Along the Guadalupe River and just miles south of the unincorporated community of Hunt, population 1,300, sits Camp Mystic. The private Christian summer camp has hosted generations of Texas girls for almost a century.
The camp was thrust into a national spotlight after a “catastrophic” deadly flood inundated its grounds July 4. Twenty-seven counselors and campers died in the flood.
The number of confirmed deaths in the Kerr County flooding had risen as of July 17 to more than 100 dead, including 27 children and counselors from Camp Mystic.
Here’s what to know about Camp Mystic.
Century-long history of family ownership
Camp Mystic, which is set to celebrate its centennial next year, was founded in 1926 by E.J. “Doc” Stewart, who coached football and basketball at the University of Texas, according to the camp’s website.
Agnes Stacy and her husband purchased the camp in 1939. It has been operated by generations of the same family since then, except for two years beginning in 1943, when the federal government leased the camp as a rehabilitation center for World War II veterans.
The current owners and directors Dick Eastland, Agnes’ grandson, and his wife, Tweety Eastland, have been involved with the camp since 1974. Many other family members have also taken positions at the camp, according to its website.
Two sites, facilities
Camp Mystic consists of two separate facilities, one on the Guadalupe River and the other at Cypress Lake. Each facility has its own cabins, dining hall, range, stable and chapel, according to the camp’s website.
This year, the two camps had scheduled a total of six sessions of between two and four weeks, three at each facility. The more than 700 campers who evacuated on July 4 started at the camp in late June.
Camp has Christian mission
Camp Mystic aims to “provide young girls with a wholesome Christian atmosphere in which they can develop outstanding personal qualities and self-esteem.”
Campers can attend once they have completed second grade. The camp draws attendees from Texas and beyond. Programming includes archery, cooking, cheerleading, fishing and a variety of sports.
A noteworthy alumni list
Camp Mystic’s prestige and long history also made its alumni roll replete with family members of Texas’ political luminaries, such as former President Lyndon B. Johnson, Secretary of State James Baker and several Texas governors, according to reporting by Texas Monthly.
Former first lady Laura Bush worked as a camp counselor at Camp Mystic while she attended Southern Methodist University.