History of Camp Mystic in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 16, 2026

Camp Mystic is a premier, traditional summer camp for girls located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country along the banks of the Guadalupe River. Founded in 1926, it is one of the oldest and most respected residential camps in the United States. The camp offers a wide range of activities including water sports, horseback riding, archery, gymnastics, and arts and crafts, all designed to foster personal growth, self-confidence, and lifelong friendships. With a strong emphasis on tradition, character building, and individual achievement, Camp Mystic maintains a supportive environment where campers participate in structured programming. Its scenic riverside location provides a unique outdoor experience that encourages campers to step outside their comfort zones. By balancing skill-based instruction with traditional camp fun, Camp Mystic remains a highly sought-after destination for girls seeking a meaningful and immersive summer experience.

1926: Founding of Stewart's Camp for Girls

In 1926, E. J. Stewart founded the institution originally known as Stewart's Camp for Girls, which featured an eight-week summer session.

July 1932: Flash Flood at Camp

During July 1932, the camp experienced a flash flood that destroyed several cabins, though fortunately, there were no reported fatalities.

1934: Red Cross Aquatic School Commencement

Starting by 1934, the camp began hosting a ten-day Aquatic School program organized by the Red Cross.

1937: Acquisition by the Stacy Family

In 1937, the ownership of the camp was transferred to the Stacy family, who have remained the owners since that time.

June 1942: Conclusion of Red Cross Aquatic School

By June 1942, the camp continued its tradition of hosting the ten-day Aquatic School led by the Red Cross.

1943: Camp Mystic Suspends Operations for WWII

In 1943, Camp Mystic paused its standard operations due to World War II, transitioning into a designated rest and relaxation facility for military personnel.

1945: Conclusion of Military Rest Site Operations

By 1945, the camp concluded its three-year tenure as a military rest and relaxation site, after which it returned to its original programming, eventually adopting a two-session summer schedule.

December 1948: Iney and Frank Harrison Become Directors

In December 1948, Inez "Iney" and Frank Harrison were brought to Camp Mystic by owner Agnes "Ag" Stacy to serve as the camp's directors.

1978: Guadalupe River Flooding

In 1978, Camp Mystic experienced significant flooding due to the Guadalupe River, requiring staff to evacuate over 100 campers to higher ground using station wagons during the night.

1983: Expansion of Camp Mystic Sessions

In 1983, Camp Mystic modified its scheduling by adding a third camp session, departing from its previous format of hosting only two sessions per year.

1984: 1984 Camp Mystic Flooding

Camp Mystic faced another instance of flooding from the Guadalupe River in 1984.

1987: Retirement of Iney and Frank Harrison

After serving as the directors of Camp Mystic since 1948, Inez and Frank Harrison officially retired from their positions in 1987.

1996: Camp Mystic 1996 Pricing

During 1996, the cost to attend a session at Camp Mystic was set at $635, which represents a historical valuation point for the camp's tuition.

2011: Camp Mystic 2011 Pricing Adjustment

In 2011, the tuition for a 30-day session at Camp Mystic was recorded at $4,300, reflecting the camp's operational costs at that time.

2018: Camp Mystic Summer Session Structure

In 2018, Camp Mystic established a summer schedule consisting of three distinct sessions, which included two 30-day programs and one 13-day session held during the beginning of August.

2018: Counselor Staffing Levels in 2018

In 2018, Camp Mystic maintained a workforce of 78 counselors to support its operations.

July 2, 2025: Emergency Plan Approval

On July 2, 2025, officials from the Texas Department of State Health Services approved Camp Mystic's emergency disaster plan, fulfilling a state regulatory requirement for the camp's second summer session.

July 4, 2025: Severe Flash Flooding in Kerr County

On July 4, 2025, Kerr County, Texas, experienced a rapid and severe flash flood event. Following a flood watch issued at 1:18 a.m. by the National Weather Service, flooding began around 4:00 a.m. The speed of the event prevented official evacuation orders, and the Guadalupe River surged by 26 feet in just 45 minutes.

July 2025: Central Texas Flood Tragedy at Camp Mystic

In July 2025, Camp Mystic suffered catastrophic damage due to severe flooding in Central Texas, resulting in the tragic loss of 28 lives, which included 25 campers, two counselors, and the camp director.

September 2025: Camp Mystic Announces Partial Reopening

In September 2025, Camp Mystic sent an email announcing that the Camp Mystic–Cypress Lake campus would partially reopen for the 2026 summer season, as that specific location did not sustain damage during the prior flooding event.

November 2025: Lawsuits Filed Against Camp Mystic Owners

During November 2025, the families of children and counselors who died in the flood filed multiple lawsuits against the camp owners. The complaints allege negligence, stating that the camp lacked a required evacuation plan, ignored the dangers of a high-risk flood zone, and prioritized equipment over camper safety.

December 2025: Flood Warning System Announcement

In December 2025, Camp Mystic made a formal announcement regarding plans to install a new flood warning system throughout their campgrounds to improve safety.

2025: Inflation-Adjusted Valuation of Camp Mystic Sessions

As of 2025, historical pricing data for Camp Mystic was adjusted for inflation, showing that the 1996 cost of $635 reached an equivalent value of $1,304, while the 2011 cost of $4,300 reached an equivalent value of $6,154.

2025: Camp Mystic Ownership

As of 2025, the leadership and ownership of Camp Mystic is held by Dick and Tweety Eastland.

2025: Camp Mystic Staffing During 2025 Flood

During the flooding event that occurred at Camp Mystic in 2025, the organization had a total of 108 staff members present.

February 6, 2026: Recovery efforts following the Camp Mystic flood

As of February 6, 2026, search teams had successfully recovered all but one of the twenty-eight victims who perished in the devastating flood at Camp Mystic, an event that claimed the lives of numerous campers and staff members.

February 2026: Legal Challenges Against Camp Mystic

During February 2026, Camp Mystic faced significant legal pressure as five lawsuits were filed on behalf of 15 families. Concurrently, Will and CiCi Steward filed for an injunction to stop the camp's March 2026 reopening, claiming that operations would compromise investigation evidence.

March 4, 2026: Judicial Ruling on Camp Operations

On March 4, 2026, Judge Maya Guerra Gamble issued a ruling that prevented further renovations at the Guadalupe Camp site until investigations conclude, while simultaneously authorizing the Cypress Lake campus to proceed with its summer 2026 reopening.

March 2026: Original Reopening Date

In March 2026, Camp Mystic had originally scheduled to reopen its facilities to the public, a date that became a focal point of legal debate and injunction attempts.

April 2026: Camp Mystic Announces Closure

In April 2026, it was officially announced that Camp Mystic would not reopen for the upcoming summer session. This decision followed intense hearings where Texas lawmakers raised significant concerns regarding the camp's safety protocols, specifically criticizing their lack of adequate flood evacuation planning, insufficient staff training, and a delayed, chaotic evacuation process during previous incidents.

June 24, 2026: Camp Mystic Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

On June 24, 2026, Camp Mystic officially initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The filing disclosed that the organization held assets valued between $1 million and $10 million, while facing significant liabilities ranging from $10 million to $50 million.

2026: Partial Reopening of Camp Mystic–Cypress Lake

Camp Mystic scheduled a partial reopening of the Camp Mystic–Cypress Lake campus for the summer of 2026, following the announcement made in late 2025.