I think is where I am but with some variance.
It seems none of the other camps on this fork of the river evacuated kids before the flood. La Junta (campers in cabins), Heart of the Hills (counselors in cabins). They were lucky but should still be reviewed. They aren’t getting blasted like Mystic is, and understandably due to the deaths. All of these camps (Mystic, La Junta, HOTH) were negligent in some fashion. The variance is around details we apparently don’t know yet. Things like:
- Anyone who has been to Mystic during session knows they have a security guard at the front. It has been reported these are retired/former LEOs (opposed to mall cops), but I don’t know for sure. He is closest to the river/entrabce and seemingly should be awake. What were his responsibilities? Monitor weather? River level? Interact with local law/emergency? Was his responsibility to be the eyes/ears during the night…. For flooding, emergencies, visitors, deliveries? What?
- Camp owners have been out there since 1976. Live there year round. Have the cabins ever flooded before? Any water? If so, the variance of their negligence goes way up. Or have they seen things that led them to believe the cabins would never take on water.
- Risk management. Did they have professionals review their operation. Plans, insurance RM assessments, flood plain reviews, regulatory compliance, etc… if the ownership took an independent/honest approach to this and were given assurances they were safe, it lowers the negligence calculation IMO. The extent of this will come out, and not by some AP news article saying they were inspected 2 days before flood. Over time, how much concern did the camp have and did they seek assurances or mitigation from professionals.
- Did professional risk managers instruct them to keep campers in cabins during storms to avoid other perils (lightning, roadway flooding (1987 after action), falling trees, etc…. I.e, was THE PLAN to actually keep them in cabins during the storm. Only until water came in did they try to scramble.
I’m sure there are more. But where I have been triggered is how fast people judge these owners and immediately turn them into the devil. As if they wanted these kids to die. After the investigation/lawyers review this thing it may very well come out that the camp owners (at any/all of the camps) were completely clueless. Or, that they took this very seriously and still a tragedy occurred.
I just don’t see the need/benefit to shit all over a family or highly loved/respected long-time camp leadership until we know. These camps have built tremendous credibility over 90+ years. I think it’s fair to give them some grace until the details come out.