Texas Pushes Massive Fee Hikes for Summer Camps After Deadly Floods

Texas officials have proposed sweeping changes to how youth camps are regulated, including licensing fee increases of up to 4,000% and a major restructuring of the state’s camp advisory committee. 

The proposed rules, published this week in the Texas Register, follow the deadly floods of July 4 in the Hill Country.

Under the plan, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) would raise initial licensing fees from the current $250 for day camps and $750 for residential camps to a tiered structure based on camp size. Fees for day camps would rise to between $950 and $3,500, while residential camps would pay $2,150 up to $21,000. Renewal fees would range from $750 to $19,500.

Dan Neal of the Camping Association of Mutual Progress told The Texas Tribune the fee jump “will be a shock to the system,” but said most operators understand the need for increased oversight and staffing.

“We are hopeful that once the program is fully reestablished and operating smoothly for several years, the fee levels can be reassessed and appropriately reduced,” Neal said.

Several camp operators surveyed by the state warned that the increases could force smaller nonprofits to close. 

According to The Texas Tribune, Livingston-based Boxwoods camp assures “This causes an undue burden for smaller or more remote camps… All the costs that are a result of this legislation should not be passed on to camps.”

The proposal also reshapes the nine-member Youth Camp Advisory Committee, dropping from seven to four, replaced with seats for a recent camp parent, a camp activities specialist, and a youth mental health or child abuse expert. 

Neal, who chairs the committee, supported the changes, saying, “Their perspectives will be valuable and will help create a more well-rounded committee.”

Other proposed rules address flood risk, including limits on placing cabins within FEMA-designated 100-year floodplains, and new infrastructure requirements such as dual broadband internet connections. Some rural camps said the broadband mandate is unrealistic.

Meanwhile, DSHS is accepting public comments on the proposed rules through Dec. 19.