Camp Mystic has decided to abandon plans to reopen this summer following the tragic incident where 25 girls and two teenage counselors lost their lives in a flood on the Guadalupe River in Texas. The camp, criticized for its safety shortcomings and operational deficiencies, faced backlash from families and ongoing investigations which revealed its lack of preparedness for a flood emergency, inadequate staff training, and delayed evacuation efforts during the July 4 incident that also claimed the life of owner Dick Eastland.
Initially intending to resume operations for nearly 900 campers by May 30, the camp’s owners, the Eastland family, made a U-turn by withdrawing their license renewal application for 2026 in light of the ongoing mourning, investigations, and unresolved pain from the previous tragedy. The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed the withdrawal of the camp’s application.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick commended the decision to halt the reopening, emphasizing the importance of completing investigations before considering any future operations. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott acknowledged the ongoing investigations by DSHS and the Texas Rangers, ensuring the public disclosure of their findings.
Numerous lawsuits have been filed against Camp Mystic and the Eastland family, with families of the victims actively participating in court and legislative proceedings. The emotional testimonies revealed the camp’s unpreparedness for emergencies and the heartbreaking moments during the flood, including a public apology from camp director Edward Eastland to the victims’ families.
Despite Camp Mystic’s efforts to address safety concerns and attract returning campers, state regulators identified several deficiencies in its emergency operations plan, leading to the decision to not reopen this summer. The tragic incident raised questions about the camp’s readiness and adherence to safety standards, prompting further investigations by health regulators and the Texas Rangers.
The community remains devastated by the loss of lives in the flood, with families seeking justice and accountability for the preventable tragedy that claimed the lives of young campers and counselors.