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Posters, slides and more! Summer Camp Resources for our churches are in the mail and online

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Summer Camp is back at DuBois Center, but we need your help to get the word out. We’re making resources available to you through the mail and online. Your church will be receiving promotional materials from us this week. Watch the mail for a package with posters, bulletin inserts, camp schedules, postcards, and fliers that can be posted, copied and shared. You’ll also find a letter from Hayley Elliott, our new Acting Camp Director, Top 10 Things Churches Need to Know about Summer Camp 2021, and suggestions for ways you can help us promote camp this year.

The Resources for Churches page on our website has electronic versions of the promotional materials that you can download and print. It also has slides you can download to include in your pre-service announcements. The slide sets are available in two different size, 16:9 or 4:3. You can download them from this Resource for Churches page by clicking on the appropriate link toward the bottom of the page. Choose whichever works best for your system.

Other Printable Resources:

  • Greetings and COVID-19 considerations
  • Top 10 Things Churches Need to Know about Summer Camp 2021
  • Promote Your Camp – a few helpful suggestions
  • Bulletin Inserts
  • Camp Schedule two ways – full page
  • Camp Schedule – half page
  • Leadership Experiences And Development flier

Slides:

Plan your Summer Camp Adventures now!

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The wait is over. Start planning your DuBois summer camp adventures now. Just starting out? An introductory camp like Camp Quest or Discovery Camp is a great first summer camp experience. Ready for a full week of fun? Horsin’ Around or X-Plore might be right up your alley. Want to experience camp along with your kids? Just You and Me or Family Camp might be the perfect get-away this summer. Get all the details on our Summer Camp schedule.

Registration: If you were registered for Summer Camp last year, we will reach out to you by email next week with instructions on how to re-register for camp this year. Online registration will open for everyone on April 26th.

Early-bird Discounts: Register early to Save $30 on full-week sessions and Save $15 on part-week sessions. Registration and deposit must be submitted online by Monday, May 10th.

If you are unable to join us in person this summer, DuBois Delivered! will come to you.

Welcome Back!

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The Executive Committee has voted to officially reopen the DuBois Center grounds on April 19, 2021. Visitors, work groups and individual volunteers can call to get on the calendar after this date. Safety measures will still be in place, including masks and social distancing.

We’ve come this far through the pandemic, and we’re rounding the last turn toward the finish line. Stay tuned for more summer plans at DuBois Center.

Pontoon boatSunset

Join us for Open Houses! We’d love to see you!

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We have scheduled our first open house for April 25th from 1-6pm!  This would be a great way to visit camp for a while and see what we are doing to prepare for the summer! We will have volunteers on hand to show you around and to explain our evolving procedures for our summer programs.  Feel free to bring a picnic along as we will have designated areas to lounge and relax with your family!

We are asking for reservations, so please let us know if you will be there! Email to DCInfo@duboiscenter.org to get on the list! If we fill up, we have a back-up day scheduled in May.

We’re Looking for a Few Good Horses

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As we prepare for Summer Camp, we want to add two or three horses to our herd. We’re hoping someone out there knows of a horse or two that might be a good fit for camp that could be donated or purchased at a reasonable cost.

Here’s what we are looking for:

  • Reliable kid-safe trail horses – walk, trot and canter with good brakes.
  • Not too young and not too old – our preference is for horses between 5 and 15 years old.
  • Large and sturdy – at least 15 hands tall and well built. They will often be carrying children, but they also need to be able to carry large adults.
  • Healthy, easy keepers – our herd spends much of their time living naturally in our pastures and woods. No horses with special dietary or health needs.
  • Good temperament – they will be working with kids much of the time and need to be patient and easy-going.
  • No bad habits – no bucking, rearing or cribbing

If you know a horse that is available and might be a good camp horse, contact Scott Kuether at sekuether21@gmail.com.

Winter Greetings from DuBois Center!

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While the temperatures are cold and Cabin Fever is starting to set in, you can rest assured that we are feverishly planning our summer possibilities with full expectations to be able to serve you this summer!

What does this mean?

We are currently making preliminary provisions to offer in-person summer camps complete with many, if not all, of your favorite activities! After having to take last summer off, we know that many of you are more than eager to get back to your camp!

After all, this is your camp. Since 1965, we have been here for you. Each and every one of us has memories deeply embedded in the fabric that ties DuBois Center together. Even when we weren’t able to be in person last year, we were still here for you.

For 2021, we have up to four, yes four, potential options that offer DuBois Center in different lights — all contingent on the needs of the people, state of the current health situations, and governing authorities.

Plan A

First and foremost, our Plan A includes in-person summer camp options! If all goes to plan, we could begin welcoming summer campers the week of June 6. Exciting, right? Of course, we will have additional plans and protocols in place for enhanced safety measures. While our mission is to see all of our campers again, we need to be sure we can do that safely and effectively.

While we do have Plans B, C, and D on paper, we wanted to share with you now that Plan A is what we are aiming for and Plan A is in person!

Final details will be a bit delayed as we are having to adjust with the ever-changing climate, but please continue to look for emailed updates like this. Our website is also being revamped as we speak to ensure it has the most helpful and up-to-date information as possible. If we ever have to ‘toggle’ our focus from Plan A to anything else, our website will have the details you need.

Check In With Us!

If you are anxiously waiting for a mailed brochure, or at least something brochure-like, you are in luck! While we will be mailing summer promotions and schedules a bit later than normal, you should still receive mailed postcards from us in early spring! These postcards will highlight what we hope to offer and to provide you with something to stick on your fridge to remember us by!

Please follow us online, at www.DuBoisCenter.org for the most current information we have. Also, our Facebook and Instagram feeds are continually going as well. If you need to contact us, our phone number is the same at 618-787-2202, you may also email to DCinfo@DuBoisCenter.org.

