Camp Mystic files for bankruptcy days after Texas flood report

The Texas girls camp where 28 people, including 25 children, died in devastating July 4 flash floods last summer has filed for bankruptcy.

Camp Mystic filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy at 1 a.m. on June 24 in the  Southern District of Texas. Documents showed its total debts exceeded $10 million.

The bankruptcy filing comes days after the Texas Legislature released its investigation findings into what had happened on that deadly night on July 4, 2025. The report showed the camp failed to provide adequate emergency plans and preparations.

The camp had intended to open this summer, but faced public backlash from parents of those who were killed and faced hurdles in trying to obtain its license from the state.

The camp owners, the Eastland family, decided to keep the camp closed in May.

What the Camp Mystic bankruptcy filings tell us

Court documents filed by the camp's operating entity, Camp Mystic LLC, name Edward Eastland ‒ whose father, co-executive director Dick Eastland, died in the floods ‒ as manager, with the company represented by Dallas-based attorney Martin Sosland of Vartabedian Katz Hester & Haynes LLP.

The Voluntary Petition for Non-Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy estimates the camp has between 1,000 and 5,000 creditors, assets between $1 million and $10 million and liabilities between $10 million and $50 million.

The filing also designates the case as a "complex" Chapter 11 ‒ citing both the $10 million-plus debt and more than 50 parties with an interest in the case.

Three affiliated entities were included in the bankruptcy proceedings:

• Natural Fountains Properties Inc.
• Mystic Camps Family Partnership Ltd.
• Mystic Camps Management LLC.

What happened at Camp Mystic?

Camp Mystic is an all-girl summer camp in Kerr County ‒ 80 miles northwest of San Antonio ‒ where 25 young girls, two counselors and the camp's co-executive director died in the flash floods.

According to the Texas Legislature's investigation, the camp lacked an emergency plan for handling the flooding that occurred early on July 4 and failed to prepare or evacuate promptly, despite ample opportunity to do so.

Finally, the investigation found that the camp's reunification efforts and incident management were chaotic.

Camp Mystic timeline

At 1:18 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2025, the National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the area, with activities at Camp Mystic continuing as normal.

At 1:14 a.m. on July 4, the weather service issued a flash flood warning for the area, including Camp Mystic.

Here is a brief overview of the event that the Texas lawmaker's investigation revealed on the early morning of July 4:

• 1:45 a.m.: Dick Eastland ‒ the camp's co-executive director ‒ radios his son Edward and the grounds crew to move equipment.
• 2:11 a.m.: Night watchman reports flooding to retired fire chief.
• 2:14 a.m.: Edmunson/Bubble Gum Creek becomes impassable.
• 2:30 a.m.: Bug House and Look Inn counselors run to the office to report water in the cabins.
• 2:33 a.m.: Dick texts his wife, Tweety, reporting that over 4 inches of rain had already fallen.
• 2:37 a.m.: Dick and Edward drive Bug House / Look Inn counselors back to the cabins.
• 2:55 a.m.: Gate guard radios for help and reports flooding inside the guard house.
• 3 a.m.: Dick radios, "We need to start getting the girls out of Bug House" and Look Inn.
• 3:11 a.m. - 3:19 a.m.: Bug House, Look Inn and Hang Out evacuated to Rec Hall by vehicle.
  • This was known as evacuation attempt one, during which 50 campers and counselors were evacuated to safety, with no more than an inch of water on the road.
• 3:20 a.m. - 3:30 a.m.: Tumble Inn I and II evacuated by vehicle, with Jumble House directed to walk to the Rec Hall.
  • This was evacuation attempt two, with water rising to ankle-deep. All campers had departed from the cabins, but an unaccompanied Jumble House camper, 10-year-old Greta Toranzo, was last seen returning to the cabin to retrieve an item. She reportedly died in the floodwaters.
  • Seven cabins still needed to be evacuated.
• 3:30 a.m. - 3:40 a.m.: Water level was knee deep.
  • Nut Hut and Chatterbox self-evacuate uphill as Dick drives to Bubble Inn.
  • Edward assists at Twins I and II, with the night watchman assisting at Giggle Box and Wiggle Inn.
  • Dick radios for help with Bubble Inn.
    • "I have Bubble Inn cabin in my car. I’m stuck against a tree. I need help," Dick radioed in at this time.
• 3:51 a.m.: Dick is submerged.
  • 13 campers and two camp counselors from Bubble Inn died during the rescue attempt, along with Dick.
• 4:09 a.m.: Edward is submerged and swept to the Bug House tree with campers and counselors.
  • 11 campers from Twin I and II died in the flood.
  • Despite ongoing efforts, as of June 18, 2026, rescuers still have not found Cile Steward.
• 4:19 a.m.: 911 call reports rescue of two Twins campers downriver.
• 5 a.m. - 7 a.m.: Other adults help survivors descend from trees and roofs.

Who died at Camp Mystic?

Named the Havens 27, here is the list of the young girls and counselors who died during the floods.

1. May Grace Baker, age 8.
2. Margaret Bellows, age 8.
3. Lila Bonner, age 8.
4. Chloe Childress, age 18, camp counselor.
5. Molly DeWitt, age 9.
6. Lucy Dillon, age 8.
7. Katherine Ferruzzo, age 18, camp counselor.
8. Ellen Getten, age 9.
9. Hadley Hanna, age 8.
10. Virginia Hollis, age 8.
11. Janie Hunt, age 9.
12. Mary Kate Jacobe, age 8.
13. Lainey Landry, age 9.
14. Hanna Lawrence, age 8.
15. Rebecca Lawrence, age 8.
16. Kellyanne Lytal, age 8.
17. Sarah Marsh, age 8.
18. Linnie McCown, age 8.
19. Blakely McCrory, age 8.
20. Wynne Naylor, age 8.
21. Eloise Peck, age 8.
22. Abby Pohl, age 8.
23. Margaret Sheedy, age 8.
24. Renee Smajstrla, age 8.
25. Mary Barrett Stevens, age 8
26. Cecilia “Cile” Steward, age 8
27. Greta Toranzo, age 10.

The 28th person killed was the camp's co-executive director, Dick Eastland.

Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas.

Got a news tip for him? Email him at [email protected].