DuBois Center

History

DuBois Center has a long, rich history. Below are some of the highlights from the development of our beloved grounds, program and facilities.

  • 1962 – Property Acquired from Illinois Central Railroad. The main lake was used to “feed” the steam engines.
  • 1964 – First Work Camp (Barn Area)
  • 1965 – First Camping Session (Rustic Village), First Director’s House Built
  • 1966 – Oak Lodge, Lakeside and Woodside Cottages Dedicated
  • 1967 – Coveside Cottage Completed
  • 1968 – First Office Built
  • 1969 – Dining Shelter (Rustic Village) Built
  • 1971 – Recreation Shelter (Rustic Village) Built
  • 1975 – Barn Built by Staff and Volunteers, Deer Run Area Developed
  • 1977 – First Fall Festival
  • 1978 – DuBois Auxiliary Organized
  • 1979 – Hickory Lodge Dedicated
  • 1981 – Hawk’s Nest Boat House Built
  • 1985 – Outdoor Chapel and Meditation Point Dedicated
  • 1988 – Oak Lodge Kitchen Renovated, Oak Lodge Bathrooms and Health Center Remodeled
  • 1989 – Vesper Point Rebuilt (Rustic Village), 25th Anniversary of DuBois Center
  • 1990 – New Shower House Built (Rustic Village)
  • 1991 – Nature’s Classroom Pavilion Built, Oak Lodge Lower Level Patio Built
  • 1995 – New Director’s Residence Built, Office moved to Old Residence, Acquisition of 80 acres across from the camp
  • 1996 – Old Office Remodeled to Roadside Cottage
  • 1998 – Residential Program Director’s Position Initiated
  • 1999 – North Property Purchased
  • 2000 – Sold a Portion of the Eastern Property, Maintenance Storage Shed Added, New Sewage System Installed
  • 2003 – Two New Cabins Added in Rustic Village
  • 2004 – New Walk-in Freezer Installed, Four more Cabins Built on Rustic Side
  • 2006 – 2007 – Barn Renovated
  • 2009 – New Roof Added to Oak Lodge
  • 2014 – New Main Camp Outdoor Chapel Built
  • 2015 – 50th Anniversary of DuBois Center
  • 2019 – “Operation Shimmer” replaced the spillway pipe and repaired the dam to the lake
  • 2020 – renovated Deer Run cabins
  • 2021 – Air Conditioning added to Oak Lodge, Deer Run Shower house renovated
  • 2022 – New Cabin added in Rustic Village
  • 2025 – A/C window units added to Main Camp Cottages, Hammock Village added to Deer Run