Texas youth camps say they may be forced to shut down due to the high cost of complying with new state safety regulations set to take effect for the 2026 summer season. Camp owners voiced their concerns Friday during a public meeting with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), asking for more flexibility and consideration.
The proposed rules come from House Bill 1 (the Youth CAMPER Act) and Senate Bill 1 (the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act), signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in September. The legislation followed the July 4, 2025, flood that killed 27 people at Camp Mystic in Kerr County, including 25 campers.
Riley Watkins, the owner of Camp Oak Haven, shared her desire to make camps safer.
“Let’s work together to find a way for these new bills to work with us instead of against us,” she stated.
Camp Owners Warn New Rules Could Threaten Operations
The regulations would raise the initial licensing fee for large overnight camps from $750 to $11,000. Day camps could see fees rise from $250 to as high as $3,200, depending on camper capacity. Fees would no longer be based on the number of days camps operate, but rather on the number of campers served. State officials say the fee increase is needed to cover more than $2 million budgeted for new regulatory responsibilities.
Some of the most contentious proposals include requirements to move cabins out of floodplains, establish dual broadband internet connections for emergency alerts, and implement detailed evacuation plans. Camp operators argue that such upgrades, particularly broadband access in rural areas, could cost over $100,000.
In response to these new regulations, Daran Miller, executive director of Glen Lake Camps in Glen Rose commented, “I’m sure when they enacted this bill, they never thought they would impact a camp like ours to the point of closure.”
“We’re unique. We’re within the city limits. We’re on a river that has not flooded in our 86-year history. We believe it’s important to evaluate each camp based on its site-specific characteristics. Not all floodplains are the same,” said Miller, as reported by The Texas Tribune. Glen Lake Camp sits on the floodplain.
Parents of Victims Urge Officials to Put Safety First
Parents of the Camp Mystic victims, Heaven’s 27, pushed back against cost-related objections, urging the state to prioritize camper safety over operational convenience.
“These laws are not meant for camps. They’re for families who trust them and the children whose safety must come before profits, convenience, and arrogance,” sentenced Michael McCown, father of Linni, victim of the Camp Mystic tragedy.
DSHS officials said the rules would be finalized by Jan. 1, 2026, and camps will have 45 days to correct licensing issues. Camps that do not meet the new standards will not be allowed to operate next summer 2026.
