In the wake of a devastating flood that claimed the lives of 27 children and counselors, Camp Mystic, a renowned girls' summer retreat in Texas Hill Country, is set to reopen for its centennial anniversary next summer.
This decision has sparked outrage among the grieving families and caused a rift within a community that was once united, as reported by The New York Times.
The Eastland family, who have owned Camp Mystic since the 1930s, announced the reopening in two separate emails sent on Monday. One was addressed to the families who lost their daughters in the tragedy, and the other was sent to a wider network of alumni and supporters.
The emails outlined plans for new safety measures and a memorial to honor the deceased. However, these assurances were met with disbelief and anger by many of the bereaved.
"The families of deceased Camp Mystic campers and counselors were not consulted about and did not approve this memorial," stated Blake Bonner, whose 9-year-old daughter, Lila, was among those who perished in the flood. For parents still grappling with their loss, the announcement seemed premature. Cile Steward, an 8-year-old camper, remains missing.
"The truth is, Camp Mystic failed our daughters," her mother, Cici, said in a statement on Tuesday. "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."
In a statement, the Eastlands claimed they had "received no negative comments from any of the bereaved families regarding plans to build a memorial." However, the relatives of the deceased, who have come to call themselves "Heaven's 27," argue that the focus should be on recovering Steward and ensuring accountability.
Camp Mystic has been a beloved institution for families from Houston, Austin, and Dallas, with its alumni forming a network across Texas. However, many of these connections have been strained since the deadly July 4 floods that swept through Central Texas, killing over 130 people along the Guadalupe River. Camp Mystic was the only overnight camp where children lost their lives.
In response to this tragedy, the Texas Legislature, backed by the parents of the deceased, passed comprehensive new safety laws. These laws mandate camps to relocate cabins out of flood plains and enhance detection and warning systems. Gov. Greg Abbott signed the legislation in August, declaring, "Camp safety is now law in the great state of Texas."
The Eastlands publicly supported these reforms, emphasizing the importance of early warning systems. However, some counselors who worked at Mystic over the summer objected, writing to Abbott that the bills were "rushed" and could jeopardize the camp's future.
The reopening plan applies to Mystic's newer campus, which was opened in 2020, while the original riverside grounds remain closed. Preparations for next year's centennial session are already underway, although the camp acknowledged in its email to the parents of the deceased: "We have not been perfect at communicating. The distance that has grown between some of us saddens us all."
For many, the pain is still fresh. "Recovery teams are still out there, scouring the river," Cici Steward said. "Camp Mystic, however, has only added to our grief." As the camp prepares to welcome new campers next summer, the families of those lost in the flood continue to seek closure and accountability.
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