UPDATE: Families of victims from the tragic July 4 floods at Camp Mystic in Kerr County, Texas, are expressing outrage over the camp’s decision to reopen in 2026, just three months after the disaster that claimed the lives of 27 campers and counselors. Among the most vocal critics are the parents of 8-year-old Cile Steward, who remains missing.
In a letter addressed to camp leadership, CiCi and Will Steward condemned the reopening plan, stating, “To promote reopening less than three months after the tragedy—while one camper remains missing—is unthinkable.” Their daughter Cile is the only camper yet to be located, and the Stewards are still searching for answers as recovery teams continue to scour the river.
The camp, a Christian girls’ summer retreat located on the Guadalupe River, announced plans to reopen its Camp Mystic Cypress Lake location, which is not adjacent to the river, while the original site remains closed due to extensive flood damage. The announcement was made to families enrolled for the 2025 camp on September 22, 2023.
The Stewards’ letter emphasizes the ongoing grief families are experiencing, stating, “Our families remain trapped in the deepest throes of grief, yet your communications treat our never-ending nightmare as little more than a brief pause before resuming business as usual.” The couple is demanding that the camp halt reopening discussions until Cile is found and the issues leading to the tragedy are fully addressed.
In a statement to ABC News, Camp Mystic officials claimed that the reopening plan is rooted in faith and their commitment to a nearly century-long tradition of providing a safe camping environment for girls. They also mentioned ongoing efforts to comply with new safety legislation following the disaster.
However, other families are equally appalled. Carrie Hanna, whose daughter Hadley Hanna died in the floods, expressed disbelief, stating, “Camp Mystic should be putting every ounce of energy and resources into helping the search.”
The parents of another victim, Mary Grace Baker, criticized the camp for not consulting them about memorial plans, saying, “An announcement about a memorial does not resolve our safety concerns.”
The camp insists they are in the early stages of planning a memorial for the victims. They have reassured families that their input is welcome as discussions progress. Yet parents are adamant that honoring the lost lives should take precedence over reopening. Clarke and Katie Baker stated, “It is not just insensitive but unconscionable to invite new campers back to the very place where 27 young lives were lost.”
The Stewards have called for accountability from the camp, urging them to “fully confront and account for your role in the events and failures that caused the deaths of our daughters.” They vow to continue advocating for reforms to ensure such a tragedy does not happen again.
As the community grapples with the loss and grief, the focus remains on the search for Cile and ensuring safety measures are adequately addressed. The camp’s reopening plans have ignited a firestorm of criticism, with families calling for immediate action rather than a return to normalcy.
Authorities remain vigilant as recovery efforts continue, and the debate over Camp Mystic’s future remains a pressing issue in Kerr County. More updates on this developing story are expected as families push for justice and accountability.
