# Massive flooding in Texas; 20 children missing from a summer camp **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 4, 2025, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512 "2025-07-04T21:50:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2026, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512/341 "2026-04-27T23:30:43Z")
Management don’t care. They want income; all else is unimportant. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2026, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512/342 "2026-04-27T23:35:10Z")
I’ve said this before and will again: I can’t believe ANYONE would want to attend this camp now, let alone send their kids there, even if they had all been rescued alive and unhurt. This place is just plain old NOT SAFE. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2026, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512/343 "2026-04-27T23:42:40Z")
You do need to sign in to read this; it’s worth it (and a very tragic story, obviously). > **[Could the Girls of Camp Mystic Have Been Saved?](https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/camp-mystic-texas-flood-deaths.html)** > > Twenty-seven children died in a Texas flood, dividing families over whether it was an act of God or adult failure. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512/344 "2026-04-28T00:14:27Z")
The instant anyone invokes “act of god” in a xian context, their surviving kids, if any, should be seized by CPS. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512/345 "2026-04-28T01:49:34Z")
I definitely get that, in a context like this. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2026, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512/346 "2026-04-30T23:33:39Z")
The camp will, in the end, not reopen, at least not this summer. I hope the decision does end up being permanent. Another story said that the directors were basically tyrants, and the counselors who survived were hesitant to relocate kids because they hadn’t been ordered to do so and feared for their jobs and even personal safety. > **[Camp Mystic withdraws application to open this summer](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/camp-mystic-withdraws-application-open-summer-rcna342947)** > > The camp had been defending its right to reopen at the end of May in ongoing legislative hearings investigating safety issues at the camp following the deadly flooding in July. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2026, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512/347 "2026-05-02T17:25:47Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Another story said that the directors were basically tyrants This one? [https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/camp-mystic-will-not-reopen-2026/](https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/camp-mystic-will-not-reopen-2026/) Not remotely surprising for an explicitly Christian business. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2026, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512/348 "2026-05-02T17:51:21Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > You do need to sign in to read this; it’s worth it (and a very tragic story, obviously). How about a few sentences giving the gist of it? ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2026, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512/349 "2026-06-24T21:41:04Z")
“Bankruptcy will not stop all responsible parties from being held accountable” [https://apnews.com/article/camp-mystic-bankruptcy-61263980faaa31857e6f3da0e83aee41](https://apnews.com/article/camp-mystic-bankruptcy-61263980faaa31857e6f3da0e83aee41) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512/350 "2026-06-25T00:30:03Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > How about a few sentences giving the gist of it? Yeah, if you can get to the article, a few copy and paste paragraphs is just polite. > [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > This one? > > [Camp Mystic Will Not Reopen in 2026. New Testimony Helps Explain Why.](https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/camp-mystic-will-not-reopen-2026/) Same for you. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512/351 "2026-06-25T00:40:55Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Same for you. If you aren’t interested enough in the article to click the damn link I sure as hell aren’t going to spoon-feed you from it. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512/352 "2026-06-25T00:44:38Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > If you aren’t interested enough in the article to click the damn link I sure as hell aren’t going to spoon-feed you from it. **PAYWALLED** ## **\> Darn it—You’re out of free articles** > # Become a subscriber and _never_ miss a story. > > **[Subscribe Now](https://subscription.texasmonthly.com/servlet/OrdersGateway?cds_mag_code=TXP&cds_page_id=261743&utm_source=texasmonthly.com&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=meter-subscribe-offer&utm_content=inline-paywall)** > > Already a subscriber? Log in ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512/353 "2026-06-25T00:48:10Z")
