Camp Mystic told 2026 emergency plans are insufficient

Camp Mystic, the Texas summer camp where 27 girls and staff members were killed in last summer's devastating Hill Country floods, has been ordered to revise its emergency plans before it can receive a license to operate this summer.

The Texas Department of State Health Services sent a deficiency letter to Camp Mystic on Thursday, giving the camp 45 days to reevaluate and submit revised emergency plans. The camp had planned to reopen a portion of its grounds — not the area where lives were lost — in May.

Camp Mystic released a statement saying it is "carefully reviewing the notice from DSHS and working closely with DSHS through the appropriate process to address the areas outlined." The statement emphasized that the camp's priority "remains the safety and well-being of our campers" and expressed hope of continuing its "nearly century-long mission."

The camp remains under both federal and state scrutiny for its handling of the July 4, 2025 flood disaster. Critics have argued the response was too slow and uncoordinated to save the victims, who became known as "Heaven's 27." They were among more than 100 people killed in the historic flooding event.

Because emergency plans are confidential under Texas law, the specific deficiencies identified by DSHS cannot be publicly released, leaving parents and the public without details about what the state found inadequate.

**What This Means For You:** If you're a parent considering summer camps for your children, this case is a stark reminder to ask hard questions about emergency protocols — especially for camps near flood zones, wildfire areas, or other natural hazard zones. Ask specifically: What's the evacuation plan? How fast can campers be moved? When was the plan last tested in a drill? A license is a minimum standard, not a guarantee of safety.