Thank You, Welcome Team!

We had an amazing Sunday Welcome Team turn-out on June 9! Eighteen volunteers greeted and welcomed campers and parents on the first summer camp check-in day of the season.
A special THANKS to Sandy Dehner, Aaron, Susan and Harmon Fuchs, Audrey Hicks, Leah Juenger, Sandy and Scott Kuether, Cara Magee Johnston, Jason Petry, Carol and David Shanks, Nancy Wagner, and Sandy Westbrook. This crew packed a whole lot of welcome into just three hours after church. They were also joined by volunteers Donna Asbridge, Nicole Avise-Rouse, Rev. Todd Mushaney and Alana Scherle – our nurse and chaplains for the week.
The Team assisted with the camp store, paperwork review, health screenings, pontoon boat and dock duty, and people-moving. Working hand-in-hand with summer staff they did a great job of helping the check-in process run smoothly. Many of these volunteers hail from Illinois South Conference churches – others are “friends” of DuBois Center. UCC churches represented include Cahokia Bethel UCC, Dupo Christ UCC, Freeburg St. Paul’s UCC, Lebanon St. Paul UCC, and Waterloo St. Paul UCC.
THANKS for your service. We couldn’t do it without you!
Want to join our Sunday Welcome Team on an upcoming summer Sunday? Volunteers are needed June 16 and 23, and July 7, 14 and 21! Contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@duboiscenter.org or 618-787-2202 to volunteer.

Volunteer at Camp

Wanted: fun, engaging and caring volunteers to serve as nurses, cabin counselors, activity specialists and barn helpers. Consider a week (or even a few days) at DuBois Center and join our Summer Camp 2019 team! Minimum age is 18 for most positions; young adults and older adults are welcome. Give of your time and talent, make a difference and gain a wonderful sense of satisfaction… and even perhaps a bit of joy! For more information, go to the volunteer page of our web site or contact Shirley at 618-787-2202 or shirley.director@DuBoisCenter.org.

Lenten Work Days – Recap

      
It is truly amazing what can be accomplished by enthusiastic and willing workers in short periods of time! A HUGE THANKS to volunteers from Carbondale Church of the Good Shepherd UCC, Grantfork UCC, Trenton St. John UCC, Nashville St. Paul UCC, New Baden Zion UCC, Hookdale St. Peter UCC, and other friends of DuBois Center for joining us for our Lenten Work Days this spring.
Rotted sections of wood were removed from the Nature’s Classroom buildings. In their place, a new deck was built and fascia installed. New gutters are awaiting their rain barrels. Leaves and dead branches throughout camp have been removed, as well as a fallen tree that was blocking a horse trail. Benches and equipment were moved out of storage and set in place. Work continued on the fences around camp and at the lumber shed. Deer Run Lodge was opened and tidied. And last, but definitely not least, support work on the bridge between Oak and Hickory Lodges was completed.
This work makes a significant difference! We are thankful for the new and old friends and their gifts of time and talent!

Lenten Work Day – April 13

Stretch your muscles, get a little dirty and make a difference on Saturday, April 13! Help spruce up the grounds for our busy spring and summer seasons. It’s a great Lenten discipline for you and a wonderful way to get involved and help at DuBois Center. Projects vary depending on the weather and the skills of the workers – carpentry, cleaning, painting, raking and more. A hearty lunch is provided. Check out and share this flyer.

RSVP by Monday, April 8 to 618-787-2202 or email. If this date doesn’t work for you, there will be a Green DuBois Stewardship Day on Saturday, April 27 – or call to set up a different day for your family, church or friend group!

Camp Nurses – Servants with Sunscreen

Band-Aids – YES, but so much more!
One setting for ministry at DuBois Center is our health center. Volunteer nurses, most of whom are RNs, are a vital piece of our summer camp program. Serving as a camp nurse can be a very rewarding mission experience, one that is similar yet very different than most traditional nursing positions.
As expected, responsibilities include reviewing camper medical forms, conducting health screenings, receiving & administering medications, providing first aid & basic medical treatment, and documentation. But when you really get down to it, camp nurses spend most of their time removing ticks, soothing rashes, distributing medications and providing extra TLC for homesick and nervous campers.
If you are an RN, please consider serving with us for a full or partial week. The living quarters have AC and there is often time to join us for worship, explore the woods or just sit back and read a book. Contact Shirley at DuBois Center at 618-787-2202 or email if you are interested.

