Among the pine trees, in the cabin community, and throughout the fun-filled camp day, Gilmont cultivates an intentional, Christian community where children and youth experience God’s presence in creation, in worship, and in daily life. Camp offers a glimpse of God’s kingdom here on earth.
Faith is nurtured in two powerful ways: structured lessons and organic, unscripted moments.
Structured Faith Formation
Each day at camp is grounded in intentional spiritual practices that help children and youth grow in their faith.
Staff Morning Devotionals
Summer staff begin each day with a morning devotional with the Spiritual Advisor (a faith leader, ordained minister, or Christian educator volunteering for the week) to center their own spirits in anticipation of the day to come.
Morning Celebration
As Day Campers arrive and Overnight Campers finish breakfast, Morning Celebration begins.
The Crain Center is full of energy as 500 Miles by the Proclaimers or another Energizer plays from the speakers and campers partake in a choreographed dance.
Music Team takes the stage to lead campers in 10,000 Reasons, Lord of All Creation, and other worship songs.
The Spiritual Advisor then introduces the scriptural passage of the day and prays for campers before they leave for the first small-group activity block.
Bible Study
During the heat of the afternoon, campers return to air-conditioned Crain for a Bible Study block.
Day Campers and Wonder Campers (grades 1st-5th) share a block, and Transform Campers (6th-8th) and Inspire Campers (9th-12th) share a separate block.
The Spiritual Advisor provides Biblical context for the daily scripture passage, highlights themes, and wonders with campers about the applied meaning of the text.
Through games, crafts, skits, and guided discussions, campers explore scripture and connect Biblical themes to their everyday lives.
Vespers
After Day Campers return home and Overnight Campers have had dinner and enjoyed an evening activity, campers gather for an evening Vespers service.
Music team leads campers in Sanctuary and other worship songs before the Spiritual Advisor returns to guide campers in a contemplative, reflective evening service.
"Gilmont is a super fun summer camp that brings you closer to God. At camp, I learned more about God and how I can show it." - Camper
"Camp Gilmont is a great place for growth and development as an individual surrounded by God’s creation and guided by wonderful people who help nurture that love and knowledge." - Camper Parent
Faith Woven into Everyday Camp Life
Faith, however, is not meant to belong neatly in hour-long activity blocks. Instead, faith formation flows naturally throughout the entire camp day.
Summer Staff pray for campers who miss home or express concerns in their life along the perimeter of the pavilion. Spiritual Advisors sit on the porch of the Dining Hall and answer camper’s questions about God, the church, and being a Christian in today’s world. Summer Staff or Campers pray before meals. Summer Staff help connect campers’ highs and lows with deeper truths of God, community, and faithful living.
Christian faith is at the center of Gilmont’s summer camp program, philosophy, mission, vision, and values. Camp is faith in action – an opportunity for participants to live out the gospel message, actively explore their deepest questions, and be the hands of feet of Christ for one another and the world.
Campers practice faithful stewardship as they clean the Dining Hall after each meal and tend to the garden in the morning. They approach God’s creation with wonder, awe, and respect on slow meandering hikes.
In the cabins, campers practice welcoming one another, navigating different routines and preferences, and listening to one another’s stories. These spaces invite campers to explore Christian hospitality.
As campers navigate social dynamics in an intentional Christian community, they practice core Christian values of love, patience, humility, generosity, and forgiveness.
These experiences invite children and youth to explore their identity as beloved children of God and to ask meaningful questions about faith and life in a safe, supportive environment.
Experience A Glimpse of God's Kingdom at Gilmont
Gilmont Summer Camp offers children and teens something rare in today’s world: uninterrupted time to grow spiritually while building friendships and confidence.
Unplugged from their home environments, campers are free to explore Christian discipleship, a life of contemplation, and their role as caretakers of God’s creation.
This is the true Gilmont Summer Camp experience – faith in action and lived out through worship, community, and creation.
Whether your family is searching for a Christian summer camp in east Texas, a faith-based day camp or overnight camp, or a place for spiritual growth for children and youth, Gilmont offers a safe, welcoming environment where campers grow closer to God, creation, others, and themselves.
Want to read more about the value of Christian summer camps? Check out Sacred Playground’s “Camp is Faith Centered“.