Fathers Find Solace in Daughters' Faith Journals After Camp Mystic Flood Tragedy

A year after the Camp Mystic flash flood that claimed 28 lives, three fathers say their late daughters' personal journals filled with prayers and Bible verses have helped their families cope.

One year after a flash flood at Camp Mystic resulted in 28 fatalities, three bereaved fathers shared how their daughters' hidden journals have provided spiritual relief. Ryan DeWitt recounted his nine-year-old daughter Molly's notebooks under her bed, filled with hand-drawn crosses and verses like “I can do anything through Christ.” Wade Lytal described finding a diary entry from his eight-year-old Kellyanne that thanked Jesus for the cross, calling the discovery a gift amid darkness.

Cole Naylor highlighted daily prayer and the belief that his eight-year-old Wynne remains alive in heaven, offering hope of future reunion. The fathers spoke on “Saturday in America,” noting that the girls’ quiet faith, though not outwardly displayed, now guides their families. In April, Camp Mystic announced it would not operate for the 2026 season, stating the decision respects grieving families and ongoing investigations by Texas legislative committees. The camp’s closure aims to avoid further distress for those still mourning.