Texas summer camps will all remain open this season even if they fall short of new broadband internet requirements for licensing.
State Representative Pat Curry, R-Waco, announced Monday night that the Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed no camps will be forced to close due to the broadband provisions. After direct conversations with DSHS, Curry reported that the agency will issue deficiency notices related to broadband access in the next 45 to 60 days. Affected camps will then enter an administrative appeal process expected to take two to three months. During that entire period, they will be allowed to continue operating under their previous year’s licenses.
The update brings relief to camp operators and thousands of families across Texas as the busy summer season approaches. The new licensing standards come from safety legislation passed after the tragic 2025 flooding at Camp Mystic in the Texas Hill Country that killed 27 girls. Among the requirements is a mandate for redundant high-speed broadband connections to improve emergency communications.
🚨Alert 🚨 Our office has learned today that NO CAMPS will be closed this summer due to broadband deficiencies. After direct conversations with the Texas Department of State Health Services, we have clarity on the path forward.
— State Representative Pat Curry (@PatrickJCurry1) May 5, 2026
Deficiency notices related to broadband access will…
Many rural camps have said meeting the fiber-optic standard is either prohibitively expensive or impossible in their locations. Nineteen camps filed a lawsuit against DSHS challenging the rule earlier this year.
DSHS has indicated it will pursue a legislative fix during the upcoming 90th Legislative Session. The agency emphasized that state law already allows camps with pending applications or appeals to operate under prior-year licenses.
The announcement ensures uninterrupted access to summer programs for children statewide while longer-term solutions are worked out.
