Fourth lawsuit filed against Camp Mystic on Monday, highlights lack of planning

The parents of an 8-year-old girl who died in a flash flood at a Kerr County summer camp filed a wrongful death lawsuit Monday, the fourth such legal action filed against Camp Mystic in Travis County District Court.

Timothy and Melissa Peck of Dallas County are suing Camp Mystic and associated entities on behalf of their daughter, Eloise “Lulu” Peck, who was among at least 27 campers and counselors killed when floodwaters swept through the camp on July 4, 2025.

The lawsuit alleges camp directors received flash flood warnings at 1:14 a.m. but waited until 2:30 a.m. to begin evacuations — more than an hour later and after water levels had risen dangerously high.

“Camp Mystic’s shocking betrayal of that trust caused the horrific, tragic and needless deaths of twenty-seven innocent young girls,” the lawsuit states.

According to the filing, Camp Mystic knew since 1932 that cabins housing campers sat in a flood zone near the Guadalupe River but continued operating without adequate warning systems or evacuation infrastructure. The lawsuit claims several camp structures were located in areas designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as highest-risk for flooding.

The complaint also alleges camp officials received multiple warnings before the disaster, including a flood watch issued July 3 and state emergency activation announced July 2.

The defendants include Camp Mystic LLC, Mystic Camps Family Partnership Ltd., Mystic Camps Management LLC, Natural Fountains Properties Inc. and Willetta Eastland. The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $1 million.

Camp Mystic has announced plans to reopen for summer 2026, according to the filing.