HUNT, Texas – Women of all ages leaning on each other for strength.
They form a circle with Camp Mystic songs flowing from their hearts, melodies that bind them together.
Inside the sanctuary at St. John the Divine, the service opens with grief in the air. Loss and trauma weigh heavy on this Texas community.
Former campers take the stage, sharing memories, making space for sorrow for those they’ve lost and those still missing.
Outside, others carry fresh memories.
Abigail Hilgers and Khaki Groves reflect on the good, finding comfort in each other.
“It feels really like nice to have people that are like going through the same stuff as you,” said Abigail. “And everyone is just like they’re—it’s like, love you and like support you through these hard times.”
Camp Mystic holds some of their best memories, but now, those memories are shadowed by tragedy.
“Just keep praying because God has a plan for us,” said Khaki.
Others haven’t been back in year, but the connection never fades.
“Camp Mystic was, you know, our happy place,” said Shawn Gallagher. “It was our safe place that we went to every summer where we got to be girls.”
She walked the same trails and sang the same songs.