Camp Mystic Proposes Sale of Property Amid Bankruptcy and Legal Challenges

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The owners of Camp Mystic have proposed selling the riverfront property as part of a bankruptcy plan, aiming for a buyer who will preserve the camp's historic mission following the deaths of 27 campers and counselors swept away by a flood in 2025. The century-old private Christian girls' camp filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan on September 25 that would auction off the 749 acres (3 square kilometers) it owns and other assets. The sprawling campus, located among rolling wooded hills on the banks of the Guadalupe River, included several single-story cabins for younger campers and a recreation hall near the riverfront. A second campus situated on elevated ground was not affected by the flood. The Eastland family has owned the camp for decades and initially sought to reopen this summer but faced opposition from victims' families, state lawmakers, lawsuits, and legislative investigations regarding the incident. A potential buyer would likely acquire a portion of the camp preserved in its original state, as families of the victims have sought to prevent any demolition of damaged cabins and buildings and halt repairs through their lawsuits. The bankruptcy plan indicates that the owners expect a purchaser to be supported by families that advocate for the camp. "Nothing in the plan requires any buyer to operate the property as a camp," the filing stated, "but the plan expresses a preference for a buyer that will maintain the historic mission of the camp." Twenty-five campers and two counselors died when the river surged over its banks in the early hours of July 4, 2025. Camp owner and director Richard Eastland also lost his life, and at least 136 individuals were killed along a several-mile stretch of the river. Earlier this month, state police investigators sought search warrants for the electronic communications of the camp's owners, suggesting they could provide evidence of manslaughter, negligent homicide, child abandonment, or other crimes. A legislative probe found that the camp's young and inexperienced counselors were not trained for floods and emergencies, indicating that an earlier evacuation decision could have saved lives. Most victims were under age 10, with some attending camp for the first time. The bankruptcy proposal requires approval from U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher M. Lopez. All creditors, including families who have sued Camp Mystic over the deaths, will have the opportunity to respond to the plan. "The Eastlands are now attempting to determine the future of the Camp Mystic property, but the victims' families, including my clients, will fight to protect their rights and ensure any sale is fair and transparent," said Tim Ferguson, attorney for the family of 8-year-old Mary Grace Baker, one of the campers who died. "The Bakers intend to continue fighting for answers, accountability, and justice for their daughter," Ferguson added.