Stewardship in Action

Posted on December 7, 2018 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

The weather was perfect for last Saturday’s inaugural Green DuBois Stewardship Day at DuBois Center. Volunteers split into teams to tackle two projects – invasive species removal and organizing and cleaning up the scrap pile and lumber shed. It was a day full of laughter, learning and fellowship – and a little bit of mud! With both scrap and usable materials sorted into discrete piles and boards stored neatly on shelves, the lumber shed looks like a brand-new building! Targets for the invasive species removal team included bush honeysuckle, autumn olive and multiflora rose. Over three hundred individual plants were removed from the stretch of woodlands from Oak Lodge to Picnic Point. This will allow populations of native plants to recover and protect DuBois Center’s amazing biodiversity. Keep an eye out for more opportunities to join in caring for our little section of Creation!

Interested in joining the Green DuBois initiative? The next Green DuBois meeting will be at the Illinois South Conference Highland office on Wednesday, December 5 at 1:30pm. Join us if you’re interested in environmental sustainability and stewardship, natural sciences, outdoor recreation, or just love DuBois Center!

Employment Opportunity – Office & Event Coordinator

Posted on December 5, 2018 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Enjoy connecting with people and the outdoors? Fluent in computer-speak? Looking for a position that is more than just a job? DuBois Center is seeking an Office & Event Coordinator. This is a permanent, part-time position, the purpose of which is to organize, coordinate and implement office and event functions at DuBois Center, including camper, family and guest relations, data management (financial, camper, guest group and employee), coordination of office help, assistance with marketing efforts and occasional guest group hosting. The person filling this positions will be an integral part of the ISCUCC staff overall and the DuBois Center team.

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to DuBois Center via email at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org. Click here for the position description.

Winter Projects: Looking for One?

Posted on November 29, 2018 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

If you like to work with your hands and have some spare time over the winter, DuBois Center has some indoor winter projects that might be of interest. Enjoy refinishing furniture? We have a coffee table in need of some TLC. Upholstery interest you more? We have two chairs that need attention – backs and seats only. Here’s an interesting one… refinishing arrows. Removing and replacing damaged feathers takes time, patience and the right tools. We have a couple dozen that need attention. All three of these projects can be done in the comfort of your home or here at camp.

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

Give Thanks and Enjoy Today!

Posted on November 22, 2018 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Reasons to give thanks are plentiful at DuBois Center. God’s creation is majestic – the plants and critters, the trees and lakes, the people. During the coming weeks of preparation, anticipation and celebration, remember to get outside and ENJOY TODAY! “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1. “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Green DuBois – December 1

Posted on November 17, 2018 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Join the team and make a difference! Removing invasive species is the priority for the day. They are insidious – “choking” out native plants and affecting tree reproduction essential for healthy woodlands. This is a great opportunity to move those muscles, meet and work with others who care about the environment, enhance beautiful native plants, rescue wildlife habitat, and help ensure the future of DuBois Center’s wonderful woodlands. No special skills are needed. Dress for the weather and bring lopping shears – if you have them. Minimum Age: 16. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP no later than MONDAY, NOV 26. For more information, contact DuBois Center at 618-787-2202 or dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org.

GREEN DUBOIS – Stewardship Opportunity Saturday, Dec 1

Posted on November 11, 2018 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

No special skills are needed. Dress for the weather and bring lopping shears – if you have them. Minimum Age: 16. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP no later than MONDAY, NOV 26.

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

Gift Certificates

Posted on November 10, 2018 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

Looking for a unique gift for someone special in your life? Hate crowded malls and overwhelming online sites?

Gift Certificates for DuBois Center camps, events and items in the camp store might be just the answer to your shopping conundrum. Consider giving your child or grandchild the gift of a week at camp or your son and grandson a weekend together just for Fathers & Sons. Love your old camp t-shirts and sweatshirts? Share that love with all the grandkids, nieces and nephews. Certificates are available for any amount of $10 or more.

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

Plan a Retreat at DuBois Center

Posted on October 28, 2018 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Is your church or fellowship group looking for ways to breathe new energy into your membership? Is your congregation about to enter a time of visioning? Is adding depth a priority for your men’s, women’s or family ministries? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then we hope you will consider a spirit-filled retreat or family camp at DuBois Center! It is amazing what a difference a weekend or even 24 hours away can make. Now is the time to start planning for Spring and next Fall! Groups as small as 8 and as large as 90 can easily be accommodated. A number of churches already “retreat” to DuBois Center. We host family camps, women’s retreats, youth weekends and confirmation events for local congregations. These events can be key components of your year-round faith formation and fellowship programs. If you are interested, but don’t know where to begin – we can help. Check out this brochure, then for more information or to just explore the possibilities, contact Shirley at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

Fall Work Day – Nov. 3

Posted on October 27, 2018 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Stretch your muscles! Breathe fresh fall air! Hang out with friends and lend a helping hand! Youth groups, families, individuals, and adult fellowships- everyone is invited to our annual fall work day. Projects vary, depending on the skills of those involved and the weather. Preparations for winter, stacking wood, raking leaves, cleaning and painting are on the list, as are a variety of skilled labor projects. The work may not be glamorous, but it really does make a BIG DIFFERENCE!

Click here for a flyer to post and share and here for a typical Work Day schedule. Please let us know in advance if you plan to attend and if any of your group members have special skills. We want to be sure to have appropriate projects and a hot lunch ready for you! Contact DuBois Center at 618-787-2202 or dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org.

Annual Meeting Worship Offering – DuBois Center Scholarship Fund

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

In order for your church to prepare for the worship offering at Annual Meeting, we felt an explanation would be helpful. One of this year’s offerings will go to the DuBois Center Scholarship fund, which is used for children of families who cannot afford to attend camp through their own budgets.

Shirley speaks about it…

If we truly believe that children and youth need open space to laugh, sing, play and pray together; that meaningful connections with positive Christian role models make a real difference; that learning to respect and care for ourselves and our “neighbors” is a critical skill; and that faith grows as we learn, explore and ask tough questions, then a week at camp can be life-changing and no one should be turned away for an inability to pay.

Finances are one of the challenges being faced by most, if not all, not-for-profit camps. Experts urge organizations to charge what it actually costs to operate a program or a facility including ongoing maintenance, and then provide scholarships for those with financial needs. Groups that have not done this have faced dire consequences. You can look across the country for examples or right here in southern Illinois. Fees that cover direct costs and scholarships for those in need are critical pieces of the equation.

The Sweet Shoppe at Fall Festival raises $1,200 – $1,500 annually for scholarships. In addition, DuBois Center receives about $2,000 each year in gifts designated specifically for scholarships. Beyond that, the Center’s budget underwrites an additional $15,000 – $18,000 of camper and retreat fees for families with significant financial struggles.

DuBois Center participates in a Title XX (financial assistance) program through the American Camp Association. This program provides some reimbursement (approximately 25-30%) of a typical camper fee, and – more importantly – a way to spread the camp experience to children beyond our churches. Information on this program is sent to foster parents, families eligible for free and reduced meals at school, and those with crippling medical bills. Some of the campers utilizing this program come from UCC churches and programs, many do not. This is one way DuBois Center provides outreach on behalf of our local congregations to the wider community.

This year’s Annual Meeting worship offering will be used to build the scholarship fund which will be used to underwrite the 70-75% of camper fees not covered by Title XX reimbursement, and in doing so, reduce our annual deficit, and provide for continued outreach.

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