US EditionParents of missing Camp Mystic flood victim call plan to reopen next year ‘unthinkable’
Camp Mystic owners plan to reopen a safer, undamaged section and build a memorial despite objections from families of victims, including those of the only missing camper.
- On July 4, 2024, catastrophic flooding at Camp Mystic in Texas killed 25 campers and two teenage counselors, including owner Dick Eastland.
- The flood was a 100% preventable failure of planning, prevention, detection, and response, according to safety advocate Blake Bonner and victims' families.
- Camp Mystic’s owners, including the Eastland family, revealed intentions to partially reopen the undamaged Cypress Lake section of the camp in the coming summer and to establish a memorial honoring the 27 victims.
- Families, led by CiCi and Will Steward whose daughter Cili remains missing, condemned reopening plans as "unthinkable" and called for halting discussions until remains are recovered.
- Following the tragedy, the Texas Legislature passed laws requiring emergency plans, worker training, and improved warning systems, backed by $240 million for disaster relief.
60 Articles
60 Articles
Two months after flood, grief and rebuilding plans collide at Camp Mystic
Two months after flash floods swept through Camp Mystic in Kerr County, Texas, killing 27 campers and counselors, the camp’s leaders are laying out plans to rebuild. They hope to reopen next summer. For families who lost children, the announcement has reopened deep wounds. Among them are the parents of 8-year-old Cile Steward, whose body has not been recovered. In an email sent on Monday announcing its plans, Camp Mystic told the community, "We …
Parents of girl still missing from Camp Mystic flooding calls reopening of camp 'unthinkable'
(ABC NEWS) — Less than three months after devastating floods tragically killed 27 people at Camp Mystic in Kerr County, Texas, the camp announced it will reopen in 2026, with several families — including the parents of an 8-year-old girl who is still missing after the floods — criticizing this decision. “To promote reopening less than three months after the tragedy — while one camper remains missing — is unthinkable. Our families remain trapped …
‘Unthinkable’: Parents of missing child criticize Camp Mystic reopening, memorial plans
On Wednesday, the parents of 8-year-old Cecilia "Cile" Steward, who is still missing from the Kerrville floods, posted a letter on social media calling for Camp Mystic to pause plans to reopen.
'Unthinkable': Parents of missing child criticize Camp Mystic reopening, memorial plans
Editor's Note: The above video shows when the mother of the only camper still missing from Camp Mystic spoke at the Texas Capitol in August 2025. AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the parents of 8-year-old Cecilia "Cile" Steward, who is still missing from the Kerrville floods, posted a letter on social media calling for Camp Mystic to pause plans to reopen. The camp announced Monday it would reopen next summer and build a memorial to the girls who d…
‘Unthinkable’: Camp Mystic parents condemn reopening plans after devastating floods
Despite a plea by the family of a camper who is still missing to halt all discussions of reopening and memorials to those who died, Mystic officials say they’ll proceed with their plans.
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