Camp Mystic Reopening Faces Legal Hurdles

The state’s top official has publicly opposed giving a new license to Camp Mystic, the site of a tragic flood that claimed 27 girls and an adult last July. In a blunt letter, the lieutenant governor told the health agency that he would not feel safe sending family members to a place where so many lives were lost in such a short time. He also warned that the camp should not resume normal activities until every detail of the disaster is fully understood. The communication was directed to Jennifer Shuford, who runs the agency that checks and approves summer camps in Texas. She is also named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by the parents of nine former campers and staff. The suit alleges that the agency repeatedly granted Camp Mystic licenses each year even though the camp lacked a required evacuation plan. Shuford’s department declined to comment on the pending case.Lawyer Mikal Watts, representing Camp Mystic, dismissed the lawsuit as baseless and accused the agency of using politics to delay the camp’s reopening. He claimed that the camp has met all state safety regulations and invested heavily in new protective measures after the flood. Despite not having submitted a renewal application this year, Camp Mystic announced it would open partially for the summer and began taking registrations in January. Camps across Texas can apply for renewal by March 31 without incurring a late fee. The situation illustrates how legal and regulatory actions can intersect with public safety concerns. Whether the camp will receive a new license depends on the outcome of the lawsuit and the agency’s review. Families and stakeholders remain divided over whether reopening is appropriate at this time.