Camp Mystic, a century-old Christian summer camp for girls located along the Guadalupe River in Texas, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization on Wednesday, nearly a year after a catastrophic flood killed 25 campers, two teenage counselors, and the camp’s owner, Richard Eastland. The filings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Houston list the camp’s debts at more than $10 million, with assets estimated between $100,000 and $500,000.

The flooding on July 4, 2025, was part of a broader disaster along the river that claimed at least 136 lives over several miles, prompting questions about the camp’s preparedness and emergency response. Families of the victims have filed multiple wrongful-death lawsuits, alleging negligence by camp operators, including failure to protect the children and insufficient evacuation plans.

Following months of court testimony and legislative investigations, state regulators identified nearly two dozen deficiencies in Camp Mystic’s emergency operations plan, notably in flood warnings and staff training. These findings were highlighted during hearings attended by victims’ families, who often wore “Heaven’s 27” pins in memory of the deceased. Testimonies described missed warning signs and decisions to keep campers in their cabins during the flood’s onset, with video evidence capturing the rising waters and cries for help.

Camp Mystic had initially planned to reopen for its 100th anniversary in summer 2026, with promises of improved safety measures including flood warning monitoring and two-way radios equipped with national weather alerts in each cabin. The camp invited journalists and lawmakers to review these upgrades and pledged to avoid low-lying areas severely affected by the flood during any activities. However, amid continued opposition from victims’ families and scrutiny from lawmakers, the camp reversed its reopening decision in April.

The Eastland family, involved in camp management through several entities, supported efforts to resume operations and emphasized the camp’s longstanding place in Texas families’ traditions. Nonetheless, the bankruptcy filing has triggered an automatic stay on all pending lawsuits, temporarily pausing legal actions tied to the floods. Legal experts note that while cases are on hold during bankruptcy proceedings, plaintiffs can petition the bankruptcy court to lift the stay and resume litigation, often leading to settlements.

Attorneys for Camp Mystic and the Eastland family did not respond to requests for comment. The camp is currently represented by a law firm based in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston. It remains unclear whether Camp Mystic will continue operating during the bankruptcy process or move toward liquidating assets to address its financial obligations.

Houston attorney Paul Yetter, representing multiple families who lost loved ones in the tragedy, stated that the bankruptcy filing does not absolve the camp of responsibility and emphasized the families’ pursuit of justice for the victims. Meanwhile, the broader community continues to grapple with the aftermath of one of the deadliest floods in Texas Hill Country history.