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HATS OFF to our Volunteer Nurses!

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Health care professionals are a key component of our summer camp ministry, but rather than starched “whites” you are more likely to find them decked out in camp tees, shorts and sunscreen. Camp nurses deal with a variety of ailments – everything from ticks to homesickness, fevers to sprains. They provide special attention when a camper needs a little extra TLC or just a break from the action. Theirs is a ministry of presence, compassion and healing.

This past summer, we were blessed by the ministry of two volunteer camp nurses. A very special thanks to Donna Asbridge from St. Paul’s UCC in Freeburg and Kathy Asselmeier from St. John UCC in Maeystown. As usual, Nurse Bandit (Donna’s camp name) went above and beyond. She was present for every Sunday and Wednesday check-in day – all nine of them, whether she was the nurse for the week or not. She was always ready to jump in with her ukulele or guitar and assist with worship, or provide wise counsel for our leaders. This was summer #8 for Donna – at least in recent history, and each of these summers she has volunteered for multiple weeks. Nurse Stitch (Kathy’s camp name) was new to her role at camp, but definitely not new to nursing! She was a great addition to our team with her winning smiles and calm demeanor. Her motivation? A heart for service and hugs from her grandchildren, one of whom was attending camp on her own for the first time. Thanks to both of these amazing women!

If you are an RN, please consider serving with us next summer. For more information, contact Shirley at shirley.director@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

Job Opportunity: Nature’s Classroom Instructor

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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 25 through October. Work with school groups (grades 5-8) that stay overnight at DuBois Center. Provide a fun and supportive environment, while teaching about predator-prey interactions, night life in the woods, cultural differences, erosion, teamwork and other engaging topics.

 

Our instructors teach classes, and lead campfires and other evening activities. Parent chaperones supervise free time, dining tables and cabin times. Training is provided, as are meals and overnight accommodations during Nature’s Classroom sessions. Check out the program brochure and position description for details.  Then contact DuBois Center at shirley.director@DuBoisCenter.org  or 618-787-2202.

Mother & Daughter Retreat – October 18-20

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Registration is now open for DuBois Center’s annual Mother-Daughter Retreat. If you are a mother, daughter, aunt, niece or sister – you are invited to spend quality time with the important girls and women in your life during this weekend escape. Canoe, hike, craft, sing and play together! Enjoy great fellowship, inspiring God Time and meals without cooking. 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.

Early Bird Deadline is Friday, Sept 27; final registration deadline is Friday, Oct 4. To learn more, check out this flyer. To receive one by mail, contact DuBois Center at 618-787-2202 or dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org. Ready to register? Click here.

Early Bird Deadline for Artisans and Handicrafters is this Saturday!

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Saturday, August 17 is the early bird deadline for talented folks who would like to peddle their wares at DuBois Center’s annual Fall Festival on October 6. Each year over 2000 people turn out for this family-friendly event. To learn more about displaying and selling your handiwork, click here. Ready 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.

OFFICE CLOSED Tuesday – Friday, August 13-16

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This week the DuBois Center office will be closed. Our summer season concluded with a wonderful Rainbow Camp this past weekend, and now it’s time to REST, CLEAN and PREPARE. During the month of August, we will have limited office days and hours as we work to renew our bodies and spirits and refresh the facilities. It was a good summer, but we are definitely ready for some down time!

Fear Not: We will be checking phone messages and emails on a regular basis, and we will be ready to go for our busy fall season. In case of an emergency or critical issue, contact Julie – the ISC registrar – at register@DuBoisCenter.orgor 618-357-1809.

Sunday Welcome Team – THANK YOU!

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Each Sunday of our summer camp season, DuBois Center buzzes with scores of excited campers and their families. Extending gracious hospitality and ensuring a smooth check-in process with as few delays is a tall order – one made possible ONLY with the help of 12-15 volunteers each week. Our Sunday Welcome Team braves the humid summer temps with smiles on their faces as they direct parking, greet families, check heads for critters, screen health forms, catch and drive pontoon boats, operate the camp store, and direct the flow of traffic through the check-in process. This summer we set a NEW RECORD with 49 different volunteers! Many served on multiple Sundays; all made a HUGE difference! Eleven of these volunteers were part of “head check” teams from St. Paul UCC in Waterloo – THANK YOU so much!

