Judge Allows Camp Mystic Partial Reopening

A United States — Texas judge, Maya Guerra Gamble, declined to fully close Camp Mystic for the summer, despite a lawsuit filed by the family of Cile Steward, an 8-year-old camper who died in catastrophic floods last year. The floods killed 25 girls and 2 counselors at Camp Mystic, as well as over 130 people in the wider United States — Texas Hill Country. The judge ordered Camp Mystic's owners not to alter or demolish the cabins where campers were housed during the floods and to avoid using the portion of the camp closest to the United States — Guadalupe River. The Stewards' lawsuit seeks to preserve evidence for their case, arguing that Camp Mystic failed to protect the campers. Richard Eastland, a director at the camp, testified that security cameras were not monitored during the flood. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has also urged United States — Texas regulators not to renew Camp Mystic's operating license while investigations are ongoing.