Why Alabama must pass stricter youth camp safety laws: op-ed from Camp Mystic parent

This is a guest opinion column

On July 4, 2025, my eight-year-old daughter, Sarah, died in a catastrophic flood while attending Camp Mystic in Texas. Twenty-six other girls died alongside her.

We are an Alabama family. Like many parents, we trusted that when we sent our child to a summer camp — especially one with a century-long reputation — basic safety systems would be in place. We assumed there would be transparency about risks, trained staff, emergency communication, and evacuation plans. That assumption cost our daughter her life…

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