Summer Camp for girls shortened by a deadly disaster

Camp Mystic, a Christian camp for girls perched on the shore of the Guadalupe River in Texas, was a place of laughter, prayer and adventure just days ago.

Among the girls in the camp was the eight-year-old Renee Smail, a smiling ear to the ear in a photo taken in one of those days-“have the time of their lives” with their friends.

But the next day, the camp, which she and so many other young girls loved, became the place of one of the most deathly disasters of floods in the most recent history of Texas.

SMAJSTRLA was among the killed.

“She will forever live her best life in Camp Mystic,” wrote her uncle, Salt on Facebook.

The photos show the ominous after: the two -storey beds are still there – mud and removed, the Detrite of a summer camp, cut tragically.

The destroyed personal belongings are scattered on soaked interiors, where the children once gathered to study the Bible and songs of fire.

At least 59 people – Among them the longtime director of the campR, Richard Dick Eastland and several young camps – have been confirmed dead.

Eleven of his camps and one camp advisor remain disappeared. Many of the girls who remain disappeared sleep in low-spaced cabins less than 500 feet (150 m) from a river, US report.

Camp Mystic is run by the same family of generations, offering girls a chance to grow “spiritually” in a “healthy” Christian atmosphere, according to his website.

Families from all over Texas and the United States send their daughters every summer to swim, canoe, to ride horses and to form all -life friendships.

But the beauty of the Guadalupe River, which attracts so much in the area, has also turned out to be deadly.

The flooders arrived with a small warning, tearing through the picturesque area of ​​the river, which is home to nearly 20 youth camps.

Although Camp Mystic has suffered the greatest losses, employees say the scale of the disaster is far away.

Nearby, All-Girls Camp Heart O ‘Hills also faced floods.

His co -owner and director Jane Ragsdale was among the dead. Fortunately, the camp was out of the session at that time.

The camp statement said: “Most of those who were at this time were reported and were in a high place … We mourn the loss of a woman who influenced countless lives and is the definition of strong and powerful.”

The questions now take on why so many camps were located so close to the river and why it was no longer made to evacuate the children on time.

The Congressman Chip Roy, which represents the area, acknowledged the devastation, insisting on caution against premature guilt.

“The answer will be,” We have to move all these camps – why would you have camps here by the water? “Roy said.

“Well, you have bearings by the water because it is on the water. You have bearings near the river because it is a beautiful and wonderful place.”

As the recovery efforts continue, families are eagerly awaiting news about the missing. Search and Rescue teams – some boat navigation, others are scattered through debris – work around the clock.

Kerri Larry Leita sheriff said on Sunday, in which the survivors’ search continued.

“Until we can reunite families, we will not stop,” said city manager Dalton Rice.

Governor Greg Abat has declared a state of emergency, and employees warn that the final path may increase in the coming days.