First Trial Set for Camp Mystic Lawsuits

Judge schedules May 2027 start date for lawsuit filed by Cile Steward's family

Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:56pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged, twisted piece of metal from the Camp Mystic flood site, lit by a harsh camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the grim physical evidence at the heart of the lawsuits.The twisted remnants of the Camp Mystic tragedy serve as grim evidence in the ongoing legal battle over the deadly flood.Kerrville Today

The first jury trial for a lawsuit filed against Camp Mystic in Kerrville, Texas is set to start in May 2027, a year earlier than originally scheduled. The lawsuits involve 22 families that lost children in a tragic flood at the camp in July. Judge Maya Guerra Gamble has set the Steward family's case as the first to go to trial, with the remaining lawsuits to follow if they also proceed.

Why it matters

The Camp Mystic tragedy resulted in the deaths of 27 campers and counselors, sparking multiple lawsuits from grieving families. The early trial date for the Steward case signals the judge's urgency to provide some resolution, though the remaining lawsuits could take years to fully play out.

The details

Judge Gamble originally scheduled the Steward family's case to go to trial in April 2028, but after three days of evidentiary hearings for a temporary injunction, she decided the date was too far away. The temporary injunction prevents the camp from using or altering certain buildings on the property as evidence is preserved. The judge also ruled the camp potentially violated state code by failing to maintain a proper evacuation plan and provide safety training.

  • The July 4 floodwaters ripped through the Camp Mystic area, resulting in 27 deaths.
  • In March 2026, Judge Gamble issued the initial temporary injunction order.
  • In April 2026, the judge set the Steward family's lawsuit to go to trial on May 3, 2027.
  • The temporary injunction remains in effect until the lawsuit receives a final ruling or the court orders otherwise.

The players

Judge Maya Guerra Gamble

The Travis County judge overseeing the multiple lawsuits filed against Camp Mystic.

Cile Steward

The parent of one of the children who died in the Camp Mystic flood, whose family's lawsuit will be the first to go to trial.

Camp Mystic

The Kerr County, Texas summer camp where the deadly flood occurred, resulting in 27 deaths.

Glenn Juenke

The Camp Mystic night watchman who was present when the floods swept through the area.

Eastland family

The owners, operators, and managers of Camp Mystic.

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What they’re saying

“The temporary injunction does not allow the Kerr County camp to use or alter a number of buildings in the Guadalupe portion of their campus. The order is designed to preserve evidence that might be discovered within cabins and buildings impacted by the catastrophic floods.”

— Judge Maya Guerra Gamble, Travis County Judge

“Judge Gamble also made two changes to her original order, which was filed in March 2026. One was to allow employees to move back into a building known as the Sugar Shack. Both legal teams agreed on the move so long as no evidence was altered as they didn't want the employees living there to be displaced.”

— Judge Maya Guerra Gamble, Travis County Judge

What’s next

The remaining lawsuits filed by the other 21 families will follow the Steward family's case if they also go to trial.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal battle unfolding over the tragic Camp Mystic flood, as grieving families seek justice and accountability through the courts. The early trial date for the Steward lawsuit signals the judge's urgency to provide some resolution, though the full scope of litigation could take years to conclude.