March 18, 2026: the Camp Mystic Impact on Aquatics
Greetings,
There are two skills that I have: 1) I am professionally curious, and 2) I notice small details that sometimes correlate to unrelated decisions or actions before they're obvious to others.
In grad school, there was a girl assigned to our apartment dorm. Within days, I knew should would drop out of her program... even though it didn't happen for almost the entire semester. Meeting the neighbor's new girlfriend? They'll break up. Behavioral changes with an employee? She's going to flame out & quit suddenly. A client who hems & haws for two months? We're not a good match for them.
I'm not suggesting correlation is causation, nor do I tip the scale to make these things happen, they just do...naturally... at least in my experience.
I've been thinking about this a lot in relation to everything I've been reading about the Camp Mystic tragedy (a select background reading list is available at the bottom of this email).
As you might recall, in July 2025, 28 people (25 young campers + 2 camp counsellors + 1 camp director) fatally drowned when the Rio Grande River in Texas flooded accommodations at the overnight Camp Mystic. As I shared in the newsletter at the time, I attended overnight summer camp for a decade, and the experience of being a camper is inextricable from who I am as a person. This incident is the stuff of nightmares.
Recently I've been doing a lot of reading about this incident, the camp's history, camp accreditation organizations, minimum safety plans, anything that could inform understanding how this happened.
There are two, very divided groups on the internet. Depending on who you believe, one side believes very little information has been released due to active state investigations and civil litigation, whereas the other side believes a powerful Texas family is able to bury claims of negligence and facts about what happened that night due to a large network of powerful alumnae (the camp has operated for a century).
Over the last nine months, there has been an effective drumbeat for change by the parents of Heaven's 27 seeking to reform camp legislation requirements across United States. Their Campaign for Camp Safety includes mandating emergency plans, third-party accreditation, supervision & training requirements, connectivity (phones & internet) requirements, and more.
This is a powerful group with the means & desire to make changes, and weekly I'm seeing new bills proposed and passed. Updates are posted here, but even more gets posted on their Instagram Stories daily. This is also a very good 4 minute status update.
My own summer camp in Ontario, also a 100 year old entity beloved by alumnae who follow in the steps of mothers, grandmothers & great grandmothers by basically registering daughters at birth, recently sent out an oblique email about how it's "both timely and important to engage in a thoughtful strategic planning process, one that honours our history and traditions while intentionally preparing us for the future." The current ownership has been in place for nearly a decade, so I don't think this is coming out of the blue - I think this is because of Camp Mystic.
What does a summer camp have to do with aquatics? Aquatic activities (swimming plus water sports) are offered equally at fixed facilities as well as at ad hoc or temporary facilities. Similar to what I learned speaking to Kori Delapeña about day camps using swimming pools for Cati's Bill, I don't want to be alarmist, but we need to start thinking about how many supervised environments exist (day camp, day care, school outing, social groups, etc.) with water in plain sight and no emergency plan or resources.
For those of us in aquatics, the people like you who are reading this weekly newsletter because you care about your facility and are trying to improve operations, verify staff competency, implement better safety procedures, etc. it can feel overwhelmingly complex.
But how many of us started at aquatic facilities where there was zero documentation or safety standards beyond what you learned in your lifeguard training? You probably left that pool behind, and do what you do now because you know it was wrong, but those facilities and situations are still out there.
Unfortunately, I don't have a clear call to action this week, but I do think there's a reckoning coming down the pipeline... and it's not just for summer camps.
The fundamental question is the basic legal contract whereby parents paid money to send their girls to Camp Mystic with a certain assumed standard of care that they would leave alive & well, and that didn't happen.
Here's everything else I've been reading in the aquatic industry this week -
After pool drain accident severely injured Pittsburgh-area girl, parents share warning
Entrapment allegation in Pennsylvania this week.
New NYPD grad inspired to join ranks by retired Finest who saved him from drowning as kid
Abandoned water park in Vietnam continues to be a hot topic in foreign news.
His little brother died in a storm drain. Now he’s fighting to make them safer.
Michigan water park sues the DNR, alleging construction delays cost them an entire season
IAAPA Supports New Measures Addressing Unauthorized Drone Activity at United States Amusement Parks
Lifeguard Lied During Probe Of Brothers' Drowning In North Jersey School Pool: Officials
Florida expands swim vouchers to ages 1-7 to reduce child drownings
This appears to be finalized.
Neighbors band in opposition to Naples Grande water park proposal
What is the definition of a "water park" is always an interesting question to me. I know many municipal pools that don't consider themselves to be "water parks," but the variety & complexity of amenities does result in needing to provide a higher standard of care.
Riviera Beach demolition plans for aquatic complex blocked by judge
The Best Swim Shirts for Long Days in the Water
This is geared towards people having fun out in the sun, but I thought there still might be some brands worth investigating for commercial aquatic staff use.
Omaha downtown waterpark hotel ownership appealing pool closure
10 High-Fidelity Training Strategies That Build Lifeguard Resilience Before the Incident Happens
Written by equitable aquatics advocate, Kate Connell.
Lifeguard in Boracay drowns while trying to save Russian
Lifeguard Lied During Probe Of Brothers' Drowning In North Jersey School Pool: Officials
Outdoor Recreation Industry Remains an Economic Powerhouse
Why Your Aquatics Facility Needs a Certified Pool & Spa Operator
This is a bit of a fluff piece, but if you're in a role where your management will not approve Certified Pool Operator (CPO) training, this may help you!
Lakewood Civic Centre’s big blue waterslide closed for safety risks
Former instructors, coaches remember Ky. Fish & Wildlife recruit who died in training incident
This is an older article, but I wanted to reshare it because I learned details about the civil litigation in this case - including seeing the body cam footage - during SGE Camp. See my vlog below.
NEW! Anonymous Advice Column
People are always asking for help or my opinion, but sometimes they're too embarrassed to ask in the first place.
I'm starting an advice column. Please feel welcome to submit any & all questions HERE without any judgement. This form will remain open indefinitely, and I'll also be sharing it across social media.
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.
PS. The audio version of last week's newsletter is available here.
PPS. The Camp Mystic reading list is below.
Select Background Reading on Camp Mystic
In the dark, amid screams, a Camp Mystic counselor had 16 girls and one headlamp
After the Tragedy of Camp Mystic, a Rift Among Families That Won’t Heal
Parents of flood victims suing Camp Mystic for negligence
“Unthinkable”: Camp Mystic parents condemn reopening plans after devastating floods
What Dick and Tweety Eastland Meant for Camp Mystic
The Camp Mystic Parents Demanding Accountability
Tragedy at Camp Mystic: 27 Lives Lost, But Their Faith Lives On | FULL EP | Uncomfortable Convos
Camp Mystic parents seek stronger camp regulations in other states