Tragedy at Camp Mystic: How a century-old Christian girls’ camp was caught in a deadly Texas flash flood

Dubai: For nearly a century, Camp Mystic has stood as a cherished refuge for young girls seeking friendship, faith and adventure in the heart of Texas Hill Country.

Tucked along the scenic banks of the Guadalupe River, the private Christian summer camp has long promised a “wholesome atmosphere” for spiritual growth and lifelong memories.

But last Friday morning, that peaceful setting turned into a nightmare.

Just days into its second summer session, a flash flood struck before dawn, sweeping through the campgrounds as more than 700 girls slept in their cabins.

Raging floodwaters, fed by torrential rain falling at up to 12 inches an hour, pushed the river’s level up 29 feet in a matter of minutes, according to Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Dozens of campers were swept away. At least three young girls have been confirmed dead, and others remain missing.

Among the dead was Lila James Bonner, whose grieving family asked for privacy, sharing only: “We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss,” the family was quoted as saying CNN.

It wasn’t just the children who perished. Dick Eastland, the camp’s beloved owner and steward of its legacy, also died in the chaos — trying to save the campers he had watched over for decades.

“If he wasn’t going to die of natural causes, this was the only other way — saving the girls that he so loved and cared for,” his grandson, George Eastland, wrote in a heartfelt Instagram tribute. “That’s the kind of man my grandfather was... Although he no longer walks this earth, his impact will never fade.”

Glenn Juenke, a Camp Mystic employee, confirmed the account to CNN, calling Eastland “a true hero until the very end.”

The flood hit Camp Mystic, located about 85 miles northwest of San Antonio, just six days into its second four-week term.

Many parents first learned of the tragedy through social media, as anguished families began posting about missing loved ones and sharing the names of those lost.

Founded in 1926 by Edward “Doc” Stewart, a former University of Texas football and basketball coach, Camp Mystic has been a fixture in Texas summer tradition, according to Premier Christian News. Stewart coached the Texas Longhorns from 1923 to 1926 and is credited with introducing the team’s now-iconic burnt orange and white uniforms. He established the camp as a place where girls could grow in character and faith — ideals that remain at the camp’s core to this day.

According to archived records from the camp’s now-overwhelmed website, Camp Mystic has operated nearly continuously since its founding — with the only pause during World War II, when it was used as a recovery site for Army Air Corps veterans.

Owned by the Eastland family since 1939, Camp Mystic is known for its deeply rooted Christian values. Campers participate in a range of religious and spiritual activities — from Bible studies and Sunday devotionals by the river, to Vespers services and sunrise communion. It also offers more than 30 summer camp staples like archery, horseback riding, canoeing,  dance and yoga.

The camp’s motto challenges each girl to live by three ideals:

But as the Guadalupe River surged through those sacred grounds in the early hours of July 5, all that Mystic stood for — safety, tradition, faith — was suddenly swept into the storm.

Stunned local officials admitted they had no warning system in place. Some said it was the volunteer fire department, not official alerts, that woke residents using loudspeakers to urge evacuations.

Now, as families grieve and rescue crews continue their search, what remains is a painful question: how could a place of peace, nearly 100 years strong, be so suddenly overtaken by disaster?

For the girls who survived, and for those who loved the ones who didn’t, the memories of Camp Mystic will forever be marked by the events of that dark night. But so too will the legacy of the man who gave his life trying to protect it.