The parents of Cili Steward, the only camper still missing after the July 4 flood at Camp Mystic in Texas, have called on camp officials to halt plans for reopening next year. Officials announced this week that they intend to reopen part of the camp and build a memorial for the 25 campers and two teenage counselors who died during the flooding. The body of 8-year-old Cili Steward has not been recovered.
Some families of victims expressed frustration over not being consulted about the reopening plan. In a letter released Thursday, CiCi and Will Steward wrote to Camp Mystic officials: “To promote reopening less than three months after the tragedy — while one camper remains missing — is unthinkable.” They continued, “We call on Camp Mystic to halt all discussions of reopening and memorials. Instead, Cile must be recovered, and you must fully confront and account for your role in the events and failures that caused the deaths of our daughters.”
Camp Mystic’s owners include family members of Dick Eastland, who also died in the flood. Camp officials did not respond to an emailed request for comment; an automatic response from their account stated staff are still grieving those lost.
The children and counselors who died have become known as “Heaven’s 27.” The Stewards signed their letter “on behalf of ourselves and other families of the Heaven’s 27.” It was unclear if other families directly participated in drafting or signing the letter. A spokesperson said it speaks for itself.
Plans indicate that only undamaged areas—specifically Camp Mystic Cypress Lake on higher ground—would reopen. The area along the Guadalupe River where victims were swept away will remain closed due to destruction.
Officials told camp families they are working to comply with new safety laws passed following advocacy by victims’ families. After the tragedy, these families urged lawmakers to enact measures aimed at preventing similar incidents in future sessions, testifying before legislative committees about what they saw as inadequate preparedness by camp operators.
