HUNT, Texas – Camp Mystic, a summer camp that was severely damaged by flash flooding in Kerrville on July 4, is the second home to generations of Texan families.
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Many of these families are significant in Texas historically. President Lyndon B. Johnson, Governor Dan Moody, Governor John Connally, former Secretary of State James Baker, President George H.W. Bush – these are just a few of the influential Texans who have ties to Camp Mystic, many having sent their daughters and granddaughters to the historic campgrounds, according to the Texas Monthly.
The summer vacation spot was founded in 1926 and has been operated by its current owners since 1974, according to archives from the Camp Mystic website.
Dick and Tweety Eastland took over Camp Mystic after graduating from the University of Texas as college sweethearts and starting a family together. 51 years later, Dick Eastland was swept away in the floodwaters of the Guadalupe, dying in an attempt to rescue his campers and get them to higher ground.
MORE: Sisters share how Camp Mystic sisterhood helped them through flood rescue
For decades, Mystic has been a destination where Texan girls learn skills beyond the usual camp itinerary. Sure, fishing and crafts are common activities for Mystic campers, but the true magic of Camp Mystic comes from the character lessons that the camp instills.
“Generations of young girls have learned how to be their most authentic selves on Camp Mystic’s sacred ground,” said Grace Shoop, former camper and camp counselor, via an Instagram post. “The goal [of Mystic] is simple - for it to be a place for girls to play. There’s a power in giving girls a space of their own to run as hard as they can, scrape their knees, catch big fish, and get dirt under their fingernails. (Camp Mystic) is a place where (girls) don’t have to be careful or quiet or small but instead can be loud and brave and messy.”
Shoop tells KPRC 2 she attended Camp Mystic for 10 years before coming back to counsel for two years during college. Now, she’s working towards a master’s degree in Public Service and Administration from the Bush School at Texas A&M – following in the footsteps of many “Mystic women” who grow up to be leaders in Texas.
According to Texas Monthly, previous campers have gone on to have a variety of impressive careers. Former campers have become business owners and executives, including at Neiman Marcus and Gymboree. One Camp Mystic alum went on to dance with London’s Royal Ballet.
Some of the notable alumni of Camp Mystic, including Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson, have recently spoken up about the tragedy.
SEE ALSO: Veteran youth camp director shares insights on Camp Mystic flood tragedy
In an interview with CNN, Johnson said that hearing the news of what happened to Camp Mystic was “gutting,” explaining that the camp played a pivotal role in her family by bringing everyone together. She praised the late owner Dick Eastland, saying that he “gave his life, literally, for Camp Mystic,” and that he “went to heaven trying to save (those) little girls.”
Though the camp is damaged physically, memories of Mystic’s serene cabins nestled by the Guadalupe River remain strong.
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Still, with so much history and legacy, the most important part about Camp Mystic is not visible to the naked eye.
“I believe that the spirit of Mystic isn’t defined by the physical buildings or the river,” Shoop said. “It’s in the people. It’s in the shared experiences. It’s in lifelong bonds.”
