The parents of a girl who remains missing after the flooding that hit Texas this summer said they were “devastated” by Camp Mystic’s plans to reopen next year.
Cile Steward was among the 27 campers and counselors killed in July’s catastrophic floods in Kerr County.
“Our families remain trapped in the deepest throes of grief, yet your communications treat our never-ending nightmare as little more than a brief pause before resuming business as usual,” her parents, Cici and Will Steward, wrote in a letter Wednesday that was obtained by NBC News.
In a letter to camp families Monday, Camp Mystic officials detailed plans to partially open next summer. It said the area of the camp along the Guadalupe River that was destroyed by the floodwaters will not reopen next year.
“As we work to finalize plans, we will do so in a way that is mindful of those we have lost,” the letter said.
The camp also said it will build a memorial to those killed in the flooding.
“Our decision to partially reopen areas of the camp is informed by our faith and our commitment to continue the nearly century-long mission and ministry of Camp Mystic to provide a Christian camping experience for girls that allows them to grow physically, mentally and spiritually,” the camp said in a statement Thursday.
In their letter, the Stewards allege that the camp’s owners did not consult them before deciding to partially reopen.
"Had you paused to reflect … you might have spared grieving families the additional anguish your decisions now cause," they wrote. "Instead, your communications have only intensified our grief."
The camp said Thursday that it notified the parents about the memorial because they “wanted them to be informed” and “welcome their participation as the process develops.”
Many of the parents who lost daughters have criticized the camp over its safety measures and preparedness and advocated for legislative change.
"Cile must be recovered, and you must fully confront and account for your role in the events and failures that caused the deaths of our daughters,” the Stewards wrote. "Anything less dishonors the children who were killed while in your care — at a time when their safety was your primary responsibility."
This month, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation to strengthen camp safety, prohibiting cabins from being in dangerous parts of flood zones and requiring camp operators to develop detailed evacuation plans, among other things.
Camp Mystic’s letter to families said that its leaders are "working with engineers and other experts to determine how we will implement the changes required" under the newly passed bills.
