Camp Mystic Plans to Reopen After Devastating Flood
KERRVILLE, Texas — Camp Mystic plans to reopen next summer near the site where 27 girls and counselors died in a July flood.
The campers and counselors were swept to their deaths when fast-rising floodwaters of the Guadalupe River roared through the girls’ summer camp in a low-lying area known as flash flood alley. All told, the destructive flooding in Texas on the Fourth of July killed at least 136 people and washed away homes and vehicles.
The Decision to Reopen
In an email sent Monday to the families of the victims, the camp said when it reopens, its planning and procedures will follow the “requirements of the camp safety legislation you bravely championed.” About an hour later, the camp sent an email to the rest of the families announcing the decision.
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A Memorial to Honor the Victims
The camp also announced that it will build a memorial to the girls who died in the flooding.
“In the memorial’s design, we will strive to capture the beauty, kindness and grace they all shared, while focusing on the joy they carried and will always inspire in us all,” the email said.
New Safety Measures
Camp Mystic parents successfully pushed for Texas to pass bills aimed at preventing similar tragedies.
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The measures aim to improve the safety of children’s camps by prohibiting cabins in dangerous parts of flood zones and requiring camp operators to develop detailed emergency plans, to train workers and to install and maintain emergency warning systems. One allocates $240 million from the state’s rainy day fund for disaster relief, along with money for warning sirens and improved weather forecasting.
“It will hurt my family forever that, for reasons I still do not know, these protections were not in place nor thought out thoroughly for my daughter and the rest of the girls here,” he said. “Please pass this bill, protect our kids and do not let their deaths be in vain.”
Reopening Plans
The announcement means that Camp Mystic Cypress Lake, a sister site that opened to campers in 2020, will reopen next summer. But the 99-year-old Camp Mystic Guadalupe was too damaged to open next summer, according to the camp.
The email said leaders are “working with engineers and other experts to determine how we will implement the changes required” under the newly passed bills
Conclusion
The reopening of Camp Mystic is a significant step towards healing and recovery for the families of the victims and the community. The new safety measures and memorial will serve as a reminder of the tragic event and the importance of prioritizing the safety and well-being of children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will Camp Mystic reopen?
A: Camp Mystic plans to reopen next summer near the site where 27 girls and counselors died in a July flood.
Q: What new safety measures will be implemented?
A: The camp will follow the requirements of the camp safety legislation, including prohibiting cabins in dangerous parts of flood zones, developing detailed emergency plans, training workers, and installing and maintaining emergency warning systems.
Q: Will there be a memorial for the victims?
A: Yes, the camp will build a memorial to the girls who died in the flooding, capturing their beauty, kindness, and grace, and focusing on the joy they carried and will always inspire.
Q: What is the status of Camp Mystic Guadalupe?
A: The 99-year-old Camp Mystic Guadalupe was too damaged to open next summer, according to the camp.
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