ETX camp discusses safety protocols amid flood tragedy
Posted/updated on: July 12, 2025 at 1:07 am
TYLER– The tragedy in the Hill Country brings camp safety protocols to the forefront, the Camp Tyler director assures parents that emergency procedures are in place. Camp Tyler director, Kathy Lagesse, tells our news partner KETK she wants to ease parents’ minds this summer.
“What did happen at Camp Mystic touched the whole camp industry, Lagesse said. “Every camp I know is coming to task, going over their policies and procedures that we practice.”
Camp Tyler sits high off of Lake Tyler and according to Lagesse, they do not have flashflood issues.
“Our elevation is such that it would be just the most slim percentage that we would ever have any type of flooding at all,” Lagesse said. “You can visualize, see the slope that we’re on, so that is addressed. We know where the flood plain zone is.”
Most of the camps in Texas, including Camp Tyler, are aligned with the Texas Safety Youth Act and the American Camping Association.
“They don’t need to bear that burden,” Lagesse said. “That is the burden that the staff and administration take on, so we are very diligent and all our protocols that align with the standards.”
Lagesse said board members and counselors as young as 17-years-old are trained for emergency situations like fires and tornadoes. However, emergency protocols can vary depending on the time of day.
“The protocols at night are different,” Lagesse said. “The camp staff is trained to know that in case of emergency, everyone comes out of the cabin. “The cabins are checked, then they all meet at these emergency poles.”
As Camp Tyler continues to grow, those in charge reevaluate emergency procedures to ensure a safe camper experience.
“We can’t answer why things happened like they did. We are deeply grieving that ourselves. If we can take anything to strengthen the industry, it’s when a tragedy like this happens that calls us to the table to reevaluate. Are we doing everything that we can to ensure the safety and the experience of the camper? I can guarantee you at Camp Tyler, we are doing that.” Lagesses said.
She adds if parents are concerned, they can ask their child’s camp about their procedures and to see their emergency handbook.
