Behind the camera

Posted on June 22, 2019 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

DuBois Center has hundreds of avid Facebook followers – especially during the summer. Family members love seeing photos of their child riding a horse, playing on the water mat or hanging out with new friends! This special treat is made possible primarily by one volunteer – Scott Kuether. Over 90% of the photos on our Facebook page were taken by “Flash” – his camp name. Scott works full-time in Glen Carbon, but still makes time for DuBois Center twice a week during the summer camp season. He helps with check-in on most Sundays and then heads off with his camera to capture first day shenanigans. Mid-week he sets up shop in our office and works remotely while taking “breaks” throughout the day to snap photos of campers.

Scott is also the chair of our equestrian committee and a regular ride volunteer. He serves on our marketing committee and the ISC finance ministry team. Scott’s active involvement with DuBois Center began about 12 years ago. He wanted to spend more time with Sandy, his wife and our equestrian director, and his two daughters who love to ride and spent many of their weekends at camp. Little did he know…

THANKS SCOTT for everything you do!

WELCOME TEAM — Join Us! This Sunday, June 9

Posted on June 5, 2019 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

It’s time! Our summer camp season kicks off this Sunday and over 70 eager, excited and perhaps nervous campers and their families will make the trek to DuBois Center. In addition to our summer staff, 12-15 volunteers are needed to ensure the process runs smoothly! Volunteers assist with greetings, parking, the camp store, registration, health screenings, dock duty and people-moving. They arrive by 1:15 pm and are done by 4 pm.

Please consider joining our Sunday Welcome Team on Opening Day. You are invited to wear a church or camp t-shirt and show your spirit. Even consider bringing a team from your church! RSVP by Wednesday to 618-787-2202 or dcinfo@duboiscenter.org. If this date doesn’t work for you, consider June 16, July 7 or July 14.

Eagle Project

Posted on June 5, 2019 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

At DuBois Center during May, guest groups are in and out nearly every week and weekend, and work crews tackle final projects before our busy summer season. On Memorial Day weekend, scouts from Troop 9, Ship 9 and Crew 9 took on a number of projects at the waterfront. They worked on erosion issues, cleared the trail between the swim beach and boating dock, and constructed a “landing” for benches and shoes. Campers now have a great place to stow their shoes before jumping in and heading for the water mat or loading into canoes.

The estimated cost of the project was $841. Christ UCC, Belleville – home base for these scout groups – donated $180; pavers, blocks, food for the hungry workers and tools were also donated. The project was designed and the work coordinated by James Taylor as his Eagle Project. He enlisted the assistance of the St. Louis Job Corps cement pre-apprentice program, which provided the custom pavers. Making the pavers provided practice in forms, mixing concrete and finishing work for Jobs Corps members. A total of 26 people, including a number of troop members, assisted with the project. Together they logged 259 hours of service. THANKS to James, his crew and supporters! Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

Know someone who might be interested in an Eagle Project at DuBois Center? The best time to contact us and begin the process is from Aug 15 – Sept 15.

Summer Camp Volunteers Needed

Posted on June 3, 2019 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

Consider a week (or even a few days) at DuBois Center and join our Summer Camp 2019 team! Wanted: fun, engaging and caring volunteers to serve as nurses, 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!

For more information, go to the volunteer page of our web site or contact Shirley at shirley.director@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

Welcome Team – Join Us June 9

Posted on June 2, 2019 by Dubois Center — 1 Comment ↓

Our summer season kicks off on Sunday, June 9 and we will be welcoming over 70 eager, excited and perhaps nervous campers and their families. In addition to our summer staff, 12-15 volunteers are needed to ensure the process runs smoothly!

Please consider joining our Sunday Welcome Team on Opening Day. Volunteers assist with greeting, parking, the camp store, registration, health screenings, dock duty and people-moving. They arrive by 1:15 pm and are done by 4 pm. Consider bringing a team from your church! All are invited to wear a church or camp t-shirt and show your spirit.

It is requested that you RSVP as far in advance as possible. Contact DuBois Center at 618-787-2202 or dcinfo@duboiscenter.org. FIRM commitments are greatly appreciated as we keep recruiting until the spots are filled. If this date doesn’t work for you, additional Sunday opportunities are available.

Mission Week 2019

Posted on May 26, 2019 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

Since 2014, members of Dupo Christ UCC have made two annual pilgrimages to DuBois Center. In the fall, they help set up and break down before and after Fall Festival. In the spring, they take on a variety of work projects. This crew is a testament to what can be accomplished by a small team of dedicated folks. It’s hard to imagine getting ready for summer camp without them! A HUGE THANKS to members of Christ UCC in Dupo: Bob, Clifford, Larry, Marvin, and Pastor Todd and Pete from St. Paul UCC in Belleville. Watch for additional photos on the DuBois Center Facebook page.

Here’s an overview of their 2019 projects:

● Rustic cabin screens and doors checked and repaired

● Upgrades to the Beach House completed

● Stage area of the chapel in main camp extended

● Decrepit dock at Deer Run removed

● Brighter & more efficient lighting installed in Rustic Shower House

● Safety enhancements and other projects throughout camp

● Benches built

We Still Need Volunteers!

Posted on May 20, 2019 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

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. Volunteers work hand-in-hand with paid summer staff to provide our fun, engaging and faith-filled program.

Summer 2019 opportunities include:

● Cabin Counselor

● Chaplain

● Nurse

● Barn Helper

● Sunday Welcome Team

● Activity Specialist

● Photographer

Contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202 with questions. More information and volunteer applications can be found here. We hope to see you at DuBois this summer!

Welcome Work Campers!

Posted on May 15, 2019 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

A team from Christ UCC in Dupo, with a neighbor from St. Paul in Belleville, rolled into camp yesterday morning and got straight to work. Here for most of the week, they have a full slate of projects including safety enhancements in the cottages, screen and door repairs in the rustic cabins, new brighter lights for the rustic shower house and elsewhere, an extended deck for the chapel in main camp, as well as a number of other smaller, less glamorous projects.

Pictured are Larry Godare (above) and Marvin Doerr (right) building openings to make the Ga-ga pit more accessible.

THANKS to this crew and all volunteers that make a difference throughout the year! Watch for updates on Facebook.

CAMP NURSES – Servants with Sunscreen

Posted on May 11, 2019 by DuBois Office — No Comments ↓

Band-Aids – YES, but so much more! One setting for ministry at DuBois Center is our health center. Volunteer nurses 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. For more information, contact Shirley at DuBois Center at shirley.director@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.

Volunteer at Camp

Posted on May 5, 2019 by Dubois Center — No Comments ↓

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.

volunteer