When is a dock more than a dock?

Over the last 12 months, all three docks on the “big lake” at DuBois Center have been replaced – the Oak Lodge dock, the boating dock and finally the swimming dock.

When is a dock more than a dock? When it’s a free choice activity during high school camp! Last week over a dozen teens – and Rev. John Holst, their chaplain for the week – chose dock construction over a myriad of other activities. With a lot of planning and many willing hands, the team completed the project in record time.

high school dock 2

The high school campers wanted to give back and they definitely did. This week campers of all ages are enjoying the fruits of those labors. A special thanks to two volunteers – Slick (Marcus Vaughan) and Bullseye (Daniel Schmidt) for their above and beyond commitment to the dock’s completion.

high school dock 1

Mission Week – May 2018

It was a whirlwind of activity as volunteers from St. Paul UCC in Belleville, Christ UCC in Dupo and other friends of DuBois Center descended the third week of May. Braving unseasonably warm weather, they tackled a variety of projects around camp – at the boat dock, office, beach house, rustic cabins and beyond. Their efforts have already had a significant impact on the quality of the camping experiences we provide.

We have a new boat dock! A small crew deciphered cryptic instructions, assembled the modular pieces and secured them in place – often finding creative approaches to challenges.

Work Week 3

The south side of the office was overhauled. The siding was removed and replaced, and the garage wall was re-framed and the foundation upgraded. When this team opened the section of the wall by the ventilation fan, they discovered FIVE FEET of dried grass, branches and feathers. The massive nesting area was removed and efforts were made to critter-proof the opening.

The beach house also underwent a major overhaul. The walls were painted inside and out, and the pipe-and-shower-curtain changing partitions were replaced with full-length wooden dividers and doors.

Work Week 2

In all ten cabins in the Rustic Village, the electrical wiring was inspected and upgraded, and the ceiling fans and lights replaced with more efficient, more effective, lower profile fixtures.

In the craft area, railings were super-sanded and painted, and supplies were sorted and organized.

MANY THANKS to the volunteers who dedicated their week to making these incredible improvements at DuBois Center!

Mission Week 2018

St. Paul UCC in Belleville has a long history of reaching out locally and around the country through mission trips. Since 2010, DuBois Center has been blessed to be their mission site on even-numbered years; on odd-numbered years they travel further afield. In 2014 they were joined by members of Christ UCC in Dupo, and the collaboration continues today. This year they have been joined by other friends of DuBois Center.

The priority projects for this week include: constructing and installing a new boat dock, upgrading the electric in the Rustic Village cabins, removing and replacing the siding on one side of the office, building changing stalls in the Beach House, and lots and lots of painting. Work began bright and early this morning and will continue through Friday! Please pray for the work team’s safety and hydration this week!

Watch our Facebook album for updates throughout the week.

Celebrate Earth Day at DuBois Center

April 22 is Earth Day! What better way to celebrate than with a Service Saturday at DuBois Center? Get outside with family and friends and help prepare this sacred space to welcome hundreds of campers and guests this spring and summer. Paint, prune, build, rake, clean, stack; there will be projects for volunteers of varied ages and abilities. If you or your group has a special skill, let us know ahead of time and we can plan a project for you!

Earth Day 2

We’ll gather between 8:30 am and 8:45 am, and finish up around 4 p.m. Lunch is provided. Because we try to plan projects based on the specialized skills our volunteers bring, please RSVP by Monday, April 17. To register, please use this form, call 618-787-2202, or email us at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org. Supplies for general projects will be provided, but if you have specialized or professional tools/ equipment, please bring them along! See the Service Saturday flyer for more information.

Remember – if this date doesn’t work for you or your group, call the office to schedule your own work day (or even a work week or part-week!). Work days can also be scheduled as part of a larger retreat.