**Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas Faces Sale Following Bankruptcy and Tragic Flooding Incident**
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Camp Mystic, a Christian sleepaway camp situated in Hunt, Texas, is officially up for sale after filing for bankruptcy three months ago. This decision comes on the heels of a catastrophic event in July 2025, when a devastating flood claimed the lives of 28 individuals associated with the camp, including campers, staff, and the camp’s director.
On September 25, the owners submitted a proposal to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, outlining their intention to sell the camp’s property and assets to an independent buyer. This transaction will be supervised by the court to ensure a transparent process. According to the documents obtained by PEOPLE, the selling owners expect that the potential buyer will likely be backed by the camp’s families and alumni, reflecting a desire to keep the camp’s legacy alive in some capacity.
The structure of the sale allows the new owner the flexibility to decide whether to continue the camp’s operations. If the buyer opts to run the site as a camp, they will be required to secure a new operating licence from the Texas Department of State Health Services, adhering to the camp-safety regulations introduced in the aftermath of the tragedy. Notably, the proposed sale includes provisions ensuring that the proceeds will be held in separate escrow accounts managed by independent plan administrators, aimed at distributing the funds to creditors, including the families of the deceased.
The heartbreak surrounding Camp Mystic escalated after the unprecedented flooding event, where historic rainfall transformed the Guadalupe River into a perilous torrent. This calamity, which struck in the early hours of July 4, took the lives of 25 campers, two counselors, and the camp’s director, Dick Eastland. It left a profound mark on the local community and beyond, symbolising a moment of deep tragedy. Tragically, one camper, eight-year-old Cecilia “Cile” Steward, remains missing, fuelling ongoing grief and turmoil for the affected families.
In the wake of the floods, various families filed lawsuits against the owners of Camp Mystic, alleging inadequate safety measures and failure to prioritise the well-being of the children in their care. Last November, relatives of seven victims initiated a legal action, accusing the camp’s administration of valuing financial gain over the safety of their campers. A state report released in June further detailed the camp’s shortcomings, highlighting the absence of a comprehensive emergency plan and insufficient preparation for severe weather conditions.
The disastrous incident has left a significant financial impact on the camp, which cited debts exceeding £8 million and assets valued between £800,000 and £8 million as reported by major media outlets. In light of these challenges, the bankruptcy filing, submitted on June 24, was portrayed as an attempt to facilitate the best possible recovery for all involved parties.
While the camp had initially aimed to reopen for the summer of 2025, plans were scrapped in April as the owners retracted their licence application, citing the overwhelming circumstances surrounding the tragedy. As the pending sale moves forward, the owners have expressed their belief that this course of action presents a quicker and more cost-effective resolution for all creditors, and they strongly recommend that affected parties support the proposed plan.
As the closure and subsequent sale of Camp Mystic unfold, families and supporters continue to grieve their tremendous losses. The process marks a difficult chapter in the history of a site that once served as a joyful retreat for countless young campers, now forever entwined with memories of tragedy and loss.