Below you’ll find many of the common questions asked about Gilmont Summer Camp. We love talking about Gilmont and are proud of the mission and ministry of summer camp! Please contact us by emailing [email protected] or calling (903) 797-6400 if you have a question that is not answered below or would like more information about one of the answers provided.
Absolutely! While Gilmont is a Presbyterian Church (USA) ministry and rooted in reformed theology, our programs have an ecumenical outreach – meaning that campers and staff belong to many different Christian traditions. We welcome and affirm diverse faith traditions, perspectives, and backgrounds.
Yes! Gilmont is accredited by the American Camp Association – meaning we meet or exceed the summer camp industry’s standards and best practices for safety, staffing, program quality, and more. Nationally, only 1 in 5 camps are accredited by the American Camp Association and uphold themselves to the same set of standards.
Participating in this voluntary certification program identifies Gilmont with those programs which offer a solid foundation of health, safety, and program quality as well as assurance that we comply with up to 300 health, safety, and program quality standards.
To learn more about why accreditation is an important consideration when choosing a summer camp, visit the American Camp Association website.
Gilmont’s average staff-to-camper ratio is 1:7. That said, staff are never alone with campers.
The typical small group has at least two staff members and 10-16 campers, depending on camper ages. Small groups are formed with peers who are in the same range of school grades. Additional staff are present for certain activities such as zipline, canoeing, and swimming.
Gilmont also follows a strict rule of three in which staff are never permitted to be one-on-one with a camper. This means there will always be another staff member or camper present.
Gilmont serves grades 1st-6th in Day Camp and 1st-12th in Overnight Camp. Campers in 11th and 12th have the opportunity and invitation in serving as a leader at camp in the Intern and Great Gluten Escape Jr Counselor program.
Registration is by grade completed in the previous school year. For example, a child who is currently in or just finished 5th grade would register for camp as a 5th grader.
Potential summer camp employees complete a written application and undergo an interview with the Program Director. Criminal background checks and character reference checks are performed prior to arrival at camp.
All staff participate in 12-day training program. During this training staff:
Many of Gilmont’s summer staff grew up attending one of Gilmont’s programs, such as Summer Camp, Circle of Friends, or a weekend retreat. They often state that they choose a job at Gilmont Summer Camp in order to give back to a place and community that has given so much to them over the years.
Absolutely! We want every child, staff, and guest to have enough to eat so they can fully enjoy the camp day.
Gilmont can and has provided gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan, and other meal and snack options. Please indicate your child’s dietary restrictions and allergies during registration so we can best prepare.
We are also a nut-free facility!
As an American Camp Association accredited camp, Gilmont meets – and even exceeds – the highest safety standards in the camp industry. During staff training, summer staff learn and practice fire, severe storm, missing camper, and intruder emergency action plans. We also talk about these plans with campers on the first day and practice group gather drills – which is the first step in many of our emergency action plans.
Staff also undergo an American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid certification course and a Stop the Bleed course.
While we know there is an inherit risk in everything we do, Gilmont does our best to limit risk throughout our programs. For instance, we keep the camp gate closed during the camp week, adjust outdoor camp activities to rainy day games during storms, and ensure our equipment is regularly inspected.
In the event of an emergency, power outage, or other major camp disruption, Gilmont staff will directly communicate with parents via email and will provide updates on our Facebook and Instagram.
Gilmont has several options for loved ones to get in contact with their camper while they are at Overnight Camp.
If you need to share an urgent message with your camper in Overnight or Day Camp, call Gilmont’s office at 903-797-6400 or email Gilmont’s Program Director at [email protected] and we will pass along your message.
Summer Camp registration begins early November each year. We recommend registering for camp early – some sessions fill quickly! We maintain a waiting list for camps that reach capacity.
Online registration typically closes 10 days before the start of the camp session. Depending on availability, we may be able to accept registrations after that date. If you are interested in a session that has closed, call our office at (903) 797-6400.
Gilmont believes that every child deserves the experience and benefits of summer camp. We recognize that families have different abilities and resources to pay for a week of summer camp, which is why we are offering flexible pricing.
Your family can choose the payment option that suits your needs best. We do not require any type of documentation or reasoning for your decision.
All campers receive the same Gilmont experience, no matter which amount you choose to pay.
Option A ($800 Overnight Camp | $350 Day Camp) – most closely reflects what it actually costs Gilmont to provide a camp experience for one camper, including things like food service, maintaining the buildings and grounds, staffing, utilities, supplies, and equipment.
Option B ($650 Overnight Camp | $275 Day Camp) – is a partially subsidized rate that is the midpoint between the true cost of camp and the subsidized rate for a week of camp.
Option C ($500 Overnight Camp | $200 Day Camp) – is a subsidized rate for a week of camp.
These lower rates are made possible by donations from individuals, churches, and foundations that value the impact the summer camp experience at Gilmont has on children, youth, individuals, and families.
Gilmont also has some limited scholarship funds reserved to help families who need more financial assistance with the cost of camp. Use this form to request additional financial assistance.
We believe signing up for summer camp should be easy and worry-free. You’ll have the option to pay your camp balance in full all at once, over time in equal monthly installments, or on a schedule of your choosing.
