In early July 2025, a historic flash flood struck a summer camp in Texas, leaving the community devastated and more than fifty children missing.

Among the survivors is 16-year-old Callie Maxillary, who was attending the camp for the eighth consecutive year.

Callie and her mother, Tara Bradburn, recently shared their harrowing experience and the ongoing search efforts for the missing children.

Their story highlights the bravery of young campers and counselors, the trauma endured by families, and the resilience required to face such an unimaginable tragedy.

 

For Tara Bradburn, the camp was more than just a summer getaway—it was a vital part of her daughter’s life and growth.

“This camp has been a huge part of her life since she entered at the end of second grade,” Tara explained.

Although the family lives in Virginia, they chose a Texas camp because of Tara’s Texan roots and the camp’s focus on faith formation.

She trusted the camp’s staff, the Eastland family, to nurture and care for Callie, helping her grow into a better person and deepen her faith.

 

The Bradburn family’s trust was well-placed. Tara expressed profound gratitude for the Eastland family and the camp staff, who did everything possible to save the children during the flood.

“We are so devastated by what has happened but truly grateful and thankful to the Eastland family for all they have done,” Tara said.

The camp’s community has been rocked by the loss of so many children, but the survivors and their families remain hopeful that those still missing will be found.

Callie, now 16 and one of the older campers, was part of the “Senior Hill” group, which likely contributed to her survival.

She recounted the terrifying night of July 3, when the flood struck.

“We went to bed thinking it was just a normal thunderstorm,” she said.

But as lightning struck near her cabin, the campers quickly realized the danger.

Water began rising rapidly, flooding many of the cabins around them.

 

Luckily, Callie’s cabin was one of the few that did not flood, but the cabins in front of hers were inundated with water.

“You have kids running just trying to get to other cabins, trying to get to safety,” she recalled.

The suddenness and intensity of the flood were overwhelming.

The event was described as a “100-year historic flash flood,” something the camp had never seen before.

Despite the chaos, Callie praised the young counselors and camp staff for their heroic efforts.

“I cannot say enough about what these young counselors did to calm these girls and to ensure their safety,” she said.

The bravery and quick thinking of the counselors and the Eastland family saved many lives that night.

 

As the water surged, campers scrambled to find safety.

Some cabins were so flooded that campers could not return to them, forcing many to sleep on trunks, floors, or share beds.

Callie described the confusion and fear: “We had some cabins, new some girls slept on trunks that night, some girls had to share beds.

Some girls slept on floors; they could not go back to their cabin because it was so flooded.”

 

The next morning, older campers ventured back to their cabins to retrieve personal belongings.

One camper was overjoyed to find her Bible, a small but meaningful comfort amid the devastation.

Callie also shared a poignant detail: in the middle of the night, she put on her camp name tag.

“I put on my name tag because I was scared if the water is coming into the other cabins, that our cabin might be next,” she explained.

“I just put it on for safekeeping. In my head, I was saying if something does happen, if I do get swept away, at least I’ll have my name on my body.”

 

This simple act reflected the real fear and uncertainty the campers faced.

 

Tara Bradburn, a Department of Defense retiree, spoke about the emotional toll the disaster has taken on her family.

Having spent time in war zones, she has experience preparing her children for difficult situations, but nothing could have prepared them for this.

“This was not an environment we ever thought we would have to prepare her for,” Tara said, reflecting on the surreal nature of the flood.

 

Seeing Callie safely rescued and reunited with family was a relief, but Tara emphasized the ongoing pain felt by families who have lost children or still await news of missing loved ones.

“We are so thankful but so devastated for so many families and her friends that are missing,” she said.

The community continues to cling to faith and hope that all missing children will be found.

 

The flood has left a trail of destruction in Kerr County and surrounding areas.

Emergency responders, including the National Guard, local sheriff’s offices, police, and federal agencies, continue to work tirelessly to locate missing children and recover bodies.

Tara praised the efforts of these teams, acknowledging the difficult and ongoing nature of their work.

 

“We know we have months ahead of us to help our child and many will need help,” Tara said.

The emotional impact of the disaster will be long-lasting, and families will require continued support as they navigate grief and recovery.

 

At just 16 years old, Callie has endured unimaginable trauma. She lost friends and witnessed the sudden disappearance of children she knew well.

Speaking candidly about the experience, she expressed hope for those still missing.

“I really hope those kids that are missing are found,” she said.

“I knew a lot of those kids. A lot of those kids the night before hugged me before we all went to bed. It’s hard to think about one minute they’re hugging me and the next minute they could be gone.”

 

Seeing the rescue helicopter arrive was a moment of hope and relief.

“It was really good,” Callie said, underscoring the importance of the rescue efforts and the community’s support.

 

The tragedy at the Texas camp is a stark reminder of nature’s power and the fragility of life.

The campers’ bravery, the counselors’ heroism, and the unwavering efforts of emergency responders have been a beacon of hope amid sorrow.

Families like the Bradburns are grappling with loss and uncertainty but remain committed to supporting one another and advocating for the missing children.

Their story is a call to action for continued vigilance, compassion, and faith.

 

As the search continues and the community mourns, the resilience of those affected shines through.

The memory of the lost children and the courage of survivors like Callie will not be forgotten.

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