After Camp Owner Died Helping Campers in Texas Flood, His Grieving Family Is ‘Trying to Make Sense’ of the Tragedy

Camp Owner Dies While Rescuing Campers, Family Struggles to Understand Tragedy

The Eastland family, owners of Camp Mystic in Texas, are grappling with immense grief as they attempt to make sense of a tragedy that struck their beloved camp. Dick Eastland, aged 70, lost his life while heroically trying to save campers during the devastating Texas floods, which claimed the lives of at least 27 campers and counselors. Despite their own immense sorrow, the family is now focusing on providing support to the families affected by the heartbreaking loss.

Jeff Carr, spokesperson for the Eastland family and Camp Mystic, expressed the family’s devastation, acknowledging that they are currently overwhelmed by grief. The family is actively engaging with the families of campers and offering assistance in any way possible during this challenging time. Carr explained that the family members are still reeling from the events and trying to come to terms with the tragedy from various perspectives.

The Texas floods have resulted in more than 120 casualties and left around 160 individuals missing, as reported by CNN. Following the restoration of power at the Texas camp on July 10, the camp shared a message on its website honouring the campers, stating, “Our Mystic girls will forever shine just like Matthew 5:14-16 because you girls are the light of the world.”

Dick and Tweety Eastland have been integral to the Camp Mystic community since 1974, serving as the third-generation managers of the facility that has been in their family since 1939. Their dedication to the camp is evident through their involvement over the years, with their children also playing active roles. From their son Richard serving as head chef to their son Britt and his wife Catie directing the newest camp, Camp Mystic Cypress Lake, the Eastland family has been deeply rooted in the camp’s operations.

During this trying period, the Eastland family is leaning on the wider camp community for support. Carr emphasised the strong bond within the Camp Mystic family, which extends across the country to former campers and families. The supportive network that the family has established within the camp is proving to be an invaluable source of comfort and strength as they navigate through their grief.

While the family members are not currently sharing their personal experiences publicly, they are open to doing so in the future. However, their current priority remains supporting the families who have suffered loss. As Britt Eastland reiterated, the family’s focus is on extending their assistance and compassion to those who have been profoundly impacted by the tragedy.

As the Eastland family continues to process their grief and support those in need, the wider community is encouraged to come together and offer their support to the victims and recovery efforts in the wake of the Texas floods. The resilience and unity displayed by the Eastland family and the Camp Mystic community serve as a beacon of hope during these dark times.