Camilla Jessen
Teenage counselors at Camp Mystic made a heartbreaking decision in the face of disaster.
Two teenage counselors from Camp Mystic in Texas have spoken publicly for the first time about the terrifying moments they experienced during the Texas flood that claimed at least 27 lives.
Tragedy on the Guadalupe River
In the early hours of July 4, a devastating flood struck the private Christian girls’ summer camp, located along the Guadalupe River.
More than 750 children were at the camp when water began surging through the area, forcing an emergency evacuation.
Silvana Garza Valdez and María Paula Zárate, two of the camp’s counselors, were stationed at Camp Mystic’s Cypress Lake site.
When groups from the main camp began arriving there to escape the rising floodwaters, the pair quickly realized the severity of the situation.
A Grim but Necessary Decision
Speaking to Mexican news outlet NMas, Maria Paula described the terrifying choice they made in that moment.
“We started to write our names on our skin, anywhere that was visible,” she said. “We did the same for the girls, wrote their names anywhere that was easy to see.”
As reported by Newsner, the idea was that if anyone were swept away by the floodwaters, rescuers would be able to identify them by the names written on their arms, legs, or hands.
“We Were Told to Put on a Happy Face”
The counselors said they tried to hide their own fear to keep the campers calm.
“We were told to put on a happy face so we wouldn’t scare the kids,” Silvana recalled.
But keeping things calm proved impossible once the evacuation began.
“All of the girls started to go crazy,” Silvana said. “Some were crying because they didn’t want to leave. Others wanted their parents. I really don’t know how to explain it. It was something awful.”
The campers had no cell phones at the time and weren’t immediately told about the deaths.
Silvana said she didn’t fully understand the scope of the disaster until after they were evacuated.
Five Campers and One Counselor Still Missing
At a press conference on Tuesday, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed that five campers and one counselor remain missing.
Kerrville spokesperson Jonathan Lamb noted that the last live rescue took place on Friday.
Over 1,500 state workers have been deployed to help with search, rescue, and recovery operations.
In a statement, Camp Mystic said, “Our hearts are broken alongside our families enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly.”
The camp also thanked first responders and urged the public to give space to those affected.
“We ask for your continued prayers, respect and privacy for each of our families affected,” the statement said. “May the Lord continue to wrap His presence around all of us.”
