Camp Mystic withdraws application for 2026 camp license, will not open this summer, representatives say
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- Camp Mystic has withdrawn its application for a summer 2026 camp license and will not reopen this season following the deadly Fourth of July floods that killed 27 girls at the camp last year.
- The decision came after public hearings and widespread criticism from victims' families and state officials, who opposed the camp's plan to reopen parts of the facility that did not flood.
- Camp Mystic's operators expressed condolences to the families of the victims and emphasized their respect for the grieving community as a reason for withdrawing their application.
- During state legislative hearings, lawmakers, including State Sen. Charles Perry, sharply criticized the camp's leadership for their handling of the flood response, with calls to prevent them from operating the camp in the future.
- Edward Eastland, co-director of Camp Mystic, acknowledged the anger and took responsibility for the tragedy, stating he had no excuses for the failure to keep campers safe.