I just tried it in Firefox, Chrome, and Edge. No paywall here. But I apologize that my response to someone else more than a month and a half ago is distressing to you. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512/354 "2026-06-25T00:50:30Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I just tried it in Firefox, Chrome, and Edge. No paywall here. Then do some copy and paste then. Why refuse to do so? Do you think I made that quote up? ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512/355 "2026-06-25T00:52:05Z")
Moderating: > [@DrDeth](#): > > Same for you. > [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > If you aren’t interested enough in the article to click the damn link I sure as hell aren’t going to spoon-feed you from it. > [@DrDeth](#): > > **PAYWALLED** > > ## **\> Darn it—You’re out of free articles** > [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I just tried it in Firefox, Chrome, and Edge. No paywall here. But I apologize that my response to someone else more than a month and a half ago is distressing to you. Knock it off, both of you. You’re in MPSIMS, not Great Debates and not the Pit. It’s _nice_ if someone provides a synopsis of their link, but it’s not the end of the world if they don’t. This back-and-forth has the potential to derail the thread, so drop it and move on. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512/356 "2026-06-25T01:26:46Z")
So I was attempting to paste a prompt into Copilot and accidentally pasted in the URL for the Texas Monthly article and hit post before noticing. The summary it made wasn’t half bad: > **Summary** > > Here’s a clear, grounded summary of the article you shared — **without reproducing copyrighted text** — so you get the full picture of why Camp Mystic will not reopen in 2026. (As always, confirm details with a trusted source.) > > * * * > > ## 🧭 **What the article reports** > > The Texas Monthly piece explains that **Camp Mystic’s leadership has withdrawn its application to operate in Summer 2026** , effectively pausing the camp’s future. This decision follows **two days of legislative hearings** that revealed new testimony about the **July 4, 2025 flood** that killed 27 campers — the deadliest child-loss natural disaster in Texas since 1900. > > * * * > > ## ⚠ **Key revelations from the testimony** > > - Investigators described a **“rule‑oriented obedience culture”** created by longtime director **Dick Eastland** , who died during the flood while attempting rescues. > - Staff, counselors, and even family members reportedly felt **unable to challenge Eastland’s authority** , even during emergencies. > - The camp **did have an evacuation plan** , but testimony indicated that **only Dick Eastland knew the details** , and he did not share it with staff. > - As the floodwaters rose, multiple adults reportedly **hesitated to act independently** , fearing they would be defying Eastland. > - Investigators said that **simple actions — like using a loudspeaker to order evacuation — never happened** , even as cabins filled with water. > - Families of victims testified that this culture of deference **directly contributed to the tragedy**. > > * * * > > ## 🏕 **Why the camp is not reopening** > > Camp Mystic’s leadership told the state that: > > - Families are still grieving. > - Investigations are ongoing. > - The camp must step back to acknowledge the concerns raised by families and lawmakers. > > The article frames the decision as a direct response to the **newly public testimony** and the intense scrutiny of the camp’s internal culture. > > * * * > > ## 💬 **What families are saying** > > The Steward family — whose daughter Cile is still missing — issued a statement saying: > > - The closure is **not the end**. > - They will continue pushing for **legal reforms** and **accountability**. > - They intend to pursue the case in court. > > * * * > > ## 🧩 **The broader takeaway** > > The article argues that the disaster wasn’t just about weather — it was about **organizational culture** , hierarchy, and the consequences of a single‑leader system where others felt unable to act. > > * * * > > If you want, I can also break this down into: > > - a **timeline** of events > - a **profile** of the Eastland family’s leadership > - a **cause‑and‑effect map** of the disaster > - or a **summary suitable for sharing** with others > > Just tell me which direction you want to go. ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512/357 "2026-06-25T08:08:55Z")
So all the blame is heaped onto the dead man. How convenient for those still living. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512/358 "2026-06-25T12:38:36Z")
They learned well from Stockton Rush. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512/359 "2026-06-25T16:34:47Z")
> [@Mk\_VII](#): > > So all the blame is heaped onto the dead man. How convenient for those still living. Not sure that counts. You have a choice: act independently and possibly save some children, or sit on your ass (for any number of reasons, including but not limited to cowardice) and claim “we were afraid of the boss!” Just saying “I vas just following orders” doesn’t absolve one of their own moral failings. Saving kids from drowning is worth losing your job over. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512/360 "2026-06-25T17:03:38Z")
Well, based on the disclosures and testimony given, I would have to say “yes” in this particular instance. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-flooding-in-texas-20-children-missing-from-a-summer-camp/1020512.md?page=19)