Camps for Older Children

Posted on April 24, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Do you know of a camper who will have completed grades three through six this summer? We have plenty of camps just for them!

Classic or specialty camp, 3 days or 5 days – there is a wide variety of sessions from which to choose for this age group. Whether a first-timer or experienced camper, new adventures await. The cozy cottages on the main camp side of the lake are “home” for many campers in this age group, but those attending the Horsin’ Around, Rustic Sampler, and Splash! sessions venture out and live in the Rustic Village. The week of July 23-26 there are shorter sessions for those who would like “a taste” of horse or rustic camping. Additional camps for those completing grades 5-6, with older youth, can be found in the camp brochure.

For more details, pick up a brochure in your church office, click her for the online version or contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. Ready to register? Go to www.DuBoisCenter.org or click here.

2017 Counselor in Training Program

Posted on April 23, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Counselor in Training (CIT) is a great opportunity for young people who are interested in developing their leadership skills, working with younger children, and having a great time at DuBois Center! The program functions much like a “lab school” with discussion, training, practice and evaluation sessions. Skills gained will help participants grow as positive Christian leaders, respond to challenging behavior, create a safe, fun environment, and teach basic camp skills. Scheduled for June 25-30, CIT is designed for youth who have completed grades 10-12. Previous camp experience is NOT required.

NOTE: A special application is required – in addition to the Camp Registration Form. The CIT application packet is available online or by contacting the DuBois Center office at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618.787.2202.

Register for Horse Camp

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

Git along… or you might miss out! Horse Camps are filling quickly, but there are still great options available. Horse campers still enjoy popular camp activities like 9-Sqaure and archery, but they also spend significantly more time around the barn and out on the trails!

Some mornings, it’s up and at ‘em long before chow time – the horses need to be fed and groomed before breakfast. Some evenings, it’s untacking, feeding and barn chores before evening games. As long as the weather allows, horse campers have the option to ride each day! Depending on the skill level and interests of the group, horse times may include cantering, riding bareback, playing games on horseback in the arena or educational “horse sense” sessions.

For more information, check out the 2017 camp brochure or contact DuBois Center at dcinf@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202 to have one sent to you. Ready to register? You can register online today!

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.

Summer Camp Staff – Grace

Posted on April 15, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Welcome Grace (Gracie) Allen to DuBois Center’s 2017 summer staff team! She will be serving as Counselor/Activity Specialist. Gracie lives in Maeystown, IL where she is an active member of St. John UCC and a PK (Pastor’s Kid). Gracie is new to our staff, but not to DuBois Center. She has attended Winter Weekends with her church and served as a summer camp volunteer. She has also participated in our Buddy to Buddy Mission Experience a number of times, working with young people from the residential program in Hoyleton.

Gracie loves to sing and perform in community theater productions. These talents, as well as her unique ability to sound like Chewbacca, will be put to good use at camp. Gracie is currently working part-time and studying for her associate degree in education at SWIC (Southwestern Illinois College). Her references all agree; she is kind, very responsible and has a great attitude. Gracie is very excited to be serving at DuBois Center this summer. When asked why she said, “When I had volunteered I had loved every aspect of camp… I am most excited about helping kids have a great time…”

Fathers and Sons Pack the House!

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

A total of 46 fathers, sons, grandfathers and mentors – hailing from 12 ISCUCC churches and beyond – made the trek to DuBois Center for our annual Father & Son Retreat on March 31 – April 2 of this year. Together, pairs and trios explored the creek and the bottoms, built a geodome, and dismantled the old docks from the swim area.

Some caught big fish, others lots of fish. Some hunted for dinosaur eggs; others used a bike pump to launch plastic bottles filled with water. The group also boated on the lake, constructed cool crafts, enjoyed a hay ride, made new friends, hiked the trails and explored on horseback rides. They also experienced campfires with singing, s’mores and quiet time for reflections.

And God was among us everywhere! Throughout the weekend, we explored Bible stories of the vine, the branches and bearing good fruit as positive role models, true friends and caring “neighbors.” After a weekend packed with activities, good food, service projects, and multiple rounds of 9-Square and Ga-ga, the group was challenged at our closing worship to “get out of the Ga-ga pit” and go into the world and produce more good fruit.

