New Report Reveals Over a Dozen Texas Hill Country Summer Camps Built in Flood Zones

Kerr County, Texas — A recently published analysis by The Texas Tribune highlights a critical and growing concern: at least 13 summer camps located along the Guadalupe River, many predating modern flood modeling, were constructed within high-risk flood zones.

Among these, Camp Mystic, the all-girls Christian summer camp that suffered devastating losses during the July 4 flash floods—including 27 confirmed fatalities—had two cabins situated right in the Guadalupe River floodway, the most dangerous flood zone. Additional structures were located within the 100‑year floodplain.

Other camps similarly at high risk include:

• Heart O’ the Hills Camp (director Jane Ragsdale perished)

• Camp Capers, Camp Stewart for Boys, Camp Waldemar — all with at least a third of their structures in the 100‑year floodplain

• Camp La Junta, Camp Rio Vista, Camp Sierra Vista, Camp Honey Creek for Girls, Kickapoo Kamp for Girls, Presbyterian Mo‑Ranch Assembly, Bear Creek Scout Camp, Hermann Sons Life Camp‑Riverside

Experts warn that FEMA’s outdated maps significantly underestimate risk. They stress that many camps, built before the advent of modern flood assessments, benefit from “grandfathered” status which exempts them from newer safety regulations.

The findings have prompted urgent calls from lawmakers and safety advocates to enact reforms, including:

• Mandatory flood disaster plans for camps with overnight lodging

• Required emergency evacuation and rooftop access protocols for any camp located within a floodplain

• Upgrading outdated flood modeling and early-warning systems in vulnerable communities.

“Unfortunately, I’m not surprised… but with camps it’s especially worrisome. You’re not just putting yourself at risk, you’re putting children at risk.”
— Sarah Pralle, Syracuse University associate professor

“With the most recent flood, there was no warning… We wouldn’t have known to move things higher.”
— Brandon Briery, COO of Camp CAMP (built 90 feet above the river)