Parents Of Camp Mystic Flood Victims Open Up In Emotional Interview: “Our Daughters Deserved Better”
on Sep 04, 2025
Camp Mystic Parents Push For Change Following Deadly Floods
The parents of the young girls who tragically died in the July 4 floods at Texas’ Camp Mystic shared their heartbreak in a powerful new interview this week (September 4).
Seven parents of the twenty-seven who were lost sat down with Today’s Jenna Bush Hager to discuss the girls’ legacy and change they are hoping to see following the disaster.
Hadley, Cile, Mary, Molly, Virginia, Lila and Abby were all remembered in the remarkably moving interview.
“We talk about this being your worst nightmare. This was not a nightmare I had,” Caitlin Bonner said, the mother of Lila.
One of the sweet campers, Cile, has still never been found in the aftermath of the storms.
“Every phone call, every text, your heart stops because you hope it’s news that they’ve found your child,” her father, Will Steward, recalled during the interview.
RELATED: Video Footage Shows Girls Worshiping God While Evacuating Flooded “Camp Mystic”
New Legislation Introduced To Help Keep Texas Camps Safe
The parents also believe the heartbreaking event could and should have been prevented.
“It became very, very clear that this wasn’t an accident. This was complacency and it is 100% preventable,” Lila’s father, Blake Bonner, said.
In August, multiple families appeared before the Texas State Senate to support “Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act,” legislation aimed at implementing stricter safety standards for youth camps and campgrounds statewide.
“We would’ve been doing a massive disservice to our daughters for not running with this and seeing this through,” Johnny Stevens, father of Mary, explained.
Camp Mystic shared their support for the bill, saying while they could not comment on it, they were in favor of safer camping practices along the river.
“We are still focused on recovery efforts at Camp Mystic and are not prepared to comment on specific legislation,” the camp said. “However, Camp Mystic supports legislative efforts that will make camps and communities along the Guadalupe River safer.”
Camp Mystic Devastated By The Texas Flash Floods
Camp Mystic is a century-old Christian girls’ summer camp located in Hunt, an unincorporated community in Kerr County, Texas.
At least 27 campers and counselors were confirmed dead following the tragic flash flooding in the region, which saw up to 10 to 12 inches of torrential rains in an incredibly short amount of time.
The Guadalupe River surged dramatically, rising approximately 22 to 29 feet in under two hours, sweeping away cabins, roads, and everything in its path.
Camp Mystic’s youngest campers were tragically housed in low‑lying cabins located less than 500 feet from the Guadalupe River and were among the first to be overwhelmed when the flash flood struck.
