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Pallets Needed!

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We’ve got HAY! After a very dry end to the 2017 growing season, our supply was running low. Now, in preparation for heavy summer rains, additional sturdy wooden pallets on which to set the bales are needed.

Storing hay off the ground keeps it out of the mud. The drier the bales remain, the more able we are to reduce the growth of mold. Mold contributes to large amounts of waste. In addition, moldy hay is not healthy for our horses. Keeping the hay drier also helps to retain its nutritional content throughout the year.

Approximately 30 additional new or gently used sturdy pallets are needed. If you have or can find any that meet these specs, contact Scott Kuether at sekuether21@gmail.com.

Meet Our Summer Staff: David

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Welcome David Nirushikan Velupillai to our 2018 summer staff team! David was born in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka. Last fall, he traveled to the states to attend Eden Theological Seminary. This summer, he will be serving as a Counselor/Activity Specialist.

David grew up in a well-respected Christian family. Growing up, he participated in a variety of children’s programs sponsored by the church. In his youth, he joined the Scouts and participated in camps in different parts of the country. He enjoyed all these experiences, especially the campfires! While in seminary in Jaffna, he was involved in a number of outdoor activities, but especially enjoyed volleyball and cricket.

David has worked with children in a variety of settings. After seminary, he was the director of his church’s after-school program. In this role, he was able to provide young people with educational and cultural experiences that might not otherwise have been accessible to them. David wrote, “As a pastor, I would say that my goal is creating the community for the transformed community of the society.”

While in the USA, he would like to experience the culture of Americans, and see how we are involved in the ministry of children for a transformed community. David’s favorite foods are fried rice and spicy beef or chicken curry. He is hoping to have the opportunity to cook a couple of his favorite dishes for our summer staff sometime during the season. He is also looking forward to working with an international team. Welcome David! We can’t wait to learn more about you and your island home.

David 2

Prayers for Our Summer Staff

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Today, Wednesday, May 30, our summer camp program staff officially arrived for nine days of intensive training covering topics such as health and safety, faith formation, activity leadership, behavior management and so much more! They have come from local Illinois South Conference churches and from communities of faith around the world – literally.

Please keep the leadership team, program staff and site staff in your thoughts and prayers. They have an awesome task in front of them! We also ask that you keep our international staff, long distance staff and their families close to your heart. These staff members have traveled from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Wales, Virginia, and Washington (state), and will be far from their homes for three months or even longer. Thank you!

Save the Date – Fall Festival 2018

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The ISC Outdoor Ministries Team (OMT) announces the 42nd annual Fall Festival at DuBois Center on Sunday, October 7th from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Many of the traditional favorites for this autumn fundraiser will continue to be featured, if enough supervisors and volunteers come forward. We hope many will be able to participate as a volunteer, as a donor of food, items, or money, as a crafter, a musician, and/or a buyer.

Your church will receive more information this summer about the Fall Festival and updates will be printed periodically in the Weekly Connection. For more information, please contact Norma Borgmann (OMT Chairperson) at 618-533-1658 (H) or 618-292-4617 (C) or nborgmann1658@charter.net.

Join Our Camp Welcome Team

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On the five Sundays of camp – June 10 and 24 and July 8, 15 and 22 – scores of UCC campers will arrive at DuBois Center eager and excited to begin their time at camp. Twelve volunteers are needed for each of these Sundays, plus summer staff, to ensure the check-in process runs smoothly! Volunteers assist with greeting, parking, the camp store, registration, health screenings, dock duty and people-moving. They arrive by 1:15 pm and are done by 4 pm.
Please consider joining our Sunday Welcome Team on one or more check-in days. You are invited to wear a church t-shirt and show your spirit. Even consider bringing a team from your church! Let us know in advance when you can help; contact the DuBois Center office at dcinfo@duboiscenter.org or 618-787-2202.

Horse Camps – Ready to Ride?

