It was supposed to be a summer of laughter, friendship, and cherished memories. For Eloise Peck and her best friend, Lila Bonner, Camp Mystic in the Texas Hill Country was a place of magic—a sanctuary where the worries of the world melted away under the shade of ancient cypress trees and the sparkle of the Guadalupe River. But in the early hours of a stormy night, a sudden flood turned that sanctuary into a scene of heartbreak, forever altering the lives of those who loved two extraordinary girls.
A Friendship Forged in Joy
Eloise Peck was, by all accounts, a beacon of sunshine. Her mother describes her as “literally friends with everyone.” She had a way of making people feel seen, heard, and important. She was the child who would notice a lonely classmate and invite them to join her game; the camper who remembered everyone’s name, even after just a day or two.
Lila Bonner, her cabinmate and inseparable companion, was cut from the same cloth. The two girls met on their very first day at camp, drawn together by a shared love of animals, silly jokes, and late-night whispers. From that moment, they were rarely seen apart. Whether splashing in the river, making friendship bracelets, or plotting elaborate pranks on their counselors, Eloise and Lila embodied the spirit of Camp Mystic.
“Eloise loved spaghetti,” her mother recalls with a bittersweet smile, “but not more than she loved dogs and animals.” She was the kind of child who would stop to rescue a stray kitten or spend hours reading about wildlife. Lila, too, was an animal lover, and together the girls dreamed of opening a shelter when they grew up.
A Night of Unimaginable Loss
On the night of the tragedy, heavy rains battered the Hill Country, causing the Guadalupe River to swell with terrifying speed. Camp staff, trained for emergencies, moved quickly to secure the safety of their campers. But nature’s fury was overwhelming. In the chaos of the rising waters, Eloise and Lila, along with several others, were swept away.
The search that followed was frantic and desperate. Parents, counselors, and first responders combed the area, hoping for a miracle. Social media lit up with pleas for information, and contact details for the Peck and Bonner families were widely shared in the hope that someone, somewhere, might have seen the girls.
But as dawn broke, the heartbreaking news came: Eloise and Lila had not survived. They were found together, as they had always been in life.
A Community in Mourning
The loss of Eloise and Lila has rippled through the Camp Mystic community and beyond. Grief counselors have been brought in, and a memorial service is being planned to honor the girls’ memory. The camp’s director, in a statement, spoke of the “indelible mark” the girls left on everyone they met.
“We are devastated,” she wrote. “Eloise and Lila were the heart of our camp. Their laughter, kindness, and friendship touched us all. We will never forget them.”
For Eloise’s family, the pain is immeasurable. “Eloise had a family who loved her fiercely for the eight years she was with us,” her mother says. “Especially her Mommy.” The Bonner family, too, is reeling from the loss of their beloved daughter.
Yet amid the sorrow, there is gratitude for the outpouring of support. Flowers, letters, and donations have flooded in from across the state and country. Friends and strangers alike have shared stories of how Eloise and Lila brightened their lives.
Protecting Privacy in the Age of Social Media
During the frantic search for the girls, contact information for the Peck and Bonner families was shared widely online. While the intention was to help, it has since become a source of concern. The families have asked for privacy as they grieve, urging the public not to use this information to contact them directly.
“We know people want to help,” Eloise’s mother says. “But right now, we just need time to process and remember our girls.”
The camp has also released a statement, asking for respect and understanding. “Please allow the families space to mourn. Your thoughts, prayers, and kindness mean the world, but their privacy is paramount.”
Remembering the Joy
In the days since the tragedy, friends and family have shared photos of Eloise and Lila—beaming at the camera, faces smudged with marshmallow from s’mores, arms slung around each other in a carefree embrace. One particular photo, taken just days before the flood, shows the girls at their happiest: thriving at summer camp, surrounded by friends, the future wide open before them.
“We want people to remember them this way,” says a family friend. “Full of life, full of love, making the most of every moment.”
At the memorial, counselors plan to share stories of Eloise and Lila’s adventures. There will be a reading of their favorite book, and a moment of silence by the riverbank where they played. Campers will release lanterns into the night sky—one for each year of Eloise’s and Lila’s lives.
A Legacy of Love
Though their time was heartbreakingly short, Eloise Peck and Lila Bonner leave behind a legacy of kindness, friendship, and joy. Their families hope that, in remembering the girls, others will be inspired to live with the same open-heartedness and compassion.
“Tell your children you love them,” Eloise’s mother urges. “Hug them tight. And if you can, do something kind for someone else, in Eloise’s and Lila’s memory. That’s what they would have wanted.”
As the sun sets over Camp Mystic, the laughter of two best friends lingers on the breeze, a reminder that even in the wake of tragedy, love endures.
If you would like to honor Eloise and Lila, their families ask that donations be made to local animal shelters or children’s charities in their names. And above all, please respect their privacy as they navigate this unimaginable loss.