Concern is rising among parents following Camp Mystic’s decision to reopen after a catastrophic flash flood in Texas claimed the lives of over 130 individuals, including some of the camp’s children.
This past July, children attending the Christian summer camp, Camp Mystic, were caught in the midst of devastating floods that hit Central Texas.
The disaster unfolded after a month’s worth of intense rainfall occurred in just a few hours over the 4th of July weekend.
The deluge caused the Guadalupe River to flood beyond capacity, inundating nearby areas.
According to a report from CNN, the flood resulted in at least 135 fatalities, primarily affecting people from the Kerr County region where Camp Mystic was located.
Once the waters receded, Camp Mystic confirmed that 27 campers and counselors had tragically lost their lives.
A statement on the camp’s website expressed deep sorrow: “Camp Mystic is grieving the loss of 27 campers and counselors following the catastrophic flooding on the Guadalupe River.
“Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly.”
Despite months of mourning, with many parents still searching for their missing children, Camp Mystic has announced plans to reopen one of its sites.
Letters acquired by CBS News and KHOU 11 News on September 22 revealed that Camp Mystic Cypress Lake will be the site to reopen.
This new site is near the original Camp Mystic Guadalupe location.
Currently, more than 100 individuals remain unaccounted for as search operations persist.
According to KHOU11 News, Camp Mystic Guadalupe will remain closed due to extensive damage, making it unfit for use until 2026.
“We are writing today to share some updates related to Camp and the next summer season. Thank you so much for your love, support and patience with us during this unprecedented time. We have prayed about next summer daily,” stated parts of the letter.
The letters also mentioned plans for a memorial to honor ‘the lives of the campers and counselors lost on July 4th.’
“We hope this space will serve as a place of reflection and remembrance of these beautiful girls. We continue to pray for the grieving families and all those who lost loved ones,” it continued.
The New York Times reported that two different emails were sent—one to the families of the deceased girls and another to a larger group of former campers and their families. However, some families of the deceased mentioned they were not informed about the memorial and criticized the camp for its shortcomings.
Cici Steward, mother of the missing 8-year-old Cile Steward, remarked: “The truth is, Camp Mystic failed our daughters.
“Recovery teams are still out there, scouring the river, risking and sacrificing so much to find her so we can finally lay her to rest. For their efforts, we are eternally grateful,” Cici added. “Camp Mystic, however, has only added to our grief. For my family, these months have felt like an eternity. For the camp, it seems like nothing more than a brief pause before business as usual.
“Camp Mystic is pressing ahead with reopening, even if it means inviting girls to swim in the same river that may potentially still hold my daughter’s body.”
The Stewards’ letter, which purports to represent other families who also lost children, urged the organization to ‘halt all discussions of reopening and memorials.’
The letter stated: “Instead, Cile must be recovered, and you must fully confront and account for your role in the events and failures that caused the deaths of our daughters. Anything less dishonors the children who were killed while in your care — at a time when their safety was your primary responsibility.”
Matthew Childress, father of Chloe Childress, one of the two counselors who died, shared with The Texas Tribune that the families of the deceased were ‘not consulted about and did not approve’ the memorial.
“At this time, we believe that all resources should be focused on reuniting Cile Steward with her family, as the last unrecovered camper lost in the waters of the Guadalupe River at Camp Mystic,” he stated.
UNILAD reached out to Camp Mystic for comment.