Several families are not happy with Camp Mystic’s decision to reopen.
HOUSTON — Amid a flurry of lawsuits, Camp Mystic is announcing its reopening dates for the Cypress Lake campus.
Twenty-seven campers and counselors died this summer while attending the camp during the Fourth of July floods.
We’ve been told several families are not happy with the decision for Camp Mystic to continue with the reopening process.
The latest email to camp families came Tuesday morning and is signed by the camp owners, the Eastland family.
The email lists May 30 as their first day back in session for the Cypress Creek campus, which they said was not damaged in the floods.
The Eastlands also write that their safety assessment “is and will remain a priority.” They noted they’ve installed new flood monitors, generators, and will give every camper cabin a two-way radio.
One thing not listed in the email is a camp evacuation plan or details on whether families could see one before signing up for summer 2026.
The decision to reopen has come under fire from several of the grieving families, called Heaven’s 27.
The family of Cile Steward previously released a letter when Camp Mystic initially announced they would be reopening and called the decision “unthinkable.”
They also had asked the camp to halt all discussion of reopening and memorials.
On Tuesday evening, Camp Mystic released the following statement: “Camp Mystic Cypress Lake announced today session dates for summer 2026, with the goal to accommodate campers and counselors from both the Cypress Lake and Guadalupe River camps. Our decision to reopen Camp Mystic Cypress Lake is informed by our faith and our commitment to continue the nearly century-long mission and ministry of Camp Mystic, as well as from the strong interest we have received from families who wish to provide their daughters with a Christian camping experience that allows them to grow physically, mentally and spiritually.
“Camp Mystic Cypress Lake is a separate property that is not adjacent to the Guadalupe River and sustained no damage from the historic flood on July 4. Camp Mystic is working with engineers and other experts to comply with all elements of the recently passed camp safety legislation and associated rules recently issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services.”
At least one family who lost their daughter at Camp Mystic said it’s frustrating to continue not to see their children’s names mentioned in the emails sent out, especially as Cile remains missing.
Some of the families of Heaven’s 27 released this statement: “As parents of children who were killed at Camp Mystic last summer, we are deeply hurt but sadly, not shocked by yet another insensitive announcement from Camp Mystic focused on enrollment. Lack of true compassion and an utter indifference to our suffering has been the status quo since we learned our daughters died. We continue to be disappointed to see management for Camp Mystic send an advertisement soliciting potential campers to attend a summer session in 2026 at Camp Mystic Cypress Lake. The Cypress Lake campus abuts Camp Mystic Guadalupe and is a short walk from where 27 girls died as a result of the same management’s lack of safety planning and execution in the face of a forecasted storm. What is also telling is the Camp intentionally did not send this advertisement for 2026 summer sessions to our families.
“Actions speak louder than words. The email is still lacking safety protocols and drills that would have prevented this incident. To date, Camp Mystic has refused to acknowledge their great responsibility when it comes to taking care of other people’s children. The camp has yet to take any responsibility for the mass casualty event that occurred because of management’s utter failure to the children in their care not just during the early morning hours on July 4, but during the days ahead of the flooding when the tragedy was clearly forecasted.
“The fact of the matter is that this camp has taken no responsibility for its failures and instead is focusing on increasing revenue for next summer, while a child is still missing. It is business as usual for Camp Mystic – profits over safety.
“The parents of the Heaven’s 27 encourage parents of prospective campers to think independently and objectively about what happened on July 4th.
“On behalf of the families of Ellen Getten, Linnie McCown, Abby Pohl, Margaret Sheedy, Mary Barrett Stevens, and Greta Toranzo.”