Reasons to give thanks are plentiful at DuBois Center. God’s creation is majestic – the plants, the critters, the people. Enjoy these gifts from photographer Marty Kemper, one of our earth care volunteers. Delight in the dragonfly, the cardinal flower, purple sneezeweed (not purple at all), the wild hyssop – and in the words of Don Moen, “Give thanks with a grateful heart; give thanks to the Holy One.”
This annual event is our opportunity to say THANK YOU! Thank you for your prayers and support; your gifts of time, talent and treasure; and your partnership in our shared mission and ministry at DuBois Center. Together we have touched countless lives over the past five decades with gifts of sacred space and God’s abundant love.
Volunteers, staff, supporters and friends are invited to enjoy a tasty dinner, unique entertainment and, of course, THE Christmas game. Social hour begins at 5 pm with dinner at 6 pm. Churches are encouraged to send representatives. Get all the details in your invitation.
Please RSVP to DuBois Center at 618-787-2202 or dcinfo@duboiscenter.org by Fri, Nov 24.
The 2017 Fall Festival is just over a week away! The final details are settling into place and we can’t wait to see you there!
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 1, come out and enjoy a free event that will feature craft vendors, live music, delicious food, a Kids Korner with crafts and games, camp activities such as horse rides, pontoon boat rides, hay rides and so much more. You’ll support DuBois and have a chance to see the grounds in all their fall glory.
We do still need volunteers for the event as well, so let us know if you’re willing to help, even for an hour or two. You can help kids with crafts, take tickets and more! Contact the office if you’re interested in volunteering.
For more information, check out our event page. There, you’ll find info on our Quilt Drawing, a band schedule, donation and volunteer ideas and more.
This year, as part of their Campout, Getting S’more of Jesus VBS program, our friends at Zoar UCC collected a wonderful variety of supplies and cash for DuBois Center to use throughout the year. Thanks to them, we now have piles of construction paper and ribbon for crafting, hats and ties for dressing up, beach balls and bandannas for playing, glue sticks and scissors for creating, and even a bag of food for the barn cats.
Amid the boxes and bags that were delivered, a number of backpacks and water bottles were also included. There are always summer campers, many from low-income families, who arrive without these critical items. This gift will help replenish those supplies for next summer.
Sending a shout out to the Zoar UCC VBS team – “campers,” parents, teachers and helpers: THANK YOU for keeping DuBois Center in your thoughts and prayers, and for this very fun and timely gift!
Are you a substitute teacher, active retiree or someone with a flexible schedule? Do you enjoy the outdoors and have experience working with youth or as a teacher? Nature’s Classroom Instructors are needed from September 20 through October.
Instructors work with school groups (grades 5-8) that stay overnight at DuBois and provide a fun and supportive environment, while teaching about predator-prey interactions, nightlife in the woods, cultural differences, erosion, teamwork and other engaging topics. Our instructors teach the classes and lead campfires and other evening activities. Parent chaperones supervise recreation, dining tables and cabin times.
Training is provided, as are meals and overnight accommodations during Nature’s Classroom sessions. Click here for a program brochure or position description. Contact DuBois Center office at 618-787-2202 or shirley.director@DuBoisCenter.
Fall is just around the corner! School, sports, band, clubs and church programs are all picking up steam, making family time even more difficult to find.
You are invited to breathe, slow down and spend quality time with the girls and women in your life at DuBois Center’s annual Mother-Daughter Retreat, which will take place on Oct. 13 – 15 this year. Engaging activities, inspiring God time, great fellowship, meals without cooking – all are part of this weekend escape. Participate in everything or choose a more relaxed weekend with board games, knitting and leisurely strolls. Either way, the focus of this retreat is on building relationships and making memories with loved ones.
All generations and groupings are welcome: mothers and daughters, grandmothers and granddaughters, aunts and nieces. Save the date – more information will be available soon!
One of the great attractions at Fall Festival is the Kidz’ Korner, a fun area full of cool crafts for youthful visitors. Candle dipping is a favorite activity, but requires LOTS of wax!
DuBois Center is looking for candles to melt down and recycle into homemade pioneer-style dip candles. Solid-colored candles in shades of blue, red, purple and green are great, but we also use lots of plain white candles and those with colorful exteriors and white cores.
If you’ve got old candles you’re looking to get rid of, contact the DuBois Center office at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.
Is your youth group, family ministries program, scout troop or neighborhood playgroup wild about horses? Did you know that groups of six or more can schedule horseback rides at DuBois Center on weekends and mid-week school holidays? Trail rides, with an orientation in the arena, last for one hour and cost $22 per person for day groups. Our Equestrian Team can also provide educational sessions related to badges (and some badge requirements) for all ages and levels of scouts, or “Horse Sense” sessions for non-scouting groups.
For more information contact the DuBois Center office at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.
Three Summer Camp Sundays down – three to go. A special thanks to the 16 volunteers who have already stepped up to greet and welcome campers and parents on the opening days of camp sessions – Bre Beisiegel, Norma Borgmann, Aaron Fuchs, Becky Harrison, Angie Hausman, Audrey Hicks, Leah Juenger, Wendy Juenger, Sandy & Scott Kuether, Arline Magee, Cara Magee Johnston, Todd Mushaney, Jason Petry and Joe & Kara Schmid. Many hail from local Illinois South Conference congregations; others are “friends” of DuBois Center. UCC churches represented include Christ – Dupo, St. Paul – Columbia, St. Paul’s – Freeburg, St. Paul – Lebanon, St. Paul – Waterloo, St. Peter’s – Centralia.
We still need volunteers for the remaining Camp Sundays – July 9, 16 and 23. On these Sundays, scores of campers will arrive at DuBois Center eager and excited to begin their time at camp. A minimum of 12 volunteers each of these Sundays, plus summer staff, are needed to make the check-in process run smoothly! Volunteers assist with greeting, parking, the camp store, registration, health screenings, dock duty and people-moving. They arrive by 1:15 pm and are done by 4 pm. Please consider joining our Sunday Welcome Team on one or more check-in days. You are invited to wear a church t-shirt and show your spirit. 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
