Camp Mystic Reopening Plans Draw Criticism from Grieving Families
Five months after a catastrophic Fourth of July flood claimed 27 lives (“Heaven’s 27”) along the Guadalupe River, Camp Mystic‘s plans to reopen have ignited controversy and deepened the rift between camp leadership and grieving families.
The historic girls’ camp in Kerr County, Texas, announced plans to resume operations next summer, prompting fierce backlash from parents who lost children in the July 4 tragedy that killed 25 campers and two counselors. Many families view the reopening timeline as premature and tone-deaf to their ongoing grief, arguing that the camp should remain closed until all investigations are complete and meaningful reforms are implemented.
They feel betrayal, anger, and a perceived lack of accountability from the camp.
“They’re moving forward like this was just an unfortunate accident, not a preventable tragedy,” said one parent, who is among multiple families pursuing legal action against the camp. The lawsuits allege Camp Mystic failed to maintain adequate emergency flood protocols despite operating along a river with a documented history of dangerous flooding.
Families have called the camp’s decision to partially reopen for its 100th anniversary “unthinkable” and “premature,” especially while one camper remains missing.
The tension reached a boiling point recently when camp officials posted a request in a private Facebook group for alumni, asking members to share photos and memories from previous floods at the camp in 1978 and 1987.
Richard Eastland, Jr., whose father died trying to save campers on the terrible night, posted his appeal in a private Facebook group known as “Byrd Chatter,” whose members are alumni still loyal to Camp Mystic.
“I was wondering if you could help me out with something. I have been trying to track down information on the 1978 flood and the 1987 flood. It’s really tough not having JC or my dad around who would know all of these things … Any information you can share is helpful.” — Richard Eastland, Jr., on Facebook
Eastland referred to Joe Clark “J.C.” Mattox, the former head of maintenance, who worked at Camp Mystic for 60 years and died in 2021 at 92.
While camp leadership framed the request as gathering historical documentation for their legal defense, many viewed it as insensitive and self-serving.
“They’re asking people to help them defend themselves while our children are barely in the ground,” another parent told local media. The Facebook post triggered immediate backlash, with some alumni refusing to participate and others questioning the camp’s priorities in the wake of such devastating loss.
Camp Mystic officials have maintained that safety remains their top priority and that they’re implementing enhanced weather monitoring and evacuation procedures. However, these assurances ring hollow for families who believe their children’s deaths could have been prevented with proper planning and decisive action during the flash flood emergency.
The lawsuits began last month.
CBS News
In the defendants’ motion to transfer venue, their attorneys wrote that Travis County is an improper venue because the camp is in Kerr County, and that “all relevant events” happened there.
“Potential witnesses include camp staff members who reside in Kerr County and local Kerr County officials. Furthermore, a site visit may be necessary so that the factfinder can see and appreciate the layout of the property and its elevations and the extent of the flood’s damage.” — Attorneys for Camp Mystic families
The legal complaints paint a troubling picture: inadequate evacuation plans, insufficient staff training for severe weather emergencies, and a failure to account for the river’s flash flood potential despite decades of operation at the site. Attorneys representing the families argue the camp prioritized tradition and experience over modern safety protocols.
Families successfully lobbied for the “Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act” (SB1) in Texas, which mandates stricter safety requirements, including emergency warning systems and prohibiting cabins in high-risk flood zones.
As Camp Mystic pushes toward reopening, the emotional divide continues to widen. For camp officials, moving forward may represent resilience and a commitment to the camp’s legacy. For grieving families, it feels like erasure—an attempt to return to normalcy before accountability has been established or justice served.
The question now is whether Camp Mystic can rebuild not just its facilities, but the shattered trust of a community forever changed by tragedy.
PODCAST
A single-vehicle crash in Manor late last night was the result of driving while intoxicated and left the driver with injuries.
An early-morning collision on the westbound US 290 toll road in Austin early Saturday morning left one person dead. (Hoodline)
Austin police say an SUV and a tow truck crashed in the 8400 block of the highway.
A report from the city’s Vision Zero program found a 46% drop in left-turn crashes involving pedestrians and an 82% reduction in related crash costs. (Community Impact)
OVERALL STATS FOR 2025 TO DATE:
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No other information is available at press time.
(Time of the incident was after 3:00 a.m….the app’s timestamp is PST.)
Round Rock Police Department launched an investigation into Garrett Andrew Bailey, 37, for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child after learning he assaulted a victim at a hotel in Round Rock. During the investigation, additional child victims were identified, uncovering a disturbing pattern of offenses connected to multiple jurisdictions in Texas.
Rollingwood police are investigating an incident that occurred Saturday morning involving the theft of an automobile that briefly triggered a Travis County alert.
Bexar County authorities provided more details on a large meth seizure there last week.
Federal prosecutors announced a $13.6 million settlement involving an Austin-based pain management practice. The settlement resolves allegations that the physician and his clinic submitted improper claims to federal and state health care programs for urine drug testing services. (Austin American-Statesman)
WEATHER
SATURDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
The first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere is marked by the winter solstice, which occurs today at 9:03 a.m. CST. The winter solstice is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight throughout the year, making it the shortest day of the year. The days begin to grow longer and longer again until we reach the summer solstice—the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. (Almanac)
The Washington-based space company Blue Origin is scouring the state for roughly 100 acres to build manufacturing and logistics facilities, and several cities in the Austin area have jumped to throw their hats in the ring. (Austin Business Journal)
The Texas Reporter is claiming that Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has illegally blocked the outlet from accessing and interacting with his verified Facebook page, cutting the publication off from a public-facing forum he uses while in office to communicate with Texans about matters of government and public policy.