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Horse campers spend more time with the ponies, but still have time for other camp favorites such as swimming, 9-Square and crafts. If the weather cooperates, they have the option to ride each day! Some mornings, campers are up and at ’em long before chow time to feed and groom the horses before breakfast and an early morning ride. Some evenings, untacking, feeding and barn chores come before evening games.
Younger campers can hop aboard the Pony Express for an introduction to horse camp. Older ones can choose from a variety of sessions. Ready to register online? Click here. For more information, pick up a camp brochure in your church office or check out the brochure online. Or contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.orgor 618-787-2202 to have one sent to you.

Horse Camps – Summer 2018:

PONY EXPRESS
     July 22-25  (completed grades 4-6)
HORSIN’ AROUND
   June 10-15, July 8-13, or  July 15-20 (completed grades 5-7)
SADDLE ‘EM UP
   June 24-29, or  July 15-20 (completed grades 7-9)
 
WRANGLERS
     June 17-22 (completed grades 8-12)

Meet Our Summer Staff: Rachel

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We welcome Rachel Hughes to our 2018 summer staff team! This will be Rachel’s first summer on staff, but she is no stranger to DuBois Center. In addition to attending numerous Mother-Daughter Retreats and ISC youth events, Rachel was a DuBois Center camper for many years, a CIT (counselor in training) and a volunteer camp counselor.

She has experience working with children in other settings as well. She was a mentor for kindergartners, Sunday School teacher and volunteer with Arts ‘n Autism (a non-profit for children and adults with autism).

This summer, Rachel will be joining us as a Counselor/Activity Specialist. She has dreamed about working at camp since she was young and is very excited to make even more amazing memories. Rachel hails from Freeburg, Illinois where she is an active member of St. Paul’s UCC. She studies business at the University of Alabama, is a member of the Delta Gamma sorority, and is on an Ultimate Frisbee team.

When asked about her “favorites” Rachel wrote, “I don’t know if this is my favorite food, but I’m always in the mood for ice cream. My favorite smell is brown sugar/vanilla. My favorite childhood memories are definitely from camp and also from travelling. I’m a huge TV and movie fan. I could go on forever and ever, but I think I like comedies the best. My favorite book is ‘Call Me by Your Name’.”

When asked about a mentor or someone who inspires her, Rachel talked about “Krazy,” her counselor for CIT. Rachel says, “She was just the funniest, coolest person ever. It showed me that even if I have a ‘grown-up’ job when I’m older, I can still volunteer at camp and make an amazing impact on the campers!” (Note: Krazy’s real name is Kristen Kniepkamp-Belcher. She is a high school science teacher in Alton, long-time UCC church member, and DuBois Center volunteer.) Welcome Rachel!

Rachel 1

Save the Date – Mother & Daughter Retreat October 12-14

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Last Sunday, we celebrated our mothers and all the women who nurture and support us. Let the celebration continue with DuBois Center’s annual Mother & Daughter Retreat! Get away and re-energize your relationship with your daughter, mother, granddaughter, niece, aunt or other special woman or girl 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. SAVE THE DATE! Registration opens July 10. Space is limited to 50.

Why Church Camp?

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Because church camp is joyful fun! It is a sacred place. It is intensely relational, and positive role models abound! Though an integral part of many congregations’ year-round faith formation efforts, church camp is different from Vacation Bible School or Sunday School. Campers and leaders live, work, play and worship together from early morning until late into the evening. They grow together through shared experiences in God’s amazing creation and form an intentional community. They hear our faith stories in new places and new ways, and find opportunities to share their own. The activities are fun, challenging and filled with opportunities to grow as part of a Christian community.

Camps for Younger Children

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Children who have completed grades 1-3 are often looking for ways to experience life like the “big kids.” Parents are looking for opportunities for their children to gain self-confidence, critical social skills, and a greater awareness of God’s world.

At DuBois Center, we have five part-week sessions designed with this in mind. Shorter sessions and smaller group sizes are ideal for this age group. Their time is filled with new adventures under the watchful eyes of caring, safety-conscious leaders. Despite the length of these sessions, there is still time to ride a horse, explore the creek, swim in the lake, and make lots of new friends.

This summer, choose from Boy Meets Camp, Camp Quest, Discovery Camp or Girl Power. Check out page 6 of the camp brochure for details. You may also pick up a brochure in your church office or contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202 to receive one by mail. If you are ready to register, click here.

camps for younger children