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Group Rides at DuBois Center

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Is your youth group, family ministries program, scout troop or neighborhood playgroup wild about horses? Did you know that groups of six or more can schedule horseback rides at DuBois Center on weekends and mid-week school holidays?

Trail rides, with an orientation in the arena, last for one hour; the cost is $22 per person for day groups. Our Equestrian Team can also provide educational sessions related to badges for all ages and levels of scouts, or “Horse Sense” sessions for non-scouting groups.

For more information contact the DuBois Center office at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

Hats Off to Our Volunteer Camp Nurses

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Health care professionals are a key component of our ministry, but rather than starched “whites,” you are more likely to find them dressed in tie-dye and shorts, and maybe even toting a guitar.

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. Their’s is a ministry of compassion, presence and healing.

This past summer, we were blessed by the ministry of two volunteer camp nurses. A very special thanks to Donna Asbridge of St. Paul’s UCC in Freeburg and Jessica Nave, former DuBois Center staff member. This year, Nurse Bandit (Donna’s camp name) went above and beyond, as is often the case. In addition to her nursing duties, she studied our curriculum and helped the summer staff understand and engage with it. She has also started a guitar and ukulele revival at camp – playing herself and teaching others. Sumac (Jessica’s camp name) volunteered for 24-72 hour stints throughout July, in between her ER shifts. It was great to have this former camp counselor back at DuBois Center.

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.

You’re Invited to Fall Festival 2018!

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Now that the 2018 summer camp season has concluded, we will soon be enjoying the cooler weather of autumn and the Fall Festival at DuBois Center.
This 42nd annual fall fundraiser will be held on Sunday, October 7 from 11 am to 5 pm. A list of chairs to supervise specific attraction areas and their contact numbers will be coming in an upcoming article. If you able to volunteer in a certain area (inside or outside) and know that already, please contact Norma Borgmann at 618-533-1658 or DuBois Center at 618-787-2202.
We are still looking for nice items to fill the tables of the “Upscale Resale Shoppe” and Silent Auction. Maybe you have been doing some summer housekeeping, downsizing, or just wanting to find a new owner(s) of new and/or almost new items. Please consider donating your item(s) for the “Upscale Resale Shoppe” which is featured in Oak Lodge. We are seeking purses, jewelry, seasonal decor, unique collectibles, toys, outdoor things, etc. We will put price tags on the entries if you do not want to do it. Please – NO clothing or sets of china ware. Be reminded that buyers need to carry their purchases to their vehicles. For more details about pick-up arrangements from your home, please contact Norma before September 30.
We will have a Silent Auction in the fireside area of Oak Lodge as well. We are asking for theme baskets, unique items, decor, etc. for attendees to submit bids on the accompanying sheets.
In addition, there will be three drawings for three unique, creative, and hand-made quilts that have been donated to DuBois Center for fundraising. We are most grateful for these donors’ generosity of time, talents, and passion for DuBois Center.
A packet of Fall Festival flyers and sheets of quilt tickets is being sent to each ISC church via snail mail in the next week. Please feel free to duplicate any of those sheets. They will also be included in future Weekly Connection edition(s). We ask that you assist in promoting the Fall Festival. Thank you in advance.
If you have any questions about the Fall Festival, please free feel to contact DuBois Center or nborgmann1658@charter.net. Hope to see many of you at DuBois Center on 10/7/18 as a visitor or volunteer.
Thank you!
 – The Outdoor Ministries Team — Fall Festival Planning Committee

Fall Festival Volunteers Needed!

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Our annual Fall Festival, on October 7 in 2018, is always a blast! But it can’t happen without the help of many volunteers. There are a lot of opportunities available, and you can volunteer for just a shift or two, or for the whole day – every little bit helps!

See below for two specific opportunities, or contact the DuBois Center office for more.

Help is needed in Oak Lodge Cafe – St. Paul UCC in Waterloo covers the 9:00 am to 1:00 pm shift, but we need another church to cover 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm with 5-6 members to serve and clean up.  Please contact Audrey Hicks at 618-939-8673 or audhicks@hotmail.com if you can take on this most important mission.
Help is needed in the Kids Korner – This is the perfect job for a youth group, or for anyone who loves kids! You’ll hang out with the kids that come to Kids Korner and help them make crafts, play games and other activities. Opportunities are available throughout the day, including set-up and clean-up. If you’re interested, please contact Kara Schmid at 618-791-9149 or kmschmid16@gmail.com.