 

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Testimonials

Summer Camps Testimonials Page

Kara G. – Camper/Staff/Volunteer

Ever since I was a child, DuBois Center has felt like a second home to me. I started coming to Fall Festival when I was maybe one or two years old and, once I learned about camp, I couldn’t wait to become a camper! My dad and I started You & Me Camp the first year I was able to go, and I continued to be a DuBois Center Camper every single summer for many years until an injury in early high school sadly kept me from attending camp. I also attended multiple retreats throughout the school year and basically found every excuse I could to make it out to camp, even if it was just for the day.

I came back after high school as a staff member and I loved sharing my love of camp and my love for God with a new generation of campers. Now, I make an effort to volunteer multiple Sundays each summer for registration (come find me – I’m the loud red head!) and am trying to find time in my grown up work schedule to come back as a volunteer counselor.

I have never felt closer to God than when I stand on the dock of Lake DuBois in the early morning when all is still quiet, or when I take a seat in one of our outdoor chapels to worship with friends, or when I’m simply exploring the trails, enjoying God’s Creation. DuBois Center helped shape the person I am today, and I could not be more happy that I still get to call it my ‘second home.’

Lena B. – Parent/Just You & Me Camper

I was so impressed with how friendly everyone was at camp. From the MOMENT we drove in, staff members were greeting us with genuine smiles and waves. No matter where we were, people would wave, and I know this makes the kiddos feel like camp is a happy and safe place. As the parent of a first time camper, it brought me comfort. The counselors started learning names right away and were always engaging the children in conversation. We had the most interaction with Cheeto, Sparkle, and Bullseye, and I am 100% confident in their abilities. They made my child feel safe and welcome.

Camper Pick-Up

Pick-up details:

Half-Week Sessions:

  • Just You & Me departs at 2:00 pm on Tuesday
  • Discovery pick-up time is 7:00 pm on Tuesday.
  • Boy Meets Camp, Camp Quest, and Girl Power pick-up time is 2:00 pm on Friday.

Full Week Sessions: Pick-up at 2:00 p.m. on Friday.

Please do not arrive early as your child WILL NOT be ready to leave. 

 

The last activity of each session is a closing circle. This is a meaningful time for many campers, so we try to keep interruptions to a minimum.

When you arrive, a greeter will provide further instructions.

A Pick-Up Authorization Form is required for all youth campers, even those being picked up by a parent.

List ALL individuals who might pick up your camper – include yourself. Then bring the completed form to camp on check-in day. Campers will only be released to a person who is authorized on the form.

The pick-up person will need to present a photo ID, such as a driver’s license, to the camper’s counselor. We cannot release a camper to an adult without authorization on the pick-up form AND a photo ID.

If plans change, and someone not listed on this form must pick up the camper, call the Camp Office at 618.787.2202 and send signed WRITTEN PERMISSION with the person picking up the child.

Lost & Found

Items found after campers depart will be held until the winter and will then be donated to a local charitable organization. Please mark your camper’s items clearly- we make efforts to contact campers about items with their names written on them. If you are missing an item, check with DuBois Center by calling 618.787.2202 or by email at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org.

After Camp

Your camper will likely be tired after their adventures at camp and may need additional rest after their stay. Try to ensure a lighter schedule for the next day or two after they return home. Some campers will talk your ear off with wild stories the whole way home – some will snooze and snore the second their seat belt is buckled.

Dam road

Packing for Camp

PackingWhat to Bring

We recommend bringing older, less expensive clothing and gear. It’s best to LABEL EVERYTHING since found items that are identifiable are easier to return.

To avoid cuts and other injuries to feet and ankles, campers wear sturdy shoes with closed toes at all times, except at the beach or in the cabin and shower areas. Sturdy shoes also make walking and hiking safer and more enjoyable.

Bring extras in case of rain, spills, sweat, or mud – nothing causes blisters faster than damp dirty socks or wet shoes. Especially during very hot or rainy weather, being able to change into fresh socks and clothes at midday does wonders for morale.

Plan a system to keep things tidy! A large duffel bag is great for easy transport but makes it hard to keep dirty, clean, and half-clean clothes together. Consider a dedicated bag for bathhouse supplies. Think about how your camper can best utilize an upper or lower bunk. We offer a daily award for the cleanest cabin, and we’ve seen some truly innovative techniques for tidy cohabitation! We also encourage our campers to keep a tidy cabin to minimize cozy homes for the bugs and critters that live here at DuBois Center.

Detailed packing lists are available by session here:

 

What NOT to Bring

Prohibited items brought to camp will be collected and returned at the end of the camper’s stay.

No open-toed shoes outside of cabins, waterfront, and showers. Flip flops and slide sandals may be worn as shower/beach shoes only.

Do not bring valuable, breakable, or dangerous items. This includes guns, knives, weapons of any kind, matches, lighters, fireworks, illegal substances, smoking and vaping products, or any items containing alcohol, cannabis, or tobacco.

Do not bring candy, soda, gum, or food. The bugs love it all, and snacks in the cabins encourage critters to nest in suitcases.

Aerosols are not allowed at camp. These can explode and leak in hot weather and are a serious danger around candles and campfires. Please send pump-bottle bug sprays and sunscreens instead.

NO CELL PHONES.

NO CAMERAS. We have designated photographers here at camp to take pictures, including an official photo per family group. Because we open our camp to minors in difficult situations, we cannot permit unofficial photography.

NO SPENDING MONEY. There are no additional fees for activities or snacks, so spending money is not needed. The camp store is only open during check-in.

Thank you for helping us keep camp safe for everyone!