Camp Mystic Files for Bankruptcy After Devastating Floods

Camp Mystic, a Christian camp for girls located along the Guadalupe River in Texas, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization on Wednesday. This action came nearly a year after tragic floods resulted in the deaths of 25 campers and two teenage counselors.

The camp has faced mounting pressure since the disaster on July 4. Initially planning to reopen in celebration of its 100th anniversary, the camp’s owners reversed this decision in April due to backlash from victims’ families and lawmakers. The families have filed lawsuits against the camp, blaming it for not safeguarding the girls as the waters surged.

Richard Eastland, the camp’s owner, also lost his life in the flood. According to federal court filings in Houston, the camp has debts exceeding $10 million. Attempts to reach Camp Mystic’s attorney for comments have been unsuccessful.

Bankruptcy will not stop all responsible parties from being held accountable, said Paul Yetter, a lawyer representing many families of the deceased campers and counselors. These innocent girls deserve justice.

For many years, Camp Mystic was a cherished institution where girls engaged in activities like horseback riding, canoeing, fishing, and Bible studies. However, the July floods that devastated Camp Mystic killed at least 136 people along a section of the river, raising serious concerns about the management and safety measures at the camp.

In response to the disaster, the Eastland family had been committed to reopening the camp with new safety enhancements, including flood-warning river monitors and two-way radios with weather alerts. By spring, the camp declared its readiness to welcome nearly 900 campers.

Nonetheless, assurances of safety failed to convince the victims’ families and several Texas lawmakers. State regulators identified multiple flaws in the emergency response plan of the camp, including evacuation procedures and staff safety training.

Weeks of court hearings and legislative probes exposed the camp’s inadequate planning for flood emergencies and reliance on untrained staff. Families of victims attended the hearings, often wearing “Heaven’s 27” pins in memory of their daughters. The testimonies included reports of ignored flood warnings, the flood’s nature, and delays in evacuating the girls.

Prior to canceling the reopening, Camp Mystic had invited journalists and lawmakers to review the safety upgrades, assuring that no activities would occur in flood-prone areas. The Eastland family noted that many families were eager for the camp’s return.

The community and stakeholders continue to grapple with the tragedy and its aftermath.