Founded by a University of Texas football coach, Camp Mystic—where raging floodwaters swept away dozens of girls, killing several and leaving many others missing—was established along the banks of the Guadalupe River in central Texas hill country nearly a century ago “to provide young girls with a wholesome Christian atmosphere”.

Located about 85 miles northwest of San Antonio, the camp has operated nearly continuously since its founding in 1926 by E.J. “Doc” Stewart, who coached the Texas Longhorns football squad from 1923 to 1926 and, according to a University of Texas historian, is the coach under whom the team first appeared in its iconic burnt orange and white uniforms.

Since then, it has operated each summer except for three years during the Second World War, when it was leased by the US government as a recovery facility for Army Air Corps veterans, according to the camp’s website.

The current owners, Dick and Tweety Eastland, are the third generation of the family that bought the camp in 1939, the website states.

Described as “nestled among cypress, live oak and pecan trees ... on the banks of the beautiful Guadalupe River”, the camp operates three sessions each summer, offering classic summer camp activities including archery, canoeing, arts and crafts, horseback riding, and a variety of sports.

It challenges campers to meet its three ideals: “Be a better person for being at Mystic”; “Let Mystic bring out the best in them”; and “Grow spiritually.”

When the flash flood struck early on Friday, it was less than a week into its second four-week term, with more than 700 children in residence, according to details provided on Friday by Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.

One of the girls confirmed to have died was Lila James Bonner. Her family have requested privacy, saying: "We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss."

Rescuers are continuing to search for 25 girls from the camp.