In the early hours of July 4, 2023, a devastating flood swept through Camp Mystic in the Texas Hill Country, leading to the tragic loss of at least 27 campers and counsellors. Ainslie Bashara, a 19-year-old camp counsellor, played a pivotal role in the chaotic evacuation of her cabin, Giggle Box, as the storm unleashed its fury.
As the storm approached, Ainslie comforted a younger camper who was anxious about the impending weather. She reassured the girl, stating, “It’s just heat lightning,” before stepping out for a brief respite with friends. When she returned shortly after midnight, the camp was engulfed in chaos. The storm had intensified, and water was rapidly flooding the area surrounding the cabins, including Giggle Box, which is situated near the banks of the Guadalupe River.
Ainslie, who had spent many summers at Camp Mystic, immediately recognized the gravity of the situation when she saw the panic among the girls in her cabin. With rain lashing against the windows and water pooling inside, she and her co-counsellors took charge, urging the girls to stay calm. “Our cabin is safe. The other girls’ cabin is not,” she explained, trying to alleviate their fears.
As the storm worsened, the water began to seep into the cabin, prompting Ainslie to take action. The counsellors instructed the campers to gather their belongings and prepare for evacuation. Ainslie retrieved a headlamp from her belongings, illuminating the darkened cabin as they prepared to exit into the raging waters outside.
The situation escalated when Ainslie realized how deep the water had become. “Okay, we’re going to go out,” she announced to the girls, but the first camper hesitated. Without waiting, Ainslie jumped into the water, which surged at waist height, realizing the danger they faced. She quickly began guiding the girls to safety, each one clinging to her tightly as they navigated the swift current towards a nearby pavilion.
“I felt a crush of panic against my chest,” Ainslie recalled. The air was thick with fear and the smell of sewage, a stark contrast to the joyful memories she had of the camp. Despite the chaos, Ainslie shouted words of encouragement. “It’s going to be okay!” she reassured her charges as they made their way through the floodwaters.
Once they reached the pavilion, Ainslie and her co-counsellors conducted a headcount, confirming all 16 girls from Giggle Box were safe. However, the reality of the situation began to sink in as they witnessed the devastation around them. Many of the other cabins had not fared as well.
In the hours that followed, Ainslie and her group huddled together, praying for their friends and for safety. The atmosphere was tense as they awaited rescue, with the sound of military helicopters becoming a distant hope. The girls expressed concern for their belongings and family members, each question weighing heavily on Ainslie as she sought to provide comfort in the face of uncertainty.
As daylight broke, it became clear that the camp had suffered an unimaginable tragedy. Ainslie witnessed the devastation firsthand, including the arrival of rescue teams and the somber reality of the situation. The camp, which had been a source of joy and cherished memories, was now forever marked by loss.
Days later, the confirmed death toll reached 27, including Ainslie’s friend, Chloe Childress, who had also been a counsellor. Overwhelmed by grief, Ainslie found solace in her memories of happier times at Camp Mystic but also felt anger at the circumstances that had unfolded. “Evil strikes in the holiest of places,” her mother would later remind her, a sentiment Ainslie tried to hold on to amidst the pain.
Despite the horror of that night, Ainslie expressed a desire to return to Camp Mystic if it were to reopen. “It’s your happy place,” she reflected, emphasizing the importance of the camp in her life. As the survivors were eventually evacuated, Ainslie took a moment to reflect on the resilience shown by the campers and counsellors, all of whom had faced the storm together.
The events of that fateful night serve as a reminder of the unpredictability of nature and the strength of community in the face of adversity. Ainslie Bashara’s courage and determination to protect her campers stand as a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who strive to make a difference, even in the darkest of times.
