Families who lost their daughters at Camp Mystic rebuke camp's reopening announcement

KERR COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- The decision by Camp Mystic to reopen a portion of its camp next summer is drawing a sharp rebuke from parents of the 27 little girls who died at the camp during the devastating Kerr County floods this summer.

Just weeks ago, Cici Steward testified in front of a State Senate committee in Austin about the devastation of losing her daughter Cile, and her body not yet found.

"We're forced to pray for the day when our child's body is found and to call that good news," Steward said, choking back tears.

Steward and the other families said they were shocked when Camp Mystic announced that one of its two camps will reopen to campers.

"The heart of Camp Mystic has never stopped beating, because you are Mystic," the email to the wider Camp Mystic community said. "We are not only rebuilding cabins and trails, but also a place where laughter, friendship, and spiritual growth will continue to flourish. As we work to finalize plans, we will do so in a way that is mindful of those we have lost."

However, Steward and her husband, Will, in an open letter released today, say the 27 families do not feel that way.

'We call on Camp Mystic to halt all discussion of reopening and memorials," the couple wrote in the open letter. "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. Anything less dishonors the children who were killed while in your care - at a time when their safety was your primary responsibility."

On Thursday afternoon, Camp Mystic released another statement in response to the Stewards' letter.

"We are in the initial stages of planning a memorial. We notified the bereaved parents because we are initiating the process to plan the memorial and wanted them to be informed. We welcome their participation as the process develops.

Our decision to partially reopen areas of the camp is informed by our faith and our commitment to continue the nearly century-long mission and ministry of Camp Mystic to provide a Christian camping experience for girls that allows them to grow physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Camp Mystic is working with engineers and other experts to comply with all elements of the recently passed camp safety legislation. Camp Mystic Cypress Lake, which we are planning to re-open next summer, is a separate property that is not adjacent to the Guadalupe River and sustained no damage from the historic flood on July 4."

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