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.

Register for Horse Camp

Posted on April 20, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Git along… or you might miss out! Horse Camps are filling quickly, but there are still great options available. Horse campers still enjoy popular camp activities like 9-Sqaure and archery, but they also spend significantly more time around the barn and out on the trails!

Some mornings, it’s up and at ‘em long before chow time – the horses need to be fed and groomed before breakfast. Some evenings, it’s untacking, feeding and barn chores before evening games. As long as the weather allows, horse campers have the option to ride each day! Depending on the skill level and interests of the group, horse times may include cantering, riding bareback, playing games on horseback in the arena or educational “horse sense” sessions.

For more information, check out the 2017 camp brochure or contact DuBois Center at dcinf@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202 to have one sent to you. Ready to register? You can register online today!

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.

Summer Camp Staff – Grace

Posted on April 15, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

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…”

Mission Experience – Buddy to Buddy

Posted on April 9, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

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!

Help Us Spread the Word

Posted on April 7, 2017 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

We hear repeatedly that DuBois Center is one of the best kept secrets in southern Illinois. But being at the top of this particular list is not necessarily a good thing! Please help us spread the word about DuBois Center as a summer camp, an inviting setting for retreats, conferences and horseback rides and a place for families to gather and students to learn.

Even though the majority of our summer campers and many of our weekend guests come from Illinois South Conference congregations, DuBois Center serves a much wider community. In support of our mission – and our bottom line – we need to serve a wider community. DuBois Center welcomes individuals and groups from a variety of faith traditions, non-profit entities, public and private schools and other educational organizations.

Is there a family or group in your church or community that might benefit from all that DuBois has to offer? Please help us spread the word! For more information, click here for a facility brochure and contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

Camps Perfect for Younger Children

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

Children who have completed grades 1–3 are often looking for ways to gain independence and 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 six part-week sessions designed with this in mind.

New adventures under the watchful eyes of caring, safety conscious leaders and smaller group sizes are ideal for this age group. 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. These sessions vary a bit in length and/or content:

Camp Quest – June 14, 16 & June 28 – 30: Offers a taste of camp life from Wednesday afternoon to Friday afternoon.

Discovery Camp – June 25 – 27 & July 16 – 18: Slightly longer than Camp Quest, campers arrive Sunday afternoon and leave Tuesday evening after dinner.

Boy Meets Camp – July 19 – 21: Just for the boys and packed with camp adventures!

Girl Power – July 23 – 26: Laugh, dance, play and explore – all in the spirit of sisterhood!

Check out page 6 of the camp brochure for more details. And, remember, the early bird deadline is tomorrow (April 5)! Register online or drop a form in the mail to save $20 on these part-week sessions.

summer camp