Just days after the devastating floods in Texas swept through the region, killing 27 campers and staff at nearby Camp Mystic, a glimmer of hope emerged downstream. Camp Camp, a summer retreat designed for youth with disabilities, has reopened its doors, thanks to an incredible community-driven rescue mission.
“This means our campers can get back to enjoying the riverfront much sooner,” said Ken Kaiser, director of facilities at the camp. “Out of so much heartbreak, we saw the best of humanity come together.”
Located in Centre Point, Texas, Camp Camp has served children and adults aged 5 to 55 with mild to severe disabilities for over four decades. The camp runs five-night overnight sessions, offering activities like horseback riding, swimming, archery, sports, and much more—with a 1:1 counselor-to-camper ratio to meet every individual’s needs. Each summer, it welcomes over 800 campers, making it a lifeline for many families across the state.
But the reopening was no small feat. The 55-acre property, perched on the banks of the Guadalupe River, was left in ruins. Mud and debris buried the land. The camp’s infrastructure—including picnic areas and essential facilities—was destroyed.
It all changed on July 8, when Cord Shiflet, a real estate agent from Austin, posted an urgent call on Facebook, asking for "money, manpower, and machines." What happened next was nothing short of a miracle.
Within a day, 250 volunteers showed up—some even driving across the state. By the end of the week, that number had doubled. People trudged through the mud, hauling in everything from chainsaws and excavators to food and supplies. Some volunteers reported crossing paths with over 1,500 people during the cleanup.
“The vibe was electric,” said Colette Kerns, who came with her husband Jason to help. “Everyone had a job and we just got it done.”
Jason worked five hours daily with a chainsaw to clear fallen trees, while Colette helped in the kitchen and loaded debris onto trucks. As parents of two special-needs children, the couple felt a deep emotional connection to the cause.
“This camp isn’t just a physical space,” Colette shared. “It’s a safe haven where these kids are seen, valued, and celebrated.”
One of the most praised figures in the cleanup effort was Rusty Bourland, a landscape contractor who dropped everything to help. He was attending a wedding in Dripping Springs when calls for assistance started pouring in. Despite warnings not to self-deploy, Bourland—who had helped during Hurricane Harvey—loaded up equipment and drove south, bringing experience and resolve.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “But I knew I had to go.”
At one point, there were 70 machines working on-site. The atmosphere was heavy—volunteers were not only cleaning but witnessing the aftermath of tremendous human loss, including the recovery of bodies nearby. Now back home, Bourland says he’s seeking counseling to process what he saw.
“I told everyone, ‘This is as bad as it gets—but we’re Texans, and we face it head-on,’” he said. “I had to stay focused and help keep spirits high.”
Since the Fourth of July, the death toll from the floods has risen to 135, with over 150 people still missing. Officials warn that the number could rise. The Guadalupe River surged 26 feet in under an hour, creating what experts are calling one of the worst natural disasters in Texas history. Early estimates from AccuWeather place the damage between $18 billion and $22 billion.
Governor Greg Abbott acknowledged the tragedy and opened the door to debate on the state’s flood alert systems, but no concrete actions have been confirmed yet.
Still, for families like Gigi Hudnall’s, whose son Kenny just attended Camp Camp for his 11th summer, the return of the camp means everything.
“This camp gives these kids something priceless—freedom,” she said. “When the floods came, we were crushed for all the lives lost and what it meant for the camps. But seeing the community rise like this? I’ve never felt prouder.”
Description:
"After devastating Texas floods, Camp Camp reopens thanks to an extraordinary community effort, offering a lifeline of joy and freedom to youth with disabilities. "