Texas Officials Investigate Hundreds of Complaints Against Camp Mystic Amid License Renewal Bid

State regulators and Texas Rangers probe allegations of neglect following deadly 2025 floods that killed 27 campers

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:42am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged, twisted metal object from the Camp Mystic flood site, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the grim aftermath of the deadly 2025 floods.The harsh flash illuminates the twisted remnants of the Camp Mystic disaster, exposing the grim aftermath of the deadly 2025 floods.Austin Today

Texas health regulators and the Texas Rangers are investigating hundreds of complaints against Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian camp, as the state considers whether to renew the camp's license to reopen this summer. The investigations come after devastating floods in 2025 killed 27 girls at the camp, sparking lawsuits from families alleging the camp failed to protect campers. State officials say they have received 'hundreds of complaints' about the camp's operations, and the Texas Rangers have joined a probe into allegations of neglect.

Why it matters

The investigations underscore the challenges facing Camp Mystic as it seeks to reopen amid intense public scrutiny and outrage from families who lost loved ones in the 2025 floods. The camp's license renewal is now in jeopardy as state officials examine the camp's operations and response to the deadly disaster.

The details

The Texas Department of State Health Services said it has received hundreds of complaints since February 2026 alleging violations of state laws governing youth camps at Camp Mystic. The agency said it asked the Texas Rangers, the state's elite investigations unit, to join the probe. Neither agency provided details on the specific allegations. The camp did not evacuate as floodwaters rose rapidly from 14 feet to nearly 30 feet within an hour before dawn, leading to the deaths of 27 campers and staff. Lawyers for the families of the victims have sued the camp's operators, arguing they failed to protect the campers.

  • In July 2025, devastating floods killed 27 girls at Camp Mystic.
  • Since February 2026, the Texas Department of State Health Services has received hundreds of complaints about Camp Mystic's operations in summer 2025.
  • In April 2026, state regulators informed Camp Mystic's owners they are investigating the complaints.

The players

Texas Department of State Health Services

The state agency responsible for regulating youth camps in Texas, which is investigating hundreds of complaints against Camp Mystic.

Texas Rangers

The elite state police investigations unit that has joined the probe into allegations of neglect at Camp Mystic.

Camp Mystic

The all-girls Christian summer camp in Texas that is facing investigations and license renewal challenges following the deadly 2025 floods that killed 27 campers and staff.

Families of victims

The families of the 27 girls and two teenage counselors who died in the 2025 floods at Camp Mystic, some of whom have sued the camp's operators.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick

The state's lieutenant governor who has called for a 'criminal investigation' and urged regulators not to renew Camp Mystic's license until probes are complete.

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What they’re saying

“I urge you to prioritize safety and do everything in your power to ensure Camp Mystic and/or their operators are not allowed to operate until the facts are in.”

— Dan Patrick, Texas Lt. Governor

What’s next

The Texas Department of State Health Services said it is investigating the hundreds of complaints against Camp Mystic, and the Texas Rangers have joined the probe into allegations of neglect. State officials must decide whether to renew the camp's license to reopen this summer, a decision that will likely hinge on the findings of these investigations.

The takeaway

The investigations into Camp Mystic underscore the intense scrutiny and public outrage facing the camp following the deadly 2025 floods, which have left the camp's future in jeopardy as it seeks to renew its license to operate. The probes will examine whether the camp's operators failed to protect campers and followed proper safety protocols, with the camp's ability to reopen this summer hanging in the balance.