The Texas Christian camp where 27 people died in floods this summer is to reopen next year, after organisers have “prayed daily” about its future.
Camp organisers have promised a memorial to the 25 children and two adults who died when the Guadalupe burst its banks. The information was sent out in two separate emails; one to the families of the deceased, and another to previous attendees and parents.
Yet relatives of the deceased say reopening the camp furthers their grief.
The family of Eloise Peck said: “[we] were not consulted about, and did not approve, the memorial Camp Mystic emailed us about yesterday”.
One camper is still regarded as missing; eight-year-old Cile Steward has never been recovered.
Her mother, Cici, said: “The truth is, Camp Mystic failed our daughters. Recovery teams are still out there, scouring the river, risking and sacrificing so much to find her so we can finally lay her to rest.
“For their efforts, we are eternally grateful. Camp Mystic, however, has only added to our grief.”
Cici wrote of her horror at imagining a new cohort of girls “
In a letter shared by KHOU11 News, camp managers say they have “prayed daily” about their decision to reopen.
Organisers insist they have new procedures in place, after the “catastrophic 1000 year weather event,” and will never again use the bunk cabins which were flooded.
“We hope [the memorial] will serve as a place of reflection and remembrance of these beautiful girls,” the Camp said.
“We continue to pray for the grieving families and all those who lost loved ones.”