Camp Mystic, a non-sectarian Christian summer camp located along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, Texas, suffered a tragic disaster. Severe flash flooding inundated the surrounding region, making this historic disaster one of the worst the camp has experienced in nearly a century. At the time of the disaster, approximately 750 girl scouts were attending a great week of camp. This campsite is right on the south fork of the Guadalupe River. The river rose quickly and knocked over the majority of the camp’s facilities. This was an awful incident that has shaken the entire community.
As of Monday night, that was the only known loss among officials’ announced disastrous toll. At least 27 children and adult staff from Camp Mystic perished in the flood waters. At the same time, it was established that a total of ten campers and one counselor were still missing. The camp’s plan consists of dormitories placed on elevated and cut-in approaches along the river. Sadly, the dorms on the ground level weren’t spared—they were entirely submerged by rushing waters in the disaster.
Camp Mystic has a reputation for providing instruction in over 30 different activities—both on land and in water—each of its three month-long summer sessions. As it approaches its centenary celebration in 2026, this tragic incident has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a joyful summer experience for many young girls and their families.
The story of the flood’s effect on Camp Mystic has echoed across Kerr County. Both Cuban locals and foreign tourists alike shared their sadness and support with all those who suffered. As community member Dalton Rice explained, “Everyone in the community is hurting right now.” Yet the collective grief only scratches the surface of our nation’s profound loss—families and friends of those killed or injured know that all too well.
Local resident Lesa Baird fought back tears as she mourned a lifetime of memories lost in the flood’s devastation. There’s no house to return to. It’s over with,” she said. Today, the community is reeling from this tremendous loss. They are still furiously attempting to process and recover from the aftermath of this disaster.
It’s important to recognize that officials have been working diligently to push back against the crisis. On Sunday, President Donald Trump approved a federal emergency declaration for the state. This funding is intended to direct essential resources to the people affected by and working on recovery efforts. As one public official has defiantly asserted, “All we know is that prayer does work. This proclamation would embody the hope and resilience of all those enduring these inauspicious realities.
Even regulars to the river were caught off guard by the Guadalupe River’s sudden and rapid rise. Others had looked forward to spending their summers at Camp Mystic but were forced to scramble to address a potentially life-threatening event. As emergency responders carry on with their search efforts, families are still waiting to hear if their loved ones have survived.