Summer Adventures in July

Posted on June 24, 2018 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

July is a great month to experience a summer adventure at DuBois Center! Many sessions are full, but it’s not too late. There are openings in each of the following sessions in July. Recruit a friend new to DuBois Center and SAVE! Check out great pics from the first week of camp at DuBois’ Facebook page. Click here to register online or contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.orgor 618-787-2202 to receive a brochure.

July 8-10 Discovery Camp (completed grades 1-3)

July 8-13 Mad Science (completed grades 4-7)

Move It! Move It! (completed grades 4-7)

Horsin’ Around (completed grades 5-7)

Trekkin’ It (complete grades 5-8)

July 11-13 Boy Meets Camp (completed grades 1-3)

July 15-20 Settler (completed grades 3-5)

Base Camp (completed grades 5-8)

Horsin’ Around (completed grades 5-7)

Outlander (completed grades 6-9)

Saddle ‘Em Up (completed grades 7-9)

July 22-25 Girl Power (completed grades 1-3)

Pony Express (completed grades 4-5)

Splash! (completed grades 5-7)

Save the Date – Mother & Daughter Retreat – October 12-14

Posted on June 22, 2018 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

Just 120 days and counting to the annual Mother & Daughter Retreat at DuBois Center. Summer is heating up, so what better time to dream about sweater weather and the important girls and women in your life?! Enjoy a playful, faith-based weekend together, one packed with engaging activities, inspiring God times, meals without cooking and wonderful fellowship. All ages are welcome, but most activities are geared for girls and women age six and older.

SAVE THE DATE! Registration opens July 10. Space is limited to 50.

Thanks for the Memories…

Posted on June 19, 2018 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

…and all the digital cameras you donated! A couple months ago we asked for donations of small, point and shoot cameras – the ones that were pushed to the back of the closet when you upgraded your phone. Your trash; our treasure – these gifts are now being used by our camp “family groups.” Each has a camera and is encouraged to take pictures of their adventures throughout the week. They captured everything from cook-outs to barn chores, new friends to creek walks. Here are some of our favorites from week #1.

Camera donations are still being accepted. For more information contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

It’s Not Too Late – Register for Camp!

Posted on June 15, 2018 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Summer vacation is a great time to get outside, unplug and make new friends face-to-face. Give your kids the gift of joyful, low-tech, faith-filled fun this summer! 2018 Summer Adventures at DuBois Center are filling quickly – some already have waiting lists! However, there are still lots of great options available, just don’t wait too long. Pick up a brochure in your church office, click here to view the online version or contact DuBois Center to have one mailed to you – dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

Save the Dates!

Posted on June 14, 2018 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Yes! We are in the midst of summer camp, but it’s never too early to start planning for fall. We have a great line-up of events once the sunscreen and beach towels are packed away.

Save these dates and watch for additions and details:

Sept 14-15 ISC Confirmation Retreat

Sept 24 1st Day of Nature’s Classroom

October 6 Fall Festival Work Day

October 7 FALL FESTIVAL

Oct 12-14 Mother-Daughter Retreat

Oct 19-21 Southern Illinois Art Workshop

Dec 1 Thank You Christmas Party

Welcome Team – Thank You!

Posted on June 13, 2018 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

We had an amazing turn-out for the Sunday Welcome Team on June 10! Fifteen volunteers greeted and welcomed campers and parents on the first summer camp check-in day of the season.

A special THANKS to Casey & Kris Avise-Rouse, Debbie & Mark Beckmeyer, Norma Borgmann, Sue Davis, Aaron, Susan & Harmon Fuchs, Audrey Hicks, Shelby Jackson, Wendy Juenger, Don Kaiser and Sandy & Scott Kuether. These volunteers packed a whole lot of welcome into just three hours after church. They assisted with the camp store, paperwork review, health screenings, pontoon boat & dock duty and people-moving.

The Welcome Team joined forces with seven full-week volunteers – Donna Asbridge, Nicole Avise-Rouse, Bethaney Brickeen, Rev. Todd Mushaney, Dan Schmidt, Alana Scherle, Marcus Vaughan and the camp staff to make check-in run smoothly. Many of these volunteers hail from Illinois South Conference churches; others are “friends” of DuBois Center. UCC churches represented include Christ UCC – Dupo, St. John UCC – New Athens, St. Paul UCC – Columbia, St. Paul’s UCC – Freeburg, St. Paul UCC – Waterloo, St. Peter UCC – Centralia and Zion UCC – Hoyleton. THANKS for your service. We couldn’t do it without you!

Are you interested in joining our Welcome Team? We have June 24 and July 8, 15 and 22 left this summer! Contact the office at DCInfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202 for more information.

Meet our Summer Staff: Jordann

Posted on June 9, 2018 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

Welcome Jordann Sipe to our 2018 summer staff team! Jordann comes to us from Gordonsville, Virginia. She is a student at Virginia Tech and is double majoring in Dairy Science and Animal & Poultry Science with an emphasis in Livestock & Equine. This summer she will be serving as our Barn Coordinator. Jordann has been riding since she was five years old and is an avid foxhunter! In addition, she is an experienced lifeguard, swim instructor and coach. Numerous horse camps and 4-H camps are also part of her resume.

After graduating, Jordann hopes to work with the 4-H program in her state, teaching young people about animal genetics and the importance of genetics in livestock production. She is very excited to be at DuBois Center this summer where her strong faith, love of horses, and passion for helping young people believe in themselves will intersect. Some of Jordann’s favorite things include Sour Patch Kids; southern fried chicken; and anything to do with cows, pigs, and horses. In fact, during the ten days between her last day of classes and heading to camp, she spent time in a dairy working on low stress handling of livestock before heading back to her home barn to help prepare for a rodeo.

We are excited Jordann decided to make the trek from Virginia to Illinois for the summer. This was her first big road trip, and she is looking forward to more in the future. Welcome Jordann!

Summer Camp Volunteers

Posted on June 8, 2018 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

Consider a week (or even a few days) at DuBois Center and join our Summer Camp 2018 team! Wanted: fun, engaging and caring volunteers to serve as nurses, cabin counselors, activity specialists and barn helpers. Minimum age is 18 for most positions; young adults and older adults are welcome. Give of your time and talent, make a difference and gain a wonderful sense of satisfaction!

For more information, go to the volunteer page of our web site or contact Shirley at shirley.director@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

It Takes a Village

Posted on June 7, 2018 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

This common phrase is often used when referring to raising healthy children or families. It is also a great way to describe caring for a camp like DuBois Center. Without the support provided by scores of volunteers, the ministry of DuBois Center would be greatly diminished. Each year, thousands of hours are donated as volunteers care for campers and facilities, provide spiritual guidance and moral support, raise needed funds, and plan and prepare for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.

Last month, teams from St. Paul UCC in Belleville and Christ UCC in Dupo logged over 500 service hours. Currently a youth mission team from O’Fallon UCC is helping with final preparations for summer camp. On June 10, the first volunteer greeters, nurses, chaplains and counselors of the season will open their arms and welcome campers. Watch for pictures and stories highlighting volunteer efforts in coming editions of Weekly Connection.

Welcome Team – Join Us! June 10, 24, July 8, 15, 22

Posted on June 6, 2018 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

On these five Sundays, scores of UCC campers will arrive at DuBois Center eager and excited to begin their time at camp. Twelve volunteers are needed for each of these Sundays plus summer staff to ensure the check-in process runs smoothly! Volunteers assist with greetings, 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.

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