Camp Mystic Faces Auction as Bankruptcy Proceeds Following 2025 Flood Tragedy
Camp Mystic may be auctioned after bankruptcy, with wrongful death lawsuits set to resume following the 2025 flood that killed 27 people.
POLICY WIRE — Hunt, Texas — Camp Mystic, the girls’ summer camp in Texas where 27 individuals lost their lives during a devastating flood in 2025, may soon be put up for sale following a recent bankruptcy filing.
The Eastland family, who have owned the property for generations, has initiated a court-supervised auction process. It remains uncertain whether they will attempt to reclaim the camp during the bidding. The auction must receive judicial approval before it can move forward.
A potential buyer backed by families and alumni of Camp Mystic is expected to participate in the auction, though details about the identity of the bidder or the proposed bid amount are not included in the bankruptcy documents. If approved, the auction could lead to the resumption of wrongful-death claims related to the July 2025 disaster, which had been paused due to the bankruptcy proceedings.
One possible buyer is the Firefly Fields Foundation, a nonprofit organization aiming to establish a new Christian girls’ camp at the higher-elevation portion of the site. The foundation, which is separate from the Eastland family, has expressed interest in continuing the legacy of the camp with new leadership and governance, according to a statement from its spokesperson, Jim Wilkinson.
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Camp Mystic spans approximately 725 acres near Hunt, Texas. New owners would need to secure a youth camp license and pass an inspection by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The site is currently under investigation by the Texas Rangers, who have found probable cause to believe that camp leaders may have committed offenses including manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.
On July 4, 2025, a flash flood warning was issued after heavy rain hit Kerr County. Despite the alert, camp officials allegedly delayed evacuations for 90 minutes, instructing campers to stay indoors. Three hours later, the Guadalupe River overflowed, rising more than 20 feet in under two hours. Rescue efforts involving helicopters and boats were launched, but 27 people died in the disaster.
A state investigation concluded in 2026 that the deaths were preventable and resulted from systemic failures at the camp. No criminal charges have been filed yet, but the case remains under scrutiny.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