Calling all Handicrafters!

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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 Craft Vendors at our annual Fall Festival on Sunday, October 7. Each year, over 2,000 people turn out for this family friendly event.

To learn more about displaying your wares, click here. To register, click here. At this event, the focus is on hand-crafted pieces; no items may be sold that are primarily commercially produced. We are also continuing to encourage the addition of truly vintage and re-purposed merchandise. 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.

Thanks for Making Camp Memories Possible!

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As DuBois Center’s summer camp season draws to a close, we would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your support. Without the multitude of prayers, volunteer hours and financial support, the life-changing experience of a week at camp simply would not be possible for the hundreds of DuBois Center campers. Friendships built and renewed, faith nurtured, self-confidence bolstered, nature discovered – these experiences shape lives and develop healthier happier children. THANK YOU for being part of the ministry of DuBois Center!

camp 1

Like Father, Like Son

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“We always hear preachers preaching about love…” Last summer Kalaba Kapundu, an international student at Eden Theological Seminary, served on the summer staff at DuBois Center. This year his son Ian was able to attend camp – thanks to our wider faith community. Ian’s fee was paid by St. Mark’s UCC in DuBois. The church also provided money for a stop at the camp store for Ian and his younger brothers. Rev. Carol Shanks provided transportation to and from camp for the family, playing tour guide along the way. The kids were amazed by the cornfields and grain silos, and even stopped for photos with the stalks. Jill Schantz from the seminary helped with paper work, gathering supplies and moral support. It was definitely a community effort!
Last week, we received an email from Kalaba. An excerpt is included below:
“Greetings in the name of Jesus.
Shirley, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for helping Ian to experience Camp DuBois. Ian is in love with DuBois and I think he did connect with DuBois the same way I did and DuBois Center will always have a special place in my family. My life had changed a lot from my experience at DuBois Center. We always hear preachers preaching about love, at DuBois Center love is not preaching but experienced. For me, DuBois Center is the expression of the love of God for humanity… I lack word to express my gratitude, may God continue to strengthen you in your ministry of making disciples for the transformation of the world. Thank you, Boss. J
Peace and Grace, Kalaba Kapundu”

Job Opportunity: Nature’s Classroom Instructor

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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 17 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. Click here for a program brochure or position description. Then contact DuBois Center at shirley.director@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

Learning at Nature’s Classroom

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Each spring and fall, DuBois Center invites scores of middle school students to disconnect from their electronics and connect with nature and each other. Nature’s Classroom is an outdoor, experiential education program designed to give students the opportunity to explore relevant topics while immersed in a nontraditional setting.

“Class” topics include creek hikes focused on stream quality and its impact on aquatic life, primitive skills such as building shelters in the woods or making dip candles and clay pots, basic rocket science with 2-liter bike-pump bottle rockets, predator-prey relationships through a giant game of hide-and-seek tag; the nocturnal world and our senses, and favorites like archery and horseback riding.

Throughout their stay, the students’ curiosity is cultivated and critical thinking skills enhanced. The focus on team building and the residential aspect of our program encourage the building of healthy relationships with classmates.

These comments from student evaluations tell the story: “I learned I can work really well with my class and enjoy doing it.” “I learned I like being outdoors a lot more than I thought I did.” “Sometimes you don’t even know you’re learning, because it’s so much fun.” “I loved the food.”

Click here to view Nature’s Classroom Brochure or contact the DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202 for information about openings for Spring 2019.

Countdown to Mother & Daughter Retreat 2018

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Just 90 days and counting to the annual Mother & Daughter Retreat at DuBois Center on October 12 – 14.

Summer is heating up, so what better time to dream about sweater weather and the important girls and women in your life?! Enjoy a playful, faith-based weekend together, one packed with engaging activities, inspiring God times, meals without cooking and wonderful fellowship.

All ages are welcome, but most activities are geared for girls and women age six and older. Registration opens August 1. Space is limited to 50. We hope to see you in October!