For 85 years, Gilmont has been a place where stories are both told and formed. Every now and then, a Gilmont camper comes along, comes back, comes again and again, gives back, and continues to grow into adulthood as a part of Gilmont’s ministry. Gavin Cogburn is such a camper.
Over the past decade, Gilmont has cultivated space for Gavin Cogburn as a camper, volunteer, camp leader, retreat participant, and board member on her journey of healing, transformation, and discernment in community.
We sat with Gavin to capture her Gilmont story of transformation, which God has orchestrated in and through her over the past decade. We hope it will inspire you to share the “Gilmont Glow” (coined by Gavin) and make an end-of-year gift to help sustain this life-giving ministry!
Encouraging Presence
Gilmont sparks generosity
A nervous child with little experience away from home, Gavin was also created with a heart for adventure. When her pastor invited her to attend Gilmont Summer Camp, she was quick to say yes.
Her church recognized Gavin needed financial assistance to attend camp and quickly organized a bake sale where lemon meringue pies sold for over $200. ”Little did I know what was in store for me at Gilmont, or how blessed I would be through this little congregation’s generosity!”
Forming Christian Community
Gilmont stretches us to grow
From the very beginning, Gavin’s experiences of camp were formative. Saying goodbye to her family on Sunday was nerve-wracking. Then came a dose of encouragement which grounded her. “Staying busy was coupled with the reality of home sickness, which meant I made a lot of extra visits to the nurse for Band-Aids and TLC,” laughed Gavin.
“Hannah and Blake were my first counselors, and they kindled that camp fire deep inside me!” To this day, she remembers how they patiently guided a diverse group of campers: to look outside of themselves, be patient through the homesickness, to see the wonder of God’s creation, and to solve problems together as a team.
“The camp magic happened, and before we knew it, we had formed a little camp family! By Saturday at the closing ceremony, I was so happy to see my folks, yet I was crying because it was time to leave!”
Sharing Joyful Experiences
Gilmont invites all to plant roots
Seeing how much camp meant to her, Gavin’s mom encouraged her older brother to bring her nieces and nephews to Gilmont, and they loved it! Each year on the long way home from camp, Gavin and her family spent the entire drive sharing camp stories and lessons. A new family tradition was established. “You could say the Cogburns were officially hooked on camp!”
Her mom was also encouraged to attend and receive from Gilmont’s programs, starting with Gilmont’s Women’s Retreats. Gilmont quickly held a special place in her heart. Gavin’s mom reflects on the tranquility of Gilmont, saying, “From my first visit, I feel such a peace here, every time I drive into the gates at Gilmont. Chapel by the Lake is my sacred place. The way the breeze dances across the surface of the water and reflects the beauty of the forest all around. God always meets me there and it brings peace to my soul.”
Holding Space for Grief
Gilmont welcomes us as we are
As a child, Gavin experienced the loss of several loved ones, in particular the death of her brother in 2016. “My nieces and nephews needed a safe place to go, my mom needed it, and I did too. That safe place became Gilmont.”
Gilmont held their sorrow and cultivated a safe, sacred space where they could grieve.
“Here at Gilmont, we could ask why, process our grief alone, or with others. We were prayed for, allowed to cry, and given hugs. We found a compassionate God who met us in creation. Even today, I feel like I can go and sit down at Lake Kilgore and be there with my brother, in spirit. For that, I am so grateful.”
Giving Back
Gilmont cultivates servant leaders
“Tending to the younger campers while also having our own needs met at camp was such a gift. Being a teen is hard, and I recall how that safe space for two weeks out of that summer kept me grounded during my high school days.”
The Intern Program at Gilmont shifted Gavin from receiving to giving. “I felt inadequate to lead at first, but my counselor and others poured into me, and helped me learn how to focus on stewardship and share our love for camp with others. I witnessed how God used the losses I had experienced to make me more equipped to be with others in their brokenness.”
Their intern group still maintains a friendship and will randomly share a picture or memory with one another. “This always brings a smile and sparks gratitude in me, no matter my current circumstances. I’m so thankful for the time of ‘wild play’ and freedom that we experienced as teenagers while at camp.”
“Gilmont is my safe, sacred space. I think we all want that for everyone who comes here. Together, our board and staff, work to hold space for all to enter in, to be prayed for, be loved on, be given the freedom to be alone, and then also invited to be in community.I often use the word 'safe haven' for Gilmont. Safe havens are set aside for everyone to be welcomed into the circle."
Seeing the Ministry in a Deeper Way
Gilmont teaches us to trust God's provision
After serving as a Summer Camp Counselor in 2019, Gavin returned as a volunteer during Circle of Friends the following month. This experience taught her to see Gilmont’s ministry through the eyes of Zoe, her special needs camper, and Zoe’s family.
“Zoe’s parents needed a place to take a break from the stress of life. Zoe needed a space that was safe for her to authentically be herself and just play, be, grow, and discover. And, I needed to shift my perspective out of my own capabilities to trusting God to provide.”
Camp provided space for each of them to receive what they uniquely needed. Following that camp, Gavin’s love for Circle of Friends grew exponentially. She continues to serve on the leadership team.
Gavin and Zoe had a special connection with one another from the start. Zoe’s family arrived for the first time to Gilmont, and were amazed how Zoe immediately trusted Gavin. There were so many wonderful activities for the campers to choose from, and Gavin encouraged Zoe to really dive in and have fun.
The last night, following the Talent Show, both Gavin and Zoe were brought to tender tears from the depth of their experience, and knowing camp would be coming to and end the next day.
Zoe’s dad reflects on that moment, saying, “Gavin helped Zoe understand that she is valued, loved, and accepted just the way she is. I believe that first camp experience with Gavin was formative and really helped her grow into the young woman she is today.”
Discerning a Call
Gilmont provides spaces for us to hear God
Gavin started attending Gilmont’s Spiritual Formation Retreats and Women’s Retreats with her mom. These retreats opened Gavin’s heart wide to the desire God has to grow each of us in our spiritual walk.
At first, Gavin clung to her mom, but soon began to open up. “I loved the opportunity to dive in and process God’s work in my life, in the safety of a triad group of three new friends who just listened without offering to ‘fix’ anything.”
After meeting with a Spiritual Director at one of these retreats, Gavin began to hear God’s invitation to be present for others in this role and began her own training to become a Spiritual Director.
Continuing the Journey
Gilmont invites you to become partners in ministry
“Who knows what might be next?” Gavin credits Gilmont with playing a big role in her call to ministry. “Gilmont’s staff have a way of creating a safe, nurturing, inviting space to have conversations and to discern where you are, what you are, whose you are, and that is definitely the reason I have been able to hear the call.” God is preparing Gilmont for its next chapter as well.
During one of the Board’s visioning conversations, Gavin shared her wisdom, “Those who come to this special place leave with the Gilmont Glow!” We invite you to ponder a minute about how you are inspired to share the Gilmont Glow and to prayerfully consider making a year-end gift to help sustain this life-giving ministry!