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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (right) speaks to reporters alongside House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, outside a joint hearing of the Texas Senate and House Select Committees on disaster preparedness and flooding, Thursday, July 31, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas.<\/p>\n
El\u00edas Valverde II\/Staff Photographer<\/p>\n
Texas summer camps inched closer to opening Thursday following a deal with the state over a new law requiring the installation of fiber optic\u00a0internet networks.<\/p>\n
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Nearly 20 camps<\/a> sued to block the law, arguing that it did not make their properties safer, violated state law and would have cost millions of dollars, particularly in rural areas with spotty cell service.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Under the agreement, the state will now allow camps with alternatives to fiber, including cellular or satellite technology, such as Starlink,<\/a> to operate.<\/p>\n The agreement comes two days after\u00a0Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows said they supported delaying the law<\/a> and revisiting the issue when the Texas Legislature meets next year.<\/p>\n \u201cThis agreement will ensure that youth camps in Texas operate with the safety provisions envisioned by the Legislature while allowing camps and families to move forward with their summer plans,\u201d Texas Health Commissioner Jennifer Shuford said in a statement.<\/p>\n Make Dallas News a preferred source so your search results prioritize writing by actual people, not AI.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Add Preferred Source<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Camp directors \u2014\u00a0some of whom said installing fiber would have exceeded $1 million \u2014 applauded the decision.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u00a0Brian Anderson, executive director of Camp Peniel in Marble Falls, said in a statement that \u201ccamps are places where kids grow, build confidence, and form lifelong friendships, and this outcome makes sure those experiences continue this summer.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul Biles, executive director of Tejas Camp and Retreat in Giddings\u00a0between Austin and Houston, said the deal \u201callows Texas camps to focus on their mission while lawmakers take the time needed to finalize a workable, long-term statewide solution.\u201d<\/p>\n The agreement delays the camps\u2019 lawsuit until March 1, 2027.<\/p>\n Related: Top Texas lawmakers support lifting flood safety law to allow summer camps to open<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Camps are working to meet a slew of new safety requirements passed last year after floods killed 25 girls and two counselors at Camp Mystic<\/a> in Hill Country. Only nine Texas summer camps are licensed to operate<\/a> this summer with fewer than three weeks remaining before the season is set to begin.\u00a0<\/p>\n About 290 camps are working to obtain a license, although the Department of State Health Services said this week that camps will be permitted to operate on existing licenses while their applications are pending.<\/p>\n To obtain a license, both day and overnight camps must submit detailed emergency plans to the state\u2019s health agency. Camp directors say the process has been chaotic and cumbersome this year as both sides adjust to the new processes.<\/p>\n Eddie Walker, president of the Christian Camp and Conference Association of Texas, said camps are fielding daily calls from parents and group leaders looking for information.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Walker, who is also the executive director of Mt. Lebanon Camp in Cedar Hill just south of Dallas, said camps have worked tirelessly to ensure they meet new safety laws, including installing emergency warning and public address systems and providing mandatory safety training to campers.\u00a0<\/p>\n By signing up, you agree to our Terms Of Use<\/a> and acknowledge that your information will be used as described in our Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n With the fiber issue resolved for now, Walker said he is hopeful the licensing process will move forward.<\/p>\n \u201cCamps are ready,\u201d Walker said, \u201clicenses are not.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775016909_917_rawImage.jpg\" "\\"#\\"")
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