A young counselor saves campers during a devastating flood at Camp Mystic in Texas. Ainslie Bashara, just 19 years old, took charge when rising floodwaters threatened the lives of 16 children. She has attended the all-girls Christian summer camp in Kerr County since she was seven. This summer, she returned as a counselor only days before the flood struck.
The trouble began when rain intensified late one evening. By early morning, Ainslie and two co-counselors were responsible for 16 campers aged 8 to 10, all staying in a cabin called “Giggle Box.” Suddenly, she heard desperate cries from another nearby cabin. Older campers ran to higher ground with blankets, but the camp staff initially told Ainslie’s group to stay put since their cabin seemed safe.
However, Ainslie quickly realized the situation worsened. Water started seeping under their cabin door. She instructed the children to wear shoes and raincoats while placing their belongings on the upper bunks. Using a porch light her father had given her, she peeked outside and saw about a foot of water surrounding their cabin.
Without hesitation, the young counselor saved campers by leading them through a window into the rushing water. She and her co-counselors helped the children climb out and guided them 30 feet to a dry pavilion. She kept reassuring the crying campers, saying, “It’s going to be okay!”
As the group settled, Ainslie heard agonizing calls from younger children trapped in another cabin. Unfortunately, a swollen river separated them. The water kept rising, so the counselor and her team led their group up a steep, rocky hill. Throughout the night, they moved to higher ground several times.
When daylight came, the floodwaters began to recede, exposing the camp’s destruction. Survivors appeared, looking pale and exhausted. Staff gathered the children inside a recreation hall and took a headcount. Then, Ainslie realized some campers were still missing. Overwhelmed, she stepped away and cried for the first time since the ordeal began.
To keep track of the remaining children, counselors wrote their names on their bodies with Sharpies while waiting for rescue helicopters. Ainslie reassured them, “You’ve already made it through the hard part. You’re safe.”
Along with 15 other young counselors—all under 20 years old—Ainslie waited until all campers were safely airlifted. Only then did the brave group prepare to leave.
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