HOUSTON – Camp Mystic says it has notified the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) that it is withdrawing its application for a Summer 2026 camp license, arguing that “no administrative process or summer season should move forward” while families grieve and investigations continue following “last July’s tragedy.”
In a statement, the camp said DSHS testimony this week acknowledged the agency’s legal obligations, but the camp is choosing to withdraw “rather than risk defending our rights under Texas law in a manner that may unintentionally effect [sic] further harm.”
EARLIER THIS WEEK: Camp Mystic director issues apology to victims’ families at investigative hearing
The camp noted that 28 people died, calling them “twenty-eight precious lives,” and said no decision can undo the loss felt by families, survivors, first responders, and the Kerr County community.
The camp also said more than 800 girls want to return to Camp Mystic Cypress Lake this summer and emphasized that its bond with families “does not change or end with the announcement.”
RELATED: Camp Mystic relied on teen counselors with no emergency training before flood, investigator says
Camp Mystic said the decision is intended to remove any doubt that it has heard concerns from grieving families, Texas House and Senate investigating committees, and Texans statewide, adding that “respect for those voices requires that we step back now.”
The camp said it will continue to cooperate with all ongoing investigations, comply with lawful requirements, and support recovery and healing efforts.
MORE FROM FAMILIES: ‘We sent her to camp, not a war zone’: Parents testify after Camp Mystic flood deaths
Following news of the withdrawal, Gov. Greg Abbott released the following statement:
“Our hearts are with the families who lost loved ones and those recovering from last year’s devastating Fourth of July floods. Camp Mystic has withdrawn its application to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) seeking to open as a camp this year. As a result, the camp will remain closed for 2026. The DSHS continues working with the Texas Rangers to investigate Camp Mystic. The results of that investigation will be made public as soon as possible.”
Gov. Greg Abbott
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had previously called for DSHS to deny Camp Mystic a license for summer 2026 and in a statement on X wrote, “Given the tragic circumstances, this is the correct decision to protect Texas campers and to allow time for all investigations to be completed.”
This decision comes after a two day hearing before the Joint Texas Senate/House General Investigating Committee. On the first day of hearings, lawmakers heard testimony Mystic had no written evacuation plan and did not conduct safety drills with staff, which is required by law.
An investigator hired by the committee, Houston attorney Casey Garrett, described the evacuation efforts during the flood as “mayhem.” Garrett said between 140-150 people were interviewed as part of the investigation.
Lawmakers also questioned the Eastlands as to why the camp’s PA system was not used to notify campers to seek higher ground as the water levels began to rise.
Edward Eastland said the water was rising so quickly he was focused on evacuating the campers and didn’t think to go back to the front office to activate the system.
“There’s a point where the consequences of not doing your job is so significant and so consequential that you don’t have the privilege of running a business that you were prior to,” said State Sen. Charles Perry/(R) Dist. 28. “If you all are left as an operator in any form or fashion, what deterrent does that send to another operator that I can have kids die on my watch and still be an operator?”
Following the Eastlands’ testimony, lawmakers heard from the head of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Chief Nim Kidd. He told lawmakers camps must have a written plan, an incident command structure and regular safety drills.
Families of children who survived also testified. Julie Sprunt told lawmakers her nine year old daughter was swept a mile downstream during the flood.
“All of our daughters were awake in those cabins with enough time to be evacuated. Our daughters were told to stay in place, they waited, they obeyed the Eastland family’s instructions,” said Sprunt, who also attended Camp Mystic as a child. “Had these 8-year-old girls and their counselors been allowed to run for their lives, there were many safe places to go, we all grew up at that camp, we knew those safe place.”
Another mother, Charlee Johnson, also shared her 11-year-old daughter’s experience during the flood. Johnson said her daughter was in Jumble House and was told to walk to Rec Hall at 3 a.m., she survived.
Johnson said after her daughter told the family what happened, she realized the evacuation was “chaos.”
“In fact, they were not evacuated, instead they were left to navigate the darkness themselves. 10-years-old, 3 a.m., darkness, rushing water. No child should have to navigate themselves to safety under these conditions,” said Johnson.
The mother of 8-year-old Cile Steward, who remains missing from the July 4 flood, also testified.
“They left Cile with an impossible and unforgivable choice, drown in her cabin or fight violent flood waters in the dark,” said Cici Steward.
Texas Rangers are also investigating the deaths at Camp Mystic. The state also recently rejected Camp Mystic’s emergency plan for 2026, citing nearly 2-dozens deficiencies. The Eastlands said they planned to resubmit a revised plan prior to announcing a withdrawal of their application.
“Given the serious questions that remain, and out of respect for the families of victims, we believe the decision by Camp Mystic ownership to withdraw its application for a state license is proper. The families we represent are grateful that no other Texas family will hand their daughter over to Camp Mystic this summer. But until there is full accountability for what happened on July 4 and until there are real, enforceable safeguards for every child sent to a Texas summer camp, our work continues,” wrote attorney Sam Taylor, who is representing the families of Virginia “Wynne” Naylor, Hadley Hanna, and Jane “Janie” Hunt of Dallas; Lucy Dillon of Houston; Kellyanne Lytal of San Antonio; and Virginia Hollis of Bellville, Texas.