Camp Mystic, the historic girls’ summer camp in the Texas Hill Country, has filed paperwork with state regulators seeking approval to reopen for the summer of 2026—less than a year after a catastrophic flood killed dozens.
The camp submitted its application to the Texas Department of State Health Services ahead of the state’s licensing deadline, as investigations and legal challenges tied to the disaster continue.
Camp Mystic leadership says it intends to reopen its Cypress Lake location, which was not directly impacted by the flooding, while the original Guadalupe River site—where the tragedy occurred—will remain closed for now.
The camp has outlined several safety upgrades, including:
- Enhanced flood monitoring systems
- Improved emergency communication tools
- Updated evacuation procedures
Camp officials maintain that the flooding was sudden and unprecedented, but say they are taking additional steps to meet new state safety standards before reopening.
Despite those assurances, the camp still needs final approval from state regulators before it can resume operations.
The reopening effort comes as scrutiny surrounding the disaster remains intense.
- Multiple lawsuits have been filed by families of victims, alleging negligence and inadequate safety planning.
- A judge has ordered the camp to preserve flood-damaged areas as evidence in ongoing litigation.
- State lawmakers have also launched inquiries into what went wrong and whether additional regulations are needed.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has publicly urged regulators to deny the camp’s reopening until those investigations are complete.
Among the most painful and unresolved aspects of the tragedy is the case of Cile Steward, an 8-year-old girl from Austin who remains missing.
Cile was swept away during the July 4, 2025 flood that tore through Camp Mystic, which claimed the lives of 25 campers and two counselors.
Despite months of search efforts involving state and local agencies, she has not been found.
Her parents have been among the most vocal critics of the camp’s plans to reopen, calling the move premature and insensitive while their daughter has yet to be recovered.
In a public letter, they described reopening efforts as “unthinkable” given that one child is still missing.
The Stewards have also filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent the camp from reopening and to hold its operators accountable, alleging failures in evacuation and emergency response.
The decision to pursue reopening has sparked a sharp divide:
- Some supporters say Camp Mystic has a long-standing legacy and should be allowed to continue with improved safety measures.
- Critics—including victims’ families—argue that reopening before full accountability and closure is reached is inappropriate.
The debate has only intensified as the anniversary of the tragedy approaches, with emotions still raw across Texas and especially in Central Texas communities.
State regulators will now review the camp’s application, alongside complaints and findings from ongoing investigations.
Whether Camp Mystic is allowed to reopen this summer remains uncertain—but the controversy surrounding that decision is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
