HUNT, Texas \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo 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\u2019s tragedy,\u201d the statement said. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
This comes after two days of a special legislative hearing this week, where camp officials answered questions<\/a> from state lawmakers about the response to the deadly flood.<\/p>\n \u201cThis 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,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n According to camp officials, over 800 girls applied to return to Camp Mystic Cypress Lake this summer, a part of the camp that didn\u2019t flood.<\/p>\n The statement concluded by saying that Camp Mystic will continue to cooperate with the ongoing investigations into the flood and its response.<\/p>\n \u201cToday 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,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n Representatives and attorneys for Camp Mystic were not available for comment.\u00a0<\/p>\n