Sign up for The Brief, a daily newsletter that keeps readers informed about the most important news in Texas.
The owners of an all-girls summer camp in the Texas Hill Country, where a tragic flooding incident on July 4 resulted in the deaths of 25 campers and two teenage counselors, have announced plans for significant safety upgrades. These enhancements are set to be implemented when a portion of the camp reopens next summer.
In a letter addressed to parents, the owners of Camp Mystic expressed their commitment to not only comply with new safety regulations established by the Legislature and signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in the wake of the floods, which claimed at least 136 lives and caused extensive property damage, but to surpass these requirements.
“As we prepare for next summer at Camp Mystic Cypress Lake, we understand that safety is a primary concern for all of you, as it is for us,” the Eastland family stated in their correspondence. “We are grateful to the families of Heaven’s 27 and our state leaders for enacting legislation aimed at enhancing camp safety. Our objective is to not only meet but exceed the new safety standards.”
The victims of the flooding have been collectively referred to as “Heaven’s 27.” Among the owners of Camp Mystic are the wife and other family members of Dick Eastland, who also lost his life in the tragedy.
The new safety measures will include the installation of four flood warning river monitors, which will provide early alerts for potential high-water events; two-way radios in every cabin equipped with national weather alerts; and high-capacity generators to ensure power supply in critical areas of the camp, such as the office and dining hall.
“We understand that returning to Camp Mystic brings both hope and heartache,” the Eastland family noted in their letter. “For many of your daughters, this return is not straightforward, but it represents a courageous step in their healing process.”
In September, the Eastland family also announced plans to construct a memorial for the girls who perished in the flooding, alongside the reopening of Camp Mystic Cypress Lake. This separate property, which was unaffected by the July 4 floods, has faced criticism from some families of the victims, who expressed that they were not consulted regarding the camp’s reopening plans.
“To advocate for reopening less than three months after such a tragedy — while one camper remains missing — is unfathomable,” wrote CiCi and Will Steward, whose 8-year-old daughter Cile Steward died in the floods and whose body has yet to be recovered, in a letter to Camp Mystic officials following the announcement of the reopening plans.
The families of several girls who lost their lives in the floods have initiated legal action against Camp Mystic and the Eastlands, claiming that the camp operators failed to implement necessary precautions as dangerous floodwaters approached.
Camp Mystic is scheduled to offer six distinct 10-day sessions in 2026, commencing on May 30 and concluding on August 9. Additionally, they plan to conduct tours of the camp in April for enrolled campers, counselors, and their parents.
In an effort to support independent journalism in Texas, contributions are essential. The Texas Tribune is dedicated to providing fact-based reporting for Texans, funded by donations from our community of readers. Your support is crucial in helping us deliver comprehensive news and information. Will you consider making a donation to our nonprofit newsroom?
