Camp Mystic will remain shuttered this summer, abandoning its bid to restart operations following the catastrophic July flood that killed 27 people at the Christian retreat in Texas.
The camp's leadership announced Thursday it had withdrawn its application to reopen, citing the ongoing grief of families, active investigations, and pain rippling through the state. The decision came after relentless pressure from state lawmakers and families of the dead.
The July 4th flooding swept through the camp, claiming 25 campers and two teenage counselors. Dick Eastland, the facility's owner, also perished in the disaster.
Camp Mystic's statement emphasized that no operations should proceed "while families continue to grieve, while investigations continue and while so many Texans still carry the pain of last July's tragedy." Officials said they had heard the concerns of grieving families and investigating committees across the state.
Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed the camp had withdrawn its reopening application. The agency continues working with the Texas Rangers on its investigation into the camp's response to the flood.
Governor Greg Abbott responded to the withdrawal by reaffirming the state's commitment. "Our hearts are with the families who lost loved ones and those recovering from last year's devastating Fourth of July floods," he said, adding that the investigation findings would be made public once complete.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who had been pushing the state to reject the camp's license, praised the decision. "Given the tragic circumstances, this is the correct decision to protect Texas campers and to allow time for all investigations to be completed," Patrick said Thursday.
The camp's leadership faced intense questioning from state lawmakers this week over how they handled the flooding disaster. Earlier this year, a Texas judge ordered camp officials to preserve the damaged cabins and affected grounds while litigation advances, including a lawsuit filed by the family of a young girl whose body was never recovered after being swept away in the deluge.
Author James Rodriguez: "The camp made the only move it could after facing genuine accountability from elected officials and families demanding answers, though the legal fights ahead will determine whether that's enough."
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