Camp Mystic to reopen sparking outrage from parents as search for missing children continues following deadly flood
Topics: Texas floods, US News, Parenting, Texas, News
Britt Jones
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/RONALDO SCHEMIDT
Topics: Texas floods, US News, Parenting, Texas, News
Parents are expressing concern after Camp Mystic announced it will reopen after a deadly flash flood in Texas killed over 130 people, including some of the camp’s children.
In July, a hoard of children were attending the Christian summer camp, Camp Mystic, when devastating floods ravaged Central Texas.
It occurred after a month's worth of heavy rain fell in a matter of hours over the 4th of July weekend.
This led to water levels in the Guadalupe River rising to breaking point, and it swept over the surrounding areas.
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According to CNN, at least 135 people were killed in the flood, most who were coming from the Kerr County region where Camp Mystic was situated.
When the water subsided, 27 campers and counsellors were later confirmed by Camp Mystic to have died.
A statement on the camp's website read: "Camp Mystic is grieving the loss of 27 campers and counsellors 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."
Following months of heartbreak, as a lot of parents are still searching for their children who have yet to be found, Camp Mystic announced it is set to reopen one of its locations.
According to letters sent to families which were obtained by CBS News and KHOU 11 News on September 22, Camp Mystic Cypress Lake will be the location to reopen.
The location is close to where Camp Mystic Guadalupe was.
Right now, more than 100 people are still missing as search efforts continue.
As per KHOU11 News, Camp Mystic Guadalupe will not be reopening as it was too greatly damaged to be ready for children in 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,” some of the letter read.
The letters shared that a memorial would be held too, which is ‘dedicated to the lives of the campers and counsellors 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 added.
While the New York Times reported that two separate emails were sent to ‘families of the girls who died, and one to a much broader group of past campers and their families,’ families of those who died said they were not told about a memorial, and others spoke of how the camp had ‘failed’ their daughters.
Cici Steward, the mother of still-missing 8-year-old Cile Steward said: “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 claims to have been written on behalf of the other families who lost children the camp, called on the organization to ‘halt all discussions of reopening and memorials.’
It said: “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, the father of Chloe Childress, one of the two counselors that died, told the The Texas Tribune that the families of deceased campers and counselors 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 said.
In a statement to UNILAD, Camp Mystic said: "Our decision to partially reopen areas of the camp is informed by our faith and our commitment to continue the nearly century-long mission and ministry of Camp Mystic to provide a Christian camping experience for girls that allows them to grow physically, mentally and spiritually.
"Camp Mystic is working with engineers and other experts to comply with all elements of the recently passed camp safety legislation. Camp Mystic Cypress Lake, which we are planning to re-open next summer, is a separate property that is not adjacent to the Guadalupe River and sustained no damage from the historic flood on July 4."