A Christian girls' camp in Texas is facing a backlash from the families of victims after announcing plans to reopen less than a year after catastrophic flooding killed 25 campers and two teenage counsellors. Camp Mystic, which has operated for nearly a century, was devastated in July 2025 when flash floods swept through two cabins housing the youngest girls, claiming 27 lives, including owner Richard Eastland.
Despite the tragedy, camp owners have vowed to resume operations in May 2026, citing safety improvements and the permanent closure of the areas nearest to the Guadalupe River. However, relatives of the deceased have condemned the decision, with one mother writing that campers would 'swim in the same river that may potentially still hold my daughter’s body.' The camp also plans to build a memorial to those who died.
Texas health regulators are currently reviewing whether to renew Camp Mystic's licence after finding nearly two dozen deficiencies in its emergency operations plan. An 11-page report by the Department of State Health Services, issued in April 2026, highlighted problems with flood warning evacuation plans, emergency warning systems, and safety training for staff.
Legal action has also been taken. In November 2025, families of the victims filed lawsuits seeking more than $1 million in damages, alleging that camp operators failed to take necessary precautions as floodwaters approached. During a hearing in April 2026, camp director Edward Eastland admitted that lives could have been saved if staff had acted sooner, but insisted the storm's severity was unforeseen.
An investigator told lawmakers that young, inexperienced counsellors were not trained to handle floods and feared making decisions independently. A 'culture of obedience' and poor training were blamed for the high death toll. A full written report is expected later this year.
In response to the disaster, Governor Greg Abbott signed several bills in September 2025 aimed at preventing future tragedies, including a $240 million relief package and measures requiring emergency plans and warning sirens at camps. Camp Mystic's licence renewal remains uncertain as regulators investigate hundreds of complaints.
