Camp Mystic Lawsuits: Families Seek Over $1M in Flood Death Claims

The tragic events of July 4, 2025, at Camp Mystic, a summer camp for girls in Kerr County, Texas, have led to multiple lawsuits against the camp and its owners. Families of the 25 campers and two counselors who perished in a catastrophic flash flood are seeking over $1 million in damages, alleging gross negligence and a reckless disregard for safety. This legal action throws a spotlight on summer camp safety regulations, premises liability, and the responsibilities of organizations entrusted with the care of children. The lawsuits aim to provide accountability for what the families describe as an entirely preventable tragedy.

The Catastrophic Flood at Camp Mystic

Camp Mystic, a Christian all-girls camp with a history dating back to 1926, was devastated by the Central Texas floods. The Guadalupe River, on which the camp is located, rose an estimated 26 feet in approximately 45 minutes, inundating cabins and sweeping away structures. The speed and intensity of the flood caught many off guard, resulting in a horrific loss of life. In total, over 130 people died throughout Central Texas during the disastrous floods.

Legal Claims and Allegations

The lawsuits against Camp Mystic assert a range of claims, including:

Wrongful Death: This claim alleges that the camp’s negligence or wrongful acts directly caused the deaths of the campers and counselors.
Negligence and Gross Negligence: The suits argue that Camp Mystic failed to exercise reasonable care in protecting the children and counselors from foreseeable harm, and that this failure constituted a gross deviation from the standard of care.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty: This claim suggests that Camp Mystic, as an organization entrusted with the care of children, violated its duty to act in their best interests.
Failure to Warn: The lawsuits allege that the camp failed to adequately warn campers and counselors about the known flood risks associated with the camp’s location.
Premises Liability: This legal concept holds property owners responsible for injuries that occur on their property due to unsafe conditions. The lawsuits claim that Camp Mystic failed to maintain a safe premises for its campers and counselors.

Specifically, the families allege that Camp Mystic:

Ignored repeated weather warnings and flood risks.
Failed to adopt or implement adequate evacuation plans.
Prioritized the evacuation of camp equipment over the safety of campers and counselors.
Housed campers in cabins located in known flood-prone areas.
Misled families about the safety of the camp.

One lawsuit alleges that the camp ordered campers to remain in their cabins as floodwaters rose and delayed evacuation efforts to prioritize preventing equipment from flooding rather than saving campers. Another filing accuses the defendants of concealing the camp’s flood risk, citing FEMA maps that placed Camp Mystic within a “Special Flood Hazard Area.” Plaintiffs allege the Eastland family petitioned to remove cabins from floodplain designations to reduce insurance costs and continue marketing the camp as “safe.”

Seeking Accountability and Change

The families involved in the lawsuits are seeking more than monetary compensation. They aim to hold Camp Mystic accountable for its alleged negligence and to push for stronger safety standards at Texas youth camps. The lawsuits seek actual and exemplary damages, policy changes to improve safety and emergency preparedness across Texas youth camps, and transparency regarding the events leading up to the flood.

Ryan DeWitt, the father of 9-year-old camper Molly DeWitt, stated, “This legal step is one of honoring her, and we believe that truth and justice are essential to finding peace—not only for our family, but for every family affected.”

Texas Law and Wrongful Death Claims

In Texas, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the surviving spouse, children, or parents of the deceased. The statute of limitations for filing such a lawsuit is generally two years from the date of death. Damages that can be recovered in a wrongful death case may include:

Economic Damages: Compensation for financial losses such as medical expenses, funeral costs, and lost income.
Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for intangible losses such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of companionship.
Exemplary Damages: These damages, also known as punitive damages, are intended to punish the defendant for egregious conduct and deter others from similar actions.

New Safety Regulations for Texas Summer Camps

In the wake of the Camp Mystic tragedy, Texas has enacted new laws aimed at enhancing safety measures at youth camps. Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1 (the Youth CAMPER Act) and Senate Bill 1 (the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act) into law, which:

Prohibit DSHS from licensing youth camps with cabins in FEMA-designated floodplains (with limited exceptions).
Require annual emergency training and planning.
Create an online registry of licensed youth camps.
Extend safety standards to campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks.
Require youth camps to adopt and annually update emergency plans.
Train staff and orient campers.
Notify parents of floodplain risks with signed acknowledgment.
Share plans with local emergency services.

These new regulations are scheduled to take effect for the 2026 summer season. However, some camp owners have voiced concerns about the high cost of complying with the new rules, which could potentially force some camps to shut down.

Liability Waivers and Summer Camp Injuries

Many summer camps require parents to sign liability waivers, which are intended to release the camp from liability for injuries that may occur. However, these waivers are not always enforceable, particularly in cases of gross negligence. A liability waiver will not absolve summer camps’ liability for a failure to keep campers safe.

If a child is injured at summer camp due to negligence, parents may have grounds for a lawsuit, even if they signed a waiver. To prove negligence, it must be shown that the camp owed a duty of care to the child, breached that duty, and that the breach caused the injury.

The Importance of Due Diligence

The Camp Mystic tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of due diligence when choosing a summer camp for your child. Parents should carefully research camps, inquire about their safety procedures, and assess the risks associated with the camp’s location and activities.

Questions to ask a summer camp:

What are the camp’s emergency plans for severe weather and other potential hazards?
How often are staff members trained in emergency procedures?
What are the camp’s policies regarding supervision of campers?
Are background checks conducted on all staff members?
Is the camp located in a floodplain or other hazardous area?
What measures are in place to mitigate those risks?

Seeking Legal Consultation

If your child has been injured at a summer camp due to negligence, it is essential to seek legal consultation from an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can help you understand your legal rights, assess the strength of your case, and pursue the compensation you deserve.

The lawsuits against Camp Mystic highlight the devastating consequences of negligence and the importance of prioritizing safety in all activities involving children. By holding negligent parties accountable and advocating for stronger safety standards, we can help prevent future tragedies and protect our children from harm.