As a member of the Outdoor Ministry Association of the UCC’s board of directors, I had an opportunity to travel to Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center last week for our annual board meeting. As a person responsible for creating inclusive camp communities, sometimes, I forget how transformational it is to be a part of such a community. Often, those of us who have gone into this work in a year-round or full time capacity don’t get to experience the magical moments that camp creates. As we reflected together on what makes camping ministry transformational and relevant, I got to experience many moments that reminded me of the sacredness of this work and the importance of belonging. And, I was reminded once more how the people of Illinois South Conference have taken part in many big ways in preserving and extending this vital ministry. To name a few:
After COVID-19 shut down camp for more than a year, the people of Illinois South and our Outdoor Ministry Team worked tirelessly with me last year to get to a place where we could reopen for our summer camping season.
We have raised more than $165,000 toward our $225,000 goal for DuBois 6.0. At a time when many churches are choosing not to invest in their camps, we are fixing deferred maintenance, adding capacity, and increasing programming offerings.
Our teams have worked tirelessly to write new health center policies to ensure full compliance with camp standards and best practices.
Each day, we work collectively to build more inclusive practices. We are actively living into our commitments of hospitality, welcome, and inclusion as UCCers.
It is a gift to be a part of a team that sees the value in camping ministry. Thank you for all of the ways you stay involved with DuBois Center and the work of the wider church.
Hayley Elliott, Acting Director of Outdoor Ministry
A wonderful group of volunteers spent last week building the new Fish Ridge Cabin! The frame is finished, the roof set, and the inside wiring complete. Thanks to those who have donated to this and the other projects for DuBois 6.0, as well as the volunteer groups who have dedicated so much time and attention to the completion of these projects.
Total raised is $76,190.21 as of today. Goal is $225,290
As we close in on summer planning, we are still in need of very special staff members and volunteers! We need camp nurses and medics (RN, LPN, CNA, EMT, NP, and MD welcome) for several more weeks this summer, but especially the week of June 19 – 24 and June 26 – July 1. Camp healthcare staff can be a paid position if you can dedicate to a full summer, or a volunteer position for camp scholarship of someone you know.
Please reach out to Hayley via director@duboiscenter.org if you are interested in volunteering or working as healthcare staff this summer!
We have two open houses scheduled for April 9 and May 15 and look forward to seeing you at one or both events! On April 9, we’ll consider all things DuBois Center: our ecological focus, how to be involved as a volunteer for workdays or summer camp, and of course, our horse barn. On May 15, we’ll celebrate all things summer camp with cabin tours, camp games, a smores station sponsored by our friends at Camp Phoenix, and a birthday party for our beloved horse Dakota, who was born at DuBois Center 20 years ago this May.
Spots in our summer sessions are filling up quickly, and we experienced a record number of registrations on the first day! Visit our website for Summer Camp details and to register for summer camp this year! Early Bird Pricing runs through April 6.
We can’t wait to see you under the summer sun at DuBois Center.
We are still hiring a few more people to round out our summer staff with a special need for additional counselors. Counselors must be 18+ and willing to work with kids in several age groups. Working as a summer camp counselor is a great way to get job experience, make some extra money, and have fun. Email Rylee at program@duboiscenter.org for an application packet!!
DuBois Center will get a facelift in 2022. The current donations are at $44,971 because of generous donors. Thanks! We’re on our way!
Here’s what we’re striving to do:
Round 1 – under way:
Oak Lodge Air Conditioning $15,740 — Completed!
Oak Lodge Replace Windows $17,650 — Windows should be arriving in February
Camp Office Replace Windows $4,500 — Windows have arrived and are ready to be installed
New Fish Ridge Cabin on the Rustic Side of Camp $10,400 — Foundation has been built. Waiting on Roof Trusses
Round 2 – Spring 2022:
Oak Lodge Basement Sealed and Purchase Dehumidifier $6,000
Program Directors House Updates $7,000
Deer Run Shower House $10,300
Deer Run Lodge Repairs and Updates $4,500
New Archery Range and Bouldering Wall $10,000
Later this year:
New Hillside Cottage $77,000
Lumber Shed Roof $3,000
Temporary Infirmary: To be reaccredited by the American Camping Association, we need a multi-bed infirmary temporarily in half of Roadside Cottage $3,000
Road Repairs $18,500
Deep Water Solar Lake Aerator $6,000
Boat House Solar Power $1,200
New Hay Barn $30,000
Fence Painting $500
How You Can Help:
Sponsor a project.
