UPDATE: Parents of an 8-year-old girl still missing after the catastrophic floods at Camp Mystic have vehemently criticized the camp’s decision to reopen in 2026. This announcement comes less than three months after the tragedy that claimed 27 lives on July 4, 2023, in Kerr County, Texas.
Families, particularly CiCi and Will Steward, whose daughter Cile remains unaccounted for, describe the reopening as “unthinkable.” In a heartfelt letter to camp leadership, they expressed their outrage: “To promote reopening less than three months after the tragedy—while one camper remains missing—is unthinkable. Our families remain trapped in the deepest throes of grief.”
The camp’s reopening announcement, made on September 22, revealed plans for Camp Mystic Cypress Lake—a sister site not located near the troubled Guadalupe River—to welcome campers in summer 2026. However, Camp Mystic Guadalupe River, the original site, remains closed due to severe damage from the floods.
In their statement to ABC News, camp officials highlighted that the Cypress Lake site “sustained no damage from the historic flood.” They emphasized their commitment to memorializing the lost campers and counselors while rebuilding the camp’s infrastructure. “The heart of Camp Mystic has never stopped beating,” they stated in the announcement.
However, the Stewards and other grieving families are not convinced. They argue that the camp’s communications feel insensitive, treating the disaster as a mere “pause before resuming business as usual.” CiCi Steward expressed her disbelief: “You are preparing to invite children to swim in the very river that may still hold our daughter’s body.”
Families affected by the tragedy are pressing for a renewed focus on the search for Cile. Carrie Hanna, mother of another victim, stated, “There’s only one priority for us right now: finding Cile.” She urged the camp to allocate all resources to the search efforts, deeming it “unfathomable” to invite children to swim in the river where tragedies unfolded.
The parents of Mary Grace Baker, another victim, echoed similar sentiments, stating they were not consulted about memorial plans and underscored the urgency of addressing safety concerns. “With one child still missing, it is not just insensitive but unconscionable to invite new campers back to the very place where 27 young lives were lost,” they told ABC News.
The Stewards are calling for the camp to cease all discussions of reopening and memorials until Cile is recovered and accountability for the tragedy is fully addressed. “Anything less dishonors the children who were killed while in your care,” they implored.
In response to the backlash, Camp Mystic affirmed they are in the “initial stages of planning a memorial” and have involved bereaved parents in the process. They reiterated their commitment to the camp’s mission of providing a safe and enriching environment for young girls.
As the community grapples with this painful chapter, the urgency to locate Cile Steward remains at the forefront of family concerns. Camp Mystic faces mounting pressure from devastated families who demand accountability and prioritization of their loved ones’ memories over business operations.
The situation is developing, and families continue to advocate for their missing children while grappling with profound grief. The reopening of Camp Mystic raises significant questions about safety, accountability, and the ongoing search for closure.