Summer Staff – Laura

Posted on May 6, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Welcome Laura Renken to the 2017 summer staff team! Laura hails from Hamel, Illinois and is a member of Salem UCC in Alhambra, where she sings in the praise team choir. She has also served as a Vacation Bible School volunteer for at least the last 5 years. Laura attended summer camp at DuBois Center for a number of years. She completed our Counselors in Training (CIT) Program in 2014 and last summer volunteered as a cabin counselor.

When not at camp, Laura is student at Eastern Illinois University where she is studying elementary education. She also works at the front desk of her dorm. Her favorites include: smell – spearmint, color – sky blue, food – tacos, and she loves to sing.

Her favorite childhood memories include summers swimming at her grandparents’ and coming to camp. “I loved coming to Camp DuBois growing up, and it was always a dream of mine to work here when I got older. I always felt that this was a place of love and acceptance where I could really be myself. I wanted to have the opportunity to make Camp DuBois that place for other people as well. I am excited to make memories with everyone and to be a part of such a loving community. I am excited to get to know my campers and to play games and sing songs. I am excited that God has granted me the opportunity to work in a place that means so much to me.”

High School Week

Posted on May 4, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Older youth (completed grades 8-12) take over the Rustic Village June 18-23. Two great options – Wrangler and X-Plore! Highlights of the week include great experiences with your family group, meaningful worship and study times, and choice activities to customize your week.

Choice activities are a great way to spend time doing things you love – or maybe discovering a new passion – while making new friends or hanging out with old friends in other family groups. Opt to climb a tree, ride horseback in “the bottoms,” get super crafty, fish at Deer Run or get “sporty” with International staff. Adventure Tree is back! Meals on Rustic are back! In fact, this year most meals during this week will be served in the Rustic Village – less walking, more community time!

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 – sessions are filling quickly.

Camps for Youth – Grades 5 – 9

Posted on May 2, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Our campers that have completed grades 5 – 9 for the 2017 summer season have a variety of choices when it comes to choosing a camp. Whether your camper prefers the Main Camp cottages or the Rustic Village cabins, there are great options throughout the summer on both sides of the lake.

Explore the marvels of God’s creation through a scientific lens or hang out with the ponies. Make a big splash, enjoy a “classic” camp or try roughin’ it. For this age group, individual choice times are a popular addition to the line-up. For details, pick up a 2017 camp brochure in your church office, click here for the online version or contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. To register today, click here. Don’t delay; some sessions are nearly full!

Here is a list of all camps for this age group:

Horsin’ Around (Grades 5-7) – 6/11-16, 7/9-14, 7/16-21

Splash! (Grades 5-7) – 7/23-26

Base Camp Unleashed (Grades 5-8) – 7/9-14

Trekkin’ It (Grades 5-8) – 6/11-16, 7/16-21

Outlander (Grades 6-9) – 6/25-30, 7/9-14

Outpost Lab (Grades 6-9) – 7/9-14

Saddle ‘Em Up (Grades 7-9) – 6/25-30, 7/16-21

Summer Staff – Olivia

Posted on May 1, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Welcome Olivia Cruthis to DuBois Center’s 2017 summer staff team! Olivia is an avid swimmer, lifeguard and horse lover – all helpful traits when serving as a Counselor /Activity Specialist. She is from Lebanon, Illinois and is a DuBois Center veteran, attending summer camp for nine years, including our CIT – Counselor in Training program in 2014. Last summer, Olivia returned to volunteer as a camp counselor.

A student at Illinois College, she is majoring in secondary English education, with a music and theatre minor. She is also on the swimming and diving teams there. Olivia loves gymnastics, reading, artistic endeavors and Mexican food. It’s not unusual to find her singing (perhaps even screaming) and dancing to Disney tunes in her dorm room.

An active member of St. John UCC in Mascoutah, Olivia credits Rachael Berth, Minister of Youth and Christian Education, with nurturing her on her faith journey. “[She] has inspired me since she walked into my life when I was a freshman in high school; we were in the church choir together. She has helped me strengthen my relationship with God as well as help me find who I truly am.”

Olivia can’t wait to spend the summer “praising God with all the kids and staff.” She applied for the position because she loved camp so much as a kid, and as she got older, she saw the impact that the DuBois staff had on the campers and she wanted “to be a part of this amazing group of people.”

CANCELED – Sunday Funday – April 30

Posted on April 28, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Update on 4/28/17: We are sad to announce that this Sunday Funday has been canceled due to forecasted inclement weather. We apologize for any inconvenience, and hope to see you soon! If you were interested in camp orientation, please contact the office at 618.787.2202.

If you missed our first Sunday Funday this year, we have a second one coming up on April 30, 2017. If you or your potential future camper have never been to DuBois Center, Sunday Fundays are a great introduction. Visit the horses and ride one in the arena, cruise the lake in a pontoon boat, play a round of Ga-ga ball, roast marshmallows and tour the facilities – all for FREE! There are even orientations for perspective summer campers and their parents. See below for a schedule of events.