Share your mandatory IRA distributions
Donate Stock or Bonds
Share Tax Refund
Dinners – Plan to attend two special Taste of DuBois Dinners in 2022
Note: Project order will be determined by availability of materials and funds.
Contact United Church Funds at 212-729-2628 or matt.wagner@ucfunds.org to learn how to donate IRA distributions and stock to DuBois 6.0. Dates and more information on the Taste of DuBois dinners will be coming in early 2022.
Many of you have known me my whole life, but allow me to introduce myself. I’m Rylee Hodges-Stone and I grew up at DuBois Center. I’m now serving as Program Director and I’ve spent the off-season months reevaluating, revamping and creating programs. We’re now offering updated versions of popular middle-school specialty camps for high school age campers, we’re bringing some beloved camp themes back out of retirement, and we’re finding every way we can to better utilize our magnificent site with every activity.
Here is a picture of me at DuBois Center as a brand-new half-week camper. I was granted special exception to attend camp a year earlier than my grade level would allow. I begged my pastor, the late Gretchen Sterrett of New Baden Zion UCC, to write a letter explaining that I was the oldest kid in my class, and that I was certainly “mature enough to go.” She cut a deal with me: if I would work the chili and fish dinners to earn my camp scholarship, she’d get me in. I kept up my end of the deal, serving lemonade and helping with dishes at what must have been ten thousand dinners, and she kept up her end and got me into my home, The DuBois Center, just in the nick of time.
From deal-cutting half-weeker to dedicated horse camper to barn assistant to coordinator and now to Program Director, I’ve never lost my drive to serve all the lemonade it takes to get the job done. In this new position of management, I’ve created a goal for my staff: to better utilize staff training time, with a clear focus on establishing relationships, creating a strong love for DuBois Center and learning how to work as a team. This time needs to be spent fully devoted to certifying our staff on the key skills that are required every day of summer session. It’s crucial that we spend this limited time facilitating our staff’s familiarization with the site, the equipment, the job and the team – and maintain the flexibility to adapt to our diverse staff’s needs.
Even after this densely packed training ends, for seven weeks straight our staff members spend an average of 130 of the 168 hours in a week at DuBois Center. This leaves less than 48 hours for all personal needs to be met between sessions – this is a huge ask of every summer staff member and we owe it to them to do all we can to set them up for success. Our staff deserves excellent support because they work hard to create excellent experiences for our campers: summer camp is often the best week of a camper’s entire year.
2020 was not only our first year out of operation in decades, it also marked the departure of Shirley Asmussen, the long-serving director I had known as a camper. With all the chaos, it’s no wonder that many tasks have piled up – and they have piled up higher than our staff can handle without your help. Our summer staff arrive ready to fully commit to facilitating a safe and fun experience for each and every DuBois Center camper – your assistance with these tasks in the coming months means directly supporting our staff’s ability to keep their attention focused on the campers. I am asking for your help. Volunteer assistance with site preparation is needed before we can open for the 2022 Summer Session.
I’ve scheduled a volunteer day and a volunteer retreat for the spring of 2022:
April 23rd – Volunteer Day
May 21st – 22nd – overnight Volunteer Retreat
All of the work can be done at an entry-level skill set, no special expertise or tools necessary – if you can push a broom, pull a weed, or dust a cobweb, we need your help! Ready to pitch in?
I love DuBois Center. I loved being a camper, and it means the world to me to be able to welcome new generations of campers, and even second and third generation campers back to our camp for fun, adventure, worship, and growth. We all need each other, and right now we need you. DuBois Center is so unique among area camp facilities for its strong legacy of families, communities and congregations working together to “pay it forward” and keep our doors and arms open.
I invite you to remind yourself why DuBois Center is a part of your life, to be in God’s place and help set up another generation of great camper experiences. Anyone that wants to help DuBois Center is welcome.
Best, DuBois Center Program Director, Rylee Hodges-Stone
