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Fun Facts: Crawdads

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Crawdads, Crawfish, Crayfish, Mudbugs…whatever you call them, they’re all over the grounds at DuBois Center! You might spot one of their stacked mud towers down by the creek, in a horse pasture, or even in the middle of grassy areas near the lake. Next time you go for a creek walk, tread lightly and observe – our resident creek lobsters are not hard to find. Just like humans, they are more active in the spring. If you’re lucky, you might see one swimming (backwards!) or even catch one!

In honor of these curious crustaceans, enjoy these fun facts:

  • Crayfish are relatives of lobster, shrimp, crab, krill and barnacles.
  • They lay about 800 eggs at one time.
  • Crayfish have eight pairs of legs; four are used for walking and four are used for swimming.
  • Crayfish limbs can regenerate.
  • Their eyes move independently of each other.
  • In captivity, Crayfish live on average 2 years, but in the wild they have been known to live up to 30 years.

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Summer Camp Staff – Grace

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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…”

Celebrate Earth Day at DuBois Center

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April 22 is Earth Day! What better way to celebrate than with a Service Saturday at DuBois Center? Get outside with family and friends and help prepare this sacred space to welcome hundreds of campers and guests this spring and summer. Paint, prune, build, rake, clean, stack; there will be projects for volunteers of varied ages and abilities. If you or your group has a special skill, let us know ahead of time and we can plan a project for you!

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We’ll gather between 8:30 am and 8:45 am, and finish up around 4 p.m. Lunch is provided. Because we try to plan projects based on the specialized skills our volunteers bring, please RSVP by Monday, April 17. To register, please use this form, call 618-787-2202, or email us at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org. Supplies for general projects will be provided, but if you have specialized or professional tools/ equipment, please bring them along! See the Service Saturday flyer for more information.

Remember – if this date doesn’t work for you or your group, call the office to schedule your own work day (or even a work week or part-week!). Work days can also be scheduled as part of a larger retreat.

Mission Experience – Buddy to Buddy

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During this close-to-home, three-day mission experience, teens encounter God as they participate together with young people from Hoyleton’s youth residential program. The event will take place July 5 – 7 (Wednesday – Friday) this year.

Youth (completed grades 8 – 12) buddy up with one or two young people from the Hoyelton Children’s Home to swim, hike, create cool crafts and play games together. Buddies walk side by side with their biblical “neighbors” and learn first-hand about acceptance and respect. When Hoyleton campers head home each day, buddies and their chaperones reflect and learn from their experiences, plan for the next day and typically tackle a work project before having time to relax and enjoy their favorite camp activities. Daily reflections and prayer times focus on diversity, justice and our role as Christians.

Event cost is $140 per person (youth and chaperones), and participation is through church or region group. You cannot register individually via camp registration. Each group must provide their own chaperones. DuBois Center staff will be on hand to lead the buddies as well. Click here to learn more or contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. Space is limited!

 

Volunteer at Camp this Summer!

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Volunteers are the heart of strong and healthy Outdoor Ministry programs. At DuBois Center, they serve throughout the year on committees and teams, at the barn, in the office, on work projects, leading retreats and raising funds.

During the summer, there are a variety of ways to get involved and make a difference in the lives of the young people we serve. Join us for a few hours on a Sunday afternoon, a couple days during the week or a full week of camp. Volunteers work hand in hand with paid summer staff to provide our fun, engaging and faith-filled program. For more information, contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. Additional information and volunteer applications are available here.

Summer Volunteer Options:

  • Cabin Counselor
  • Barn Helper
  • Activity Leader
  • Chaplain
  • Nurse
  • Photographer
  • Sunday Welcome Team

Those looking to volunteer who are 15 – 16 should consider the CIT (Counselor in Training) program, June 25-30.