Camp Mystic won’t reopen this summer after withdrawing license

Camp Mystic has withdrawn its summer camp license application for 2026.

This comes after hearings with a Texas legislative committee concerning the deadly floods last July.

Twenty-five campers and two counselors at Camp Mystic died in the floods. One camper, Cile Steward of Austin, is still missing.

Camp directors informed the Texas Department of State Health Services Thursday about the withdrawal.

“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,” said the camp in a release.

“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,” the camp added.

The camp says that it will continue to “fully cooperate” with all ongoing investigations, comply with very lawful requirements and continue supporting recovery and healing efforts.

FOX Television Stations also obtained a copy of the letter Camp Mystic sent out to families regarding the withdrawal.

In the letter, Camp Mystic directors say that they have received letters and calls from families wanting the camp to reopen.

“We are profoundly grateful for every individual effort made on behalf of camp,” the letter reads. “At the same time, we recognize that our broader community continues to grieve a profound loss, and that many families continue to carry unimaginable pain. In this moment, we believe stepping back is the right and responsible decision for the 2026 camp season.”

The Washington Post’s Molly Hennessy-Fiske joins LiveNOW’s Shawna Khalafi to discuss.

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