The Texas Department of Health Services finds a Camp Mystic 2026 emergency plan is insufficient as they filed the plan along with their license renewal application. The camp has 45 days to revise its plan as it aims to reopen for campers this summer. The agency said it was missing or lacking information in 22 categories.
“Camp Mystic is carefully reviewing the notice from DSHS and we are working closely with DSHS through the appropriate process to address the areas outlined,” according to a statement from Camp Mystic. “Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our campers.”
The agency directed the camp to make changes such as map the locations of all cabins in relation to flood risk, explain how they would help campers with mobility or visual impairments during an evacuation, and to show how the emergency plan would be distributed to parents and staff.
Parents of the girls killed in the disaster pushed Texas Legislators to pass updated laws last year. Some parents also sued officials with DSHS, alleging that it failed to follow state law by giving the camp a license without making sure it had an evacuation plan.
Political pressure has meanwhile mounted as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has repeatedly called on the agency to deny the camp’s license renewal.
This year, other camps were also denied license renewals as their emergency plans were also insufficient, according to DSHS, citing the plans must meet legal requirements.