WRANGLE & RIDE – Saturday, Oct 12

Love horses? If you are age 12 or older, join us on Saturday, Oct 12 from 9 am – 5 pm for a day of fun with the DuBois Center herd! Designed for both beginner and intermediate riders, this is a horse-intensive day of instruction – tackle grooming, tacking, riding, and other horse-related activities. Beginners are introduced to basic skills, while riders with more experience work to refine their skills. The cost for this event is $65 with lunch included. Families are welcome.

Register by September 21 and save $5. Final registration deadline is Sept 28 – if space is still available. Online registration is now open. Questions? Contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@duboiscenter.org or 618-787-2202.

HATS OFF to our Volunteer Nurses!

Health care professionals are a key component of our summer camp ministry, but rather than starched “whites” you are more likely to find them decked out in camp tees, shorts and sunscreen. Camp nurses deal with a variety of ailments – everything from ticks to homesickness, fevers to sprains. They provide special attention when a camper needs a little extra TLC or just a break from the action. Theirs is a ministry of presence, compassion and healing.

This past summer, we were blessed by the ministry of two volunteer camp nurses. A very special thanks to Donna Asbridge from St. Paul’s UCC in Freeburg and Kathy Asselmeier from St. John UCC in Maeystown. As usual, Nurse Bandit (Donna’s camp name) went above and beyond. She was present for every Sunday and Wednesday check-in day – all nine of them, whether she was the nurse for the week or not. She was always ready to jump in with her ukulele or guitar and assist with worship, or provide wise counsel for our leaders. This was summer #8 for Donna – at least in recent history, and each of these summers she has volunteered for multiple weeks. Nurse Stitch (Kathy’s camp name) was new to her role at camp, but definitely not new to nursing! She was a great addition to our team with her winning smiles and calm demeanor. Her motivation? A heart for service and hugs from her grandchildren, one of whom was attending camp on her own for the first time. Thanks to both of these amazing women!

If you are an RN, please consider serving with us next summer. For more information, contact Shirley at shirley.director@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

Calling all Retail Divas!

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 & Sunday, October 5 & 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 at 618-444-2835 or email or DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

Job Opportunity: Nature’s Classroom Instructor

Are you a substitute teacher, active retiree or someone with a flexible schedule? Do you enjoy the outdoors and have experience working with youth or as a teacher? Nature’s Classroom Instructors are needed from September 25 through October. Work with school groups (grades 5-8) that stay overnight at DuBois Center. Provide a fun and supportive environment, while teaching about predator-prey interactions, night life in the woods, cultural differences, erosion, teamwork and other engaging topics.

 

Our instructors teach classes, and lead campfires and other evening activities. Parent chaperones supervise free time, dining tables and cabin times. Training is provided, as are meals and overnight accommodations during Nature’s Classroom sessions. Check out the program brochure and position description for details.  Then contact DuBois Center at shirley.director@DuBoisCenter.org  or 618-787-2202.

Mother & Daughter Retreat – October 18-20

Registration is now open for DuBois Center’s annual Mother-Daughter Retreat. If you are a mother, daughter, aunt, niece or sister – you are invited to spend quality time with the important girls and women in your life during this weekend escape. Canoe, hike, craft, sing and play together! Enjoy great fellowship, inspiring God Time and meals without cooking. Participate in everything or choose a more relaxed weekend with board games, knitting and leisurely strolls. Either way, the focus of this retreat is on building relationships and making memories with loved ones! All generations and groupings are welcome.

Early Bird Deadline is Friday, Sept 27; final registration deadline is Friday, Oct 4. To learn more, check out this flyer. To receive one by mail, contact DuBois Center at 618-787-2202 or dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org. Ready to register? Click here.

Early Bird Deadline for Artisans and Handicrafters is this Saturday!

Saturday, August 17 is the early bird deadline for talented folks who would like to peddle their wares at DuBois Center’s annual Fall Festival on October 6. Each year over 2000 people turn out for this family-friendly event. To learn more about displaying and selling your handiwork, click here. Ready to register? Click here.

