One year after flash floods killed 27 campers and counselors on Texas’ Guadalupe River, Camp Mystic has announced plans to partially reopen for summer 2026. The all-girls camp shared that its Cypress Lake site will operate next summer, while the original Guadalupe River location remains closed due to extensive damage.
Memorial Planned for Victims
Camp officials said a memorial will be built to honor the lives lost on July 4, 2024. “We hope this space will serve as a place of reflection and remembrance of these beautiful girls,” the camp stated, offering prayers for grieving families.
Safety Upgrades and New Legislation
The reopening will follow the requirements of the recently passed Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act. Camp leaders pledged to implement updated safety protocols and avoid ever housing campers in cabins that previously flooded.
Flood Zone Scrutiny
Environmental experts noted that some of Camp Mystic’s historic cabins were located in known flood zones. Many of the structures predated modern FEMA flood maps and were likely grandfathered into existing regulations, according to Texas Rep. Gary Gates.
Commitment to Rebuild
“We are not only rebuilding cabins and trails, but also a place where laughter, friendship and spiritual growth will continue to flourish,” camp officials said. Plans for the Guadalupe River site are still under evaluation, but leaders vowed to rebuild with care and honor the memories of those lost.
For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.