Rafiki

Rafiki: to agree (or promise) to one another to work together in oneness and unity. This concept, shared by a seminary student from Kenya a couple summers ago, is one that we continue to focus on at DuBois Center. We strive to provide a place to laugh, play, pray and break bread together, a place where faith grows. As a significant piece of the ministry and mission of Illinois South Conference, we work to build up God’s kingdom on earth… as it is in heaven. With the financial support of scores of individuals, churches and church groups, this work continues. Hopefully, you received a letter that highlights in words and pictures some joys from 2019. If not, or if it’s lost in a pile somewhere, click here for a digital copy or contact our office to have a letter mailed to you.

If you have not already done so, we hope you will consider a year-end gift in support of our shared ministry at DuBois Center. You may donate safely online, or if you prefer to mail your donation, use this form. With so many demands on your resources, we are truly honored by your prayerful gifts of financial support as well as offerings of prayer, time and talent. Thank you.

Donate Your Boots and Cameras to DuBois!

Our supply of boots for horseback riding is running low. A variety of sizes, from child size 11 through adult size 14, are needed. New or used, in fair to good condition – we’ll take them! Larger adult boots can be expensive to purchase, so used ones are at the top of our wish list.
The search also continues for digital cameras. We know those small, point and shoot versions – the Coolpix, PowerShot and FinePix – are out there, somewhere gathering dust! Recycle them to DuBois Center and we’ll use them for camp scavenger hunts, photography classes, photo booths and so much more. Requirements: good working condition and SD memory card compatible.
For more information contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

We Give Thanks to Our Staff!

This week we give thanks for our staff team! Almost all are part-time and most work limited schedules, only as needed. Despite this, they are the lifeblood of DuBois Center. They can be seen in the office and the kitchen, on the tractor and in a lifeguard chair. They care for our campers, guests, critters, facilities and grounds. Some tend to the horses in the bitter cold; others serve in the summer heat. Some clean dirty buildings; others bake up delicious meals. They are often found trekking through the woods with eager students, leading team-building activities, laying campfires for guest groups and plunging toilets. They work collaboratively with scores of volunteers to provide a ministry of hospitality and nurture, and to maintain and improve our facilities. Thanks to the staff team that keeps DuBois Center on a steady course day in and day out, throughout the year.

Save the Date for Father-Son Retreat 2020!

Fathers, Grandfathers and Uncles – SAVE THE DATE and plan now to bring your sons, grandsons, nephews or another young man in your life to DuBois Center for a weekend of quality guy time! Our 2020 Father-Son Retreat will take place April 24 – 26.

Fish, hike, canoe or just hang out together. Make cool crafts, share in vespers and work on your archery skills. Horseback riding is available for an additional fee. Lodging is in heated cottages and Hickory Lodge.

The weekend is geared for those age 5 and older, and families participate together. Rev. RJ Morgan will be returning as our chaplain for the weekend.

Registration opens January 15. Watch for details. Questions? Contact us at 618-787-2202 or dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org.

Camp Nurses – Servants with Sunscreen

Despite the falling leaves, it’s never too early to think about summer. One setting for ministry at DuBois Center is our Health Center. Volunteer camp nurses, most of whom are RNs, are a vital piece of our summer camp program. Many find serving at DuBois Center to be a rewarding mission opportunity, one that is quite different from their regular job. Responsibilities include reviewing camper medical forms, conducting health screenings, receiving & administering medications, providing first aid & basic medical treatment, and documentation. But when you really get down to it, nurses spend most of their time removing ticks, soothing rashes, distributing medications and providing extra TLC for homesick and nervous campers. If you are an RN, please consider serving with us for a full or partial week. The living quarters do have AC and there is often time to join us for worship, explore the woods or just sit back and read a book. For more information, contact Shirley at DuBois Center at shirley.director@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

Year-End Support for Ministry at DuBois Center

This time of year, we are more mindful of giving thanks – for family, friends, our church community and God at work in our lives. At DuBois Center, we are also thankful for stories, especially ones of connection, challenge and transformation.

These stories tell of new-found confidence for first-time campers, deepening parent-child relationships, faith discussions that come alive, individuals transformed into communities, unlikely friendships built on respect and so much more. Scores of dedicated volunteers, staff members and donors together make DuBois Center a place of welcome and hospitality, a place to connect, belong and grow… a place where faith is nurtured and lives are transformed. With your financial support this work continues.

Click here to read our annual letter which highlights aspects of our shared ministry in the outdoors at DuBois Center in 2019. This is your ministry, the work of your congregations, the work of the Illinois South Conference. We hope you will consider a year-end gift. You may donate safely online or, if you prefer, use this form and mail your donation. With so many demands on your resources, we are truly honored by your gifts of financial support as well as offerings of prayer, time and talent. Thank you!

Work Begins!

Work on the spillway at DuBois Center has begun! Last Thursday, heavy equipment rumbled into camp. To protect the existing dam, the water level needs to be about 5 feet below the current spillway pipe. This is to provide more than adequate room to dig out and replace the old pipe and spillway grate. To accomplish this, the road and dam were cut open and an 8-inch pipe temporarily installed. Using “siphon power” the pipe is drawing water out of the lake and depositing it in the creek below on the back side of the dam. The gouge in the road was temporarily refilled so that vehicles, people and horses can still cross from one side of camp to the other. There are groups at DuBois Center, riding horses and participating in other activities on the far side of lake through the end of November, so access is critical. If the weather holds and the siphon continues to do its job, actual installation of the new spillway grate and pipe could begin as early as this week or next. Watch Facebook and Instagram for updates!
THANKS to every church and individual who donated to Operation Shimmer! We reached our goal of raising $50,000 new money for this spillway project and the installation of air-conditioning in Oak Lodge just last month. Note: $10,000 had been donated previously for the Oak Lodge piece of the project, bringing the total to over $60,000.
    

Bunco Night is Tomorrow!

Join Region 2 for a night of fabulous fall fun at St. Paul UCC in WATERLOO. Play BUNCO and support DuBois Center – all at the same time!
Bunco is an exciting dice game that is easy to learn – children as young as 10 or 11 can be successful and have fun. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the game begins at 7 pm.
The cost to play is just $10 per person, but WAIT – there’s more. There will be a 50/50 drawing and a purse auction. Help spread the word; invite everyone you know! Click here for a flyer to share.

Thanks for the Memories!

Thanks for the memories and all the digital cameras you donated!
Over the past couple of years, we have been collecting small, point and shoot cameras – the ones pushed to the back of the closet when cell phones were upgraded. These gifts are now being used year-round by summer campers and their counselors, retreat participants and others. They take pictures of their adventures or get creative during photo scavenger hunts. Here are some fun shots from the last year.
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.
   
   

Odd Request – Shower Seats!

DuBois Center is searching for three (or more) STURDY, gently-used shower seats for use in Hickory Lodge, the Health Center and Rustic Shower House.

If you have one hidden in a corner of the basement or behind all those boxes in the garage, we’d love to help you recycle it.

Specs: light-weight and sturdy, plastic seat with holes for drainage, rust-resistant aluminum frame, non-slip foot caps.

For more information contact us at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. Thank you!