The stunning flood that killed more than two dozen campers and counselors along a river at Camp Mystic in the Texas Hill Country was the result of extraordinary rain and walls of water. Nonetheless, experts agree that information about how a camp plans for emergencies is just as important as the lunch menu and the times to go swimming.

Surviving campers sang hymns as they drove past the damage left by the floods. Days earlier, they were having fun and playing games at the all-girls’ Christian summer camp.