In the wake of the devastating floods at Camp Mystic in July 2025, which tragically claimed the lives of 27 young girls, the Texas Legislature moved to implement stricter safety measures for youth camps across the state. The resulting laws, House Bill 1 (the Youth Camper Act) and Senate Bill 1 (the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act), were authored by Sen. Charles Perry and Rep. Drew Darby. Both bills aim to enhance the safety of campers by establishing new rules regarding emergency preparedness, communication, and infrastructure.
Key Provisions of the Legislation
Among the most notable aspects of the new laws are requirements for:
Notification systems for emergencies
Comprehensive emergency plans
End-to-end fiber optic broadband internet, with a secondary service for redundancy
Prohibition of camp operations in designated floodplains
For many camps, meeting these requirements has presented financial and logistical challenges. Local camps have taken various steps to upgrade infrastructure, ensure compliance, and maintain a high standard of safety while managing costs.
Ceta Canyon: Investing in Real-Time Weather Monitoring
At Ceta Canyon, CEO Joe Alarcon emphasized the importance of real-time weather monitoring following the legislation. “So one of the very first things that we did was that we invested $25,000 into a weather station that is being installed at the top of the canyon,” Alarcon said. The camp also partnered with Pantex to install StrikeNet, a system that provides real-time weather data for the property.
Alarcon explained that the camp’s location in a canyon makes it difficult to monitor local weather conditions without specialized equipment. The new installations will allow staff to respond quickly to storms, tornadoes, or wildfires. “With that information, that helps us make better decisions. One, to keep campers safe. Two, not be a disruption but three, also increase the comfort level of parents that, hey, we’re keeping an eye on these things and we’re making appropriate responses,” he said.
Ceta Canyon is also investing in a public notification system using high-end commercial sirens, and AI-powered fire detection from Xcel Energy to monitor wildfire threats. The total budget for infrastructure upgrades at Ceta Canyon is approximately $385,000, reflecting the significant cost associated with meeting the new requirements.
Alarcon also noted the importance of community collaboration, including coordinating with the Office of Emergency Management, local law enforcement, the county judge, and the National Weather Service. As part of the new rules, the camp is labeling all cabins for easier identification during emergencies and sharing this information with external partners.
While Ceta Canyon already had end-to-end fiber, Alarcon highlighted that about 200 of the state’s 385 licensed camps do not, potentially impacting their ability to operate. The camp has also implemented software to enhance communication with parents and guardians, allowing push notifications and timely updates on camper safety.
Hidden Falls Ranch: Focusing on Staff Training and Transparency
Nearby Hidden Falls Ranch faced challenges with the unknowns in the final rules but did not need to install fiber, as it had been in place for a decade. Executive Director Blake Henderson highlighted that outdoor lighting, a public address system, and revised licensing fees were the primary financial considerations. Initially, the license fee was projected to be close to $10,000 annually but was revised to $5,500.
Henderson emphasized the importance of transparency with parents. “What does the camp do? How do they select their staff? How do they train them? What do they do in certain emergencies? Ask those hard questions. The camp should be transparent about that with them,” he said.
Staff and campers at Hidden Falls Ranch will undergo more extensive training, including a week-long intensive program covering emergency procedures, child safety awareness, and activity-specific protocols. Henderson stressed that keeping procedures simple ensures that high school and college-aged staff can remember them effectively.
Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains: Adjusting Camp Operations
At Camp Kiwanis, part of Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains, two units—the Ritz and Outpost—are located in a FEMA-designated floodplain and have been closed for overnight stays. CEO Becky Burton clarified that these areas remain open for day use. Property lead Dugan Holt explained that the legislation required updating infrastructure and emergency plans.
“One of the things that we have to do is conform to some of the physical infrastructure improvements to our camp, which is Stevens Ranch down on the Brazos River outside of Glen Rose,” Holt said. Improvements include installing a camp-wide PA system, nighttime lighting on evacuation routes, and enhancing the emergency action plan.
Holt emphasized that the organization already complies with multiple safety standards, including those from the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) and the American Camp Association. The new legislation primarily necessitates documenting and submitting these measures for state approval before a youth camp license can be issued.
High Plains Retreat Center: Coordinating with Visiting Groups
High Plains Retreat Center (HPRC) serves as a venue for various groups and adheres to the same legislative standards. Executive Director Torie Groomer explained that the camp maintains evacuation plans posted in cabins and is working to improve safety measures, including installing a public address system.
Groomer noted that collaboration with visiting groups is key. “They come with their own sponsors, their own, you know, adult or teen leaders. So we kind of have to partner with them. We’re trying to figure out a great game plan for that,” she said. The camp also benefits from pre-installed fiber connectivity, facilitating communication and emergency response.
Groomer emphasized balancing risk and preparedness: “It’s just one of those things like everything we do has a bit of a risk, and you just have to trust that for us, I trust the Lord that he’s got it under control when I send my kids places. But also, you want to make sure the facility is doing their best. So that’s what we’re doing.”
Scouts BSA: Existing Standards Complement New Legislation
The local council for Scouts BSA, formerly Boy Scouts, noted that most requirements in the Youth Camper Act and Heaven’s 27 Act are already met under Scouting America’s National Camp Accreditation Program (NCAP). Scout Executive Brian Tobler said, “At that time, we will evaluate any necessary safety enhancements needed to be in compliance with the bill. Our number one priority will continue to be ensuring the safety of our campers.”
Looking Ahead
The passage of these laws underscores a broader shift in prioritizing camper safety across Texas. While the legislation has introduced financial and logistical challenges for camps, it has also provided opportunities to enhance emergency preparedness, infrastructure, and parent communication.
For parents and guardians, the message from local camps is clear: ask questions, review safety plans, and ensure familiarity with emergency procedures. Camps have also emphasized the importance of ongoing training for staff and collaboration with local authorities to keep children safe during recreational activities.
