“We did everything we could that night”: Camp Mystic director apologizes
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
TEXAS – One of the directors of a Texas camp that was flooded in 2025 tearfully apologized on Tuesday to the families of the 25 campers and two counselors who died in the tragedy. “We did everything we could that night. It wasn’t enough to save your daughters,” said Edward Eastland, a member of the family that owns the camp. “I am deeply sorry.” Eastland’s apology came as dozens of the girls’ family members sat just a few feet behind him during the second day of a special legislative hearing investigating the devastating July 4 flood. A written report with the findings is expected later this year. Eastland recounted that he and his father, Richard Eastland, were at the camp that night and made a desperate attempt to save the girls when they realized the heavy rains had triggered a flood that swept through the camp along the Guadalupe River. Richard Eastland died in the flood, and Edward survived only after being carried to a tree. “These girls were our youngest campers and their incredible counselors, whom we watched grow up,” Eastland said. “The world was a better place with them, and the outrage against us for not being able to keep them safe is completely justified.” Britt Eastland, another director, stated that the camp will train counselors and conduct drills to prepare campers for floods, fires, tornadoes, and intruders. Legislative investigators noted on Monday that the lack of training at the camp was a critical issue that contributed to the deaths. “All of these things should have been done from the start,” said Senator Charles Perry. Camp Mystic is a Christian girls-only camp located along the Guadalupe River in Texas Hill Country. Its owners plan to reopen at the end of May and have said they will only use parts of the camp that were not flooded. They anticipate nearly 900 girls will be on campus this summer. These plans have angered the victims’ families, and some state officials have called for regulators to deny or delay the camp’s license renewal, which is under review. The Legislature will not reconvene until January 2027, and the panel does not have control over Camp Mystic’s license review.