Camp Mystic — the Christian girls’ camp in Texas where 27 campers and counselors died in heavy flooding last year — has withdrawn its application to reopen this summer.
The withdrawal comes after increasing pressure from state leaders and families of victims to keep the camp closed. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had urged organizers to deny the camp’s request until all investigations and corrective actions are completed, saying Texans “deserve transparency and clear answers before DSHS issues its stamp of approval.”
Camp Mystic opens in Hunt, Texas, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
AP Photo/Ashley Landis
“No administrative process or summer season should move forward while families continue to grieve, while investigations continue, and while too many Texans are still reeling from the pain of last July’s tragedy,” Camp Mystic said in a statement Thursday.
Multiple criminal and civil investigations into the deadly July 4, 2025 flood at Camp Mystic remain ongoing, including a wrongful death lawsuit. Court filings show that camp owners were exploring options for reopening despite those investigations, a move that drew criticism from families who called on organizers to prevent any return to operations.
Earlier this month, a Texas judge ruled that the owners must continue to leave several damaged buildings untouched while the wrongful death lawsuit moves forward.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
See also: A Camp Mystic official says he didn’t see flood warnings issued the day before the storm hit
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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