Edward Eastland, a director of Camp Mystic for Girls in Hunt, Texas, publicly apologized on Tuesday to the families of the 27 victims who lost their lives during a tragic flood in July 2025. This emotional apology came during a special legislative hearing on the second day of questioning directed at the camp’s organizers, who faced scrutiny for their inadequate safety measures.
“We tried our hardest that night. It wasn’t enough to save your daughters,” Eastland stated, visibly moved. He added, “I’m so sorry.” The Eastland family has owned Camp Mystic, a century-old site situated along the Guadalupe River, and they had proposed to reopen it for the 2026 summer season.
On the night of the flood, Eastland and his father, Richard, were present at the camp when severe rains caused the Guadalupe River to overflow. They attempted to rescue campers but were met with overwhelming conditions. Tragically, Richard Eastland perished in the flood, while Edward survived after being swept into a tree. “These girls were our youngest campers and their amazing counselors who we watched grow up,” he reflected. “The world was a better place with them in it, and the anger at us for not being able to keep them safe is completely reasonable.”
The July 4th, 2025, flood turned Camp Mystic into the scene of immense tragedy. Several families affected by the disaster, including some who attended the legislative hearing, are suing the camp for negligence. They argue the camp was unprepared for the emergency and acted too slowly in evacuating campers, despite being warned about the impending flood. In response to these lawsuits, a state judge has ordered the camp to refrain from altering or repairing flood-damaged structures to preserve evidence.
Casey Garrett, the lead investigator for a Texas legislative committee tasked with examining the events surrounding the flooding, pointed out several critical failures on the part of the camp’s administration. She stated that staff and counselors were not provided with essential emergency training or an evacuation plan. Additionally, vital safety supplies, such as life jackets and ladders, were not available, leading to chaos during the evacuation process and temporary separation of campers from their counselors.
In light of these shortcomings, Britt Eastland, another director at Camp Mystic, acknowledged the organization’s failures. He pledged that they would enhance training for counselors and conduct drills to prepare both staff and campers for various emergencies, including floods, fires, tornadoes, and intruders. Legislative investigators emphasized that the camp’s previous lack of flood training was a crucial factor that contributed to the deaths.
Looking to the future, the Eastland family has stated that areas nearest to the river would remain closed, even if the camp’s license is renewed. They have also committed to building a memorial on-site to honor the 27 lives lost in this heartbreaking tragedy. As these investigations continue, the push for improved safety measures in summer camps across Texas may reshape expectations and regulations for camper safety.
Through this ongoing dialogue, the families of the victims, along with state lawmakers, seek not only accountability but also necessary reforms to prevent similar disasters from occurring in the future.
Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/camp-mystic-director-aplogises-to-families-of-25-girls-killed-in-2025-texas-flood-11777453749743.html
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Publish Date: 2026-04-29 14:51:00
