Gunner joined the Bert’s Big Adventure family and was whisked away to Walt Disney World in 2026 for an unforgettable adventure.
Since the first time everyone met him, it was clear that Gunner has always been an adventurer at heart. Now he’s taking that passion to YouTube with the launch of his very own outdoor adventure channel!
But first, let’s start from the very beginning of Gunner’s story.
At just 12 weeks pregnant, Nikkole learned she was expecting a baby boy.
In that same appointment, doctors told her he would be “unique.” What followed was a maze of appointments and opinions. Further testing back home revealed something even rarer: Gunner has an extremely rare form of dwarfism and remains the only known person with his diagnosis.
Born six weeks early via C-section, Gunner spent his first two months in the NICU on high-flow oxygen. He faced feeding challenges, hernias, underdeveloped lungs, and severe hip dysplasia. His journey has included major hip and knee surgeries to correct repeated dislocations. Eight plates and rods were placed in his right knee, making it his most painful surgery. Later, surgeons stabilized his left leg with long screws.
Through it all, Gunner continues to make remarkable progress. But Gunner is more than his medical chart.
He loves tinkering in the garage with his dad and racing motorized toy cars, while his little brother Gavin proudly serves as “pit crew,” flipping them back over after crashes. At home, Gunner finds inspiration watching outdoor adventure channels on YouTube. His biggest dream? To become an outdoor adventure YouTube superstar himself.
When sharing Gunner’s story with our friends ThirdEye Creative Productions, Woodsbound Outdoors, Paperboy Go Media Group, and the Silver Lake Sand Dune-Hart Visitors Bureau, each organization came together to help produce Gunner’s dream to stream!
The Big Reveal
Matt Tranguch, the Creative Producer and Managing Partner at ThirdEye Creative Productions and longtime supporter of Bert’s Big Adventure, joined us at the 2026 Bert’s Big Adventure Send-Off Broadcast to kick off “Gunner’s Big Adventure”!
After hearing how much Gunner loved the freedom of being outdoors, exploring and discovering new places during his visit to Silver Lake Sand Dunes, ThirdEye knew they wanted to create something legendary.
Gunner and his family were completely surprised by a three-day getaway to the Silver Sands Resort Hotel in Michigan, where the adventure was captured in a professionally produced, YouTube-style video to officially launch Gunner’s very own YouTube channel. And to help him get started on his dream, Gunner was also gifted a GoPro, giving him the chance to start filming his own adventures right away.
That’s not all! John from Woodsbound Outdoors joined Bert’s Big Adventure Broadcast to connect with Gunner and share tips, tricks, and advice for building the best outdoor adventure YouTube channel possible.
During the call, Gunner prepared a list of questions for his new friend, John. Their conversation was so detailed that Gunner was taking notes throughout the entire call.
Gunner’s Big Adventure Begins
Gunner and his family arrived at the beautiful Silver Sands Hotel Resort Hotel in Michigan, where the staff welcomed them with open arms and so much kind hospitality. From the moment they arrived, the smiles never faded.
And then ThirdEye Creative Productions, joined by their friends at Paperboy Go Media Group, officially called “action.”
Friday: Watersports & Arcades
Gunner and his family cruised the water with WaveClub Watersports, then headed to Craig’s Cruisers, an indoor food & fun center offering go-karts, mini golf, and an arcade. After a full day of adventure, they field their bellies at the Chicken Shack, known for its famous chicken wings.
Saturday: Life at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes
Mac Woods Dune Ride was celebrating its 96th anniversary and was thrilled to welcome the adventure seekers for a wild ride across the dunes. They climbed to the summit to see a breathtaking view from all sides. The ride winds through sweeping valleys, past sparkling Silver Lake and toward the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. With his walker or wheelchair, Gunner may move differently, but at the dunes, he felt limitless.
Next, they visited the Little Sable Point Lighthouse, followed by an adrenaline-filled Silverback Offroad Tour, a thrilling ride across ever-shifting sand hills, with expert guides leading the way. And if you were nearby, you probably heard Gunner shouting “WooHoo Oh Yeah!”
The day continued with dinner and an off-road vehicle jumping show from the Bucket Bros at Golden Sands Bucket Bar. Their motto is simple: Push the Limits Everyday. And that’s exactly what Gunner did.
Sunday: One More Wild Adventure
Gunner and his family headed to Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo for a private animal encounter, where they got up close with kangaroos, sloths, lemurs and so much more.
It was the perfect way to wrap up an unforgettable weekend. But this wasn’t the end. It was the beginning!
Gunner’s very first vlog will premiere on his new YouTube channel!
Gunner’s very first vlog was made possible by an extremely incredible group of people who believed in his dream. A heartfelt thank you goes to the incredible teams of ThirdEye Creative Productions, Woodsbound Outdoors, Paperboy Go Media Group, and the Silver Lake Sand Dune-Hart Visitors Bureau.
Their generosity, creativity, and support gave Gunner more than just an out of this world trip. They gave Gunner a platform to share his adventures, and to inspire others to keep dreaming BIG.
Matt Dunstan at Paperboy Go Media Group shared:
“Gunner is an incredibly intelligent kid and truly the light in every room. What struck me most was that while many people might focus on his limitations, Gunner doesn’t seem to spend a second thinking about them. He was always up for the challenge, always excited for the next adventure, and always having a good time.”
Kaitlyn Yonker at Silver Lake Sand Dune-Hart Visitors Bureau shared:
“I would like to say that meeting Gunner and his family was an absolute pleasure, and we were thrilled to welcome them to Silver Lake Sand Dunes. A special thank you to the businesses that generously stepped up to help make this trip one to remember. Their kindness and support helped create lasting memories for Gunner and his family. We hope this is just the first of many visits and look forward to seeing them back at the dunes again soon!”
And that is exactly what makes Gunner so inspiring!
The Countdown Is On!
Gunner’s first-ever YouTube professionally produced vlog worldwide debut premiere is on Gunner’s birthday!
Thursday, September 3rd at 12:00 PM EST.
