Full Breakdown
Camp Mystic Seeks Court-Supervised Auction of Flood-Damaged Texas Camp
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Chapter 11 Plan to Liquidate Assets
Camp Mystic LLC and affiliated Eastland family companies have filed a Chapter 11 reorganization plan that would place the nearly 750-acre Kerr County property and “substantially all” of its assets in a court-supervised auction. The filing, made in the Southern District of Texas, states a preference for a buyer who would “maintain the historic mission” of the private Christian girls’ camp, though no purchaser is legally bound to continue camp operations. Approval is required from U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher M. Lopez before any sale can proceed.
Background & Context
On July 4, 2025, flash flooding along the Guadalupe River swept through Camp Mystic’s riverfront campus. Twenty-five campers, two counselors and camp owner Richard Eastland were killed. The disaster prompted wrongful-death lawsuits and state-lawyer investigations that cited inadequate flood-training for young counselors. The camp halted operations for the 2026 summer season while the legal fallout continued.
Data & Statistics
- Property size: ~749 acres on the south fork of the Guadalupe River.
- Liabilities: $10 million–$50 million listed in the filing.
- Assets: Valued between $100,001 and $500,000.
- Creditors: 1,000–5,000 unsecured creditors, including families with prepaid 2026 deposits.
- Insurance: Per-occurrence liability coverage of $6 million, reduced from $10 million months before the flood.
Official Statements & Responses
The filing emphasizes a “preference” for a buyer who will keep the camp’s historic mission alive, while noting that the court will not adjudicate fault or damages.
Criticism & Opposition
Victims’ advocates argue the bankruptcy strategy is designed to sidestep responsibility. Families contend that the liquidation does not release them from ongoing civil suits and that the plan’s preference language offers no guarantee that the camp’s legacy will be preserved.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Every step of the way, they’ve tried to avoid accountability,” — Sam Taylor
- “Given the amount of liability that potentially is here, it would be difficult to restructure this business and continue to operate it,” — Joyce W. Lindauer, Dallas bankruptcy attorney
Timeline
- July 4, 2025: Flash flood kills 27 people at Camp Mystic.
- June 24, 2025: Camp Mystic LLC and related Eastland entities file for Chapter 11 protection.
- September 2026: Disclosure statement and reorganization plan filed, outlining the proposed auction.
- July 17, 2026: Memorial erected in Hunt, Texas, honoring flood victims.
- October 2026: Hearing scheduled for families’ request to remove the Eastland family from control of the case.
What’s Next
The bankruptcy court must approve the reorganization plan before an auction can be conducted. If approved, proceeds will first satisfy insurance claims; any shortfall will be distributed pro-rata to families and other unsecured creditors. Families retain the right to pursue their wrongful-death lawsuits independently of the bankruptcy process. The outcome will determine whether the historic camp site remains a youth-focused facility or is repurposed under new ownership.