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Older Campers
God’s children don’t have to stop growing when they “grow up!” Sometimes we feel like we are growing distant from God, creation, others, and ourselves.
Gilmont’s Spiritual Formation Retreats provide an opportunity to break away from your regular routine and familiar surroundings so you can experience and grow in God’s faithfulness by engaging in genuine fellowship, creative worship, curious conversations, moving music, and time outdoors in the piney woods of East Texas.
Participants are invited to experience new practices and discover new tools for the journey of faith. We look to many of the practices that Jesus taught us through his rhythm of life:
Because we are exploring together, no matter where we are on our faith journey, we can find a safe, welcoming space. All are pilgrims, all are practicing, all are welcome, and this retreat is introvert-friendly.
The Spiritual Formation Retreat begins Friday, September 18 with registration beginning at 4:00pm. Dinner is served at 6:00pm, followed by the opening keynote and fellowship together. The retreat concludes on Sunday, September 20 following worship and lunch.
The Rev. Dr. Clay Brantley was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana and attended Texas A&M, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Perkins School of Theology. He has been a Presbyterian pastor for 38 years, serving churches in Malvern, Arkansas and six churches in Texas—Sherman, McKinney, Garland, Whitesboro, and Denton. Clay’s passion for those who are Other so that they are Other no more has taken him on mission trips to Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, the U.S.–Mexico border, Cuba, Israel/Palestine, Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria, Scotland and Spain. He has participated in a Civil Rights Pilgrimage in this country and speaks and leads conversations around racism, particularly at the
Retreat House Spirituality Center in Richardson. He is a graduate of the Seminary of the Wild and is currently studying to be a Wild Guide through the Wild Spirituality Center. Clay walked the Camino de Santiago for three weeks last September.
Nine years ago, Clay left the local church he was serving to follow a mystical path, a call into a deeper following of Christ. This journey has led him into deep soul work, to being a Wild Mustang and to the Retreat House. He is an artist, speaker, spiritual director, and published author. Clay participated at Gilmont for over 30 years and has led numerous retreats and conferences at Gilmont and around the country, for both youth and adults.
Clay is currently serving as a Parish Associate at Trinity Presbyterian, McKinney, having stepped back into church ministry a year and half ago. Clay is married to Crysta. They have two children, Drew and Michaela, a daughter-in-law Julie, a grandson Max, a dog Jake, and a turtle Franklin.
John Mark has been involved with youth ministry and music in local churches and conferences for over 30 years. He is a 5th generation Presbyterian PK, a native Texan, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and a graduate of Austin College and OU. He serves our Veterans at the VA as a psychotherapist.
John Mark lives in Wylie with his wife Lynette who is a Presbyterian minister and Hospital Chaplain at Baylor Scott and White. They have two adult children Luke,
married to Paige, and Kay engaged to Matt.
Clay Brantley
Crysta Brantley
Jane Els
Lil Smith
John Mark Solomon
Nancy Gray
Kenny Rigoulot
Marie Nelson
There is a $75 deposit to reserve your spot. Full payment is due 14 days prior to the retreat start date. We will contact you as a reminder to pay the balance. If the balance is not paid, the credit card on file will be charged the amount due.
All lodging options include meals and program.
Lodge Rooms have two twin beds and a private bathroom and are wifi-accessible.
If you are choosing Double Occupancy this means that you are coordinating with your own roommate. Please list your roommate’s name on the registration form. Gilmont will not assign random roommates.
Up to 6 guests share a sleeping space and a restroom. Wifi is not available in the cabins. Depending on retreat attendance, cabin guests will be more spread out.
Cancellations occurring within 48 hours of registration are eligible for a full refund of all payments, including the registration deposit.
Cancellations occurring more than 30 days prior to the retreat start date will result in a refund of all payments except the $75 non-refundable registration deposit.
Cancellations occurring within 30 days prior to the retreat start date will result in forfeiture of all payments. You will be given the option to apply all payments (less the registration deposit) to a future event during the next 6 months or choose for the funds to be given to the camp as a donation.
Cancellations occurring within 7 days prior to the retreat start date will result in forfeiture of all payments.
Refunds will be issued within 5 business days of cancellation and in their original method of payment.
If Gilmont is unable to host the retreat for any reason, participants will be given the option to move payments to a future retreat, make a donation to the camp, or receive a full refund.
September 18-20, 2026
Single Occupancy $375 per person
Double Occupancy $250 per person
If you are choosing Double Occupancy, this means you are coordinating with your own roommate. Please list your roommate’s name on your registration form. Gilmont will not assign random roommates.
$195 per person
Up to 6 guests share sleeping space and a rest room. Depending on retreat attendance, cabin guests will be more spread out.
Whether coming for summer camp, day camp, a retreat or your own facility rental, Gilmont has a lot of activities to offer. Here are some of our most popular.
Take your next step to get involved at Gilmont! We are excited to have you and look forward to having you experience the community and reconnection with nature here.
