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Help Us Spread the Word about Fall Festival

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Mark your calendar and start spreading the word! Fall Festival is more than just a fundraising event: it’s a FRIEND-RAISING event. DuBois Center should not be southern Illinois’ best kept secret, but many tell us it is. Your help is needed to introduce the Center and our programs to your church family and community. We hear over and over again that people first encounter DuBois Center at a Fall Festival. With the music and crafters, great food and fun family and kid-friendly activities – it’s a great introduction.

There are lots of ways to help. Download the logo and share it on your website and Facebook page; use it in your bulletins and newsletters. Like us on Facebook and share our posts. Print, post, insert and share Fall Festival flyers; print this one in color or this one in black & white. And consider… who can I introduce to DuBois Center this October?

New Life and Firm Foundation

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St. Paul’s UCC in Freeburg has a unique approach to mission work, one aspect of which is a rotating two-year commitment to study, prayer and service in partnership with DuBois Center, Hoyleton Youth & Family Services and Kindercottage. In 2019 and 2020, DuBois Center is again blessed to be the focus of their energy.
Six years ago, the congregation designed and built the new chapel in main camp and made a significant donation towards the new docks. This time around, they have taken on a variety of projects – including the renovation of the three Deer Run cabins.
Over the coming months, in collaboration with Green DuBois, these buildings will be transformed into an environmental education library and resource center, a nature blind for observing and photographing wildlife, and a day-use retreat space. First on the list – shore up the building foundations, then double the size of the decks, next upgrade the electric.
The last two Saturdays, teams from St. Paul’s have been hard at work – despite the heat. Most of the foundation work is complete and the decks are taking shape. Everything looks amazing! THANKS so much to St. Paul’s for all their hard work and support. They are truly breathing new life into the Deer Run cabins!

Transforming Deer Run

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Yes, lots of deer do run at DuBois Center! In fact, this summer we have been blessed with frequent sightings of kids with their mothers… often running. But did you know that one of the most beautiful areas of camp is named Deer Run?
First established in 1975 as an area for tent and RV camping, Deer Run never quite reached its full potential. Currently, summer campers use it for evening games and camp outs. During Nature’s Classroom, a variety of activities are based there. Our horses appreciate the pasture and more advanced riders enjoy “Canter Alley.” The occasional scout troop camps there, but the area has so much more potential!
In terms of structures, there are three small cabins, a lodge that is frequented by more wildlife than human life, and a very rustic shower house. The centerpiece is a small three-acre lake that boasts giant lily pads in the summer.
Earlier this year, a team from Green DuBois was inspired by the possibility of transforming Deer Run into the intentional nature study and earth care hub of DuBois Center. Energy for this vision is catching! In early spring, two hives of bees were introduced and blessed by our conference minister. In May, a work crew from Christ UCC in Dupo and St. Paul UCC in Belleville removed the old, decrepit dock from the lake. Hoyleton Buddies from Region 2 re-established the boat landing – wading in hip deep to pull lily pads. Summer staff members recycled cardboard from the kitchen and moldy hay bales – making a “layer cake” out of them in the new composting area. And now, St. Paul’s UCC in Freeburg is breathing new life into the three cabins (article posted tomorrow).
The transformation won’t happen overnight, but it has begun!
   

Rainbow Camp Registration Deadline is July 26!

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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.

Mark your calendar!

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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?

Memory of the week

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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.

WEATHER at DuBois Center

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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.

WELCOME TEAM for the WIN!

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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.

Are You a Retail Diva?

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Plans are coming together for DuBois Center’s annual Fall Festival. One area still in need of an implementation team is the Upscale Resale Shop & Silent Auction. 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.
Tasks include unpacking, setting up, pricing, recruiting cashiers and managing the shop and silent auction the day of Fall Festival.
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.

Volunteer Spotlight – Week 3

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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!