The American Camp Association (ACA) is devastated by the tragic flooding in the Texas Hill Country that has impacted numerous camp communities, including Camp Mystic, Heart O’ the Hills, and other camps in the region. Our thoughts and hearts are also with the families of the missing campers.

We also mourn the losses of Jane Ragsdale and Dick Eastland, longtime and beloved camp directors. The pain of this moment is deep, and our collective support for their camp and its community is unwavering. Both were stewards of tradition and fierce advocates for youth development. Their absence will be profoundly felt throughout the camp world.

The tragedy unfolding is being felt far and wide. In times like these, the loss of even one life touches every camp, because the camp community is and has always been deeply interconnected. We stand together in sorrow, in solidarity, and in support.

ACA is actively working to support camps, their families, and all affected communities. As this situation continues to evolve, ACA remains committed to providing ongoing resources, listening closely to local needs, and ensuring that the camp community moves through this moment together.

While the coming days will bring grief and heartbreak, the strength of the camp community lies in its unity. From Hill Country to the Heartland, in camps from coast to coast, this community has always found strength in connection and support.

How You Can Help

ACA has collected various ways you can help the Texas Hill Country in the wake of the devastating floods. Our colleagues and friends need our collective care to recover and rebuild.

• Kerr County Flood Relief Fund
• Salvation Army
• Texas Community Recovery
• ACA Disaster Assistance Scholarship Fund

Thank you for supporting our Texas Hill Country camps. Camps across the country work tirelessly to provide safe, enriching experiences, and our focus remains on supporting those affected during this incredibly difficult time. This tragedy is a sobering reminder of the unpredictable forces of nature. Now, the strength of the camp community will rally in compassion and unity when it matters most.

Photo credit: Jessica Lutz / iStock / Getty Images Plus