The Tragedy of Camp Mystic

 

                                  Camp Mystic Texas cabin after the flood of July 4, 2025

Almost exactly a year ago heavy rains and catastrophic flooding occurred in Texas Hill Country. This was one of the deadliest storms in US history and nearly 140 people died . 

Amongst those who perished were 28 campers and staff members from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp which would have celebrated its 100th anniversary this year. The meandering Guadalupe River turned into a raging torrent and swept away many of the young girls in the lower lying cabins. 

In April there were hearings into what went wrong at Camp Mystic and last week a report from the Texas Legislature concluded that the camp did not have written emergency ​evacuation ⁠plans and poorly trained its staff, Some of the parents of children who died testified in April and called for the closure of Camp Mystic and this week the camp filed for bankruptcy.

                                                               Camp Mystic in a happier time 

I have followed this story to a degree, perhaps because I worked at Christian camps in my youth and our children and grandchildren have attended them. We know what joyful, formative places they can be, including for faith. 

I have yet to hear anything about climate change as an intensifier of the storm. I don't know whether those who owned and supported the camp actually "believe" in climate change in a state where so many are deniers, including lots of conservative Christians.

There is a term "an act of God" to describe natural disasters but there is strong scientific consensus that climate change is disrupting weather patterns and that belief, one way or another has nothing to do with it. It is the scientific reality of human-caused climate chaos.

What happened at Camp Mystic was a tragedy and the families of the children who died deserve prayerful support. Perhaps closing the camp was the only possible outcome, bankruptcy or not. 

 It's hard to know if this will be a wake-up call regarding what we are doing to our planetary home. We can pray that politicians everywhere including here in Canada will come to their senses about the threat we face. God the Creator, help us all.