Almost a year after the deadly flash flood on the Guadalupe River that killed more than two dozen campers and staff, Camp Mystic has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the Southern District of Texas.
The summer girls’ camp in Hunt and its three affiliated entities list assets of between $1 million and $10 million against liabilities that range from $10 million to $50 million, according to Southern District of Texas court documents filed Wednesday.
The case has been assigned to Bankruptcy Judge Christopher M. Lopez. First-day documents were filed by Martin Sosland, a Dallas partner with Vartabedian Katz Hester & Haynes. Jeff Prostok, Emily Chou, Suzanne Rosen and Lynda Lankford of Vartabedian were also listed.
Funds are estimated to be available for distribution to unsecured creditors, according to documents, but a list of creditors wasn’t yet available. The case will be designated as a complex bankruptcy, given the debt and the large number of creditors, claimants and ongoing litigation involved.
The Chapter 11 filing today follows a handful of wrongful-death and negligence lawsuits filed by families of the victims, alleging Camp Mystic failed to provide proper flood safety and emergency planning. The filing will pause civil litigation against the camp, as complex and contested matters get handled as adversary proceedings in the bankruptcy case. Camp Mystic is defended by nationally prominent plaintiff’s lawyer Mikal Watts.
Earlier this year, the camp had plans to reopen for the 2026 summer season. But after backlash from victims’ families and lawmakers (and with investigations and lawsuits still active) the owners reversed course and kept the camp closed, then moved ahead with the bankruptcy filing instead.
Camp Mystic litigation timeline
2025
Aug. 12 — The family of Jada Floyd, who died in the flooding, files a lawsuit in Kerr County district court against The Davis Companies, an RV park
Oct. 13 — Nationally prominent plaintiff’s lawyer Mikal Watts announceshe will take on his first defense case, representing Camp Mystic and its owners. Watt said he reached the decision after a three-month investigation. “There is no jury in America that will hold Camp Mystic responsible,” he said.
Nov. 10 — The families of seven Camp Mystic campers and two counselors who died in the July 4 flood file three separate lawsuits in Travis County district court against Camp Mystic and the family that runs it. A fourth lawsuit, on behalf of the families of six victims, was also filed against Camp Mystic the same day. Yetter Coleman, Arnold & Itkin, The Lanier Firm, Howry Breen & Herman, Tefteller Law and The Armstrong Firm are representing the plaintiffs.
Nov. 13 — The Travis County lawsuits are amended to add as plaintiffs the parents of five other daughters who died in the flood, bringing the total number of families suing Camp Mystic to 20.
Dec. 12 — Camp Mystic and the other defendants in the Travis County lawsuits file motions in each of the four cases asking the court to transfer venue to Kerr County.
2026
Feb. 23 — The parents of nine Camp Mystic campers and counselors who died file suitagainst six Texas Department of State Health Services officials, alleging violations of their daughters’ constitutional rights to life and bodily integrity. The same day, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urged the department not to renew the camp’s license until a thorough investigation is completed and necessary changes are made. “It would be naive to allow Camp Mystic to return to normal operations before all of the facts are known,” he wrote.
March 4 — The Travis County district judge overseeing the lawsuits against Camp Mystic there enters an injunction barring Camp Mystic from demolishing, repairing or reconstructing certain cabins, finding those actions could destroy evidence needed in the litigation. The judge declined to prevent Camp Mystic from reopening its neighboring Cypress Lake campsite.
March 24 — Camp Mystic and the other defendants in the Travis County lawsuits file a motion asking the court to compel arbitration and stay the civil case.
June 24 — Camp Mystic and its related entities file for bankruptcy protection in the Southern District of Texas.