A Summer Camp’s Joy Turned to Horror in Texas Flood Disaster
Camp Mystic, a beloved Christian girls’ camp nestled along the Guadalupe River in Texas, was a sanctuary of summer joy, prayer, and adventure just days ago. For young girls like eight-year-old Renee Smajstrla, it was a place to create cherished memories, as evidenced by a photograph showing her beaming with her friends, “having the time of her life.” Tragically, this idyllic scene was shattered when a catastrophic flood, one of the deadliest in recent Texas history, swept through the camp, transforming it into a scene of devastation and loss.
Renee was among the victims claimed by the relentless waters. Her uncle, Shawn Salta, shared his grief on Facebook, writing, “She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic.” The camp’s once vibrant bunkhouses now stand as haunting testaments to the disaster, with personal belongings scattered amidst the mud and debris. The floodwaters stripped away the innocence of summer camp, leaving behind a stark reality of destruction, where children once gathered for Bible study and campfire songs, now only the detritus of a prematurely ended summer remains.
The confirmed death toll has reached at least 59, a devastating number that includes the camp’s long-serving director, Richard “Dick” Eastland, and several young campers. Adding to the heartbreak, eleven campers and one counselor remain missing. Many of the unaccounted-for girls were reportedly sleeping in cabins situated in low-lying areas, perilously close to the riverbank, a mere 500 feet from the Guadalupe River.
Thirteen-year-old Stella Thompson recounted the terrifying moments when storms awoke her in her cabin on higher ground. As helicopters began to circle overhead, the gravity of the situation became apparent. The girls in her cabin learned that the side of the camp nearest the Guadalupe River had been inundated. “When we got that news, we were all, like, hysterical and praying a lot,” Stella shared with a Dallas NBC affiliate. “And the whole cabin was, like, really, really terrified, but not for ourselves, worried for those on the other side.”
Stella described the “horrific” scenes as she and other survivors were evacuated by military trucks. “You’d see kayaks, like, in trees… then there was first responders in the water pulling out, like, girls,” she recalled. “And there were huge trees ripped out of the ground and, like, their roots, and it didn’t look like Camp Mystic anymore.” By Sunday, the rain continued to fall as BBC journalists arrived at the scene. The entrance was blocked by police tape, with the remnants of a gatehouse scattered across the ground. With more rain forecasted, the challenging rescue efforts were further complicated, and hope for survivors began to fade, shifting the focus from rescue to recovery.
Camp Mystic, operated by the same family for generations, has traditionally provided a nurturing Christian environment for girls to grow “spiritually.” Families from across Texas and the United States have sent their daughters to this picturesque location to swim, canoe, ride horses, and forge lasting friendships. However, the very beauty of the Guadalupe River, a draw for many, also proved to be a harbinger of death.
The floodwaters surged with little warning, devastating the riverfront area that hosts nearly 20 youth camps. While Camp Mystic bore the brunt of the tragedy, the scale of the disaster is extensive. Nearby, the all-girls camp Heart O’ the Hills also experienced flooding. Its co-owner and director, Jane Ragsdale, was among those who perished. Fortunately, the camp was not in session at the time, but the statement from the camp conveyed deep sorrow: “We are mourning the loss of a woman who influenced countless lives and was the definition of strong and powerful.”
Questions are now arising regarding the proximity of numerous camps to the river and the adequacy of evacuation measures. Congressman Chip Roy, representing the affected area, acknowledged the profound devastation while cautioning against premature judgment. He noted the natural appeal of riverside locations for camps, stating, “You have camps by the water because it’s by the water. You have camps near the river because it’s a beautiful and wonderful place to be.” Meanwhile, families of the missing endure an agonizing wait, as search and rescue teams, utilizing boats and meticulously combing through the wreckage, work tirelessly.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha affirmed on Sunday that the search for survivors would continue until every missing person could be reunited with their families. Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency, and officials fear the final death toll may still increase. Amidst the sorrow, Stella finds a measure of solace in a poem shared by Camp Mystic leaders: “A bell is not a bell until you ring it. A song is not a song until you sing it. The love in your heart was not put there to stay. Love is not love until you give it away.” This message resonates deeply, highlighting the importance of sharing love and creating impact, even in the face of profound loss.