Before catastrophic flooding swelled through the grounds of Camp Mystic and Central Texas in early July, it was known as a sacred site for idyllic girlhood.
It was the place where Fort Worth resident Carolyn Lorimer became a Tonkawa when she first started going to the camp in 1959 and it would remain a pillar in her life. She’s attended almost every camp reunion since they began in the early ’80s.
At Camp Mystic, members of the Tonkawa or Kiowa “tribes” saw girlhood fun blossom into lifelong friendships. Camp was the place where cypress and pecan trees as tall as buildings scraped the sky, and campers traded the hum of the highway for the roar of Hill Country cicadas. It was the place where metropolitan girls learned devotionals, how to win or lose a sport with grace, and earned Coca-Cola and chocolate on special occasions.
Pressed in the charms on James Avery bracelets — a tradition for many campers — were mementos of scripture, sportsmanship and sisterhood.
There were also the songs.
There’s a camp in the Guadalupe River. It is the camp of my dreams.
Where the whippoorwill calls softly and the bright moon beams.
Lorimer looks fondly over the memories layered in scrapbooks full of pictures, news clippings from the “Mystic Murmurs,” and letters.
Camp Mystic has since seen generations of Lorimer’s family. While she and her relatives are grieving the devastation of the lives lost in the waters and recovering from her granddaughters’ rescued from the tragedy, she wants people to remember what Camp Mystic meant to thousands of women and girls over the years and the leaders who made it possible.
“It’s about those children. It’s about the Eastlands. It’s about those counselors who rose to the occasion,” Lorimer said. “And it’s about the enduring values of Mystic, the values that made us who we are.”
Carolyn Lorimer flips through her Camp Mystic scrapbooks on July 8, 2025, in Fort Worth. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report)
History and leadership shaping Camp Mystic
Camp Mystic, named after the morning mists that rise from the Guadalupe River, is a private Christian summer camp for girls. It was established in 1926 by University of Texas coach “Doc” Stewart. At the time, Camp Mystic offered a single eight-week session, a tradition that continued until 1942. After World War II, Camp Mystic began offering two eight-week sessions each summer, and in 1983 added a third session that was two weeks long.
The camp strives to provide young girls with a “wholesome Christian atmosphere in which they can develop outstanding personal qualities and self-esteem,” according to the website.
Camp alumnae include the daughters of former Texas Govs. Price Daniel, Dan Moody and John Connally, according to a 2011 Texas Monthly article. Former President Lyndon B. Johnson’s daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters also attended, according to The Texas Tribune. Former first lady Laura Bush was a Camp Mystic counselor.
Agnes Stacy and her husband, known as “Pop” Stacy, decided to purchase the camp in 1939. Inez and Frank C. Harrison, affectionately called “Iney” and “Frank” were brought to Mystic in 1948 by Agnes Stacy and served as directors until retirement in 1987.
Both influenced the lives of countless young women and men “by their example and through their training” and are credited with putting into practice many of the philosophies and traditions still valued by Mystic campers and counselors, according to the Camp Mystic website.
That rings true for Lorimer, who has a small booklet of prayers, scripture and heartfelt messages known as “Iney’s Thoughts.”
“There is this culture that says, ‘Be ye kind one to another. God is first, my neighbor is second. I am third,’” Lorimer said. “All of that you carry with you for the rest of your life. In our wedding, I had the prayer of St. Francis and some other scriptures from camp.”
Grieving the losses of the floods
In 1987, Agnes Stacy’s grandson Dick Eastland and his wife, Tweety, took the reins as co-owners and executive directors for Camp Mystic. Dick Eastland died while trying to save some of the youngest girls from the July 2025 flood waters, which rose over 26 feet within 45 minutes.
Eastland had no “mean bone in his body,” and was known for his “bear hugs,” two of the many things Lorimer will remember him by.
“Dick was all about caring for others,” Lorimer said. “I’m a better person when I’m around him and Tweety.”
The flash floods killed over 100 people across the region during the Fourth of July weekend, with more than 160 people still believed to be missing, according to the Associated Press. Camp Mystic lost 27 campers and counselors. Kerr County officials said on Thursday that five campers and one counselor were still missing, according to The New York Times.
Cynthie “Jane” Ragsdale, who grew up attending Camp Mystic and later served in a leadership role at another all-girls’ summer camp called Heart O’ the Hills, also died in the flood.
Power has been restored at Camp Mystic, “for the primary purpose of communicating with our Mystic family,” according to a July 10 update on the camp website.
“Our Mystic girls will forever shine just like Matthew 5:14-16 because you girls are the light of the world,” the statement said.
Carolyn Lorimer flips through Camp Mystic scrapbooks on July 8, 2025, in Fort Worth. The pages are filled with photos, awards, drawings, news clippings and more, all from Lorimer’s time as a camper. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report)
Camp Mystic was a ‘spiritual home’ for many
Camp Mystic was the place for horseback riding, archery and war canoeing.
It was also a “spiritual home,” for many girls who remember deepening their friendships and faith at camp.
“It was just a beautiful place where you felt God all around,” Lorimer said. “He’s right with you everywhere, even though you’re not aware. But at camp, you looked around and you went, ‘This is God’s creation, and it is so beautiful, and I feel his presence here.’”
Today, Lorimer is praying that Camp Mystic will come back so it can continue to be a special place for future generations. She wants them to know “there are thousands of Mystic alumni of all ages” steered by their faith and cherished songs, who are ready to help.
On the banks of the Guadalupe River, where hearts are loyal and true.
Camp Mystic I will pledge my true and faithful love to you.
Carolyn Lorimer shares memories of Camp Mystic from her time as a camper on July 8, 2025, in Fort Worth. Alumni created scrapbooks to commemorate their time together. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report)
Marissa Greene is a Report for America corps member, covering faith for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at marissa.greene@fortworthreport.org.
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