**Camp Mystic Director Testifies Following Tragic Flood Incident**
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In a distressing courtroom testimony, Edward Eastland, the director of Camp Mystic, expressed regret over the decision to run the summer camp during a season marred by tragedy. On the stand, he stated, “I wish we never had camp that summer,” reflecting on the harrowing events that unfolded on July 4, 2025, when catastrophic flash flooding claimed the lives of 27 campers and counsellors.
The camp, located in Hunt, Texas, is still grappling with the aftermath of the disaster, which resulted in at least 20 girls going missing. Eastland’s testimony revealed that he failed to heed official warnings issued by the National Weather Service a day prior to the incident. He confessed that he went to bed around 11 p.m. on the night of the flood without meeting with his staff about the impending danger, and lacking any evacuation plan in place.
As Eastland stood before the court in early April 2026, he was faced with overwhelming questions regarding the camp’s safety protocols. His father, Dick Eastland, the camp’s owner, tragically perished during the flood while trying to rescue victims, adding an emotional layer to the testimony.
Despite the ongoing legal challenges stemming from the flood, Camp Mystic has announced plans to reopen for the summer, with around 850 campers already registered. The camp has accepted deposits from more than 600 families and is determined to resume activities, albeit with significant modifications to ensure safety. Eastland asserted that the camp would not operate near the Guadalupe River, a site that had previously been a focus of camping activities.
However, the desire to reopen has not come without significant pushback. Families of the victims are pursuing legal action against Camp Mystic, with specific requests aimed at preventing any development or commercial use of the site until the conclusion of the court proceedings. Parents of 8-year-old Cecilia “Cile” Steward, whose body has not yet been recovered, have called for the court to deny camp reopening until proper safety measures are guaranteed.
During his testimony, Eastland drew attention to a parcel of land that he referred to as the “Cypress Lake site,” indicating this area would be his focus for operational activities moving forward. However, he faced scrutiny regarding the intentions to reopen the entire camp and the rationale behind continuing operations after such a devastating event.
His attorney, Mikal Watts, defended Eastland, arguing that he had acted to the best of his ability during the chaotic flood situation and had taken measures to save lives. Nonetheless, many families disputing this narrative remain firm in their belief that the camp is unfit to operate in its current state, with one mother of a victim urging the state of Texas to revoke Camp Mystic’s operating licence entirely.
The court’s decision on the camp’s reopening status remains pending, as parents anxiously wait for the justice they’re seeking for their lost children. Eastland’s testimony paints a picture of a camp director grappling with the burden of tragedy and impending legal consequences.
As the story continues to unfold, the impact of this tragedy reverberates throughout the community, prompting discussions on safety regulations in summer camps across Texas. Many families are advocating for stricter oversight to prevent such a calamity from ever occurring again.
This incident highlights a critical intersection of accountability, responsible management, and the lengths to which communities must go to safeguard their children in recreational environments. It remains uncertain what the future holds for Camp Mystic, but for many, the scars of that fateful summer will not soon fade.