KERR COUNTY, Texas – Camp Mystic and Richard “Dick” Eastland’s family expressed their support Thursday for Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 1, legislation aimed at improving safety at camps and communities along the Guadalupe River.
“We join the families in supporting legislation that will make camps and communities along the Guadalupe River safer, especially the creation of detection and warning systems that would have saved lives on July 4,” the statement reads.
Eastland, who was the director of Camp Mystic, died while trying to save campers.
“Whatever is included in the final measure passed by the Legislature, Camp Mystic will go above and beyond to support the safety and well-being of every camper and counselor,” the statement reads.
On Tuesday, the parents of Camp Mystic flood victims testified before the Texas Senate Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding.
Camp Mystic, located along the Guadalupe River outside of Hunt, Texas, saw catastrophic devastation from the Hill Country floods, where 27 campers and camp counselors were killed.
On Thursday night, SB1, titled Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act, passed the Texas Senate chamber in a 28-0 vote.
The bill would require camps in flood-prone areas to abide by certain regulations, which would include having an evacuation plan for additional emergencies, such as flash floods, in addition to fires or a missing camper.
The bill also includes other requirements for camps, such as having an active license listed online. For a camp to renew or be granted a new license, it would be prohibited from having cabins in floodplains.
Camps would also be required to have operating radios for real-time weather alerts from a professional weather service and maintain an evacuation route on campgrounds that are lit at night.
The Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act would also require the installation and maintenance of an emergency warning system.
After the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act was unanimously passed, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said he’s “grateful” that his senate colleagues support the “critical legislation.”
“Every child who attends summer camp should come home with nothing more than memories of laughter, friendship, and adventure,” Patrick said. “Today, the Texas Senate has taken an important step to ensure that no parent in our state ever has to endure that kind of heartbreak again.”
Patrick also said the bill will ensure the tragedy at Camp Mystic will “never be forgotten.”
“We cannot legislate away every danger in life, but we can insist on vigilance, preparedness, and accountability where children are entrusted to the care of others,” Patrick said. “This bill gives parents peace of mind and sets clear expectations for camp operators — because the safety of Texas children must always come first."
Gov. Greg Abbott also supports that the Texas Legislature passed the bill on Thursday night.
“No parent should ever endure that kind of loss. These families asked for critical camp safety legislation, and the bills passed this week by the House and Senate will ensure that no parent has to fear sending their child to a camp in Texas,” Abbott said. “I applaud Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows, and the Texas Legislature for making this legislation a priority. I look forward to signing the bill into law.”
If HB1 becomes law, it would aim for youth camps to have updated written emergency plans covering a range of situations, including natural disasters, lost campers, fires and medical emergencies.
Camps must also submit their plans for state approval, providing training to staff and volunteers and share the plans with campers and parents. The bill also authorizes civil penalties for noncompliance.
Below is the full statement issued by Camp Mystic and the Eastland family:
“We are heartbroken over the loss of 27 precious campers and counselors at Camp Mystic. We are so inspired by the parents who, in the midst of their unimaginable grief, shared their daughters’ stories. We are praying for them and all those in our community who, like us, lost loved ones on July 4.
“We join the families in supporting legislation that will make camps and communities along the Guadalupe River safer, especially the creation of detection and warning systems that would have saved lives on July 4. Dick Eastland gave his life fighting to save the girls whose care was entrusted to Camp Mystic. Whatever is included in the final measure passed by the Legislature, Camp Mystic will go above and beyond to support the safety and well-being of every camper and counselor.
“Despite our collective and continued grief, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to the incredible first responders, volunteers and search and rescue teams who have stepped forward during our community’s greatest time of need. Their continued bravery, tireless dedication and compassion, especially amid the ongoing search and recovery efforts, have brought hope and comfort to so many. Their actions remind us of the strength we have when we come together.
“Honoring the lives of the 27 precious campers and counselors has been and will continue to be our focus.”
On Thursday night, the parents of the Camp Mystic flood victims also released the following statement:
“‘Not only are these bills passing in record time and with bipartisan support, but this effort also shows the unification of the parents and camp owners to ensure camps in Texas can thrive by providing the basic protections they need,’ Matthew Childress, father of Chloe Childress (18), said in a prepared statement. ‘Through this action, it ensures the long-term success of camps in Texas. We are proud that these bills can be passed in our daughters’ names.’
The families emphasized that while no law can erase their grief, this legislation represents a powerful legacy of hope, resilience and reform on behalf of their angels they now refer to as “Heaven’s 27.”
“‘For the first time since we lost our child, we feel that her voice is being heard. House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 1 give us hope that no other family will have to endure the unbearable pain that we are facing,’ Lacey and Lars Hollis, parents of Virginia Hollis (8), said in a prepared statement.
Many of the parents were in the House and Senate chambers for today’s votes. They thanked lawmakers for advancing the measures and urged them to continue to move them forward without delay.
“‘This law is about prevention. It’s about making sure camps have real safety plans in place before the next storm or event, so no other child is ever put in danger,’ Tim and Missy Peck, parents of Eloise “Lulu” Peck (8), said in regards to the passage of Senate Bill 1."
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