Camp Mystic Cancels 2026 Season, Citing Grief and Ongoing Investigations
Camp Mystic, a long-running Texas summer camp , announced on April 30 that it has withdrawn its application for a 2026 operating license, stepping back from plans for the upcoming season as investigations and public scrutiny continue following last year’s deadly flood .
The decision comes amid ongoing inquiries by state lawmakers and regulators into the events of July 2025, when 28 people died in what the camp described as a devastating flash flood that has deeply affected families, staff members and the surrounding community in Kerr County.
Camp representatives said resuming normal operations while investigations remain active would be inappropriate. The statement emphasized that continuing forward could risk intensifying the distress of families still grieving and communities still processing the loss.
“No season should proceed under these circumstances,” the camp said in a statement.
Despite the withdrawal, the camp noted the enduring connection it maintains with its community. More than 800 campers had expressed interest in returning this summer, according to the statement.
The camp pledged to cooperate fully with ongoing investigations and comply with all legal requirements, adding that representatives and attorneys for Camp Mystic will not be available for comment.
“This moment is not about operations,” the statement said, “but about honoring those who were lost and recognizing the weight carried by those left behind.”
Nine months after the disaster, the toll continues to reverberate. One child, 8-year-old Cile Steward, remains missing after being swept away in the early-morning floodwaters, and her body has not been recovered despite extensive search efforts.
Her parents, CiCi Steward and Will Steward, have filed a lawsuit against the camp and its owners, Richard “Dick” Eastland and Willetta “Tweety” Eastland, alleging that the tragedy was preventable and that critical warnings were not acted on. The Stewards and their attorney, Brad Beckworth, appeared on TODAY in February to discuss the case.
Beckworth said a flash flood warning issued by the National Weather Service urged immediate movement to higher ground. According to the lawsuit, camp leadership delayed broader evacuation efforts, and some younger campers were instructed to remain in place as conditions worsened.
The family has also criticized earlier plans to reopen the camp, arguing that doing so while investigations continue reflects a lack of accountability. At the same time, they praised the actions of camp counselors, who they say helped children escape.
“The counselors are the heroes in any of these cabins. The reason why there are any survivors from Cile’s cabin are because of these counselors. They were brave. They were strong,” Beckworth said in February, describing how the staff broke windows to get girls to safety. “There are heroes at Camp Mystic, and none of them are named Eastlands.”
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
