High School Week – June 17 – 22

High School Week is BACK for summer camp this year, from June 17 – 22. The week offers two great options – Wranglers and X-Plore. Campers experience all of the favorite DuBois Center activities, plus more! More fun, more adventure, more friends and with an extra special treat – more meals served in the Rustic Village. Plus, “Choice Times” return with even more great options.

If you have completed grades 8-12, this is a great week to build community, grow closer to God, experience nature and have some great unplugged FUN! Plan now to attend and watch for details in the coming weeks.

Wintertime Oddities – Fun Facts from DuBois

Have you ever come across a frozen lake or pond and wondered what would happen if you tossed a stone onto it? If not, you might be surprised by the results. Check out an example from our lake here, or another example from Youtube.

This futuristic, sci-fi, laser-like sound is caused by the whole plate of ice vibrating each time the rock strikes it. Because the ice is not of uniform thickness or texture, vibrations (that cause sound waves) occur in differing frequencies, and the higher the frequency, the faster it travels. The higher pitched waves reaching your ears before the slower, lower frequencies is what causes the sliding laser-like sound.

Camp Nurses – Servants with Sunscreen

One setting for ministry at DuBois Center is our health center. Volunteer camp nurses, most of whom are RNs, are a vital piece of our summer camp program. Many find serving at DuBois Center to be a rewarding mission opportunity, one that is quite different from their regular job.

Responsibilities include reviewing camper medical forms, conducting health screenings, receiving & administering medications, providing first aid & basic medical treatment, and documentation. However, when you really get down to it, nurses spend most of their time removing ticks, soothing rashes, distributing medications and providing extra TLC for homesick and nervous campers.

If you are an RN, please consider serving with us for a full or partial week. The living quarters do have AC and there is often time to join us for worship, explore the woods or just sit back and read a book. For more information, contact Shirley at DuBois Center at 618-787-2202 or shirley.director@DuBoisCenter.org.

Dice & Green Beans

Join Region 2 for a night of winter blues-busting fun on Saturday, Feb 24. Support DuBois Center and a local food pantry! Challenge the fellowship groups within your church and your community. This year Bunco Night is being paired with an effort to “Fill a Food Pantry.” A lively game of dice, cool Silent Auction treasures, a 50-50 drawing and help for those in need. By February, the major “food” holidays will be distant memories and pantry shelves will need restocking. Make a difference and have a lot of fun – all at the same time! Help spread the word; invite everyone you know! Check out this flier for details.
The Challenge:
1.   Bring a can or box of nutritious food to donate to a local food pantry. For each item you donate, you will receive one ticket for a special drawing – the more items that are donated, the more chances you have to win. The prize will be a fun basket of items appropriate for a variety of ages.
2.   Recruit Bunco players from your local church or community group. The church/group with the most individuals who pay and play Bunco at this event will have the honor of selecting the food pantry to receive the night’s collection.

Is Your Vacation Request Due?

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, chaplains, 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… and even perhaps a bit of joy! For more information, check out the volunteer page of our web site or contact DuBois Center at 618-787-2202 or dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org.

Year-end Support for Ministry at DuBois Center

 

At this time of year, we are more mindful of giving thanks – for family, friends, our church community and God at work in our lives. At DuBois Center, we are also thankful for stories, especially ones of connection, challenge and transformation. These stories tell of new-found confidence for first-time campers, deepening parent-child relationships, faith discussions that come alive, individuals transformed into communities, unlikely friendships built on respect, and so much more. Scores of dedicated volunteers, staff members and donors make DuBois Center a place of welcome and hospitality, a place to connect, belong and grow… a place where faith is nurtured and stories are written.

With your financial support this work continues. You may have received a letter lifting up “snapshots” of our ministry in the outdoors. If not, you can view the letter online. DuBois Center is your ministry, the work of your congregations, the work of the Illinois South Conference. We hope you will consider a tax-deductible year-end gift. You may use our donation site to safely donate online. If you prefer to mail your donation, please use this form.

With so many demands on your resources, we are truly honored by your gifts of financial support as well as offerings of prayer, time and talent. Thank you.

Used Compact Digital Cameras Needed

Great photos and smart phones go hand in hand nowadays. So what happened to all those small, point and shoot cameras – the Coolpix, PowerShot and FinePix? DuBois Center is in search of 8-10 used (or new) cameras. They are great for scavenger hunts, photography classes, photo booths and so much more.

Requirements: good working condition and SD card compatible. For more information contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

Recycle your Golf Cart

Plan to replace your golf cart next spring? Current one just taking up space? We may be able to help! DuBois Center is in need of a 4-seat golf cart – gas or electric. Currently, our nurses use a Gator with two seats to respond to situations and deliver medication. If a camper needs to be transported back to the health center for treatment, there is no room for a third person. Renting a golf cart for the summer is very expensive, so we are exploring other options. You can help with this critical need; donations may be tax-deductible. For more information, contact Shirley at 618-787-2202 or shirley.director@DuBoisCenter.org.

Summer Jobs – Make a Difference this Summer!

Got big plans for winter break? It’s a great time to apply to serve on summer staff at DuBois Center! Pursuing a career in education, recreation, ministry, counseling, health care, social work or other service-related field? A summer at camp provides valuable hands-on experience that can enhance your resume.
CounselorIf you or someone you know is energetic, child-focused and fun-loving – check out the Summer of Service flier and consider whether a summer at camp might be just the opportunity to make a difference you have been looking for. Faith! Fun! Significant Friendships! Hard Work! Amazing Memories!  Open positions include cabin counselors, barn staff and coordinators. Questions? Contact Shirley at  shirley.director@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.
Application packets are available online.

“Thank You” Christmas Party

The weather was perfect for DuBois Center’s annual “Thank You” Christmas Party. Volunteers, donors and staff – who are all essential to the success of DuBois Center – enjoyed good food, uproarious laughter, off-key singing and, of course, THE Christmas Game.

This year’s “Camp Christmas” theme lent itself to traditional summer camp décor and food, including BBQ pork steaks and a s’mores cake dessert. Did you know that both marshmallows and cauliflower taste great when roasted?!  A canoe and the Big Dipper were the backdrop for the ever-popular photo booth. Check out the shots of equestrian and marketing team volunteers, as well as Hickory Lodge renovators and a camp nurse and spouse.  There are more photos in our FaceBook album.

Special thanks to Norma Borgmann for the amazing appetizers (more of a meal), Rachel Kinzinger for the desserts, the Marketing Committee for the very fun decorations and activities, and to everyone who supported DuBois Center in any way in 2017!