It’s heartbreaking to see what has happened. I was reading a news article this morning that mentioned the National Weather Service had issued advance warnings and urged people to take precautions. As we all know, weather can be unpredictable. That unpredictability is only compounded by how often we receive emergency alerts these days—so much so that they sometimes get ignored. I can’t help but wonder if that may have contributed to some of the tragic outcomes, where earlier action might have made a difference. I’m not trying to place blame—just sharing an observation. I know I’m guilty of ignoring some alerts myself, especially when they feel too general or don’t seem to directly apply to my immediate area, even though they’re sent to the broader region.
On the camp side of things, I find myself thinking about how this tragedy might impact other camps moving forward. My kids have been attending Scout camps (Girl Scouts and BSA) since 2012, and three of my four have been on staff for a few years now. Just this summer, we watched June rains raise river levels to concerning heights at our local BSA camp. With two of our kids on staff, we were closely watching how the camp was handling safety and preparedness—especially in terms of any potential emergency evacuations. At one point, river levels rose so quickly that the only bridge providing access to one side of camp was completely submerged. While that side of camp typically hosts fewer people due to its more rustic setup, there were still campers and staff staying there who would have needed reliable access to food, camp medic, and other essential resources. Thankfully, nothing major occurred, and the water eventually receded. Still, it served as a powerful reminder of how quickly conditions can change and the importance of strong emergency protocols in outdoor environments like these.
All of this makes me wonder—what emergency practices and trainings were in place at Camp Mystic for upper-level staff and directors? Every private sleepaway camp and Scout camp I’ve worked with has been accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), which requires extensive training in emergency preparedness, outdoor safety, and risk management. In light of this tragedy, I can’t help but think about how many camps are now reviewing their protocols and procedures.
Additionally, with the advance weather alerts that had been issued, I’m curious why more precautions weren’t put in place. I understand that this was a case of historic flooding, and no one can predict exactly how severe conditions will become—but when emergency warnings are issued, it's important to act proactively. It's always better to be overly cautious than to face avoidable loss or tragedy.
Again, I’m not trying to place blame—just sharing something I’m personally reflecting on as a parent and someone with years of experience in the camp world.
