While many camps are still moving through the process, the number of Texas summer camps with renewed licenses had increased notably as of Friday, and more could get the green light soon.
Forty-seven camps have been approved to operate under the new laws passed after the deaths at Camp Mystic last year in the Hill Country floods, up from 18 the week before. Camps must outline safety and compliance details in thorough emergency plans for review by the state health department.
More than 200 camps still have pending applications, and 114 did not submit an application with the Texas Department of Health and Human Services this year.
Lara Anton, press officer with the department, noted camps that didn’t reapply could still be open this summer if they modified their programming. Youth camps are only required to be licensed through this process if they offer more than one specialized activity, such as archery, horseback riding, challenge courses, waterfront activities or riflery.
Anton also noted that camps can continue operating while their pending application moves through the process.
To see which camps near you are already approved, search your address in the map below:
Staff writer Sarah Bahari contributed to this report.