Camp Mystic Plans Reopening Amidst Controversy Over Tragic Flooding

Camp Mystic, the Texas-based summer camp for girls where 27 campers and counselors tragically lost their lives during a flash flood in July, is preparing to reopen next summer. This announcement has deeply divided and shocked the camp’s alumni community and the families affected by the disaster.

The camp’s management disclosed their reopening plans through two separate emails sent on the same day: one addressed to the families of those who died, and the other to a wider group of former campers and their relatives, many of whom continue to support the camp’s leadership.

In the message to former campers, the camp owners expressed their commitment not only to rebuilding physical facilities such as cabins and trails but also to restoring a space where joy, friendship, and personal growth can thrive. They conveyed eagerness to welcome visitors back through the camp’s iconic green gates.

Since 2020, Camp Mystic has operated a secondary site near the original campus along the Guadalupe River. The reopening next year will focus on this original location.

The decision to reopen has stirred ongoing controversy within the Mystic community. An 8-year-old child, Cile Steward, remains missing following the disaster. In response to the tragedy, the Texas Legislature enacted new safety regulations for camps, driven by heartfelt advocacy from the bereaved families. Despite these measures, unresolved questions persist regarding the circumstances of the Independence Day flood, and many families oppose the camp’s reopening.

The recent communications from the camp, which included plans to establish a memorial honoring the victims on the grounds, sparked immediate distress and anger among several families. Parents also noted a lack of consistent communication from the camp in the months following the tragedy.