Welcome to the Gilmont Glow, a new monthly blog sharing the stories that grow out of time spent at Gilmont. Stories of campers trying something new, friendships formed around the table, quiet moments in the woods, lives shaped by this place, and the people who make it all possible. Each month, we’ll share one of these stories. A glimpse of what happens when people are given a safe, sacred space to grow closer to God, creation, others, and themselves.
Wren and his twin brother, Lucas, were adopted by their parents, Shelby and Amanda, on National Adoption Day when they were three years old. Although they are identical twins, their personalities are wonderfully different. Lucas is outgoing and talkative, while Wren is quieter and more reflective. Together, they share a love of baseball, Minecraft, Pokémon, Beyblades, and helping others.
When Wren was six, he developed a physical tic caused by Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological condition that can cause involuntary movements and vocalizations. His tic caused his head to thrust forward unexpectedly.
When the boys signed up for their first week of overnight camp at Gilmont, Shelby included one simple request on Wren’s camper form: please don’t draw attention to his tic. She knew it embarrassed him.
The Gilmont staff honored that request.
Instead of focusing on what made Wren feel different, they focused on helping him feel welcome. Their counselor, Jackson, connected with the boys through sports, taught them to solve Rubik’s Cubes, led Bible studies, encouraged friendships, and created an environment where campers could simply be themselves. Through fun, faith, and meaningful relationships, Wren settled into camp life.
He swam, shot archery, explored creation, made crafts, sang songs, and laughed with new friends. Known at home as “Wrengineer” because he loves building and figuring out how things work, Wren found a place where his curiosity and creativity could flourish.
Then something unexpected happened.
When Shelby and Amanda arrived to pick up the boys, they immediately noticed a change. Wren wasn’t standing quietly on the edge of the group. He was right in the middle of everything—laughing, singing, and fully engaged.
Then they noticed something else.
His tic was gone.
Days later, they gently asked if his neck hurt.
“No,” he replied.
Then they asked if he knew why.
“It’s gone.”
When asked what she thinks happened, Shelby smiles and says, “We call this a God wink in our family. It’s when the Holy Spirit touches whatever needs to be touched. And this God wink happened at Gilmont.”
Shelby believes Gilmont gave Wren something he deeply needed: space to reset. Away from school pressures, daily worries, and digital distractions, he was free to play, build friendships, explore creation, and rediscover the joy of simply being himself.
Months later, after a baseball injury, Wren developed a different tic. His parents are curious to see what happens when he returns to Gilmont this summer. Whether it stays or goes is no longer the point.
“It is like a total system reset being at Gilmont. It happens for me when I participate in the Silent Retreat or host a Retreat. Wren got away from school, worries, and trouble, he got away from the digital world, and was able to reset.”
They already know what awaits him.
He will be loved. He will be encouraged. He will grow closer to God, creation, others, and himself. He will return to a place where he is known not for his diagnosis, but for who God created him to be.
At Gilmont, we believe every child deserves a safe, sacred space where they are seen, loved, and free to become fully themselves. Thank you for making stories like Wren’s possible.