The Definitive Answer: How Many Campers Were At Camp Mystic, And What Is The New 2026 Capacity?

The question of "how many campers were at Camp Mystic" does not have a single, static answer, but rather a set of figures that reveal the camp's true scale and its dramatic evolution following recent, tragic events. As of the most recent public reporting and planning for the future, the camp's capacity for a full, traditional session was estimated to be around 750 children, including both campers and counselors. This figure represents the substantial enrollment size of one of the most storied Christian summer camps in the Texas Hill Country, a number that has now been significantly altered as Camp Mystic implements a new, smaller-scale structure for its highly anticipated 2026 reopening.

This article, updated for December 2025, breaks down the historical attendance figures, the specific session sizes, and the newly announced enrollment structure for the 2026 summer season. The camp, which has been a haven for generations of young women, is moving forward with an enhanced focus on safety and a shift to shorter, more intimate sessions, which directly impacts the total number of campers on its 725-acre campus at any given time. Understanding the different session types—from the long-standing First Term and Second Term to the new 10-day formats—is key to grasping the full scope of Camp Mystic’s enrollment.

Camp Mystic Enrollment: The Historical Capacity vs. New Session Sizes

For nearly a century, Camp Mystic for Girls, situated on the banks of the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas, operated with a substantial enrollment that catered to the demand from families across the state and beyond. The most widely reported figure for the camp’s full capacity comes from the tragic context of the July 2025 flash floods. During that devastating event, reports indicated that Camp Mystic was hosting 750 children, a number that included both campers and counselors, underscoring the enormous scale of its operation.

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However, the camp’s schedule was traditionally divided into three distinct summer terms, each with its own specific enrollment profile:

• First Term & Second Term (The Long Terms): These were the traditional, full-length sessions, historically running for approximately four weeks each. These two terms would account for the majority of the camp's annual enrollment.
• Third Term (The Short Term): This session was typically a shorter, two-week term. The camp's own FAQ for its Cypress Lake program, which is often associated with the shorter sessions, projected an enrollment of 150–200 campers each session. This figure provides a clearer picture of the smaller, individual session sizes outside of the main, four-week terms.

The Shift to Smaller, Safer 2026 Sessions

In a major and necessary shift, Camp Mystic announced a comprehensive reopening plan for 2026 that completely restructures its summer schedule. This change directly results in a lower per-session camper count, prioritizing safety and a more manageable environment. The camp is moving away from the long, four-week terms and will instead offer a series of shorter sessions.

The new 2026 summer will feature six separate 10-day sessions, beginning on May 30 and ending on August 9. While an official, specific enrollment capacity for each of these new 10-day sessions has not been publicly confirmed, the move itself suggests a deliberate reduction from the historical numbers. Given the previous 150–200 camper projection for the two-week Third Term, it is highly probable that the new 10-day sessions will maintain or even slightly reduce this lower enrollment figure to ensure the highest level of safety and counselor-to-camper ratio.

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Understanding Camp Mystic's Topical Authority and Legacy

The significance of Camp Mystic extends far beyond just its enrollment numbers. Established in 1926 by University of Texas coach E.J. "Doc" Stewart, the camp has been a cornerstone of the Texas Hill Country summer camp experience for nearly a century. Its legacy is intertwined with that of its brother camp, Camp Stewart for Boys, located nearby. The tradition, which includes activities from horseback riding and swimming in the Guadalupe River to tennis and gymnastics, has created a powerful community, often referred to as a "haven" for generations of Texas's elite.

The camp's dedication to its community and its non-denominational Christian values are central to its identity. The campus, which spans 725-acres in unincorporated Kerr County, Texas, is divided into various areas, including "Senior Hill" for older girls and cabins along the riverbanks for the youngest campers. The camp's structure also includes a dedicated program for older girls, known as "Aides," who are typically 10th and 11th graders in the Third Term or 11th graders in the First and Second Terms, further adding to the total number of young people on the property.

Key Entities and Terms Related to Camp Mystic Enrollment

To fully grasp the context of Camp Mystic’s operations and its enrollment figures, it’s important to understand the following related entities and terms:

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• Guadalupe River: The geographical feature central to the camp, its activities, and the source of the recent tragic flooding.
• Camp Stewart for Boys: The long-standing brother camp, also located in the Hunt, Texas area, which shares a similar legacy and history with Camp Mystic.
• First Term & Second Term: The traditional four-week summer sessions that historically accounted for the largest volume of campers.
• Third Term / Cypress Lake: The shorter, two-week session that served as a more condensed camp experience, with a lower projected enrollment of 150-200 campers.
• Aides: The older, high school-aged campers (10th and 11th graders) who serve in a leadership/assistant capacity during the terms.
• Hunt, Texas: The small, unincorporated community in Kerr County where the camp is located.
• 10-Day Sessions: The new, six-part session structure implemented for the 2026 reopening, a direct response to enhanced safety protocols.

The Enrollment Future: Waitlists and Enhanced Safety

Despite the devastating events of 2025, the demand for Camp Mystic remains exceptionally high. Reports indicate that families are already securing spots and celebrating getting off the waitlist for the new 2026 sessions, demonstrating the camp's enduring legacy and the community’s desire for its continuation.

The new 2026 enrollment plan is inextricably linked to enhanced safety measures. The decision to move to six separate 10-day sessions, rather than the three longer terms, is part of a broader safety overhaul. This includes improvements to power backup and capacity, indicating a full-scale effort to mitigate future risks and ensure the well-being of every camper. While the specific, officially published number for the new 10-day session enrollment is not yet public, the entire structure is designed to be more contained and manageable. Therefore, the new answer to "how many campers were at Camp Mystic" is likely a figure significantly lower than the historical 750, likely falling in the 150–200 camper range per session, but spread across six different sessions throughout the summer.

The camp's commitment to reopening with a focus on safety and tradition ensures that while the total number of campers per session may be smaller, the spirit of Camp Mystic—a place of joy, growth, and community—will continue for generations to come.