Camp Mystic Faces License Hurdles as Texas Officials Demand Changes Before Potential Summer Reopening

Camp Mystic, the Texas all-girls summer camp where 27 girls and counselors died in a flash flood on July 4, 2025, must make significant changes to its emergency plans before it can reopen this summer, Texas health officials have said.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issued an emergency plan deficiency letter in response to the camp’s application to renew its license to operate, citing multiple shortcomings in its proposed safety plans for the Cypress Lake location, a newer portion of the property on higher ground that was not affected by last year’s flood.

Among the deficiencies noted by DSHS were the lack of a floodplain location map showing where camper cabins are situated, insufficient plans for a designated emergency preparedness coordinator, and inadequate fire evacuation and natural disaster plans. The agency also found shortcomings in parent notification procedures.

Camp Mystic has 45 days to correct these issues and resubmit its plans to the state health department in order to receive a license to operate this summer. The camp said it is reviewing the state’s notice and working closely with DSHS to address the outlined concerns.

“Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our campers, and we hope to continue the nearly century-long mission and ministry of Camp Mystic to provide a Christian camping experience for girls that allows them to grow physically, mentally and spiritually,” the camp stated in a Friday release.

The investigation into the camp’s operations is being conducted with assistance from the Texas Rangers, who are helping state health officials review hundreds of complaints filed about the care of children at Camp Mystic. The camp filed its license renewal application at the end of March.