The parents of an Alabama girl who died in last summer’s devastating Camp Mystic flood are pushing for stricter safety regulations for youth camps across the country, saying their daughter’s death — and dozens of others — could have been prevented with proper emergency planning.

Patrick and Dr. Jill Marsh of Birmingham lost their 8-year-old daughter, Sarah Marsh, during the catastrophic July 4, 2025 flooding at Camp Mystic in Texas. Sarah was among 27 campers and counselors swept away when rising floodwaters overwhelmed cabins on the campgrounds.

Patrick Marsh said the tragedy became even more painful after returning to the Bubble Inn cabin where his daughter had slept. Standing inside the room and looking out the window, he realized how close safety had been. According to Marsh, high ground was only about 50 yards away — a short walk uphill that could have saved her life.

He described the event as “100% preventable,” arguing that the flood itself may have been unavoidable, but the camp’s preparation and response were not.

The Marshes became heavily involved in advocacy efforts following the disaster, supporting new legislation in Texas that lawmakers passed to strengthen camp safety requirements. Those reforms include mandatory emergency warning systems and detailed disaster response plans.

Now, the couple is taking their efforts beyond Texas. They are urging lawmakers in Alabama and other states to adopt similar regulations, citing what they say is a lack of oversight and accountability in an industry responsible for thousands of children every summer.

In Alabama, lawmakers are considering a proposal called the Sarah Marsh Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act. The bill would require summer camps to meet new safety standards, including obtaining an emergency preparedness license through the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. Camps would also be required to create evacuation and emergency response plans, as well as prohibit cabins from being built in floodplains.

Additional provisions include mandatory weather radios and a reliable emergency notification system that does not depend on cellular service or internet access — both of which can fail during severe weather or natural disasters.

Patrick Marsh said the flood was an “act of God,” but the failure to plan for the possibility of flooding was a human error. He believes if proper measures had been in place, Sarah would still be alive today.

The Marshes said they were stunned to discover how little regulation exists for camps compared to other institutions like schools. Jill Marsh described the system as largely self-regulated, both in Texas and Alabama, calling the lack of oversight surprising and alarming.

Rather than pushing for a national standard, the couple argues camp safety rules should reflect regional dangers — whether that means floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, or wildfires — depending on the state.

Jill Marsh spoke Wednesday before Alabama’s House State Government Committee, emphasizing she wants her daughter remembered for her joyful life, not just the tragedy of her death. But she said Sarah’s legacy could be protecting other children so they can experience the fun and growth that comes with summer camp without unnecessary danger.

The bill advanced out of committee and is supported by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey. State Rep. David Faulkner, who sponsored the legislation, said the Camp Mystic deaths exposed serious safety gaps not only in Texas, but nationwide.

The Marshes stressed they are not trying to shut down camps or punish those that already operate responsibly. They described themselves as pro-camp, saying they want children to continue having these experiences — but with stronger safeguards in place. They believe many camps already meet the proposed standards, and the goal is to ensure the remaining camps do as well.

While nothing can undo their loss, the Marsh family hopes their advocacy can prevent other families from suffering the same heartbreak.