Think Summer and SWIM!

Moderate to strong swimmer? Enjoy spending time at the lake? Enjoy working with children and youth? Each summer we hire 7-8 young adults with Lifeguard certification to serve on our summer staff. If you are interested, NOW is the time to start swimming. Stay in shape this winter while preparing for a great summer job. Check out courses at your local college or university, rec center, YMCA or JCC. Hint: If your school offers a course – take it. Those classes are generally less expensive than community classes. Lifeguard certification classes also include First Aid and CPR certification, both of which are prerequisites for summer staff. Questions about lifeguard certification? Contact us at shirley.director@DuBoisCenter.org or
618-787-2202. Happy swimming!

Don’t Forget to Apply for Summer Staff 2019!

Energetic, child-focused, fun-loving with a heart for ministry – sound like you or someone you know? Check out this flyer and consider whether an amazing summer at DuBois Center might be just the opportunity you have been looking for. Positions include cabin counselors/activity leaders, barn assistant/counselors and coordinators.

Gain practical experience, build your resume and make a difference, all while having a fun summer and making new friends and memories. Job descriptions and application packets are available online. Questions? Contact us at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

More than Just a Summer Job

Energetic, child-focused, fun-loving with a heart for ministry – sound like you or someone you know? Check out this flyer and consider whether an amazing summer at DuBois Center might be just the opportunity you have been looking for. Positions include cabin counselors/activity leaders, barn assistant/counselors and coordinators. Gain practical experience, build your resume and make a difference, all while having a great time and meeting new friends!

Job descriptions and application packets are available online. Questions? Contact us at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

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Summer Adventures in July

July is a great month to experience DuBois Center! Many sessions are full, but not all. There are openings in each of the weeks listed below. Check out great pics from the first weeks of camp at DuBois Center’s Facebook page. Recruit a friend new to DuBois Center and SAVE! Click here to register online or contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202 to receive a brochure. NOTE: Grades listed below are the grades completed.
Dates: July 8-13July 15-20July 22-25
Horse Camps with Openings: Pony Express (grades 4-6), Horsin’ Around (grades 5-7), Saddle ‘Em Up (grades 7-9)
General Sessions with Openings: Boy Meets Camp / Discovery Camp / Girl Power (grades 1-3), Settler (grades 3-5), Mad Science / Move It! Move It! (grades 4-7), Splash! (grades 5-7), Base Camp / Trekkin’ It (5-8), Outlander (grades 6-9)
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It’s Not Too Late – Register for Camp!

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.

Registration for Rainbow Camp is Open

Rainbow Camp is a day filed with activities and fun, where everyone is recognized as a child of God. Come play in the water, take aim with archery, try your hand at crafts, or just take in the outdoors from horseback or pontoon. We have activities for all ages.

We will gather on Sat, Aug 18 from 9 am to 7 pm, at DuBois Center. Rainbow Camp is for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & queer singles, couples and families. Straight allies are welcome too. If there are at least 15 people interested, we can stay Friday night as a group at Hickory Lodge. During registration, you have the option to select “Rainbow Camp” for the day camp option or “Rainbow Camp Overnight” to stay the night.

Register now to get the early bird rates. See this flyer for more details. Click here if you’re ready to register. Got questions? Contact ISC Pride at iscpride@iscucc.org.

Why Church Camp?

Because church camp is joyful fun! It is a sacred place. It is intensely relational, and positive role models abound! Though an integral part of many congregations’ year-round faith formation efforts, church camp is different from Vacation Bible School or Sunday School. Campers and leaders live, work, play and worship together from early morning until late into the evening. They grow together through shared experiences in God’s amazing creation and form an intentional community. They hear our faith stories in new places and new ways, and find opportunities to share their own. The activities are fun, challenging and filled with opportunities to grow as part of a Christian community.

Camps for Younger Children

Children who have completed grades 1-3 are often looking for ways to experience life like the “big kids.” Parents are looking for opportunities for their children to gain self-confidence, critical social skills, and a greater awareness of God’s world.

At DuBois Center, we have five part-week sessions designed with this in mind. Shorter sessions and smaller group sizes are ideal for this age group. Their time is filled with new adventures under the watchful eyes of caring, safety-conscious leaders. Despite the length of these sessions, there is still time to ride a horse, explore the creek, swim in the lake, and make lots of new friends.

This summer, choose from Boy Meets Camp, Camp Quest, Discovery Camp or Girl Power. Check out page 6 of the camp brochure for details. You may also pick up a brochure in your church office or contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202 to receive one by mail. If you are ready to register, click here.

camps for younger children

High School Week at DuBois Center

June 17-22 older youth (completed grades 8-12) take over the Rustic Village. One week, two great options: Wranglers and X-Plore! It’s a week to be yourself, make good friends, find new adventures and grow with God.

Meals on Rustic are back! Choice times are back! And with them more opportunities to hang with your friends and customize your week. Play disc golf – DuBois style; get super crafty; fish at Deer Run; or ride horses in “the bottoms.” Play cricket or Aussie football with our international staff and check out weird and wacky activities at the waterfront.

For details, pick up a brochure in your church office, click here for the online version or contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. Ready to register? Click here. Don’t delay – June is just around the corner!

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Meet Our Summer Staff: Rachel

Welcome Rachel Kinzinger to our 2018 summer staff team! Rachel is returning for her eighth summer on staff and will again be serving as a Village Coordinator. From New Athens, Illinois, she is an active member of St. John UCC and serves on the Board of Christian Ed there. Rachel has a degree in special education and is currently teaching at Marissa Jr/Sr High School.

No stranger to DuBois Center, Rachel was first a camper here in 2002, then a CIT, a counselor beginning in 2011, and a coordinator since 2014. She also works throughout the year hosting groups, life-guarding and preparing for our summer season.

Outside of camp, Rachel enjoys reading, watching Netflix, spending time with her adorable one-year old nephew and relaxing in her hammock! Her favorite foods are anything Mexican, gummy bears, Ski and Ranger cookies – a camp favorite. Her favorite movies are Toy StoryMoanaHerculesWilly Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and her favorite smell is the air after it rains.

Rachel grew up on a farm and one of her favorite childhood memories is of showing cattle through 4-H. She started showing when she was nine and continued through high school. That experience brought great friendships, enduring memories, and numerous life lessons.

One of Rachel’s role models is Mr. Hull, her high school science teacher. Mr. Hull was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer when she was a senior. She was amazed by his dedication to his students. He even visited them weekly in the midst of chemo treatments, and kept his promise to attend their graduation – even though he was sick from chemo. Mr. Hull’s teaching went beyond the textbooks. Rachel wrote, “He taught us about the importance of laughter, about dedication, and about learning through mistakes. He passed away a few years ago, and he still inspires me every day to be involved in my students’ lives and show them the same love that he showed me as a student.”

Welcome back, Rachel!

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