Summer camps licensed by Texas, required to post emergency plans

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Frantic calls from parents are being answered at summer camps across central Texas. One camp told KXAN investigators parents are calling and checking on their kids and asking about emergency plans in place. 

The recent flooding tragedy at Camp Mystic in Kerr County has highlighted disaster plans for summer camps which are finding ways to remain open this week since some are along rivers and lakes. 

One camp in the Hill Country said in anticipation of flooding, staff moved campers from four cabins to higher ground. But luckily, they didn’t have any impact. Right now, they are keeping campers out of a nearby lake as a precaution. 

The camps KXAN investigators reached out either didn’t respond or were reluctant to share emergency plans.

The Texas Department of State Health Services said to KXAN investigators youth camps are required to have disaster plans in place. As of last year, DSHS issued 376 licenses to youth camps. A DSHS spokesperson said the state does not maintain copies of youth camp emergency plans, but they’re required to post plans clearly in every building. 

“DSHS reviews the camp’s emergency plans onsite during their annual inspection for the correct elements listed in the Texas Administrative Code,” said a DSHS spokesperson. 

The spokesperson added that written plans are required to include disasters including flooding and tornadoes, and procedures for emergency shelter and for evacuation of each occupied building. 

The Texas Administrative Code states camps should have emergency phones available in the first aid area, for emergency use, but there is no mention of emergency radios in case of weather impacts to phone services. Additionally, campers must be instructed as to their actions in the event of a disaster or need to evacuate. Also, camp staff and volunteers must be made aware of procedures during trainings and briefings. 

“We found the requirement in our records going back at least 15 years but aren’t aware of it being connected to a specific situation,” said the DSHS spokesperson when asked how long the state has required camps to post emergency plans.

The state does track compliance and disciplinary actions against youth camps. According to DSHS, there have been three disciplinary actions against youth camps since 2023, but there’s not a lot of information about the violations other than failure to preclude camp staff with criminal convictions or deferred adjudication and not properly maintaining a swimming pool. 

The state has established a Youth Camp Advisory committee with several camping professionals. KXAN investigators have asked the state and several committee members about possible changes to emergency plans after the recent floods but as of this report has not received a response.