sunday, October 5 and 6 to set up and run the shop.
Tasks include unpacking, setting up, pricing, recruiting cashiers and managing the shop and silent auction the day of Fall Festival. No need to start from scratch, helpful hints will be provided. If your church or fellowship group might be interested, please contact Nancy Wagner, chair of the Outdoor Ministries Team, at 618-444-2835 or nancywagner1958@gmail.com, or DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.
        

Fall Festival Friend-Raising

Mark your calendar! Start spreading the word! Fall Festival is more than just a fundraising event – it is a FRIEND-RAISING event.

Throughout the summer, new campers tell us that they first experienced DuBois Center during the Fall Festival. With that in mind, our marketing team gets more creative each year and finds fun new ways to spread the word at this event. They share our story – the summer camps, family retreats, Nature’s Classroom experiences and all the opportunities for church and community gatherings. But they need your assistance!

There are flyers to help you get started; print this one in color or this one in black & white. Who can you introduce to DuBois Center this October?

Neither Rain, nor rain, nor rain…

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these camp leaders from the swift completion of their appointed duties. Whether greeting parents on a stormy afternoon or creating engaging indoor or undercover options, summer staff at DuBois Center serve with smiles on their faces and a lot of enthusiasm. Sure, sometimes they get a little down… it’s a tough job, but your prayers sustain them and the special stories of the lives they have touched keep them going.
Recent Facebook comment from a Parent: God placed it on my heart to let you guys know, that what you’re doing with all the kids, is simply amazing! Just know that you’re making changes in these kids’ lives daily! Thank you for all you do!”

Behind the camera

DuBois Center has hundreds of avid Facebook followers – especially during the summer. Family members love seeing photos of their child riding a horse, playing on the water mat or hanging out with new friends! This special treat is made possible primarily by one volunteer – Scott Kuether. Over 90% of the photos on our Facebook page were taken by “Flash” – his camp name. Scott works full-time in Glen Carbon, but still makes time for DuBois Center twice a week during the summer camp season. He helps with check-in on most Sundays and then heads off with his camera to capture first day shenanigans. Mid-week he sets up shop in our office and works remotely while taking “breaks” throughout the day to snap photos of campers.

Scott is also the chair of our equestrian committee and a regular ride volunteer. He serves on our marketing committee and the ISC finance ministry team. Scott’s active involvement with DuBois Center began about 12 years ago. He wanted to spend more time with Sandy, his wife and our equestrian director, and his two daughters who love to ride and spent many of their weekends at camp. Little did he know…

THANKS SCOTT for everything you do!

OUTBACK Camp – July 7-12

Ever wonder what it’s like to build your own shelter, cook dinner over a campfire or stay out late listening for owls and watching for bats? While all DuBois Center campers spend lots of time out in nature, Outback takes it a step further. A night or two camping under the stars – or a bug net, foil stew or pie-iron pizza for dinner, nocturnal exploits and a lazy sleep-in morning are all put of the fun. Campers experience God’s creation firsthand while exploring parts of camp that others may never see. In addition, other classic DuBois activities – canoeing, horseback riding, water mat and archery – are also options for this adventure.

To learn more, download our brochure or contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618.787.2202 to receive one by mail. Ready to register? Click here.

Thanks for the memories…

and all the digital cameras you donated! Over the past 18 months, we have been collecting small, point and shoot cameras – the ones pushed to the back of the closet when phones were upgraded. These gifts are now being used by our camp “family groups.” Each has a camera and is encouraged to take pictures of their adventures. This past week, one group did an especially good job of capturing camp life on their digital. Here are some of our favorites shots. It’s obvious they loved their time with the horses and in the creek.

Donations of digital cameras – in good condition – are still being accepted. For more information contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

ThunderSelfieCreekWalk

HORSE CAMPS – Ready to Ride?

Believe it or not, there are still a couple openings! Horse Campers spend more time with the ponies, but still have time for other camp favorites like the water mat, 9-Square, vespers and crafts. If the weather cooperates, they have the option to ride each day. Some mornings, these horse enthusiasts are up and at ’em long before breakfast to feed, groom and tack the herd. An early morning ride – in the cool of the day – is a great reward for early morning chores! Later in the day, horse campers take turns mucking out the stalls and actually have fun while learning about the responsibilities of caring for horses.

Ready to register online? Click here. For more information, pick up a camp brochure at your UCC church or check out the brochure online. Contact DuBois Center at 618-787-2202 or dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org to have one mailed to you.

SADDLE ‘EM UP: July 7-12 (completed grades 7-9)
PONY EXPRESS: July 21-24 (completed grades 4-6)

Prayer Request

Summer camp at DuBois Center is in full swing! Throughout June and July scores of enthusiastic campers, hopeful volunteers and dedicated staff members will journey together and embrace God’s creation. They will dig into scripture, build amazing relationships and have loads of fun! Please keep these individuals and God’s ministry through DuBois Center in your thoughts and prayers each day. Thank you!

Happy Father’s Day!

A dad is strong….not hard.
He disciplines
He carries his child
He says “no” when “no” needs to be said
A dad is soft….not weak
He smiles
He cries tenderly
He comforts his child when the child’s pain is too great
A dad is smart….not learned
He reads
He works efficiently
His common sense takes him where books cannot
A dad is attentive…not smothering
He sets boundaries
He enforces the boundaries
He allows his child to stretch some of them to build confidence
A dad is present….and that’s a present for generations to come.
© Lynnette Schuepbach