SAN ANTONIO — More than a dozen youth camps are pushing back against a new state requirement set to take effect this summer, arguing it could cost millions and force some to shut down.
The rule, part of a sweeping camp safety law passed after deadly flooding in the Hill Country, requires camps to install high-speed fiber optic internet.
Camp operators say most of the new safety measures are justified, but not the broadband mandate.
Nineteen camps have now filed a lawsuit against the Department of State Health Services, which is the agency that issues youth camp licenses, calling the requirement “completely unreasonable,” “unconstitutional,” and arguing it does not make campers or staff safer.
State Rep. Wes Virdell says some camps, especially in rural areas, could struggle to stay open.
“I think that there are a lot of camps that are very possibly going out of business that have been there for decades,” Virdell said.
The original goal for that part of the legislation was to improve communication during emergencies, including natural disasters. The Fiber Broadband Association has said reliable broadband systems are critical in those situations.
But Virdell says the cost could be out of reach for many camps.
“Usually, the number is $2 million, up to $3.7 million is what I’ve heard for getting fiber optic,” he said.
Camp leaders raised concerns about the requirement during hearings last year, saying it may be unrealistic for rural facilities.
“This requirement sounds simple on paper, but in reality, it’s impossible for many rural camps,” Riley Watkins, the camp director and manager of Camp Oak Haven, told leaders during a state health department meeting in October 2025. “The cost of bringing it in would be more than the camp’s annual budget.”
If camps fail to comply, they risk losing their licenses.
“They will have their license pulled from them and not be allowed to have camp anymore,” Virdell said. He says the safety of children is of the utmost importance, but the government overreaches in this requirement.
Right now, the state is not offering exemptions or financial assistance for camps that cannot afford the upgrades.