Just over two weeks after Texas Senate Bill 8 took effect, the law commonly referred to by critics as the “bathroom bill” is drawing renewed controversy as local governments weigh how, and whether, to enforce it. (FOX 7 Austin)
A man allegedly crashed into a vehicle he was following and then opened fire before being shot by San Antonio police Saturday.
A Dallas police officer shot and killed a murder suspect near a mall on Saturday.
A man is facing criminal charges in Harris County for allegedly performing multiple surgeries on a woman and charging her thousands of dollars when he did not have a medical license to do so. (Houston Public Media)
The search continues for missing West Texas woman last seen in Houston’s Chinatown over a week ago.
Beginning this weekend, you can buy fireworks statewide in Texas. But some cities don’t allow them within city limits.
Months after public health officials say they caused the nation’s largest measles surge in 30 years, some West Texas Mennonites have grown more skeptical of the mainstream medical system. (Texas Tribune)
Who made the biggest splash in Texas politics in 2025? And who saw their fortunes take a turn for the worse? In this week’s end-of-year episode, host Jeremy Wallace channels the legendary Casey Kasem to count down the 7 politicians who saw their political stocks climb the most and those who saw theirs tumble. Which lists did Greg Abbott, Ted Cruz, John Cornyn and Jasmine Crockett end up on? Plus, reporters Taylor Goldenstein and John Moritz join the program to break down the biggest stories of the week. Finally, you’ll hear a tribute to some big names in Texas politics that the state lost in 2025.
(Episode from December 19, 2025)
This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina take a tour through a Texas political landscape that’s shifting from the Rio Grande Valley to the suburbs of Fort Worth — and everywhere in between.
(Episode from December 19, 2025)
(Episode from December 19, 2025)
In Texas, early state data shows the number of infant deaths has increased more than 7 percent since 2021. This week on Inside the Investigation – Investigative Reporter Arezow Doost explains how a new law is giving Texas families more time to say goodbye.
The world’s tallest, fastest and longest dive coaster, reached its full height Friday at Six Flags Over Texas.
Tormenta Rampaging Run will rise 309 feet above the park before sending riders into a beyond-vertical drop themed to the running of the bulls. It is the first-ever giga dive coaster, defined by a height of more than 300 feet, and will anchor the park’s re-imagined Spain area, Rancho de la Tormenta.
It’s about to get even bigger.
No one correctly matched all six numbers in last night’s Powerball drawing worth an estimated $1.5 BILLION.
The jackpot now swells to $1.6 BILLION for Monday night’s drawing.
The prize, which has an upfront cash value of $735.3 million before taxes, is now the fourth largest in the Powerball history and the seventh largest among U.S. lottery jackpots.
The game has gone 45 drawings without a jackpot winner.
SPORTS
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Malachi Toney’s tiebreaking 11-yard touchdown reception with less than two minutes left lifted No. 10 seed Miami to a 10-3 victory over No. 7 Texas A&M on Saturday in the College Football Playoff.
Mark Fletcher Jr. had a career-high 172 yards rushing to help the Hurricanes (11-2) advance to the Cotton Bowl to face No. 2 seed Ohio State on Dec. 31.
Arch Manning will reportedly be taking a pay cut from the school’s revenue sharing money pool in attempt to attract more talent from the transfer portal or bolster retention efforts to support a Texas Longhorns national championship-run. (Houston Chronicle)
NFL WEEK 16: With only three games left for NFL playoff contenders, things are getting tight.
The Houston Texas have won six straight to put themselves back into the mix, not only for a postseason spot but a shot at the division as well.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys have no shot at the postseason, having already been mathematically eliminated thanks to a victory yesterday by the Philadelphia Eagles. (Yahoo! Sports)
NBA: Kevin Durant scored 31 points as the Houston Rockets bounced back from a controversial overtime loss to beat the Denver Nuggets 115-101 on Saturday. (Yahoo! Sports)
Tyrese Maxey scored 38 points, including seven during a key fourth-quarter stretch, and VJ Edgecombe added 26 as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 121-114 on Saturday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
ON THE SCHEDULE
The Mavericks have the day off while both San Antonio and Houston are on the road.
STANDINGS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: The Texas Tech Red Raiders pulled off what the Texas Longhorns couldn’t.
Christian Anderson erupted for 23 of his 27 points in the second half as short-handed Texas Tech rallied from a 17-point second half deficit and stole the show at a Duke-friendly Madison Square Garden on Saturday night in the SentinelOne Classic with an 82-81 win over the No. 3 Blue Devils. (Yahoo! Sports)
ON THE SCHEDULE
One game of note today.
NHL: The Dallas Stars host Toronto this evening.
Experience the magic of the SeaWorld Christmas Celebration in this complete holiday guide to SeaWorld San Antonio, Texas…the best Christmas shows, seasonal entertainment, and the largest Christmas light display in Texas, making this one of the top holiday theme park events in San Antonio.
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