Camp Mystic, the Texas Christian summer camp where 28 people died in catastrophic floods last July, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The filing, made Wednesday in federal court, lists the camp's debts between $10 million and $50 million, with assets ranging from $1 million to $10 million. The bankruptcy follows intense scrutiny over the camp's emergency response and a decision to withdraw plans to reopen this summer amid backlash from victims' families.
Core Facts and Immediate Action
Camp Mystic's bankruptcy filing comes nearly a year after the July 4, 2025, floods killed 25 campers, two teenage counselors, and the camp's longtime director, Richard Eastland. The filing was made in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Houston, with the Eastland family signing the documents. The move follows a Texas legislative report criticizing the camp's inadequate emergency planning and evacuation procedures.
Deeper Dive and Context
The camp's decision to file for bankruptcy follows months of legal and public pressure. Families of the victims have filed wrongful death lawsuits, alleging negligence in the camp's response to the rapidly rising floodwaters. A 115-page report by Texas officials, released earlier this month, found that the camp lacked proper emergency training and preparation for the storm. The report also noted that the evacuation effort was handled by just three individuals: the camp's co-owner, his son, and a security guard.
Camp Mystic had initially planned to reopen this summer for its 100th anniversary but reversed course in April after an emotionally charged legislative hearing. The camp's owners acknowledged the loss of life and stated that withdrawing the reopening application was meant to address concerns from grieving families and lawmakers. Texas Governor Greg Abbott noted that the camp had pulled its application for renewal with the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), which continues to investigate the incident.
Legal and Financial Implications
The bankruptcy filing does not halt ongoing legal action. Lawyer Paul Yetter, representing multiple victims' families, stated that bankruptcy will not prevent responsible parties from being held accountable. The families continue to pursue justice for what they describe as the camp's failure to protect the girls as floodwaters approached.
Other summer camps in Kerr County, west of Austin, did not experience such devastating flooding, raising questions about the camp's specific vulnerabilities. The broader flooding event killed at least 136 people along a several-mile stretch of the Guadalupe River, prompting investigations into emergency preparedness and response protocols.