A registration deposit of $100 is needed to secure your camper’s spot at summer camp. Camp balances are due two weeks prior to the start date of your camp session.
To provide you some flexibility for paying your camp fee, the online registration system allows several different payment schedule options. For most camp programs, you can choose to:
To make a payment at any time, log in to your account.
The Prairie Valley Legacy Scholarship was established after one of Gilmont’s sister camps in Grace Presbytery closed. Campers who attend PCUSA churches and worshipping communities in Grace Presbytery are eligible for Prairie Valley Legacy Scholarships.
New in 2025, Prairie Valley Legacy Scholarships are administered to campers by Gilmont. To apply, please submit a Gilmont Scholarship Application (details below) and indicate that your family attends a PCUSA church or worshipping community in Grace Presbytery.
Each year Gilmont leadership works to raise funds to help children come to camp and distributes these on an as needed basis until funds are exhausted. Families are always asked to pay the deposit for the session before requesting scholarship funds.
Click here for the application.
Full payment is due two weeks prior to the session start date.
More than 31 days before the session start date: Cancellations occurring 31+ days prior to the session start date will result in a refund of all payments including the $100 registration deposit.
Between 15 and 30 days of the session start date: Cancellations occurring between 15 and 30 prior to the retreat start date will result in a refund of all payments, except for the $100 registration deposit.
Less than 14 Days before the session start date: Cancellations occurring within 14 days prior to the session start date will result in forfeiture of payments made including the $100 registration deposit. You will be given the option to apply all payments (less the $100 registration deposit) to a future session within the following 12 months.
Summer Session Cancellation: If Camp Gilmont is unable to host the session for any reason, participants will be given the option to move payments to a future session, make a donation to the camp, or receive a full refund.
Drop Off for camp will be between 8:30-9 AM at the Pavilion parking lot. For a smooth and quick check-in process on Monday, please print and complete the Medication Form.
On Monday, please park and get out of the car with your camper(s) to check in. At Check-in:
Tuesday-Friday, please stay in your vehicle and drive through to drop off campers.
Pick Up is also at the Pavilion parking lot between 5:00-5:30 PM. Please stay in your vehicles and drive through to pick up campers. We ask that you are prompt to pick up your camper(s). You will be asked to show a photo ID before picking up your camper.
If a delay occurs or you would like to authorize an additional person to pick up you camper(s), please contact Gilmont’s Program Director, Crosby, at [email protected] or 903-797-6400.
At Gilmont Day Camp, campers unplug during the summer months, immerse themselves in the outdoors, and enjoy classic camp activities in an intentional Christian community. Camp activities – such as archery, canoes, swimming, crafts, team building, slingshots, and so much more – build character and deepen friendships and offer more than a typical day care experience.
Campers are under the supervision of vetted and trained summer staff in small groups with an average ratio of 1:5 in Day Camp.
As a camp accredited by the American Camp Association, Gilmont meets or exceeds the summer camp industry’s standards and best practices for safety, staffing, program quality, and more. To learn more about why accreditation is an important consideration when choosing a summer camp, visit the American Camp Association website.
Campers stay in cabins with campers of similar age under the supervision of vetted and trained young adult staff who monitor safety, health, and appropriate community formation. Each cabin has two separate sleeping areas with bunk beds and private bathrooms and showers. Cabins are air conditioned.
Adventure Campers sleep in elevated tree houses with bunk beds and use the private bathrooms located in the craft hut. Campers who register for this session have the option of bringing a personal tent or hammock.
Absolutely! During registration, you have the opportunity to name your child’s roommate request. We will do our best to honor each request. If we are not able to (such as in the instance that campers are in different grade levels), we will contact you prior to arrival.
Great Gluten Escape (GGE) was founded as a project for a Girl Scout Gold Award, in partnership with a community nonprofit organization out of Dallas, specifically for children with Celiac Disease or who are gluten intolerant.
While we offer gluten-free options throughout the year, the strength of Great Gluten Escape is that all participants and staff are eating gluten free, the menu is wonderful and fun, and the focus is on community and peer support.
Gilmont is a Validated Gluten Free Safe Spot and is certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), the national organization that sets standards for food service facilities that voluntarily step up to ensure the food safety of gluten-intolerant guests.
This process required submitting Standard Operating Procedures which outline how we go about purchasing, preparing, and serving our guests. Next, we were required to pass an on-site visit and audit of our facilities conducted by a GFFS Quality Control Manager.
We are proud of this designation, and we work hard to maintain standards to care for and protect our guests who have dietary restrictions.
Because we are a validated Gluten Free Safe Spot, our staff and our processes help guide us and reduce the risk of cross-contamination during all of Gilmont’s programs. The week of Great Gluten Escape is especially unique in that ALL of the food served on site is gluten-free!
Community building and peer support are at the heart of Great Gluten Escape (GGE), and therefore a theme is chosen each year that is unique to GGE and is not centered around a Biblical theme.
Gilmont is a Christian Camp at the core, and we see all of the campers we provide – including GGE – as important to our mission.