At this event, the focus is on hand-crafted pieces and items that are truly vintage or re-purposed. A limited number of vendor spaces are available, so don’t delay.

OFFICE CLOSED Tuesday – Friday, August 13-16

This week the DuBois Center office will be closed. Our summer season concluded with a wonderful Rainbow Camp this past weekend, and now it’s time to REST, CLEAN and PREPARE. During the month of August, we will have limited office days and hours as we work to renew our bodies and spirits and refresh the facilities. It was a good summer, but we are definitely ready for some down time!

Fear Not: We will be checking phone messages and emails on a regular basis, and we will be ready to go for our busy fall season. In case of an emergency or critical issue, contact Julie – the ISC registrar – at register@DuBoisCenter.orgor 618-357-1809.

Sunday Welcome Team – THANK YOU!

Each Sunday of our summer camp season, DuBois Center buzzes with scores of excited campers and their families. Extending gracious hospitality and ensuring a smooth check-in process with as few delays is a tall order – one made possible ONLY with the help of 12-15 volunteers each week. Our Sunday Welcome Team braves the humid summer temps with smiles on their faces as they direct parking, greet families, check heads for critters, screen health forms, catch and drive pontoon boats, operate the camp store, and direct the flow of traffic through the check-in process. This summer we set a NEW RECORD with 49 different volunteers! Many served on multiple Sundays; all made a HUGE difference! Eleven of these volunteers were part of “head check” teams from St. Paul UCC in Waterloo – THANK YOU so much!

On behalf of the Outdoor Ministries Team (OMT), DuBois Center staff, parents and campers, we would like to extend a hearty and heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who assisted this summer: Kim Altmansberger, Donna Asbridge, Kathy Asselmeier, Casey & Nicole Avise-Rouse, Craig & Katie Jo Bielke, Debbie Clinebell, Joan Daab, Sue Davis, Yvonne Dehner, Christy Eckert, Aaron, Harmon & Susan Fuchs, Julie & Roger Harris, Audrey Hicks, Wendy Hill, John, Sara & Torrie Holst, JT Iorio, Anne & David Jackson, Leah & Wendy Juenger, Don Kaiser, Sandy & Scott Kuether, Cara Magee-Johnston, Judy Matzenbacher, Vaughn Mavers, Sam Morgan, Sharon Murphy, Todd Mushaney, Jason Petry, Sharon Schaefer, Alaina Scherle, Joe & Kara Schmid, Carol & David Shanks, Bill & Kay Theobald, Nancy Wagner, Darline Weihl, Sandy Westbrook and Angie Zapp. Please forgive us if we missed anyone; everyone’s efforts are greatly appreciated!

Office & Event Coordinator Position Available

Enjoy connecting with people and the outdoors? Fluent in computer-speak? Looking for a position that is more than just a job? DuBois Center is seeking an Office & Event Coordinator.

This is a permanent, part-time position – the purpose of which is to organize, coordinate and implement office and event functions at DuBois Center. This includes camper family and guest relations, data management (financial, camper, guest group and employee), assistance with marketing efforts and occasional guest group hosting.

The person filling this position will be an integral part of the ISCUCC staff and the DuBois Center team. To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to DuBois Center via email at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org. Click here for the full position description.

Limited Vendor Spaces Available for Fall Festival 2019

Are you gifted with gourds, clever with color or cloth, handy with hardware, talented with tools or skilled in stitchery? If yes, DuBois Center is now accepting applications for vendors at our annual Fall Festival on Sunday, October 6. Each year more than 2,000 people turn out for this family-friendly event!

To learn more about displaying your wares, click here. Ready to register? Click here. At this event, the focus is on hand-crafted pieces and items that are truly vintage or re-purposed.

A limited number of vendor spaces are available, so don’t delay. For more information, contact Susan Fuchs at SusanKFuchs@gmail.com or 618-978-3182.