Fun Facts: Crawdads

Posted on April 29, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Crawdads, Crawfish, Crayfish, Mudbugs…whatever you call them, they’re all over the grounds at DuBois Center! You might spot one of their stacked mud towers down by the creek, in a horse pasture, or even in the middle of grassy areas near the lake. Next time you go for a creek walk, tread lightly and observe – our resident creek lobsters are not hard to find. Just like humans, they are more active in the spring. If you’re lucky, you might see one swimming (backwards!) or even catch one!

In honor of these curious crustaceans, enjoy these fun facts:

Crayfish are relatives of lobster, shrimp, crab, krill and barnacles.
They lay about 800 eggs at one time.
Crayfish have eight pairs of legs; four are used for walking and four are used for swimming.
Crayfish limbs can regenerate.
Their eyes move independently of each other.
In captivity, Crayfish live on average 2 years, but in the wild they have been known to live up to 30 years.

Work Day Update

Posted on April 18, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Youth and adults from across the Illinois South Conference have put their hands, hearts and backs into a variety of projects at DuBois Center this spring. Cords of wood have been split and stacked; the water is back on in many of the rustic areas of camp, and benches have been moved out of winter storage. The patio on Oak Lodge is now much cleaner and Phase 1 of the swim area renovation is complete. The aging docks in the swim area have been removed and dismantled and the area prepped for Phase 2. In addition, work has begun on the bathrooms in Woodside; they’re getting a facelift.

A special thanks to the workers from our Father-Son Retreat, Grantfork UCC, St. John UCC – Trenton, St. Paul – Columbia, St. Paul UCC – Nashville, Zoar UCC – New Hanover. Rev Bev Kahle stacked wood with the Nashville confirmands and Rev RJ Morgan coordinated both the dock and bathroom projects.

Don’t worry, we still have plenty of projects for those looking to come out for our next Service Saturday on Earth Day – that’s this Saturday, April 22. Please RSVP to the DuBois Center office if you plan on coming so we know how many to expect.

Celebrate Earth Day at DuBois Center

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

April 22 is Earth Day! What better way to celebrate than with a Service Saturday at DuBois Center? Get outside with family and friends and help prepare this sacred space to welcome hundreds of campers and guests this spring and summer. Paint, prune, build, rake, clean, stack; there will be projects for volunteers of varied ages and abilities. If you or your group has a special skill, let us know ahead of time and we can plan a project for you!

We’ll gather between 8:30 am and 8:45 am, and finish up around 4 p.m. Lunch is provided. Because we try to plan projects based on the specialized skills our volunteers bring, please RSVP by Monday, April 17. To register, please use this form, call 618-787-2202, or email us at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org. Supplies for general projects will be provided, but if you have specialized or professional tools/ equipment, please bring them along! See the Service Saturday flyer for more information.

Remember – if this date doesn’t work for you or your group, call the office to schedule your own work day (or even a work week or part-week!). Work days can also be scheduled as part of a larger retreat.

Mission Experience – Buddy to Buddy

Posted on April 9, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

During this close-to-home, three-day mission experience, teens encounter God as they participate together with young people from Hoyleton’s youth residential program. The event will take place July 5 – 7 (Wednesday – Friday) this year.

Youth (completed grades 8 – 12) buddy up with one or two young people from the Hoyelton Children’s Home to swim, hike, create cool crafts and play games together. Buddies walk side by side with their biblical “neighbors” and learn first-hand about acceptance and respect. When Hoyleton campers head home each day, buddies and their chaperones reflect and learn from their experiences, plan for the next day and typically tackle a work project before having time to relax and enjoy their favorite camp activities. Daily reflections and prayer times focus on diversity, justice and our role as Christians.

Event cost is $140 per person (youth and chaperones), and participation is through church or region group. You cannot register individually via camp registration. Each group must provide their own chaperones. DuBois Center staff will be on hand to lead the buddies as well. Click here to learn more or contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. Space is limited!

Help Us Spread the Word

Posted on April 7, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

We hear repeatedly that DuBois Center is one of the best kept secrets in southern Illinois. But being at the top of this particular list is not necessarily a good thing! Please help us spread the word about DuBois Center as a summer camp, an inviting setting for retreats, conferences and horseback rides and a place for families to gather and students to learn.