On behalf of the Outdoor Ministries Team (OMT), DuBois Center staff, parents and campers, we would like to extend a hearty and heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who assisted this summer: Kim Altmansberger, Donna Asbridge, Kathy Asselmeier, Casey & Nicole Avise-Rouse, Craig & Katie Jo Bielke, Debbie Clinebell, Joan Daab, Sue Davis, Yvonne Dehner, Christy Eckert, Aaron, Harmon & Susan Fuchs, Julie & Roger Harris, Audrey Hicks, Wendy Hill, John, Sara & Torrie Holst, JT Iorio, Anne & David Jackson, Leah & Wendy Juenger, Don Kaiser, Sandy & Scott Kuether, Cara Magee-Johnston, Judy Matzenbacher, Vaughn Mavers, Sam Morgan, Sharon Murphy, Todd Mushaney, Jason Petry, Sharon Schaefer, Alaina Scherle, Joe & Kara Schmid, Carol & David Shanks, Bill & Kay Theobald, Nancy Wagner, Darline Weihl, Sandy Westbrook and Angie Zapp. Please forgive us if we missed anyone; everyone’s efforts are greatly appreciated!

Thank You to our Volunteer Chaplains!

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In June and July, we served over 400 young people in camps sponsored by the Illinois South Conference. It was an amazing summer and we are especially thankful for all the volunteer chaplains that helped make the PEACE WORKS theme come alive for our campers.
It was especially fun to see “Messy Church” techniques at play at camp this summer. Chaplains led BLAST (Bible Learning and Spirit Time), prepared vespers and provided an amazing ministry of presence – walking with our campers and staff throughout each week.
Our team was quite an eclectic bunch. Some are ordained ministers, one an in-care student. Some are school teachers, some are former campers and summer staff members. Some are retired, and some took time off work to serve with us.
Thanks so much to all the 2019 volunteer summer camp chaplains and the churches that supported their efforts. They truly had a significant impact on the faith lives of our campers and staff!:
Nicole Avise-Rouse – Epiphany UCC, St. Louis & St. Paul UCC, Waterloo
Craig Bielke – St. Paul UCC, Belleville
Rev. Katie Jo Bielke – St. John UCC, Collinsville
Joan Daab – St. Paul UCC, Columbia
Rev. Christy Eckert – St. John UCC, Trenton      
Audrey Hicks – St. Paul UCC, Waterloo
Rev. John Holst – Zion UCC, Marion
Rev. Todd Mushaney – Christ UCC, Dupo
Rev. Patrick Poole – St. John UCC, Maeystown & Zion UCC, St. Joe, Waterloo
Alaina Scherle – St. Paul UCC, Waterloo

Camp Lost & Found

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Gone are the days when every mother meticulously sewed printed labels into her child’s camp gear and school clothes. Good for moms, not so good for lost and found!

Every summer, a mountain of towels, socks, shorts and water bottles accumulates at DuBois Center. This year was no different. Much of our 2019 collection has already been returned, but even more is waiting to go home. If you or your camper, or someone you know, lost something at camp – let us know. Send an email to dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org with a detailed description and we’ll check the boxes and bags in the office. Give us a week or two to check and get back to you!

Unclaimed items will be held until September 10 and are then donated to charitable organizations.

Your Trash, Our Treasure

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DuBois Center is back with another list of random – or not so random – items we are collecting.

TEASPOONS (metal): Back in 2012 we switched from using plastic forks and knives on cookouts to using donated metal flatware. The change was great for the environment, and now our savory foil packs taste even better. Currently, we are looking specifically for metal teaspoons to add to our collection. Forks and knives will be accepted, but we really need spoons.

PIE TINS (non-disposable, metal type): When pie irons (think George Forman grill for the campfire) come out of the coals with pizza or grilled cheese oozing from the sides – they are HOT! Pie tins make the transition from iron to plate much safer. They also work great as eating plates for cookouts! If you have extras in the back of your cupboards or know of a restaurant that is replacing theirs… please send them our way!

BUTCHER PAPER: Know someone with access to roll-ends of butcher paper – the thick stuff? Making posters and banners is a favorite camp activity and large rolls of paper are THE BEST!

Mother & Daughter Retreat — October 18-20

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Fall is just around the corner! Preparation for school, sports, band, clubs and church programs are all picking up steam – making family time even more difficult to schedule. STOP! 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. Engaging activities, inspiring God-Time, great fellowship and meals without cooking are all 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, daughters, grandmothers, granddaughters, aunts, nieces and good friends!

SAVE THE DATE – October 18-20. Registration opens August 15 and space is limited.