Camp Mystic withdraws application to open this summer

BREAKING NEWSApr. 30, 2026, 6:53 PM UTCU.S. newsU.S. newsCamp Mystic withdraws application to open this summerThe camp had been defending its right to reopen at the end of May in ongoing legislative hearings investigating safety issues at the camp following the deadly flooding in July. Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00A search and rescue volunteer holds a Camp Mystic shirt and backpack, in Comfort, Texas, in July 2025 following a deadly flooding.Danielle Villasana for The Washington Post via Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleBy Suzanne GamboaOfficials with Camp Mystic, the Texas camp where 25 campers and two counselors died in the July 4, 2025 flooding, withdrew their application to reopen this summer, a day after an emotional legislative hearing attended by the deceased girls' parents. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.A statement issued Thursday afternoon said Camp Mystic had informed the Texas Department of Health and Human Services that it was withdrawing an application for a summer 2026 license to operate. The statement said that representatives and attorneys for the camp would not be available for further comment. Chris Van Deusen, an agency spokesman, confirmed to NBC News that they had received notification of the withdrawal. Acknowledging that "precious lives were lost", Camp Mystic said in the statement that the withdrawal of the application is intended to remove any doubt that the camp “has heard the concerns expressed by grieving families, members of the Texas House and Senate investigating committees and citizens across our state. Respect for those voices requires that we step back now.”“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 statement said. Downed trees and debris at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, in July 2025. Rona...