In a dramatic shift, Camp Mystic, a Christian camp for girls located on the banks of the Guadalupe River in Texas, announced Thursday that it will not be reopening for the upcoming summer season. This decision comes after a tragic flood last year claimed the lives of 25 campers and two teenage counselors, drawing intense scrutiny and criticism from families and authorities.
The camp’s choice to close its doors for now represents a significant turnaround from its previous plans to resume operations. Just days earlier, the Eastland family, who owns the camp, had assured lawmakers that preparations were underway to welcome nearly 900 campers starting May 30. However, the camp has since withdrawn its application for a license renewal for 2026.
“No administrative process or summer season should move forward while families continue to grieve, while investigations continue and while so many Texans still carry the pain of last July’s tragedy,” Camp Mystic stated.
The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed the withdrawal of the application on Thursday. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a vocal opponent of the camp’s reopening, endorsed the decision, saying, “I am thankful to hear that, today, the Eastland family withdrew their application. Given the tragic circumstances, this is the correct decision to protect Texas campers and to allow time for all investigations to be completed.”
Meanwhile, Governor Greg Abbott emphasized that the findings from ongoing investigations by the Department of State Health Services and the Texas Rangers would be disclosed as soon as possible.
Problems Exposed Before and During the Flood
Recent public hearings and investigations have highlighted a series of failures at Camp Mystic, including inadequate flood emergency plans, insufficient staff training, and missed evacuation opportunities. Testimonies revealed chilling details, such as a video depicting floodwaters and the distant cries for help from a girl.
Edward Eastland, a camp director, publicly apologized to the victims’ families, saying, “We tried our hardest that night. It wasn’t enough to save your daughters … I’m so sorry.”
Some families, like Cici and Will Steward, whose daughter Cile remains missing, criticized the camp, stating, “But let there be no confusion about what happened today. Camp Mystic did not withdraw its application out of grace. It withdrew because the state of Texas was about to deny it.”
Persistent Efforts to Reopen
Prior to the recent decision, Camp Mystic was eager to reopen, showcasing safety upgrades and assuring that activities would avoid flood-prone areas. Despite these efforts, state regulators identified numerous deficiencies in the camp’s emergency operations plan, including issues with flood warnings and safety training.
While camp officials claimed that 850 campers were set to return, reports of ongoing safety concerns created tensions within the camp’s community. Britt Eastland, a camp director, expressed hope that the camp would be appreciated for reopening, a sentiment that led several families to leave a hearing in protest.
Investigations Continue
The tragic incident, part of a larger disaster that resulted in at least 136 deaths along the river, has prompted several civil lawsuits against the camp and its owners. Both the Texas health regulators and the Texas Rangers are conducting inquiries into the camp’s alleged negligence.
Matthew Childress, father of counselor Chloe Childress, shared his grief, stating, “We never imagined a world without our daughters, and no decision made now can change that.”
