Camp Mystic Files for Bankruptcy Following Tragic Flooding

A Texas summer camp, Camp Mystic, which saw the loss of 25 girls and additional staff during severe flooding in July 2025, has reportedly filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as of Wednesday.

The camp’s financial documents submitted to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas indicate liabilities in the range of $10 million to $50 million. The camp’s assets, however, are reported to be between $1 million and $10 million. These floods not only claimed the lives of 25 campers but also took the lives of two teenage counselors and camp employee Richard Eastland.

In an investigation prompted by the tragic events on July 4, 2025, a report from the Texas Legislature highlighted that the camp had insufficient emergency training for its staff and was inadequately prepared for the storm. “The lessons to be learned from the camp’s inadequate emergency planning and response deserve careful study to give us a chance to avoid similar tragedies in the future,” noted the foreword of the report.

The camp’s management had initially hoped to reopen this summer. However, after expressing concern from parents, they decided to delay the reopening until May 2026. Texas Governor Greg Abbott remarked on the situation, stating that the camp had withdrawn its renewal application with the Department of State Health Services on April 30.

Governor Abbott expressed condolences, saying, “Our hearts are with the families who lost loved ones and those recovering from last year’s devastating Fourth of July floods.” He also mentioned that DSHS is continuing its investigation into the camp, in collaboration with the Texas Rangers, and promised that the findings would be made public soon.

In light of the tragedy, several parents who lost children are reportedly pursuing legal action. They are advocating for a public trial, while the camp’s legal team is seeking to handle the case through arbitration. The families are reportedly seeking over $1 million in damages.

The bankruptcy case is being overseen by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher M. Lopez, with Dallas attorney Martin A. Sosland representing the camp. The Eastman family, which owns Camp Mystic, has confirmed their involvement in the bankruptcy proceedings.