April 27, 2023
Update for Summer Camp
Similar to last year, Gilmont’s response to Covid-19 in our Summer Camp programs will shift depending on the Covid-19 community level, as defined by the Center for Disease Control and measured in the county where Gilmont is located: Upshur County. The current community level can be found at any time at cdc.gov.
Note that we will NOT be requiring campers and volunteers to undergo Covid-19 testing prior to arrival at camp.
May 10, 2022
Update for Summer Camp
Camp Gilmont’s response to Covid-19 in our Summer Camp programs will shift depending on the Covid-19 community level, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and measured in the county where Gilmont is located: Upshur County. The current community level can be found at any time at cdc.gov.
All overnight campers and volunteers will be required to provide documentation of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours before drop-off (at-home testing accepted) regardless of vaccination status.
March 21, 2022
Camp Gilmont recognizes that Covid-19 is still a very real threat to individuals and communities. We remain open and continue to host retreats and rental groups. At this time, masks are not required inside our buildings. We ask that guests monitor their health and cancel reservations if they feel they are ill or have been exposed to Covid-19 (or any other communicable illness).
January 12, 2022
Update for Winter Retreat Season
Camp Gilmont recognizes that Covid-19 is still a very real threat to individuals and communities. We remain open and continue to host retreats and rental groups. We ask that guests monitor their health and cancel reservations if they feel they are ill or have been exposed to Covid-19 (or any other communicable illness). Gilmont will continue to ask guests to wear masks and practice social distancing while in indoor spaces. We had a successful Fall Retreat Season using these methods, as well as being intentional with hand washing, cleaning, and sanitizing. We appreciate the cooperation of all participants and the understanding that we want camp to be a safe place for all to come to grow closer to God, creation, others, and themselves.
August 19, 2021
Update for Fall Retreat Season
For the Fall Retreat Season, Gilmont will continue to ask guests to wear masks and practice social distancing while in indoor spaces. We had a successful Summer Camp Season using these methods, as well as being intentional with hand washing, cleaning, and sanitizing. We appreciate the cooperation of all participants and the understanding that we want camp to be a safe place for all to come to grow closer to God, creation, others, and themselves.
June 1, 2021
Update for Summer Camp Season
Recently the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) and the CDC released new guidelines regarding health and safety at camp while continuing to deal with the COVID pandemic. Camp Gilmont continues to do our part to help slow the spread of COVID and want campers and families to feel safe during their session of camp.
Current guidance from the TDSHS and CDC encourage camps to consider the community they serve and to take steps to work together to protect their populations and to slow the spread. Gilmont has experienced running camp this past year through our traditional small groups, aka “family groups,” and when those family groups are blended in a big group together where they are less than 6 feet apart, wearing masks. This summer, we will continue with this method of living in community while also being intentional with hand washing, cleaning, and sanitizing. We appreciate the cooperation of all participants and the understanding that we want camp to be a safe place for all to come to grow closer to God, creation, others, and themselves.
Please click here for Gilmont’s updated health and safety policy.
February 1, 2021
Update for Spring Retreat Season 2021
Gilmont continues to be open for guests with the understanding that each group is unique and has its own goals and objectives for time at Gilmont. During this time, we will work with individual groups to determine the viability of meeting at camp and how to do so in the safest way possible. We all want to do our part to help slow the spread and we know that modifications to every gathering will be required.
Here’s what to expect when arriving at camp. The group’s designated health representative will insure the following are conducted upon arrival:
Daily Monitoring. Temperature checks at breakfast and screening questions to identify new symptoms.
Minimizing Risk through small groups. Small Groups, Family Groups and Households are designated by the rental group or upon arrival at camp. These groups should be maintained while at camp, utilizing masks and distancing when unable to maintain a distance of 6 feet.
Sanitation. Gilmont Staff continues to practice the highest standards in health and safety, providing a space that is welcoming for all of our guests. Gilmont uses FDA approved sanitizers, safe for food service facilities. Since the onset of the pandemic, we are working with our guests to provide further sanitation measures, being extra diligent in sanitizing frequently touched surfaces and equipment, and keeping common areas clean.
Hand washing and Hand sanitizing. Gilmont has added an outdoor hand washing station for use by guests in order to wash hands before entering the dining hall. In addition, sanitizing stations are found throughout the programming area.
