A summer haven once known for elegance, tradition, and timeless charm—Camp Mystic in Texas—now stands in sorrow. A sudden flash flood devastated the historic girls’ camp, leaving at least five dead and eleven missing, including young campers and a beloved director. For nearly a century, this elite Christian camp welcomed daughters of presidents and oil barons, shaping generations. Now, that golden legacy lies in shadow. As prayers echo across states, the tragedy has stirred hearts from hill country to high society—turning a place of light into a story of heartbreaking loss.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Camp Mystic, a prestigious Christian camp founded in 1926, served generations of girls from elite families.

• Former First Lady Laura Bush was once a counselor; Lyndon B. Johnson’s family had deep ties to the camp.

• A flash flood at 4 a.m. swept through the campgrounds, killing at least five people including Director Dick Eastland, who died while trying to save campers.

• Eleven still missing: 10 campers and one counselor.

• A powerful network of alumnae, known as the “Mystic mafia”, mourns the loss of life and innocence.

A Century-Old Summer Ritual Turns Into Mourning

For nearly 100 years, Camp Mystic nestled in the Texas Hill Country has been more than just a summer camp — it has been a rite of passage, a tradition woven into the fabric of America’s southern elite. Behind its green gates, generations of young girls — many of them daughters of U.S. senators, oil tycoons, and even presidents — spent their summers forging memories under the open sky, on horseback, and in spirited canoe races.

But this year, that peaceful image was shattered. A sudden flash flood, sweeping through the area in the early morning hours, left destruction in its wake — and heartbreak for the close-knit community that has always held the camp sacred.

Where Legacies Were Built

Established in 1926 and later purchased by Dallas socialite Agnes Doran Stacy and her husband in 1939, Camp Mystic quickly earned its reputation as an exclusive summer retreat. Girls came not just for horseback riding or Sunday fried chicken — they came to be part of something larger, something generational.

Over the decades, Camp Mystic welcomed the daughters and granddaughters of some of America’s most powerful families. Former First Lady Laura Bush served as a counselor there during her college years. President Lyndon B. Johnson made sure his own daughters and granddaughters were part of its legacy.

Nicole Nugent Covert, granddaughter of Johnson and Lady Bird, once spoke with emotion about the camp’s impact on her life:

“You get a feeling when you drive up to the Hill Country and you’d see the Mystic sign, and you’d feel the weight of the world had been lifted off you,” she told the Austin American-Statesman in 2010.
“There were no worries. I still feel that way. When I drop my daughter off, I’m jealous.”

A Lifestyle and a Bond

Mystic was not simply a camp. With its traditions — Sunday whites, war-canoe competitions, and chapel services — it became a kind of spiritual home for its campers. As journalist Mimi Swartz observed in Texas Monthly in 2011, Mystic functioned as a “near-flawless training ground for archetypal Texas women.”

That sense of deep connection gave rise to what many lovingly call the “Mystic mafia” — a term used to describe the enduring network of women who met during their childhood summers and carried that bond through adulthood, across careers, marriages, and continents.

Campers didn’t just go to Mystic; they belonged to it.

Disaster Before Dawn

In the early hours of what should have been another idyllic summer day, disaster struck. At around 4 a.m., flash floods tore through the 725-acre camp, overwhelming cabins and cutting through the heart of the campgrounds with terrifying speed.

Initially, 27 girls were reported missing. Rescue efforts began immediately, with staff and emergency services working tirelessly. Among the heroic efforts was the camp’s longtime director, Dick Eastland, who tragically lost his life while trying to save campers under his care.

His grandson, George Eastland, confirmed his passing and recounted the depth of his grandfather’s devotion to the camp and its girls.

Lives Lost and Still Missing

As of the latest reports, 11 individuals remain unaccounted for — 10 campers and one counselor. Four names have been confirmed among the deceased: Renee Smajstrla, Eloise Peck, Janie Hunt, and Lila Bonner.

Renee’s uncle, Shawn Salta, posted a heartfelt tribute on social media:

“She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic.”

The loss ripples deeply through the community. These were not just campers; they were daughters, sisters, and friends, with futures once filled with promise and joy.

A Family Legacy Under Strain

The Eastland family, stewards of Camp Mystic for generations, had already weathered challenges before. In 2011, internal family disputes led to a legal battle between Agnes Doran Stacy’s grandchildren over ownership of the land and the future of the camp. Though a confidential settlement was reached the following year, the fractures behind the camp’s operation briefly threatened its continuity.

Still, the family held together — running Mystic with the same passion and care that made it a beacon for so many families across the decades.

Mystic Community in Collective Grief

In the wake of the flooding, messages of sorrow and solidarity have poured in from across the country. Many former campers, now adults with families of their own, turned to social media to share their grief and memories.

“Camp Mystic has been my safe haven for years — a place of peace, joy, and true belonging,” wrote one former camper.
“It’s where light lives and God’s love overflows. A true slice of Heaven on earth. This weekend, tragedy has struck this sacred space, and my heart is shattered.”

Another woman added:

“Mystic gave me more than I really know how to put into words. My heart breaks for the campers, staff, and their families in this impossible time.”What Happens Next

The camp community now faces the dual burden of mourning and healing. Investigations are ongoing. Families are awaiting word, and many are left to reflect not only on the tragedy but on what Camp Mystic has always meant to them.

The storm may have changed the landscape, but the spirit of the place — of resilience, community, and sisterhood — remains deeply rooted.

As the Mystic sign still stands on the road leading into the Hill Country, it now bears witness not only to memories made, but to lives lost and a legacy forever altered.

What once stood as a shimmering symbol of legacy, tradition, and joy for generations of Texas’ most influential families has now become a scene of sorrow and silence. The tragedy at Camp Mystic has pierced through the pride of privilege, reminding all that nature holds no bias. As families grieve and the community mourns, memories of laughter by the river now echo with loss. Yet in this pain, the spirit of Mystic—built on unity, faith, and sisterhood—may find a way to endure, even as its future remains uncertain.

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