The 5th Annual Rainbow Camp will be held at DuBois Center on Saturday, Aug 10. It’s a full day of fun in community, where everyone is recognized as a whole child of God. Anyone can attend, regardless of denomination, and all ages are welcome. Rainbow Camp is for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer singles, couples and families. Straight allies are welcome, too!
See the informational flyer for more details. To register online, click here.
Start spreading the word! Fall Festival is more than just a fundraising event, maybe even more importantly; it is a FRIEND-RAISING event.
Throughout the summer, new campers tell us that they first experienced DuBois Center during the Fall Festival. With that in mind, our marketing team gets more creative each year and finds fun new ways to spread the word at this event. They share our story – the summer camps, family retreats, Nature’s Classroom experiences and all the opportunities for church and community gatherings. But they need your assistance! There are flyers to help you get started; print this one in color or this one in black & white. Who can you introduce to DuBois Center this October?
Big Foot sighting at DuBois Center! These Outback campers and leaders had a great time at the beach one evening. They danced, they sang, they played in the sand. Gotta love it when being goofy is the new cool!
This sneak peek into camp life is brought to you through the lens of a “family group” camera. Over the past 18 months, we have been collecting point and shoot models. These donations have been a big hit all summer and are gifts that keep on giving as they capture amazing moments each week.
Donations of small digital cameras – in good condition – are still being accepted. For more information contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.
This was a week of weather extremes for campers and leaders at DuBois Center – rain, lightning and heat. So how do we adapt when the weather throws us a curve-ball or two? First, we switch to the weird & wacky weather schedule. We are up at 6:30 for activities before the heat and storms. Then it’s time for breakfast and more activities. BLAST (Bible Learning and Spirit Time) and a relaxing “siesta” are reserved for the heat of the day. Next, round up extra fans and water jugs, and make sure plenty of frozen treats and beverages with extra electrolytes are on hand.
So that takes care of the heat. What about the rain? Many camp activities are just as much fun under soggy skies! This group thoroughly enjoyed their rain-soaked game of Kwik Cricket!
So please keep us in your prayers as the temperatures rise, but know that plans are in place to keep campers hydrated, healthy and happy.
This is a big week at DuBois Center – lots of campers, lots of NEW campers, lots of volunteers and an amazing turnout for the Sunday Welcome Team. A total of 19 volunteers – in addition to those staying for the week – hit the field to welcome campers and their families. That’s a new record!
The parking lot was packed, but with additional volunteers giving directions – it wasn’t as issue. There were lots of heads to be checked and medications to be reviewed, but again – not an issue. Non-stop pontoon boat shuttles to the landing in the Rustic Village – easy!
This short-term service opportunity makes a HUGE difference, especially for first-time campers and their parents. Watch for a list of our 2019 Welcome Team volunteers in upcoming Weekly Connections.
Volunteers to pick up, store and deliver items to camp are already in place. Now a team is needed for Saturday and Sunday, October 5 and 6 to set up and run the shop.
No need to start from scratch, helpful hints will be provided. If your church or fellowship group might be interested, please contact Nancy Wagner, chair of the Outdoor Ministries Team, at 618-444-2835 or email, or DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.
We have been blessed all summer with wonderful volunteer chaplains and nurses. Week #3 was no exception!
Donna Asbridge, RN from St. Paul’s UCC in Freeburg spends most of her summer at DuBois Center caring for the health of our campers, as well as sharing her musical and pastoral skills. Rev. Katie Jo Bielke is Associate Pastor for St. John UCC in Collinsville. Nothing slows her down… even being pregnant! She returned from a youth mission trip and a day or two later headed to camp. She has a wonderful way of engaging with campers and sharing God’s message in relevant ways. For the second summer, Katie Jo shared chaplain duties with Craig, her husband who has a long history in church camping. He loves fishing and had an especially good time mentoring the little guys attending “Boy Meets Camp.” And baby? Well, baby is now well-versed in camp life and will hopefully be attending “Just You & Me Camp” in about five years!
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), assistance with marketing efforts and occasional guest group hosting. The person filling this position will be an integral part of the ISCUCC staff 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.
When heat indexes reach into triple digits, you’ve got to adapt. Meteorologists suggest staying indoors and avoiding the sun, but we’re at camp! So what do you do? First round up extra fans and water jugs, then make sure plenty of frozen treats are on hand. Next, rework the schedule to avoid strenuous activities during the intense mid-day heat. Reserve the hottest times of the day for quieter activities in the shade or under big fans. Wet and wacky water games are a favorite as well. Add an hour-long “siesta” in the afternoon, and then campers are ready for evenings packed with fun.
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 vendors at our annual Fall Festival on Sunday, October 6. 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, and items that are truly vintage or re-purposed. 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.