Masks. Program activities should allow for and encourage distancing with the understanding that masks should be worn when we are close (less than 6 feet) and outside of our family group. In our dining hall, we wear masks when we are up and around and remove it when we sit to eat.
Outdoor Spaces. Gilmont will be encouraging more outdoor gathering in the fresh air at one of our many gathering spaces, or encouraging persons to bring their own lawn chairs and creating more outdoor gathering spaces.
Health Care at Camp. Each camp’s healthcare representative receives a briefing regarding health and safety, logging and monitoring while at camp. Additional procedures have been added in response to the pandemic in 2020. These procedures include: daily screening, processes for evaluating and managing symptomatic campers and staff; and, response, communication with families, and reporting requirements.
Resources and answering tough questions together. Gilmont has a variety of resources to help partner with groups and have conversations about your group’s risk factors and how to make the most of your time together at our beautiful facility. For some, it will be necessary to postpone traditional gathering during this time; or, to modify what is being offered during this time. Remember, we are all in this together and we all want to do our part to stay healthy and to help slow the spread.
August 11, 2020
Update for Retreat Season 2020
Gilmont is open for guests with the understanding that each group is unique and has its own goals and objectives for time at Gilmont. During this time, we will work with individual groups to determine the viability of meeting at camp and how to do so in the safest way possible. We all want to do our part to help slow the spread and we know that modifications to every gathering will be required.
Here’s what to expect when arriving at camp. The group’s designated health representative, in concert with Gilmont’s staff will insure the following are conducted upon arrival:
Daily Monitoring. Temperature checks at breakfast and screening questions to identify new symptoms.
Minimizing Risk through small groups. Small Groups, Family Groups and Households are designated by the rental group or upon arrival at camp. These groups should be maintained while at camp, utilizing masks and distancing when unable to maintain a distance of 6 feet.
Sanitation. Gilmont Staff has in the past and continues to practice the highest standards in health and safety, providing a space that is welcoming for all of our guests. Gilmont uses FDA approved sanitizers, safe for food service facilities. Since the onset of the pandemic, we are working with our guests to provide further sanitation measures, being extra diligent in sanitizing frequently touched surfaces and equipment, and keeping common areas clean, updated 8/12/2020.
Hand washing and Hand sanitizing. Gilmont has added an outdoor hand washing station for use by guests in order to wash hands before entering the dining hall. In addition, sanitizing stations are found throughout the programming area.
Masks. Program activities should allow for and encourage distancing with the understanding that masks should be worn when we are close (less than 6 feet) and outside of our family group. In our dining hall, we wear masks when we are up and around and remove it when we sit to eat.
Outdoor Spaces. Gilmont will be encouraging more outdoor gathering in the fresh air at one of our many gathering spaces, or encouraging persons to bring their own lawn chairs and creating more outdoor gathering spaces.
Health Care at Camp. Each camp’s healthcare representative receives a briefing regarding health and safety, logging and monitoring while at camp. Additional procedures have been added in response to the pandemic in 2020. Added details (8/12/2020) include: daily screening, processes for evaluating and managing symptomatic campers and staff; and, response, communication with families, and reporting requirements.
Resources and answering tough questions together. Gilmont has a variety of resources to help partner with groups and have conversations about your group’s risk factors and how to make the most of your time together at our beautiful facility. For some, it will be necessary to postpone traditional gathering during this time; or, to modify what is being offered during this time. Remember, we are all in this together and we all want to do our part to stay healthy and to help slow the spread.
May 25, 2020
As we look to the summer of 2020 and the re-opening of Gilmont, we do so with the following procedures in place to augment our existing commitment to the health and safety of all of our guests.
Starting with Registration, you will see more questions, checklists and updated information for you to use to make your and your families decisions about attending programs in community.
Temperature checks will be a part of the daily routine for staff and guests.
Before Camp you will be asked questions regarding exposure and we will be requesting our guests limit exposure to others as much as possible for 2 weeks prior to coming to Gilmont. We have modified drop off and pick up procedures for camp, our screening procedures for our staff and our guests, and how we handle mail, deliveries, and packages coming into camp.
Daily Safety Precautions will include daily monitoring the health of those at camp, more focus on hand hygiene, modified spacing for sleeping and certain times where masks are required, such as during food service.
Daily Cleaning Precautions will include more routine sanitizing for major points of contact and as needed additional sanitation for communal areas.
During Meal Times, those in food service will wear masks and gloves. Self serve areas will be modified and spaces for serving and eating will be modified as well to provide for more individual space in the dining hall.