Even though the majority of our summer campers and many of our weekend guests come from Illinois South Conference congregations, DuBois Center serves a much wider community. In support of our mission – and our bottom line – we need to serve a wider community. DuBois Center welcomes individuals and groups from a variety of faith traditions, non-profit entities, public and private schools and other educational organizations.

Is there a family or group in your church or community that might benefit from all that DuBois has to offer? Please help us spread the word! For more information, click here for a facility brochure and contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

Volunteer at Camp this Summer!

Posted on March 31, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Volunteers are the heart of strong and healthy Outdoor Ministry programs. At DuBois Center, they serve throughout the year on committees and teams, at the barn, in the office, on work projects, leading retreats and raising funds.

During the summer, there are a variety of ways to get involved and make a difference in the lives of the young people we serve. Join us for a few hours on a Sunday afternoon, a couple days during the week or a full week of camp. Volunteers work hand in hand with paid summer staff to provide our fun, engaging and faith-filled program. For more information, contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. Additional information and volunteer applications are available here.

Summer Volunteer Options:

Cabin Counselor
Barn Helper
Activity Leader
Chaplain
Nurse
Photographer
Sunday Welcome Team

Those looking to volunteer who are 15 – 16 should consider the CIT (Counselor in Training) program, June 25-30.

We Need a Golf Cart!

Posted on March 30, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Planning to replace your golf cart this spring? Have one that is just taking up space? DuBois Center is in need of a 4-seat golf cart – gas or electric. Our nurses currently use a two-seat gator to respond to medical situations and deliver medication. If a camper needs to be transported back to the health center for treatment, there is no room for a third person.

Renting a golf cart for the summer is very expensive, so we are exploring other options. You can help with this critical need and, perhaps, save some on your taxes. Donations are tax-deductible. For more information contact Shirley at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. Thanks in advance!

Wrangle & Ride Spring 2017

Posted on March 20, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

On Saturday, April 22, corral your friends for a horse-intensive day at DuBois Center! Wrangle & Ride is for pony enthusiasts ages 12 and older. Groom, tack, ride and enjoy other horse-themed activities from 9 am – 5 pm. The cost is $60 (or $55 if registered by April 1 – the early bird deadline); lunch is included.

To ensure more time in the saddle, space is limited to the first 12 registered. Click here for a flyer and reservation form or contact DuBois Center at 618-787-2202 or dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org.

Sunday Fundays in 2017

Posted on March 17, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Have you or your prospective camper never been to DuBois Center? Do you just want to enjoy a family-friendly afternoon at camp? Join us on either April 2 or April 30 for Sunday Funday!

Visit the horses and ride one in the arena; cruise the lake in a pontoon boat; play a round of Ga-ga ball; roast marshmallows and tour the facilities – all for FREE! A delicious, optional meal will be offered, but you are welcome to bring a picnic instead or pick up something on the way. The cost of the meal will be $11.00 for adults (ages 13 and older) and $6.50 for children (ages 5 – 12). Children ages four and under are free.

Sunday Fundays are a great introduction to DuBois Center. There are even orientations for prospective summer campers and their parents. Click here for a flyer to share and post.

Schedule:

Meal: Noon – 2 pm

Activities: 12:30-3:00 pm

Summer Camp Orientation:2:30 – 3:30 pm

Here’s What’s Cooking:

April 2 – Hearty turkey dinner with salad bar

April 30 – Pork Steaks with “think summer” picnic trimmings and salad bar

Meal reservations are due by noon the Monday prior.

Looking for a great event for your church family? Consider car-pooling to a Sunday Funday and participating together. You can even reserve an outdoor worship space or the labyrinth for a morning or afternoon service. Your ministry… in the outdoors!

Calling All Quilters!

Posted on March 12, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

For over a decade, a quilt drawing has been a significant piece of the annual DuBois Center Fall Festival. In recent years, we have been blessed to have two or more art quality quilts each year which together have raised $1,500-$2,400 annually. We’re reaching out now to see if anyone is interested in creating and donating a quilt for this years’ event.

The quilts are typically donated by local church quilting groups and other friends of DuBois Center. Specifications include queen-size, appealing to a wide audience and made with love and prayers. Ideally, the quilts begin traveling to local churches in August, so a July completion date works well. If you or your quilting group might be interested in donating a work-of-art quilt for the 2017 Fall Festival, please contact the DuBois Center office at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. We’d love to talk to you about the possibilities.

General News