KERR COUNTY, TEXAS — The Texas Department of State Health Services has given Camp Mystic 45 days to correct deficiencies in its emergency plan before the state will consider renewing the license to reopen its Cypress Lake location this summer. The camp is applying to reopen Cypress Lake for its 100th anniversary.

A letter from DSHS identified 22 categories in Camp Mystic's emergency plan as missing, insufficient, or incomplete. The letter said the plan does not identify specific staff responsible for maintaining and operating the emergency warning system, including backup personnel, and does not identify staff responsible for monitoring the weather-alert radio system.

The letter said Camp Mystic must include a map showing where cabins are in relation to the floodplain and revise its natural disaster and evacuation plans. It also said the plan does not include a process for providing emergency plans to parents and guardians.

A review of the deficiency letter found multiple areas out of compliance, including missing or incomplete maps, unclear staff roles during emergencies, and a lack of detailed procedures for calling 911 and communicating during a crisis. The state also cited shortcomings in the emergency plan's provisions for campers with disabilities or other access and functional needs.

A DSHS spokesperson said most youth camps received similar deficiency notices for their emergency plans. At the beginning of April, 116 camps submitted emergency plans to the state as part of the licensing process.

Twenty-five campers and two counselors died at Camp Mystic's Guadalupe location during the July 4 floods. The camp's director, Richard "Dick" Eastland, also died during the floods. The body of camper Cile Steward has not been recovered, and the Texas Rangers are part of the mission to find her.

Earlier this month, the Texas Rangers joined the DSHS investigation into allegations of neglect during the floods. The Rangers confirmed they were at Camp Mystic on Thursday as part of the ongoing investigation. DSHS said the agency has received hundreds of complaints regarding the camp's operations last summer.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick wrote to DSHS Commissioner Jennifer Shuford urging the agency not to renew Camp Mystic's license during what he called a "criminal investigation." Camp Mystic is facing several lawsuits from victims' families. Families of several young victims are suing DSHS, saying it should not have licensed the camp because it did not have an evacuation plan in place.