Camp Mystic, the Texas girls’ camp where a July flood tragically claimed 27 lives, has announced plans to reopen next summer—with new safety measures and at a different location from the site of the disaster. The camp’s Cypress Lake site, which is “completely independent” from the flood-affected Guadalupe River location (still closed), will host 10-day sessions from May 30 to August 9, according to People.
The camp has introduced several safety upgrades, including 100 flood-monitoring units and hand-held two-way radios in each cabin for weather alerts. NBC News reports that the camp’s internet will also have a satellite backup to maintain connectivity in emergencies.
Camp officials said the upgrades are designed to ensure fast evacuations and keep parents and emergency responders informed. Stronger generators will also be installed to maintain power in key areas, such as the dining hall. Acknowledging the emotional challenge of reopening, the camp called it a “courageous step” in the healing process for families affected by the tragedy.
While Camp Mystic has pledged to create a memorial for the victims, some parents remain critical of the reopening. “To promote reopening less than three months after the tragedy—while one camper remains missing—is unthinkable,” said the parents of 8-year-old Cile Steward, whose body has not yet been recovered, according to ABC News.
Enrollment for next summer’s sessions has not yet opened, though tours of the Cypress Lake site are expected to begin in the spring.