Camp Mystic cancels summer reopening, after pressure from parents of girls who died at the Camp

Private Christian girls’ camp Camp Mystic announced it will withdraw its application for a license to operate during the summer of 2026.after weeks of public pressure and complaints from families who lost their daughters in last year’s devastating floods in Texas.

In a statement, the organization indicated that it is not appropriate to move forward with its reopening while official investigations and the mourning of affected families continue.. “No administrative process or summer season should move forward under these circumstances,” said the camp, which acknowledged the loss of 28 lives in the tragedy.

The decision was confirmed by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), which formally received notification of the withdrawal of the operation request.

Pressure from families and authorities

The announcement follows a legislative hearing in Texas in which parents of victims demanded accountability and questioned the camp’s attempts to partially reopen its facilities later this year. Criticism focused on alleged failures in emergency protocols and a lack of flood preparation.

The disaster occurred in the early morning of July 4, 2025, when heavy rains caused the Guadalupe River to overflow, in the region known as the Hill Nation. The flash flood swept away cabins and surprised campers and staff while they slept, in one of the deadliest recent episodes in the state.

Among the victims were 27 campers and counselors, as well as then-camp director Richard Eastland.who died during the rescue attempts.

State officials had previously warned that the camp could not reopen without implementing a new security framework. Official evaluations concluded that its warning and evacuation systems were insufficientin addition to pointing out the absence of clear flood risk maps.

Ongoing investigations and lawsuits

The tragedy led to multiple investigations and civil lawsuits for alleged negligence. Lawmakers and regulators have questioned whether the camp had adequate protocols, evacuation drills and staff training for extreme events.

During a recent hearing, Edward Eastland offered a public apology to the families, acknowledging that the efforts made that night were not enough to prevent the loss of life.

For their part, relatives of the victims considered the decision to suspend the reopening as a first step towards accountability.. Some have reiterated that they will continue to seek justice and measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott noted that the measure will allow investigations to move forward without interference and reiterated his support for affected families.

Camp Mystic assured that it will continue to cooperate with the authorities and comply with legal requirements while the ongoing processes are developed.. “Today is not about camp operations, but about respecting the families and honoring the memory of the lives lost,” the statement concluded.

The case remains in development and official reports determining liability and possible regulatory changes for camps across the state are expected to be released in the coming months.

Keep reading:

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