REPORT: Camp owner makes ultimate sacrifice to rescue children from deadly Texas flood

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From Fox News: The camp director and co-owner of Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, died in the catastrophic flooding as he reportedly raced to save the lives of his young campers.

Dick Eastland, who purchased the camp in 1974, died after the wall of water crashed through the Christian summer camp, which is located along the banks of the Guadalupe River, Texas Public Radio reported.

The report cited a Facebook post from Eastland’s nephew, though the post has since been taken down.

Counselors, former campers and politicians who knew Eastland praised him for his heroic actions and ultimate sacrifice to save his campers.

The camp was built in 1926, and has been owned by Eastland and his wife, Tweety, since 1974. Tweety Eastland was reportedly found safe at the couple’s home.

Rep. August Pfluger (R-Tex.), whose two daughters were among those evacuated from Camp Mystic, wrote, “Camp Mystic’s Dick Eastland no doubt gave his life attempting to save his campers. For decades he and his wife Tweety poured his life into loving and developing girls and women of character. Thank you Mr. Eastland. We love you and miss you.”

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Tex.) said:

“I just want everybody to remember the courage of the heroic sacrifice of those who gave their lives to save some of those little girls lives, camp counselors, camp directors. Dick Eastland, who ran that camp, Camp Mystic, he’s like the third owner over the last 100 years. They’re going to celebrate their 100th anniversary next year and I hope they’re open. I hope people stay resolved and figure out what we can do to make this all work going forward. Too many memories and too much history here for us not to go forward, but just keep praying for all the families involved.

“I cannot say enough about the teamwork here, regardless of party, from the President on down, to get this done for the people of Texas.”

Also, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Tex.) wrote:

“There are inspiring – and humbling- stories of heroism from this horrible tragedy. Dick Eastland—owner and director of Camp Mystic—gave his life trying to save the children under his care. At nearby Camp La Junta, counselors braved collapsing cabins and rising floodwaters to rescue every single boy. In Ingram, 27-year-old Julian Ryan died after getting his fiancée, children, and mother to safety.

“I’m sure we will be hearing more stories like these in the days to come. On this Day of Prayer in Texas—pray for the victims, the survivors, and all those who answered and continue to answer the call in the darkest moments. Texans truly do come together in the worst of times.”

Camp Mystic counselor who died in Texas flooding remembered as ‘loyal and beloved’
From ABC News: Chloe Childress, a counselor at Camp Mystic, was killed during the devastating flooding in Hunt, Texas, over the holiday weekend, according to a representative of her high school.

She graduated from The Kinkaid School earlier this year and was set to attend the University of Texas at Austin in the fall.

Jonathan Eades, the head of The Kinkaid School, remembered Childress as someone who had a “remarkable way of making people feel seen” and “steady compassion that settled a room.”

“Whether it was sharing her own challenges to ease someone’s burden or quietly cheering a teammate or classmate through a tough day, Chloe made space for others to feel safe, valued, and brave. She understood what it meant to be part of a community, and more than that, she helped build one,” Eades wrote in a letter to the school community.

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