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.
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!
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.
Cabin doors – check! Cabin screens – check! Cabin steps – check! Recently, a work team from Christ UCC in Dupo spent several days at DuBois Center helping prep the grounds and facilities for summer camp. Most of their time was spent in the Rustic Village. They repaired screen windows and doors, built steps, installed fascia and more. In addition, stumps throughout camp were ground into sawdust.
Volunteers are the heart of DuBois Center and mission is the heart of local congregations. This team is a great example of church mission in action. Now a tradition, this group’s first work experience at DuBois was in 2014 when they joined with an established team from St. Paul UCC in Belleville. They have been back each spring since, and have also taken on segments of the set-up and tear-down for Fall Festival. Please help us in recognizing this great group of workers and the church’s commitment to our shared ministry.
Beautiful quilts are an integral part of DuBois Center’s annual Fall Festival. Each year, lovingly crafted treasures are donated for the quilt drawing. Our first quilt of the season has been donated and it’s beautiful! This charming star pattern quilt is twin-sized (66″ x 86″), hand-pieced and quilted. It was created and donated by Sarah Moore, a member at Bethel UCC in Cahokia. This is Sarah’s second Fall Festival quilt.
If you or your group would like to donate a quilt for this year’s drawing, contact Shirley at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. Ideally, the second quilt would be queen-sized. Thanks for your support!