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Monthly Archives: August 2019

Thank You to our Volunteer Chaplains!

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In June and July, we served over 400 young people in camps sponsored by the Illinois South Conference. It was an amazing summer and we are especially thankful for all the volunteer chaplains that helped make the PEACE WORKS theme come alive for our campers.
It was especially fun to see “Messy Church” techniques at play at camp this summer. Chaplains led BLAST (Bible Learning and Spirit Time), prepared vespers and provided an amazing ministry of presence – walking with our campers and staff throughout each week.
Our team was quite an eclectic bunch. Some are ordained ministers, one an in-care student. Some are school teachers, some are former campers and summer staff members. Some are retired, and some took time off work to serve with us.
Thanks so much to all the 2019 volunteer summer camp chaplains and the churches that supported their efforts. They truly had a significant impact on the faith lives of our campers and staff!:
Nicole Avise-Rouse – Epiphany UCC, St. Louis & St. Paul UCC, Waterloo
Craig Bielke – St. Paul UCC, Belleville
Rev. Katie Jo Bielke – St. John UCC, Collinsville
Joan Daab – St. Paul UCC, Columbia
Rev. Christy Eckert – St. John UCC, Trenton      
Audrey Hicks – St. Paul UCC, Waterloo
Rev. John Holst – Zion UCC, Marion
Rev. Todd Mushaney – Christ UCC, Dupo
Rev. Patrick Poole – St. John UCC, Maeystown & Zion UCC, St. Joe, Waterloo
Alaina Scherle – St. Paul UCC, Waterloo

Camp Lost & Found

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Gone are the days when every mother meticulously sewed printed labels into her child’s camp gear and school clothes. Good for moms, not so good for lost and found!

Every summer, a mountain of towels, socks, shorts and water bottles accumulates at DuBois Center. This year was no different. Much of our 2019 collection has already been returned, but even more is waiting to go home. If you or your camper, or someone you know, lost something at camp – let us know. Send an email to dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org with a detailed description and we’ll check the boxes and bags in the office. Give us a week or two to check and get back to you!

Unclaimed items will be held until September 10 and are then donated to charitable organizations.

Camp Counselor – So Much More than ‘Just a Summer Job’

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They’re off – some to school, some on family vacations or traveling with friends, some back home to another country. Most barely had time to eat, sleep and do laundry before heading off on their next adventure. In their wake, DuBois Center is now a much quieter place. We will miss all the energy and enthusiasm, but mostly we will miss their hearts and spirit.
It’s always hard to explain the ethos, or “magic,” of camp to those who have not experienced it, but Georgia, better known as Croc, does a nice job of describing it in a recent Facebook post:
“Earlier this year I applied for a job at a summer camp… and while I was nervous about spending my summer away from home and having almost no free time, I’m so glad I made the decision to work here. The amount of love that this small camp has to offer is incredible. The people I worked with are some of the most loving and caring people I’ve ever met. I am so grateful that God guided me in this direction and I will always be thankful for the experience this summer offered me. DuBois Center: you will always hold a special place in my heart.️ Also, I’d like to give an individual shoutout to my OCD, V8 loving, horse crazy, barn chore fanatic friend, Catie Goetter. Working in the barn with you this summer was so much fun and I’m so glad I had you by my side the whole time. Even though we’re polar opposites and definitely tested each other’s patience a few times, I appreciate you and love you lots.”
May God bless them all on their journeys!

Your Trash, Our Treasure

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DuBois Center is back with another list of random – or not so random – items we are collecting.

TEASPOONS (metal): Back in 2012 we switched from using plastic forks and knives on cookouts to using donated metal flatware. The change was great for the environment, and now our savory foil packs taste even better. Currently, we are looking specifically for metal teaspoons to add to our collection. Forks and knives will be accepted, but we really need spoons.

PIE TINS (non-disposable, metal type): When pie irons (think George Forman grill for the campfire) come out of the coals with pizza or grilled cheese oozing from the sides – they are HOT! Pie tins make the transition from iron to plate much safer. They also work great as eating plates for cookouts! If you have extras in the back of your cupboards or know of a restaurant that is replacing theirs… please send them our way!

BUTCHER PAPER: Know someone with access to roll-ends of butcher paper – the thick stuff? Making posters and banners is a favorite camp activity and large rolls of paper are THE BEST!

Mother & Daughter Retreat — October 18-20

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Fall is just around the corner! Preparation for school, sports, band, clubs and church programs are all picking up steam – making family time even more difficult to schedule. STOP! You are invited to breathe, slow down and spend quality time with the girls and women in your life at DuBois Center’s annual Mother-Daughter Retreat. Engaging activities, inspiring God-Time, great fellowship and meals without cooking are all part of this weekend escape. 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: mothers, daughters, grandmothers, granddaughters, aunts, nieces and good friends!

SAVE THE DATE – October 18-20. Registration opens August 15 and space is limited.

PEACE, LOVE & KITTENS

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As our summer camp season draws to a close, some of the very best memories are of new friends made amid the mud, bug bites and late night adventures. These campers likely had no idea that while they were exploring the creek or playing on the water mat, they were growing together through shared experiences in God’s amazing creation and forming an intentional community. They were breaking down barriers and building relationships with people very different from themselves. They were building Christian community.

Peace, love and kittens…. it’s more than just a slogan.