Just months after catastrophic floods swept through Camp Mystic in Texas, killing more than two dozen campers and counselors, the girls’ summer camp has announced plans to reopen part of its facilities in 2026. The decision has been met with both relief from longtime supporters and anger from grieving families who say the tragedy remains too fresh.
The 2025 Floods and Their Aftermath
The floods struck suddenly over the July Fourth weekend in 2025, when torrential rain caused the Guadalupe River to surge over its banks. Within hours, cabins and activity areas were inundated. Despite emergency efforts, the fast-moving water claimed the lives of at least 27 people. The event was one of the deadliest weather-related disasters in Texas that year, and it left Camp Mystic’s property devastated.
In the months that followed, state officials conducted investigations into safety protocols at riverside camps. Lawmakers passed new requirements that prohibit cabins in designated flood zones and mandate stricter evacuation and emergency planning. These rules are intended to prevent a repeat of the tragedy that shocked both the local community and families from across the country who had sent their children to the storied camp.
Plans for Reopening
Camp Mystic leaders announced this week that they will reopen the Cypress Lake portion of the camp in the summer of 2026. That section of the property was not directly hit by the flooding and can be adapted to meet the new safety standards. The original site along the Guadalupe River will remain closed indefinitely while engineers and planners evaluate whether it can be safely rebuilt.
In a statement, camp directors said they are committed to honoring those who lost their lives. Plans are underway to establish a permanent memorial on the grounds. They also emphasized that reopening is not about returning to business as usual but about building a safer environment while preserving a camp that has been part of Texas summer traditions for decades.
A Divided Response
The decision has sparked a mixed reaction. Some former campers and parents welcomed the announcement, noting that Camp Mystic has been a formative experience for generations of girls. They argue that keeping the camp open, even on a smaller scale, is a way of keeping its legacy alive.
Others, particularly families who lost children in the floods, say the reopening feels premature. Several have criticized the camp for moving forward without holding broader consultations with affected families. They also worry that reopening too soon could overshadow ongoing grief and the search for accountability.
Legal and Community Challenges
Legal questions still linger. Some families have filed lawsuits alleging that the camp should have evacuated sooner or had stronger safeguards in place given its proximity to the river. Those cases are still working through the courts. The new state laws on camp safety were written in part with Camp Mystic in mind, underscoring the broader implications of last year’s disaster.
Camp officials insist they will comply fully with those regulations. Cabins will be situated outside of flood-prone areas, staff will undergo enhanced emergency training, and communication systems will be improved to ensure parents can receive immediate updates in the event of severe weather.
Local officials in Hunt, the town closest to the camp, say the community has been torn between mourning and the hope of revival. The camp has been a major part of the local economy for nearly a century, drawing families each summer from across the state and beyond. Its closure left not only an emotional void but also financial losses for businesses that depend on the seasonal influx.
As the camp moves toward reopening, the question remains whether it can regain trust. For some families, no level of safety reform will erase the trauma of July 2025. For others, the return of Camp Mystic represents resilience and continuity.
What is clear is that the reopening will not mark an end to the story of the floods but the beginning of a new chapter shaped by hard lessons and a determination to keep future campers safe.
