Welcome back Kristian Avise-Rouse! This will be Kristian’s third summer on staff, and he will be serving in two capacities – Worship Coordinator and Counselor/Activity Specialist. He will be working closely with our volunteer chaplains to ensure that we have good music, engaging spaces and lots of support for worship and other faith-focused times.
Kristian is from Columbia and a member of St. Paul UCC. He attends Illinois Wesleyan University, where he studies Music Education and participates in a variety of music related activities – from vocal jazz to opera. Kristian served as a delegate from the Illinois South Conference to the UCC General Synod. His selection is an honor and a significant responsibility. Kristian attended summer camp at DuBois Center while growing up. He attributes much of who he is as a person to his weeks as a camper and his first summers as a counselor. In addition to finding mentors at camp, another mentor at school has made a significant impact on this life. Kristian wrote, “Every day this semester I have been more and more inspired by my choral director… He overcame a great deal of adversity to pursue his passion. He struggles with anxiety every day and has been open about how this affects his life. He reminds us every day to feel lucky to be alive and able to make music. His humility and passion for inclusion have taught me many important lessons to help me when teaching in the future.”
Kristian’s favorite foods are sushi and Raising Cane’s chicken; his favorite smell is brownies baking! One of his favorite memories from camp was the first time he was able to climb the now retired iceberg. “Many kids had trouble climbing (it), myself included. I felt like the king of the world once I made it!” In closing, Kristian wrote, “I grew up looking forward to my time at DuBois Center every summer, and I still feel that way. It is always exciting to meet new people and grow in experience and faith!”
Whether in a cabin, at the barn, in the health center, during specialized activities, on the Sunday Welcome Team or all around snapping photos of camper fun – volunteers make a huge difference at DuBois Center! They work hand-in-hand with paid summer staff to provide and support our fun, engaging, faith-filled program.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities click here or contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.
Counselor in Training, or 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, which runs from June 24 through 29 this year, functions much like a “lab school” with discussion, training, practice and evaluation sessions. Skills gained will help participants grow as positive Christian leaders, manage problematic behavior, create a safe, fun environment, and teach basic camp skills. 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 contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org. For more information, check out this flyer.
Welcome Jack Lockhart from Motueka, New Zealand to our 2018 summer staff team! Jack will be serving as a Counselor/Activity Specialist and is looking forward to working with young people in another country, making friends from around the globe and gaining new skills.
Back home, he is passionate about serving his community and does so as a volunteer rural fire fighter and a member of the local community patrol. The most important things in Jack’s life are his “friends and family, moral values & respect for others.” Fitness, health and sports are also near the top of his list. He swims and plays soccer, basketball, rugby and cricket.
Jack’s experience with children is varied; he has served as a coach, referee, babysitter, mentor and leader. As a fire fighter, he spends time in and with the community. One of his favorite “kid memories” is actually from a fire prevention expo. At these events, kids climb through the fire trucks and use the giant hoses to put out controlled fires. One child with a disability was watching from the side. Jack helped him try on the gear, maneuver through the truck and even manage the powerful fire hose.
Being able to connect with and include this child was golden and comes as no surprise. One of Jack’s references wrote, “Jack just has a wonderful way he connects with others – be it adults or children.”
Jack’s favorite foods are typical barbecue foods – sausages, burgers, steak and fresh seafood. His favorite memories of times outdoors were from primary and high school camps at Abel Tasman National Park. (Check it out!) His long-term goal is to either go into law enforcement or police work, and a summer at camp is great experience for both.
Welcome Ryan Goetter to our 2018 leadership team! This will be Ryan’s fourth summer on staff. He will be serving as a village coordinator – supervising and supporting our counselors and campers, as well as coordinating activities and special events. Ryan grew up near Collinsville IL; he was an active member of St. John Evangelical UCC and an avid member of his high school band. He attended summer camp at DuBois Center for many years, including our CIT (Counselors in Training) program.
Ryan currently attends Missouri State University where he studies Instrumental Music Education. He has especially enjoyed his recent practicum experiences. During the school year he works at the Taylor Health and Wellness Center. His focus is student wellness programming, including coordinating a variety of special events. Ryan is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi – an honorary band service fraternity and a founding member of Lambda Chi Alpha. He has served his fraternity as the Director for Drug and Alcohol Awareness for the MSU chapter of FSLSA (Fraternity and Sorority Leaders of Social Awareness). Ryan has a great mentor in his father who is always involved in whatever Ryan and his sister Catie are doing.
Ryan loves the smell of fast food and the taste of hot wings. All his favorite childhood memories are from his adventures at camp. When asked why he has such a passion for working at DuBois Center, Ryan wrote, “I grew up at camp! It’s such an amazing and magical place and I wanted an opportunity to give the kids a great experience like I had!” The wonderful, often off-beat, interactions with campers and the enduring friendships with fellow staff members (his camp family) – he loves it all! One more important thing you should know about Ryan – he absolutely loves Pentatonix Christmas music and chances are he’ll be heard humming those tunes throughout the summer.
Do you have your 2018 summer camp registration in yet?
All you need to be singing a happy “Early Bird” tune is a completed 2018 Summer Camp Registration Form and $50 non-refundable deposit. Save $20 on full-week sessions and $10 on part-week sessions.
Register and pay online, or postmark your registration form and deposit by April 5. If your church pays part of the camp fee, we will send them an invoice later in the summer.
To receive a summer camp brochure – check in your church office, view it online, download it along with this registration form, or contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.
Welcome Laura Renken to our 2018 summer staff team! This will be Laura’s second summer on staff; she will again be serving as a Counselor/Activity Specialist and utilizing her skills as a seasoned lifeguard.
Laura hails from Hamel, Illinois and is an active member of Salem UCC in Alhambra. She is a student at Eastern Illinois University where she is studying elementary education. At school, she is active in a Bible study group that has helped her to grow in her ability to share and discuss her faith with others. They have also, “helped me a lot with being proud of my faith and not feeling like I needed to hide my faith in order to fit in. I can be proud of who I am and who God has made me to be.”
When asked about future plans, five years from now, Laura hopes to be teaching second or third grade. Not a surprise! Working with children has long been a priority for her. Before serving on our summer staff, Laura was a regular VBS volunteer. She also completed our Counselors in Training (CIT) Program and served as a camp volunteer.
Laura is returning this summer because, “Working with the campers was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.” Her favorite place at camp is Meditation Point. She loves seeing all the stars and the lake at night in a “very humbling place” where she feels “immersed in God’s presence.” In addition to starry nights, Laura loves swimming in the summer and biking whenever it’s warm outside. She likes to doodle, knit, crochet, sing and practice her ukulele and guitar. Her favorite foods are oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, watermelon and grapes – all staples at summer camp.
We’re having a Block Party in the Rustic Village and your middle and high school youth groups are invited! Join DuBois Center staff and volunteers for an afternoon of fun, food, games, contests and music. One of the best parts – IT’S FREE. We’ll roast hot dogs and make s’mores, meet some of the horses, and explore the Rustic Village. Whether you are a DuBois Center camper or not, you’re invited! Load up right after church, grab some lunch and head to camp.We’ll be on the move from 1-4:30 pm, but arrive when you can.
Youth must be accompanied by adult chaperones or parents. RSVP by Monday, April 30 – we need to stock the coolers and send permission forms. For more information or to RSVP, check out this flier or contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.
