đ âThey Were Singing to Stay Calmâ â The Camp Mystic Tragedy and a Communityâs Response
âMy heart is broken⌠We are leaning on each other, on our faith, and the love we shared at the camp.â
Over the July 4th weekend, a devastating flash flood tore through Texas Hill Country, claiming more than 100 lives. At the center of the catastrophe was Camp Mysticâa historic Christian summer camp for girls nestled along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County. As rescue efforts continue and families mourn, the tragedy has sparked urgent calls for reform and an outpouring of compassion from across Texas and beyond.
1. Camp Mystic: A Century-Old Tradition, Swept Away in the Night
Founded in 1926 by Margaret âAunt Pegâ Wartenberger, Camp Mystic has for generations been a cherished spiritual retreat for girls across Texas. Known for its riverside cabins, faith-based activities, and sisterhood-building traditions, the camp holds deep emotional roots for thousands of alumnae.
On the night of the flood, approximately 750 girls were in attendance when the Guadalupe River surged 26 feet in just 45 minutesâfloodwaters rising to the rooftops of cabins.
Camp nurse Devon Paige described the chaos as first responders arrived:
âThis is footage from my evacuation⌠I wish you could see the âbeforeâ shots to understand how truly devastating it is.â
Camp director Richard âDickâ Eastland, a longtime staff member, died while heroically assisting in the evacuation. His family shared that,
âHis last act of kindness and sacrifice was working to save the lives of campers.â
NPR alumnus Lauren Garcia wrote,
âMy heart is broken⌠We are leaning on each other, on our faith, and the love we shared at the camp.â
(image from Reuters)
2. A Human Toll Beyond Words: The Lives Lost
As of July 7, Camp Mystic confirmed 27 deaths among campers and staff. Another 11 individualsâ10 girls and one counselorâremain missing. Families are grappling with unimaginable grief.
The Bonner family, who lost 9-year-old Lila, shared,
âWe are heartbroken⌠We ache with all who loved her.â
Janie Hunt, also 9, was the great-niece of well-known NFL figures. Family friend Jenna Bush Hager said the Bush family was âoverwhelmed with emotion,â adding:
âThis spiritual, beautiful place meant so much to so many.â
3. Warning System Failures: âFive Minutes Could Have Saved Themâ
Despite warnings from the National Weather Service and emergency alerts posted on Kerrvilleâs city social media pages, many at Camp Mystic never received the messages due to a camp policy banning phones.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly admitted:
âWe do not have a warning system⌠We didnât know this flood was coming. Rest assured, no one knew this kind of flood was coming.â
Local resident Nicole Wilson believes even a brief heads-up could have made a difference:
âFive to 10 minutes longer warning could have saved lives⌠Counselors could have led children to higher ground.â
Nearby towns like Comfort, just 20 miles away, had functioning sirens that prompted evacuations. But Texas does not require outdoor alert systems, leaving the decision up to local leaders. Past efforts to secure funding in Kerr County failedâincluding a 2018 grant application and a 2020 proposal that stalled over cost concerns.
Kelly stated bluntly:
âTaxpayers wonât pay for it.â When asked whether residents might reconsider now, he replied, âI donât know.â
4. How to Help: Statewide Support Rises to the Moment
In the face of heartbreak, Texans are coming together in extraordinary ways.
Hereâs how you can support victims, families, and ongoing rescue efforts:
Kerr County Flood Relief Fund via the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country
Salvation Army (Hays Street, Kerrville): accepting non-perishables, baby supplies, cleaning products, hygiene kits
American Red Cross: Operating three shelters in Kerrville and Comfort
Verified GoFundMe Campaigns: For families directly affected
Nonprofits on the ground:
Southern Baptist of Texas Convention
Texans on Mission
Austin Pets Alive! (transporting and caring for animals)
Mercy Chefs (feeding first responders)
Texas Search & Rescue
Major donations include:
NFL teams (Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans) and the NFL Foundation: $1.5 million
NBA and its Texas teams (Mavericks, Rockets, Spurs) and the NBA Playersâ Association: over $2 million
MLB teams (Houston Astros, Texas Rangers): $1 million each
Walmart, Samâs Club, and the Walmart Foundation: $500,000, including donation-matching
Alamo Drafthouse: $50,000
P. Terryâs: 100% of July 10 profits will go to Austin Disaster Relief Network
Churches, running clubs, food banks, and shelters across the region are also mobilizing to help
5. Looking Ahead: Lessons, Reforms, and the Path Forward
The immediate priority remains search and recovery. But long-term, the flood has made clear that systemic failures in early-warning infrastructure cost livesâespecially in high-risk areas like summer camps.
Critical questions remain:
Why was Kerr County's 2018 federal grant request denied?
Why did previous efforts to install sirens go unfunded?
How can Texas implement a statewide requirement for outdoor warning systems?
What low-cost alternatives exist for rural or high-risk communities?
As the region mourns, advocates are pushing for reforms that ensure vulnerable populationsâespecially childrenâare never caught unprepared again.
Final Word: Grief Meets Resolve
The Central Texas floodsâand especially the tragedy at Camp Mysticâhave become a flashpoint for grief and a rallying cry for change. In its 100-year legacy, Camp Mystic stood for joy, friendship, and spiritual growth. That legacy now carries a solemn new meaning: one of sacrifice, heartbreak, and a renewed promise to do better.
Let the memory of those lost serve as a call to action. Let the love they shared ignite a movement for safety and preparedness. Let no community face this pain again.
đ§ To donate or learn more, visit:
www.communityfoundation.net/kerr-flood-relief
www.redcross.org
www.salvationarmytexas.org
đď¸ May those lost at Mystic be remembered with graceâand may those left behind be lifted by love.