Jenna Bush Hager is sharing her ties to Camp Mystic.
The talk show co-host, 43, opened up about the heartbreaking devastation at the Christian summer camp, after 27 campers and counselors died due to Texas floods.
“My mom was a counselor there, but also so many of my friends were raised at this camp,” Bush Hager said on “Today” Monday.
“Texas camps are institutions, as you just heard, where many family members, generations — this camp was 100 years old — so grandmothers, mothers, kids, have all gone there.”
Jenna Bush Hager talks about the devastation at Camp Mystic.
Bush Hager details her connection to Camp Mystic.
The daughter of former President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush said her mother was a “drama counselor” at the camp.
Bush Hager and Craig Melvin talk Camp Mystic.
The door of a Camp Mystic building following the flood. Reginald Mathalone/NurPhoto/ShutterstockThe Texas native added that “many of my friends had their kids there last week.”
“The stories I’ve heard over the last couple of days are beautiful and heartbreaking,” Bush Hager shared. “Texas has a type of resilience. They’re generous people, where people want to reach out and help. Texas camps are really special.”
Follow The Post’s coverage on the deadly Texas flooding
- Camp Mystic survivors heard screams in the dark as floodwaters hit hours earlier than previously thought
- Camp Mystic co-owner waited 45 minutes to evacuate campers after getting urgent ‘life-threatening’ flash floods alert
- Texas flood volunteers ordered to evacuate as heavy rainfall expected to strike devastated region
- Texas family mourns 8-year-old daughter confirmed dead in Camp Mystic flood disaster
George W. and Laura Bush and their daughters, Barbara and Jenna. Sygma via Getty Images
Barbara, Laura, George and Jenna Bush. Getty ImagesThe author noted that summer camp is a big part of her life with husband Henry Hager and their three children, Mila, 12, Poppy, 9, and Hal, 5.
“You’re thinking about 90-degree weather, no air conditioning,” she said. “My kids are at camp in Texas, and my husband said, ‘Why are we sending our kids to Texas to camp? It’s hot.’ “
The anchor responded: “Because of the love that’s there.”
Jenna and Laura Bush in 2011. Getty ImagesBush Hager’s co-host, Craig Melvin, asked her about Camp Mystic’s owner, Richard “Dick” Eastland, who heroically died trying to save campers from the flooding.
“That family, the Eastland family, is Texas royalty. They raised so many girls,” she said. “So many of my friends said he was their summer father. He looked out for campers. He raised girls to be brave and loving. His legacy will live on.”
Richard and his wife, Tweety, who survived the flood, had run the camp for five decades.
Bush Hager with her husband and kids. Instagram/ Jenna Bush HagerThe all-girls Christian summer camp, in Kerr County, was founded in 1926 by former University of Texas football coach EJ “Doc” Stewart.
The camp sat along the banks of the Guadalupe River, which surged more than 26 feet Friday morning.
As of Monday, 27 members of Camp Mystic have been confirmed dead, with the camp writing on its website, “Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly.”
Bush Hager with her family. Instagram/jennabhagerCamp officials noted they’ve been in contact with local and state authorities “who are tirelessly deploying extensive resources to search for our missing girls.”
Kerr County officials said Sunday they were still searching for several girls and one counselor.
Late Saturday, missing camper Anne Margaret Bellows’ mother confirmed to NBC 5 that authorities had recovered her daughter’s body.
A building at Camp Mystic destroyed by the flood. Reginald Mathalone/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
People look through belongings at Camp Mystic. APAnother camper, Linnie McCown, was also found dead, with her dad, Michael, confirming the news to the Austin American-Statesman Sunday.
“She filled our hearts with so much joy we cannot begin to explain. We are going to miss her so very much but know she’s up there shining bright,” he wrote on social media.
According to the Associated Press, the death toll has risen to 82, and includes 28 children.
At least 68 have died in Kerr County, while 14 more were killed in other counties, per officials.
Officials arrive to assist with a recovery effort at Camp Mystic. AP
A woman walking through the debris at Camp Mystic on July 6, 2025. Reginald Mathalone/NurPhoto/ShutterstockThere have been 525 rescue operations conducted across Texas, with 366 of them being carried out by air.
“We will continue our search efforts until everyone is found,” Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said. He urged anyone who needs to report missing loved ones to call 830-258-1111.






