Camp Mystic says it will reopen part of its operations next summer, one year after catastrophic flooding killed 27 girls and counselors at its longtime site on the Guadalupe River.
Leaders announced that the camp’s undamaged Cypress Lake property will host programs in 2026, while the heavily damaged Guadalupe campus remains closed. Plans also include building a memorial to honor the victims and complying with new state safety rules that prohibit cabins in flood zones and require updated emergency procedures.
The reopening comes as Camp Mystic marks its 100th anniversary, though not without controversy. Some families of victims have voiced concerns that reopening so soon is premature, while camp officials insist safety upgrades and new oversight will be in place.
The flooding last summer was one of the deadliest camp tragedies in Texas history, reshaping both state law and parental expectations about safety. Camp Mystic leaders say engineers and outside experts are guiding the changes to ensure future campers are better protected.