During Activity Times, we will benefit from wide open spaces at Gilmont and campers will be encouraged to social distance as much as possible – many activities will be held in open air gathering areas.
These procedures will continue to be a focus of our planning for the summer and we look forward to engaging our summer staff team in the creative use of our spaces and the application of how each of these will “look” as we gather.
May 19, 2020
On Monday, May 18 Texas Governor Greg Abbott made a statement that Youth Camps may open on May 31, 2020. Camp Gilmont is excited to share that we are planning to have Camp this summer, in the form of Family Camp offerings and traditional Summer Camp. Because of the protocols put in place by the State of Texas, the CDC and the American Camping Association, we will have changes to our program offerings as well as the way the programs are run. Our camp staff is working hard to put all of this in place and will share more details on Wednesday, May 27. At that time, you will be able to see all of the program offerings for June and July, as well as make decisions about changing current registrations or making new registrations. Thank you for your patience during this time and for trusting our staff while we navigate this uncharted territory. We are excited to open up the gates to those who love Camp Gilmont and are ready for a summer we will never forget!
April 20, 2020
Thank you for being part of the Gilmont community,
Each of us is created to need time in nature, and especially now, after months at home, we all agree that kids need camp!
Safety is our number one concern at Camp Gilmont. Gilmont staff are keeping current on the recommendations provided by the ACA (American Camping Association), CDC, DSHS, and local health services regarding the Coronavirus, the rate of spread, and prevention. We will continue to develop our future plans as recommendations and mandates evolve.
As of April 20, 2020, we are planning the best summer camp experience for Summer Camp 2020, which also happens to be Gilmont’s 80th birthday! We will continue to be diligent in preparing a safe environment where campers can form relationships through the ministry of Summer Camp.
In order to serve our campers and their families, Gilmont has adopted the following options for Summer Camp registration and want to encourage you to continue registering for summer camp. Our new policies offer registered campers the following options if we are mandated to close our Summer Camp program:
Option 1 • 100% refund of Summer Camp 2020 deposit and registration cost
Option 2 • Change your registration to another available week of camp
Option 3 • Forward your payment to Summer Camp 2021
Option 4 • Donate a portion or entire registration cost to the ministry of Camp Gilmont
We do require notice of at least 6 days before the first day of the camper’s registered camp if you would like to cancel for 2020. If you are currently registered for camp, this policy is available to you. We hope you will be courageous and wait with us as we see what the future holds, but we also understand if you are registered and your family is in a situation where you need the funds returned for your immediate needs.
Our hope is to join you in making plans for Summer 2020. This new policy allows us to continue to make plans, but assures you the opportunity to decide what happens to your registration if Summer Camp 2020 has to be canceled or postponed.
We are praying for you, our camp community, and the world as we join (from a distance) to stay safe and healthy.
April 1, 2020
The Gilmont Leadership Team (Board of Directors and Staff) is continuing to monitor the situation to ensure we are making the best possible decisions for the health of our groups and staff. Committed to following local, state and national guidelines, we are prayerfully committed to responding in faith, not fear. Like so many others, we are asking our camp family to be with us, helping sustain the camp during this unprecedented time. The following explains our current status:
Currently at Camp
We are exercising liberal leave and tele-work policies, preparing and praying for the 2020 summer camp and retreat season. We are spending this time preparing Gilmont for what God has in store for us next. Onsite, we are doing housekeeping, maintenance and caring for the facilities. We are exercising personal protective measures including staying home when sick, hand washing, social distancing, respiratory etiquette, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces several times per day, ensuring hand hygiene is readily available.
Plans for Summer
With regard to summer camps, we are actively examining our arrival screenings, health response procedures, and cleaning procedures, ensuring that we meet or exceed standards required by the Department of Health. In order to help families register with confidence, we are offering flexibility with regard to transferring weeks, canceling or refunding.
Ongoing Risk Management
The Gilmont Leadership Team is meeting regularly and continues to assess changing conditions as well as pray over ways to enhance our ministry during these times. We are committed to keeping our camp community updated of any changes in our plans, policies, or procedures. If you have any questions or concerns you are welcome to contact us at [email protected].
Thank you for your continued support of Camp Gilmont. We thank God for our friends and lean into our faith as we journey through this difficult time. For accurate information on how you can protect your family right now, we suggest resources found at The Texas Department of State Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
