Texas Officials Flag Camp Mystic’s Emergency Plan as Inadequate, Threatening Summer Operations

April 25, 2026 - 06:33

Camp Mystic, a long-running summer camp in the Texas Hill Country, faces a critical deadline after state regulators determined its emergency preparedness plan fails to meet newly enacted safety standards. The Texas Department of State Health Services notified camp operators that the current plan is insufficient under updated rules for youth camps, giving them 45 days to submit a revised version or risk being barred from opening for the upcoming summer season.

The deficiency notice, issued earlier this month, cites gaps in how the camp would handle medical emergencies, natural disasters, and evacuation procedures. Under the new regulations, camps must demonstrate comprehensive protocols for everything from severe weather to active threat scenarios. Camp Mystic’s existing plan reportedly lacks specific response timelines and fails to adequately address coordination with local emergency services.

Camp directors have acknowledged the findings and stated they are working closely with safety consultants to overhaul the document. “We take these requirements seriously and are committed to meeting every standard,” a camp representative said. The 45-day window means a revised plan must be submitted by early June, just weeks before the typical start of summer sessions.

If the camp fails to gain approval, it could face a suspension of its operating license, effectively canceling the 2025 season. For families who have already registered children, the uncertainty is causing concern. Camp Mystic has operated for over a century and is a beloved institution for many Texas families. Local officials have expressed hope that the camp will comply in time, emphasizing that the new rules are designed to protect children, not to shut down historic programs.