Texas camp reopens following tragic flood claiming lives of 27 children

NEW YORK, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Camp Mystic, a long-standing girls' summer camp in Texas where 27 young campers lost their lives in a flash flood on July 4, has revealed plans to reopen in May at a new nearby site with upgraded safety protocols, despite objections from a family whose daughter has never been found.

The historic camp, which had remained closed since the tragedy along the banks of the Guadalupe River, will resume operations from late May through early August, offering six sessions each lasting 10 days. "We are preparing for next summer at Camp Mystic Cypress Lake, and we know that safety is of the utmost concern to all of you, as it is for us," the camps statement said.

The new site is located roughly 500 yards (0.5 kilometers) from the area affected by the deadly flood. The camp highlighted recent state legislation aimed at improving summer camp safety following the disaster. "We thank the families of Heavens 27 and our state leaders for passing laws to make camps safer. Our goal is not just to comply with the new regulations but to surpass them," the statement added.

Enhanced safety measures include river flood-warning monitors, cabin-based alert systems, and more powerful generators to ensure continuous communication with emergency services if needed. The reopening plan, initially shared in September, faced criticism from the family of Cile Steward, the only missing child from the incident. The family expressed concern over returning children to swim in the river where she may still be lost.

"We understand that deciding whether or not to return to camp this summer will be a difficult decision for many families," the camp said in its Tuesday statement.

Author: Sophia Brooks