A yummy, reasonably-priced meal will be available – but optional. Meal costs are listed below. We’re planning to serve pork steaks with “think summer” picnic trimmings and a salad bar. A vegetarian alternative will be available as well. You are also welcome to bring a picnic instead or pick up something on the way. Meal reservations are due by noon on Monday, April 24 – that’s one week away!

View our 2017 Sunday Funday flyer to share and post.

Schedule:

Meal: Noon – 2 p.m.

Activities: 12:30-3:00 p.m.

Summer Camp Orientation: 2:30-3:30 p.m.

(Optional) Meal Costs:

Adults (ages 13+): $11.00

Children (ages 5 – 12): $6.50

Ages 4 and under: Free

Camps for Older Children

Posted on April 24, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Do you know of a camper who will have completed grades three through six this summer? We have plenty of camps just for them!

Classic or specialty camp, 3 days or 5 days – there is a wide variety of sessions from which to choose for this age group. Whether a first-timer or experienced camper, new adventures await. The cozy cottages on the main camp side of the lake are “home” for many campers in this age group, but those attending the Horsin’ Around, Rustic Sampler, and Splash! sessions venture out and live in the Rustic Village. The week of July 23-26 there are shorter sessions for those who would like “a taste” of horse or rustic camping. Additional camps for those completing grades 5-6, with older youth, can be found in the camp brochure.

For more details, pick up a brochure in your church office, click her for the online version or contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. Ready to register? Go to www.DuBoisCenter.org or click here.

2017 Counselor in Training Program

Posted on April 23, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Counselor in Training (CIT) is a great opportunity for young people who are interested in developing their leadership skills, working with younger children, and having a great time at DuBois Center! The program functions much like a “lab school” with discussion, training, practice and evaluation sessions. Skills gained will help participants grow as positive Christian leaders, respond to challenging behavior, create a safe, fun environment, and teach basic camp skills. Scheduled for June 25-30, CIT is designed for youth who have completed grades 10-12. Previous camp experience is NOT required.

NOTE: A special application is required – in addition to the Camp Registration Form. The CIT application packet is available online or by contacting the DuBois Center office at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618.787.2202.

Summer Camp Staff – Catie

Posted on April 22, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Welcome Catie Goetter to our 2017 summer staff team! Catie will be serving as a Barn Assistant / Counselor. She grew up in Maryville, IL as an active member of St. John Evangelical UCC and is no stranger to DuBois Center. She attended summer camp for years. During the school year, weekend horse retreat and volunteering at the barn kept her busy. In 2015, she successfully completed our CIT (Counselor in Training) program, and in 2016 she volunteered for four weeks of summer camp.

When asked about a goofy camp memory Catie wrote, “My parents sent me to camp when I was 7 for a half week session thinking they would pick me up never wanting to go back. When they got to camp to pick me up, I was hiding in the bathroom of Lakeside because I didn’t want to leave.”

Catie attends Missouri State University where she is majoring in special education. She is actively involved in student ministry and marching band. Marching season is her favorite season! She also volunteers with a therapeutic riding program. Catie is very excited to be a member of our 2017 Summer Staff, she says she “can’t imagine [her] life without spending the summer at DuBois.” Catie’s favorite thing about summer camp is “getting to see the campers grow from the beginning of the week to the end whether it was just coming out of their shell or trying something new or something they were scared of, like canoeing or horseback riding!” She is also very excited to be on staff with old camp friends, to make new camp friends and work alongside her older brother, Ryan.

Quilt Raffle for DuBois Center

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

On this Saturday, April 22, St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah will host their 38th Annual Quilt Show. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 200+ quilts will be displayed, and activities including Bed Turning and Quilting Demonstrations will take place throughout the day. Items for sale will include baby quilts, queen size quilts and hand crafted items.

There will also be a raffle prize drawing for a youth quilt with a “Secret Life of Pets” theme (pictured). All proceeds will be donated to DuBois Center. Raffle tickets will be available at the quilt show for $1 each or six for $5. Admission to the show is $3.00 and lunch and baked goods will be available.

For more information, contact Kay Ostrom at 618-556-8776 or ostromdk@charter.net. The church’s address is 55 West Church Street, Mascoutah, IL 62258.

Work Day Update

Posted on April 18, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Youth and adults from across the Illinois South Conference have put their hands, hearts and backs into a variety of projects at DuBois Center this spring. Cords of wood have been split and stacked; the water is back on in many of the rustic areas of camp, and benches have been moved out of winter storage. The patio on Oak Lodge is now much cleaner and Phase 1 of the swim area renovation is complete. The aging docks in the swim area have been removed and dismantled and the area prepped for Phase 2. In addition, work has begun on the bathrooms in Woodside; they’re getting a facelift.

A special thanks to the workers from our Father-Son Retreat, Grantfork UCC, St. John UCC – Trenton, St. Paul – Columbia, St. Paul UCC – Nashville, Zoar UCC – New Hanover. Rev Bev Kahle stacked wood with the Nashville confirmands and Rev RJ Morgan coordinated both the dock and bathroom projects.

Don’t worry, we still have plenty of projects for those looking to come out for our next Service Saturday on Earth Day – that’s this Saturday, April 22. Please RSVP to the DuBois Center office if you plan on coming so we know how many to expect.

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