Camp Mystic said Thursday it will not reopen this summer following last year’s catastrophic floods that killed 25 girls and two camp counselors.
The surprise announcement comes just one month before the camp planned to welcome roughly 850 girls, a decision that prompted an outcry among many, including families of the victims.
The camp said it informed the Texas Department of State Health Services that it would withdraw its application for a license.
“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,” the camp said in a statement.
Camp Mystic leaders faced deepening scrutiny over their preparation and response to the floods that tore through Hill Country and backlash for their plan to reopen. The camp’s owner, Dick Eastland, also died in the floods.
State lawmakers met in Austin this week for an emotional hearing to examine the camp’s response and listen to testimony from families.
Some state officials, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, urged the state’s health authorities to deny the camp a license while the investigation was pending.
This is a developing story.