Interested in coming to camp as a Father-Son (Grandfather-Grandson, Uncle-Nephew, etc.) group? The Father & Son Retreat takes place each spring – stay tuned next winter to find out more! If you can’t wait that long, DuBois Center also offers a “Just You and Me” part-week camp for campers ages 5-7 on June 11 – 13 this summer. Check out the 2017 summer camp brochure or contact the office to learn more. If you’re a Mother-Daughter duo, we’ll have more information out soon about our Mother & Daughter Retreat this fall.

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Register NOW to Save on Camp Fees

Posted on April 3, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

All you need to be singing a happy Early Bird tune is a completed 2017 Camp Registration Form and $50 non-refundable deposit. Save $20 on full-week sessions and $10 on part-week sessions. Postmark or submit registration and deposit online by April 5. Any UCC “church share” of the camp fee may be paid separately. For added convenience we can bill churches for all their campers at one time.

To receive a summer camp brochure – check in your church office, click here, or contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

Meet our Summer Staff – Pieter

Posted on April 2, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Welcome Pieter Fourie to DuBois Center’s 2017 summer staff team! He will be serving as a Counselor/Activity Specialist. Pieter lives in Pretoria, South Africa and speaks both English and Afrikaans fluently. He currently works as a camp counselor at Sugar Bay Holiday Camp, where he has developed skills in a wide variety of camp activities. He has significant experience in child care, behavior and conflict management, team building and lifeguarding.

An aspiring actor, Pieter loves to entertain family and friends; he often plans games and activities for family gatherings. In his free time, he auditions for acting roles. He also enjoys traveling, learning about other cultures and soccer.

This summer Pieter hopes to “teach [campers] new skills, form bonds, grow true friendships and encourage others to do what they dream to do.” He is very excited to bring his skills and talents to DuBois Center and to gain many more while serving with us. Ask him about Poi Spinning! Pieter is a Christian who walks his talk, as reflected in these excerpts from one of his references: “He is a young man of upstanding character… Pieter is charming, honest and has a sound set of values. He is courteous and humble… He is principled and lives his life by Christian values.”

We are looking forward to Pieter’s arrival in May!

Meet Our Summer Staff – Ryan

Posted on March 25, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Welcome, Ryan Goetter, to our 2017 team! This will be his third season on summer staff. Ryan grew up near Collinsville IL, an avid member of his high school band and active member of St. John Evangelical UCC. He attended summer camp at DuBois Center for many years, including our C.I.T. (Counselors in Training) program in 2013. While in high school, Ryan volunteered as a teacher for 4-H groups. That experience has proven to be valuable as DuBois Center began partnering with 4-H of Southern Illinois for their summer camp program. This summer, Ryan will be coordinating our staff team for that endeavor. In addition to serving as a Counselor/Activity Specialist for DuBois Center, Ryan also counsels for Camp Phoenix, the summer camp for the Episcopal Dioceses of Missouri.

Ryan is a student at Missouri State University where he studies Instrumental Music Education. This has given him even more experience working with youth through practicum credit hours. On campus, Ryan works in the business office of the medical clinic and is actively involved in Lambda Chi Alpha. He is the Director for Drug and Alcohol Awareness for the MSU chapter of FSLSA (Fraternity and Sorority Leaders of Social Awareness).

Ryan is passionate about summer camp – from the magical “escape from the real world” to the wacky songs and the spirit-filled worship circles. The wonderful, often off-beat, interactions with campers and the enduring friendships with fellow staff members – he loves it all!

Early Bird Registration Deadline – April 5

Posted on March 19, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

In less than three months, the first week of summer camp at DuBois Center will be in full swing! It’s time to THINK SUMMER! Register for 2017 Summer Adventures by the Early Bird Deadline and save $20 on full-week sessions and $10 on part-week sessions. Completed registration (online or by mail) and non-refundable deposit are required for this discount. The Early Bird Deadline this year is Wednesday, April 5.

View the brochure online or download it along with a registration form. You may also contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202 to receive these by mail, or register online here.

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