There existed ample and timely warning regarding the potential for flash flooding along the river; however, the camp management failed to exercise reasonable and appropriate measures in response to such warnings.
Posted on 07/05/2025 11:47:58 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
July 5 (Reuters) - Founded by a University of Texas football coach, Camp Mystic where raging floodwaters swept away dozens of girls - killing several and leaving many others missing - was established along the banks of the Guadalupe River in central Texas hill country nearly a century ago "to provide young girls with a wholesome Christian atmosphere.
Here are some facts and background about the camp:
The camp, located about 85 miles northwest of San Antonio, has operated nearly continuously since its founding in 1926 by E.J. "Doc" Stewart, who coached the Texas Longhorns football squad from 1923-1926 and, according to a UT historian, is the coach under whom the team first appeared in its iconic burnt orange and white uniforms.
Since then, it has operated each summer except for three years during World War Two, when it was leased by the U.S. government as a recovery facility for Army Air Corps veterans, according to the camp's website.
The current owners, Dick and Tweety Eastland, are the third generation of the family that bought the camp in 1939, the camp website says.
The camp, described on its website as "nestled among cypress, live oak and pecan trees ... on the banks of the beautiful Guadalupe River," operates three sessions each summer, offering classic summer camp activities including archery, canoeing, arts and crafts, horseback riding and a variety of sports.
It says it aims to challenge campers to meet its three ideals: "Be a better person for being at Mystic"; "Let Mystic bring out the best in them"; and "Grow spiritually."
When the flash flood struck early on Friday, it was less than a week into its second four-week term with more than 700 children in residence, according to details provided Friday by...
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
A nightmare.
“”Here are some facts and background about the camp:””
More facts about Camp Mystic....
Christian summer camp where girls went missing during devastating flooding has been attended by daughters of Texas’ political elite for 100 years
Anyone know the age range of the kids?
They’ve found some of the girls who unfortunately died. They were just eight years old.
The NWS issued a flash flood warning at 1 am, not sure why it didn’t come up on camp counselors’ cellphones.
9 yrs
There existed ample and timely warning regarding the potential for flash flooding along the river; however, the camp management failed to exercise reasonable and appropriate measures in response to such warnings.
The missing ones are 8 and their counselors are 19.
“nestled among cypress, live oak and pecan trees ...”
...cottonmouths, copperheads, and rattlesnakes...
Flash Flood Warnings are not issued with greater clarity than the warning issued by the National Weather Service in this instance.
No WiFi?
I read that the camp had 750 girls. So they got a warning a 1 am, and had to get up, wake all the campers up, and get them all out of danger, they didn’t have a lot of time.
As it is they got most of the girls to safety. It’s a terrible situation, as a father of 3 year old year girl I’m devastated for for the 23 they weren’t able to evacuate in time. But I’m not sure people should jump to conclusion about the adequacy of the camp’s response.
Probably, there is no reliable cell service west of Hunt TX unless there is wifi.
The owner mentioned fled with a car full of kids in his rig. Flood caught them and washed them downstream. Survived.
Anyone who is even casually acquainted with the Texas Hill Country understands that the potential for a flash flood.
“I remember that Frio River where I learned to swim”…. My aunt and uncle had a place downstream from Garner. When we would go there, I was amazed as to how high the debris field was from previous floods. Then, they broke our hearts and sold the place. It became more and more “Little Mexico” every year. Fat slobs sitting in the waterfalls drinking cervezas and wouldn’t get out of your way in a tube.
Horrible. Hard to imagine a parent right now dealing with this.
Then the camp owner deserves everything they get, but the innocent girls didn’t.
Flash floods are terrifying. So are tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanos, tsunamis, and everything else this unstable world challenges us with. And if you avoid those, you still have to worry about car accidents, slips in the bathtub, house fires, carbon monoxide, and unclean or unhealthy foods, unexpected diseases, Biden’s guests visiting. Makes you marvel at the courage of waking up every day and facing a new day of dangers. And did I mention every day you’re a day older?
The water rose 24 feet in 45 minutes, according to some reports.
Even with a warning most of them would never have been able to flee far enough, fast enough on those windy gravel roads.
Lots of places have no Wi-Fi including the grounds of a camp I used to run.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.