Parents Voice Outrage Over Decision to Reopen Flood-Stricken Summer Camp
Despite the heartbreaking loss of 27 lives due to a catastrophic flood at a Texas summer camp, the camp has announced it will reopen its doors in 2026. This decision has sparked outrage among several grieving families, including the parents of an 8-year-old girl who has not been found since the disaster.
The parents of the missing child, CiCi and Will Steward, expressed their shock and disappointment in a letter addressed to the camp's management. They described the decision to reopen as unthinkable, criticizing the camp for treating the tragedy as a brief interruption of their business operations.
The Tragedy at Camp Mystic
The summer camp, known for its Christian-focused activities for girls, was struck by a lethal flood in the middle of the night, claiming the lives of 27 campers and counselors. Many of the camp's buildings were dangerously close to the river and situated in recognized flood zones, as pointed out by state leaders and environmental experts.
Partial Reopening Announced
The camp issued an announcement about the partial reopening of a sister site that was untouched by the flood, while the main campsite will remain closed due to the massive damage it sustained from the disaster. The news about the reopening was sent to families enrolled for the 2025 camp.
The camp insisted that the sister site, which is set to reopen in the summer of 2026, is a separate property that did not suffer any damage from the flood.
Plans for a Memorial
Alongside their rebuilding efforts, the camp officials also announced plans to construct a memorial to honor the lives lost in the flood. They stated their intention to move forward respectfully, keeping in mind the memory of those who were tragically lost.
However, the Stewards argued that for many families, the camp's spirit died along with their daughters. They emphasized that the camp made its reopening announcement without consulting or getting the consent of the affected families.
They also expressed their distress about the idea of inviting children to swim in the same river that might still hold their missing daughter's body.
Parents Demand Accountability
The parents of another camper who lost her life in the flood, echoed the Stewards' sentiments. They believe the camp should prioritize finding the missing girl over any reopening plans.
Another set of grieving parents claimed they were never consulted about the memorial, contradicting the camp's previous statements. They objected to the idea of inviting new campers to the site where their daughter and 26 others lost their lives.
The Stewards are urging the camp to stop all discussions about reopening and building memorials and instead focus on finding their missing daughter and taking responsibility for the tragedy.
They believe that anything less would be a dishonor to the children who lost their lives while under the camp's care.
Camp Mystic's Response
In response to the parents' concerns, the camp stated it is in the early stages of planning a memorial and has informed the bereaved parents about it. The camp mentioned that it would welcome the participation of the affected families in the process.
They defended their decision to reopen parts of the camp, citing their faith and commitment to their mission of providing a Christian camping experience for girls. They added that they are working with experts to comply with recently passed camp safety legislation.