Camp Mystic became the center of America’s attention in July 2025 when catastrophic flash flooding on the Guadalupe River killed 28 people at the girls’ summer camp in Kerr County, Texas — 25 campers, two counselors, and the camp’s director. The tragedy prompted a national conversation about flood preparedness, warning systems, and the responsibility camps bear for the safety of children in their care.
What Is Camp Mystic?
Camp Mystic is a private non-denominational Christian girls’ summer camp founded in 1926 by E.J. “Doc” Stewart, a University of Texas football coach, on the banks of the Guadalupe River in Kerr County. The camp sits on approximately 725 acres in unincorporated Kerr County, about 6 miles southwest of Hunt and 85 miles northwest of San Antonio. It serves girls aged 8 to 17 across three sessions each summer — two 30-day sessions and a shorter August session. The camp has been owned by the Eastland family since the late 2000s following a family ownership transition.
As of early July 2025, Camp Mystic was hosting 750 campers across its two campuses — the original Guadalupe campus along the river and the newer Cypress Lake campus, which was added in the 2010s. The camp offers over 30 activities including archery, canoeing, horseback riding, lacrosse, and riflery, as well as indoor activities.
The Night of July 4, 2025 – Timeline of the Flooding
The Guadalupe River began rising rapidly in the early morning hours of July 4. Here is the documented timeline of what happened at Camp Mystic:
- 1:15 AM — The National Weather Service issues a flash flood emergency for Kerr County
- 1:45 AM — Camp director Dick Eastland becomes concerned about rising river levels. No evacuation is ordered.
- 2:14 AM — A small creek becomes impassable near the camp. Still no evacuation.
- 2:37 AM — Eastland drives counselors who came to the camp office back to their cabins. Counselors in cabins are told to put towels down at door gaps and stay put.
- 2:55 AM — Eastland becomes frantic. He radios counselors urgently, ordering evacuation of the Bubble Inn cabin. He drives to personally assist evacuation.
- Before 3 AM — Floodwaters overwhelm the Guadalupe campus. Eastland’s car is found stuck against a tree, along with the bodies of three Bubble Inn campers. Eastland died attempting to save them.
- July 4 afternoon — Rescue operations begin. Campers transported to a reunification center at an Ingram elementary school.
The Victims
Twenty-eight people at Camp Mystic died in the flooding — the largest single-site loss of life in the disaster. Among the confirmed victims were:
- Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence, 8-year-old twin sisters from Dallas
- Linnie McCown, age 8, from Austin
- Eloise Peck, age 8, from the Dallas area
- Lila Bonner, age 9, from the Dallas area
- Hadley Hanna, age 8, from the Dallas area
- Sarah Marsh, age 8, from Alabama
- Greta Toranzo, a camper attending for her third summer
- Chloe Childress, age 18, a counselor and recent graduate of The Kinkaid School in Houston
- Dick Eastland, age 75, camp director and co-owner
By February 6, 2026, all but one of the bodies had been recovered from the river. Some campers survived extraordinary circumstances — one girl was swept 6.5 miles downstream and survived. Others found safety in a grove of trees until rescuers arrived.
Investigation Findings – Failures at Camp Mystic
The Texas Legislature conducted a two-day hearing in April 2026 examining what went wrong at Camp Mystic. Lead investigator Casey Garrett, testifying before lawmakers, detailed the failures that contributed to the deaths:
No Adequate Communication Equipment
Campers were not allowed to bring personal cellphones to Camp Mystic — a common policy at traditional summer camps meant to encourage a device-free experience. However, this meant that when flooding occurred, neither campers nor counselors had individual communication devices. The camp’s only radios were held by the director and a few senior leaders. Counselors in cabins had no way to communicate with each other or with camp leadership during the emergency. “It’s just unthinkable that these girls would have no training. And again, just the real lack of equipment, no radios, no walkie-talkies, no phones,” Garrett told lawmakers.
No Proper Evacuation Plan
The camp had a written emergency plan — a state inspector noted its existence just two days before the flood. However, investigators found the plan was not adequate and, critically, counselors were not trained on it. Texas law requires camps to demonstrate that emergency plans exist, but does not require state officials to review or approve the plan’s contents. Furthermore, a culture at the camp discouraged counselors from questioning decisions made by director Dick Eastland — which the investigation found contributed to the delayed evacuation.
Known Flood Risk Ignored
Camp Mystic’s Guadalupe campus sits in a FEMA-designated floodway — the highest-risk portion of a floodplain immediately adjacent to a river channel. This had been documented since at least 2011, when Kerr County’s flood insurance rate map showed the camp’s buildings in the floodway. The camp had experienced flooding in 1978 and 1984 with no fatalities, which may have contributed to a sense that the risk was manageable. Additionally, Kerr County had no automated flood warning system, relying instead on cellphone emergency alerts that did not reach the camp because campers lacked phones.
Legal and Legislative Aftermath
By February 2026, five lawsuits representing 15 families had been filed against Camp Mystic. In March 2026, Judge Maya Guerra Gamble issued an injunction halting renovations to the Guadalupe campus until investigations were complete, while allowing the undamaged Cypress Lake campus to remain open. In April 2026, Camp Mystic announced it would not reopen for summer 2026 — citing the ongoing legal proceedings and legislative scrutiny. In December 2025, the camp had announced it would install a flood warning system, though the camp’s future plans remained uncertain as of mid-2026.
For the complete death toll breakdown from the July 2025 floods, read our full Texas flood death toll article. For current Texas flood information and maps, visit our Texas flooding map page.
Frequently Asked Questions – Texas Flooding Camp Mystic
What happened at Camp Mystic during the Texas floods?
On July 4, 2025, catastrophic flash flooding on the Guadalupe River struck Camp Mystic in Kerr County. The river rose to record levels with almost no warning time. 28 people died — 25 campers aged 8 to 10, two counselors aged 18 and 19, and director Dick Eastland.
Where is Camp Mystic located?
Camp Mystic is in unincorporated Kerr County, Texas, approximately 6 miles southwest of Hunt. It sits along the banks of the Guadalupe River and Cypress Creek, about 85 miles northwest of San Antonio.
Is Camp Mystic reopening after the 2025 floods?
No. In April 2026, Camp Mystic announced it would not reopen for summer 2026. A court order blocked renovations to the Guadalupe campus, and Texas lawmakers raised serious concerns about safety preparedness during legislative hearings.
Did Camp Mystic have a flood warning system?
No. Camp Mystic did not have a dedicated flood warning system. Campers were not allowed to bring cellphones, and counselors did not have radios or walkie-talkies. The investigation found the camp lacked adequate communication equipment and evacuation training.
What is the legal status of Camp Mystic after the 2025 floods?
By February 2026, five lawsuits representing 15 families had been filed against Camp Mystic. A judge ruled in March 2026 to halt renovations to the Guadalupe campus pending investigation completion, while allowing the undamaged Cypress Lake campus to remain open.
