A year after the devastating floods in the Texas Hill Country that claimed the lives of more than 130 people, including 25 campers and two counselors at Camp Mystic, a national parent pledge campaign has been launched to promote camp safety. The Safe Summers Foundation, founded by parents who lost their children in the tragedy, aims to reach 27,000 parents in a nationwide movement to facilitate camp safety.

Background

The floods at Camp Mystic led to the formation of the Campaign for Camp Safety, which later became the Safe Summers Foundation. The foundation has been working to improve camp safety through various initiatives, including the creation of a Safe Summers Parent Pledge. This pledge is designed to enable parents, families, and community members to take an active role in promoting camp safety.

The foundation has also published a resource guide, “Know Before You Go: A Parent’s Guide to Camp Safety,” to help families inquire about a camp’s safety plans and support stronger safety practices. The focus is on prevention, preparation, and protection while preserving the joy and tradition of summer camp.

Progress and Investigations

The Campaign for Camp Safety has already helped advance camp safety reforms in Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Missouri. The Safe Summers Foundation has also awarded $232,000 to nonprofit summer camps in Texas to implement new safety standards, serving over 25,000 campers this year.

Investigations into the Camp Mystic tragedy have revealed multiple deficiencies, including the lack of a written evacuation plan and the failure of the camp owners to follow the law. The Texas legislature has launched a separate investigation into the camp’s failures and the actions taken by its owners.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.