Texas Lt. Gov. Urges Halt to Camp Mystic License Renewal

Calls for investigation into deadly 2025 flooding incident before allowing camp to reopen

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has sent a letter to the state's Department of State Health Services (DSHS) commissioner, asking them not to renew Camp Mystic's license for 2026 until a full investigation is completed into the deadly flooding incident at the camp in July 2025 that claimed the lives of 25 campers and 2 counselors. Patrick says the camp should not be allowed to resume operations until necessary changes are made to ensure such a tragedy does not happen again.

Why it matters

The deadly incident at Camp Mystic last summer has raised serious questions about the camp's safety protocols and the state's oversight of licensed camp operations. Patrick's request to block the license renewal until an investigation is complete signals the political pressure the camp is facing and the heightened scrutiny on camp safety issues in Texas.

The details

In his letter, Patrick wrote that it would be "naive" to allow Camp Mystic to resume normal operations before all the facts are known about the July 2025 flooding incident. He said the camp should have suspended operations for 2026 on its own, but since it appears they plan to seek license renewal, he is urging DSHS not to approve it until legislative investigations are complete and necessary corrective actions are taken. The camp has responded that it is in full compliance with state camp safety laws and sees no regulatory basis to deny its license renewal.

  • The deadly flooding incident at Camp Mystic occurred on July 4, 2025.
  • Lt. Gov. Patrick sent his letter to DSHS on February 24, 2026.
  • The Texas Senate and House plan to hold investigative hearings on the 2025 Camp Mystic incident in the spring of 2026.

The players

Dan Patrick

The current Lieutenant Governor of Texas, who has called on the state's health department to deny Camp Mystic's license renewal until a full investigation is completed.

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)

The state agency responsible for licensing and overseeing camp operations in Texas, which Lt. Gov. Patrick is urging not to renew Camp Mystic's license.

Camp Mystic

The summer camp in Texas where a deadly flooding incident occurred in July 2025, claiming the lives of 25 campers and 2 counselors. The camp has stated it is in compliance with state safety laws.

Campaign for Camp Safety

An advocacy group that KXAN reached out to for comment on Lt. Gov. Patrick's request to deny Camp Mystic's license renewal.

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What they’re saying

“It would be naive to allow Camp Mystic to return to normal operations before all the facts are known.”

— Dan Patrick, Texas Lieutenant Governor (KXAN)

“Camp Mystic Cypress Lake is in compliance with all aspects of the state's new camp safety laws. There is, consequently, no regulatory basis to deny Camp Mystic Cypress Lake its license.”

— Camp Mystic (KXAN)

What’s next

The Texas Senate and House plan to hold investigative hearings on the 2025 Camp Mystic incident in the spring of 2026. The judge in the federal lawsuit filed by parents of some of the deceased campers will also decide on the camp's current license, which runs until March 6.

The takeaway

The deadly flooding tragedy at Camp Mystic has sparked intense political scrutiny and legal action, underscoring the urgent need for stronger state oversight and enforcement of camp safety regulations to prevent such catastrophic incidents from occurring again.