Northland camp community mourns Texas flooding tragedy

DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) - Camp communities around the country are mourning the deaths of at least 27 young campers and counselors from Camp Mystic who were killed in the recent Texas floods.

Michel Tigan with the Y of the North camps says Camp Mystic’s loss is unimaginable.

“I think it is heartbreaking,” said Tigan. “This is any camp leader’s worst nightmare. We recognize that we have the most precious gifts in our care, which are people’s children, every day.”

Tigan oversees 18 camp locations, many of which are in the Northland and in a wilderness setting.

“I think it hits really hard—all of our leaders, our camp counselors—because there is a reality to this work, which is that nature is stronger than we imagine," said Tigan.

Those with YMCA Camp du Nord in Ely experienced that reality first hand last year when they were hit by a flood that tested their emergency response plans.

Du Nord executive director Andy Sinykin says camp was impacted from early summer into the fall.

“The most notable thing was how powerful water is,” said Sinykin.

However, Sinykin says that last year’s flood doesn’t compare to Camp Mystic’s tragedy, adding that he’s grateful no one at du Nord was harmed.

“Inherently, there is risk by being a part of a wilderness experience, but within that, we are very cognizant and very intentional about safety,” said Sinykin.

Sinykin and Tigan both say their hearts go out to campers, staff, and families at Camp Mystic.

“It’s a place that has meant a lot to me and of course means a lot to people that attend really any camp that they’re associated with, and so, despite the tragic events happening in Texas, it feels very close to home,” said Sinykin.

Tigan says emergency needs have increased over the past five years with the changing environment, as Y of the North camps have responded more frequently to wildfires, floods, and extreme heat.

Click here to download the Northern News Now app or our Northern News Now First Alert weather app.