Spring Open House

Join us for our Spring Open House Sunday, April 30th!

Campers and families can meet Noah, our new Executive Director, and talk to our Program Director Rylee about summer camps.  While you are there make sure to stop by the barn to say hi to the horses, the bonfire to make smores, and the photo booth to take home a memory of your time at camp.

DuBois Center will be open for summer camp next week (July 17-22)

Camp Update: DuBois Center was closed to campers last week July 10-15 due to COVID exposure the week before. Our staff responded properly to this and are taking the necessary measures to have a healthy week of camp.

We feel comfortable welcoming back campers for the camp sessions starting Sunday, July, 17–as the PCR test results for our staff have been negative.

Our staff and volunteers will be required to wear masks during check-in and when indoors with campers not in their cabin groups.

Similar to last summer, cabin groups will form a pod or family unit for the camp session. At this time, we recommend masks for campers, but it is not required. If we were to require masks for campers, masked time daily would be MINIMAL as almost all activities are outdoors or with cabin groups only. For safety reasons, masks are NOT to be worn while sleeping.

Potential COVID exposure during summer camp week 5 (July 6-8)

We recently learned a staff member and a volunteer tested positive for COVID-19. Both were around campers and staff during last week’s summer camp from July 6-8, and have since reported experiencing flu-like symptoms. Further details and recommendations have been shared with our campers’ parents and guardians. Summer camp has been cancelled this week. We are still evaluating whether we can safely move forward with summer camp next week.

We are committed to transparency about our response, and to protecting the privacy of all those involved. We appreciate your patience as we continue to follow our safety protocols and evaluate the situation going forward.

Camps Cancelled for next week (July 10 – 15)

Out of an abundance of caution, we are cancelling all of next week’s summer camp sessions (July 10 – 15, 2022).  Our lake has been treated, but is not yet safe for campers.  There is also a chance some staff members were exposed to COVID.  All camper parents and guardians have been notified.

At this time, we expect camps to be back on track the following week (July 17 – 22).  Thank you for your understanding.

WELCOME TEAM – Join Us!

June 19, 26, July 10, 17

On these Sundays, scores of campers will arrive at DuBois Center eager and excited to begin their time at camp. Several volunteers, plus summer staff, are needed for each of these Sundays to ensure the check-in process runs smoothly! Volunteers assist with greeting, parking, distributing t-shirts, health screenings, etc. They arrive by 11:15 pm and are done by 2 pm. Please consider joining our Sunday Welcome Team on one or more check-in days. 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.

Donate to DuBois Center’s Scholarship Fund

Each year, DuBois Center serves hundreds of campers who are both part of our Illinois South Conference churches and our area neighbors. For some, attending camp would not be possible without the generous gift of a camp scholarship. Each week, campers enjoy countless activities including horseback riding, water mat play while swimming, gaga ball games, campfire cook-outs, and creek walks. They also have a chance to step away into nature, form lifelong friendships, and experience faith formation in a lasting and fun way. Simply put, camp changes lives through radical acceptance, risk-taking in a safe environment, and the chance to step away from busy lives, sports schedules, and all of the things that often distract our attention.

Consider supporting the transformative power of camp this summer by donating to our scholarship fund. This allows us to continue to provide this needed space to our neighbors. You can mail checks to the office or consider an online donation. All funds designated to our scholarship fund will help us provide the camp experience to those who may not be able to experience it this summer otherwise.

Summer Camp Updates: M.A.D. camp cancelled – additional Settler camp added

M.A.D. camp for this summer has been cancelled due to low registration.

An additional Settler camp session has been added – July 10-15.  Settler camps are a classic summer camp for campers who have completed grades 3, 4, 5 or equivalent.  Register today!

The three other Settler camps are full.

Meet our summer leadership staff!

My name is Laura or Twig as I am better known by my camp family. My pronouns are she/her. I have spent the last two years living in Champaign, Illinois, and teaching 4th grade, but I am excited to be moving closer to home this summer and exploring other opportunities to work with young people. A fun fact about me is that I got a cat in October! Her name is Althea, and she loves to cuddle (when she’s not biting my hands).

I am also thrilled to be returning to DuBois Center, it is what I like to call the “home of my soul.” I love being at camp and helping it continue to be a welcoming and accepting place for people to grow and be themselves.

It’s not too late to have the best summer of your life!

We still have two openings for summer camp counselors and one or two barn staff! This is the perfect summer job for anyone who loves the outdoors, working with campers, helping others, and meeting new people.

A summer working at camp includes a full summer of room & board, competitive pay,10 days of paid staff training, and lifelong memories! View the full job description and job descriptions on our website! We are on track to have record attendance this summer, so please come be part of our history!

Please contact Rylee at Program@DuBoisCenter.org – or Hayley at Director@DuBoisCenter.org for more information! The deadline to apply is May 16, 2022.

Meet Our Summer Leadership Staff

Summer Barn Coordinator – Catie Goetter (Simba)

My name is Catie and my camp name is Simba. My pronouns are she/her. In the real world I teach 3rd grade in Triad. This year, I adopted a cat named Oliver who is more like a dog than a cat. I spend a lot of time at camp outside of summer – hosting and with the horse team. A fun fact about me is that I just went to my first Blues game this season and I’m in love.

I am SO excited to be the summer barn coordinator again this summer and try out so many new specialty activities for our horse camps this summer.