Camp Mystic, the Texas summer camp hit hard by deadly floods that claimed 27 young lives, plans to reopen next summer at a nearby location. The Christian camp shared the news in emails to families, promising stricter safety rules to prevent future tragedies.
In a message to victims’ families on Monday, camp leaders said they’ll stick to the “Heaven’s 27 Safety Act,” a new law that parents of the lost campers fought for in the Texas legislature. This bill bans building cabins in risky flood zones and forces camps to create detailed emergency plans. It also taps $240 million from the state’s emergency fund for things like warning sirens and better weather alerts.
The camp will revive its Cypress Lake site, which opened in 2020 and can welcome campers right away. The original 99-year-old Guadalupe spot in Kerrville remains too damaged from the July 4 floods to reopen soon. Leaders are teaming up with engineers to make all the required fixes.
To honor the victims, Camp Mystic will build a memorial capturing “the beauty, kindness, and grace they all shared,” according to the email. It aims to keep alive the joy those kids brought to everyone.
The floods struck around 3 a.m. when raging waters from the Guadalupe River overwhelmed the camp. Many of the 650 campers and staffers were asleep when a flash-flood warning hit at 1:14 a.m., warning of “catastrophic” risks. Survivors recall hearing screams in the dark as counselors rushed kids out barefoot through a window and up a rocky hill. At least 27 got swept away, including 9-year-old Lila Bonner and 8-year-old Cile Steward, whose body is still missing despite ongoing search efforts.
Not everyone’s on board with the reopening. Some parents, especially those who lost children, feel blindsided and angry. Blake Bonner, Lila’s father, spoke for several families: “The families of deceased Camp Mystic campers and counselors were not consulted about and did not approve this memorial.”
Cici Steward, Cile’s mom, didn’t hold back either. “The truth is, Camp Mystic failed our daughters,” she said. She praised the recovery teams still searching the river but added that the camp “has only added to our grief.”
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