Advocacy
New Camp Safety Legislation (Texas)
The Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act (SB1) and Youth CAMPER Act (HB1) became law in Texas on September 5, 2025 - a historic step toward making summer camps in Texas safer for all children. This legislation was inspired by “Heaven’s 27,” the 25 campers and 2 counselors who lost their lives in the Camp Mystic floods on July 4, 2025. In their deepest grief, a coalition of “Heaven’s 27” parents decided to turn their pain into purpose. It was the voices and courage of these families, and the loving memory of their children, that created the momentum for necessary and much-needed change. The shining light of these 27 young lives lost now guides our ongoing advocacy for new summer camp regulations and safety standards in Texas and beyond.
We've created a guide and FAQ on Texas' summer camp safety legislation.
Legislation to Prioritize Camp Safety
Summer camps are strongest when safety standards are mandated, clearly defined, and aligned with proven best practices. However, most states either do not require camps to be licensed or have standards far lower than those required for other youth-serving organizations, such as schools and childcare centers, to operate.
The Campaign for Camp Safety supports common-sense legislation, regulation and safety protocols for camps, including:
Prevention
Move structures away from flood plains or hazardous areas.
Detection
Require camps to maintain a 24/7 monitoring of alerts and adequate notification systems for emergency situations.
Training
Establish additional standards for evacuation plans and require emergency drills for campers and staff.
Response
Require emergency management to formally trigger a campsite response.
Safe Summers,
Coast to Coast
The work that began in Texas with the passage of The Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act and Youth CAMPER Act is just the beginning. Our goal is for every child to enjoy a safe and joyful experience at summer camp. Join the movement, and help us take this mission nationwide!
Join Us
Stay up to date on our progress and discover how you can help create safer summer camps in your state.
Donate to the
Advocacy Fund
Support our efforts to pass common-sense camp safety laws so that children and staff are safe at all summer camps across the United States. Our current priorities are to:
Advocate for state-by-state and federal policy changes that strengthen safeguards at day and residential youth camps in the U.S.
Raise awareness, educate and engage people and their communities to activate around camp safety legislation in the areas of Prevention, Detection, Training, and Response.
If you would like to donate by check or have any questions, please contact us.
Contributions to Campaign for Camp Safety Advocacy are not deductible as charitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes.
Other ways to support:
Donate to the Heaven’s 27 Fund: This Fund is hosted by the San Antonio Area Foundation and pools donations to be distributed equally to all of the “Heaven’s 27” girls’ respective memorial funds (as established by the individual families to honor each daughter’s unique legacy).
Support The Campaign for Camp Safety: A 501(c)3, tax-deductible fund supporting the dissemination and implementation of best safety practices.