HUNT, Texas — Camp Mystic, where 25 campers and two counselors died during the devastating flood on July 4, 2025, is withdrawing its application for a summer 2026 camp license.
According to a statement from Camp Mystic, the all-girls Christian camp told the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on Thursday that it was withdrawing its application.
“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 statement said. “We commend DSHS for their testimony this week that recognized their legal obligations. But rather than risk defending our rights under Texas law in a manner that may unintentionally effect further harm, we choose rather to withdraw our application for the 2026 camp season.”
This comes after two days of a special legislative hearing this week, where camp officials answered questions from state lawmakers about the response to the deadly flood.
“This decision is intended to remove any doubt that Camp Mystic has heard the concerns expressed by grieving families, members of the Texas House and Senate investigating committees and citizens across our state. Respect for those voices requires that we step back now,” the statement said.
According to camp officials, over 800 girls applied to return to Camp Mystic Cypress Lake this summer, a part of the camp that didn’t flood.
The statement concluded by saying that Camp Mystic will continue to cooperate with the ongoing investigations into the flood and its response.
“Today is not about camp operations. It is about respect for the families, accountability to the public and reverence for the memory of the lives lost,” the statement said.
Representatives and attorneys for Camp Mystic were not available for comment.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who has been urging DSHS not to grant the camping license to Camp Mystic, said in a post on X that he is “thankful” that the Eastland family, who run the camp, withdrew the application. Camp Mystic’s owner, Dick Eastland, also died in the flooding.
“Given the tragic circumstances, this is the correct decision to protect Texas campers and to allow time for all investigations to be completed,” Patrick said.
At the conclusion of heartbreaking testimony from the families of Heaven’s 27 two days ago, I was hopeful the Eastland family would consider withdrawing their 2026 Camp Mystic license application for this summer.
I am thankful to hear that, today, the Eastland family withdrew…
— Dan Patrick (@DanPatrick) April 30, 2026
State Rep. Wesley Virdell, R-Brady, who has advocated for Camp Mystic’s license renewal, said in a statement to Spectrum News that he has great respect for the Eastland family and hopes “this time can be used for all involved to grieve and heal in the coming year.”
“As Texans and Americans, we should be more careful before casting stones at individuals who are already carrying the weight of the world while under a microscope,” Virdell said.
This is a developing story.