Lenten Work Day – March 23

Looking for a meaningful Lenten discipline? How about pitching in with family and friends, and making a difference at DuBois Center? Stretch your muscles, get a little dirty and help spruce up the grounds. Projects vary depending on the weather and the skills of the workers – carpentry, cleaning, painting and raking are on the list. A hearty lunch is provided.

Check out this flyer for more information. RSVP to DuBois Center by Monday, March 18, at 618-787-2202 or dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org. If the March date doesn’t work for you, there will be another Service Saturday on April 13 – or call to set up a different day for your church group!

Upcoming Events at DuBois Center

There are so many fantastic events coming up soon at DuBois Center! Check out the list below and click on the links for more details. For information about these and other events, or how you can plan your own, contact us at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.
Thursday, March 14: Green DuBois Meeting – Highland
Saturday, March 23: Wrangle & Ride Horse Day – DuBois Center
Saturday, March 23: Service Saturday – DuBois Center
Friday, March 29 – Sunday, March 31: Father-Son Retreat – DuBois Center
Wednesday, April 10: Nature’s Classroom Spring Season Begins
Saturday, April 13: Wrangle & Ride Horse Day – DuBois Center
Saturday, April 13: Service Saturday – DuBois Center
Saturday, April 27: Green DuBois Stewardship Day – DuBois Center
Sunday, April 28: DuBois Center Thank You Party – DuBois Center
Sunday, May 5: Rustic Block Party for Middle Schoolers – DuBois Center
Monday, May 13 – Thursday, May 16: Christ UCC Dupo Work Days – DuBois Center
Monday, May 20 – Wednesday, May 22: Southern Illinois Art Workshop – DuBois Center
Wednesday, May 29: Summer Camp Staff Training Begins
Sunday, June 9: First Day of Summer Camp 2019!

Volunteer for a Week at Camp

Is your vacation request due? Consider a week (or even a few days) at DuBois Center and join our Summer Camp 2019 team! We are looking for fun, engaging and caring volunteers to serve as nurses, chaplains, cabin counselors, activity specialists and barn helpers. Minimum age is 18 for most positions – young adults and older adults are welcome. Give of your time and talent, make a difference, and gain a wonderful sense of satisfaction… and even perhaps a bit of joy! For more information, check out the volunteer page of our website or contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

Volunteers are the Heart of DuBois Center

Volunteers are the heart of strong and healthy outdoor ministry programs. At DuBois Center, volunteers serve throughout the year on committees and teams, at the barn, in the office, on work projects, as retreat leaders and fund raisers.

During the summer, there are a variety of ways to be involved and make a difference in the lives of the young people we serve. Join us for a few hours on a Sunday afternoon, a couple days during the week or a full session of camp – no matter what time you can give, know that it is a big help! Volunteers work hand in hand with paid summer staff to provide our fun, engaging and faith-filled program.

For more information contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. Volunteer applications are available online and a list of summer volunteer opportunities can be found below.

Summer opportunities include:

– Cabin Counselor

– Chaplain

– Nurse

– Barn Helper

– Sunday Welcome Team

– Activity Specialist

– Photographer

Participate in Green DuBois Next Saturday

Join the team and make a difference this Saturday, February 16, when we will remove invasive species, such as Japanese honeysuckle. Invasives are insidious – “choking out” native plants and affecting tree reproduction essential for healthy forests, so we need to remove them to ensure the health of our grounds and native species!
This is a great opportunity to move those muscles and meet and work with others who care about the environment. We’ll work to rescue wildlife habitat, support native plant populations and help ensure the future of DuBois Center’s wonderful woodlands.
No special skills are needed. Dress for the weather – layers recommended – and bring lopping shears if you have them. The minimum age to participate is 16, unless accompanied by a parent. Lunch will be provided. For more information, or to sign up, contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202. Please RSVP by MONDAY, FEB 11.