COLORADO COUNTY, Texas — Orr Family Ministries has closed and sold Camp Oak Haven in Colorado County after state youth camp regulations increased licensing requirements and costs, preventing the organization from meeting compliance standards, officials said.
The camp, which served about 100 children from rural and low-income communities between Houston and San Antonio, will not reopen this summer.
Camp officials said the organization sold the 12-acre property in 2026 after determining it could not comply with new state requirements imposed on licensed youth camps. The camp had operated on the site since 2022 after nearly two decades of relocating between temporary camping locations.
Camp Oak Haven provided summer programming that included religious activities, recreation, and youth development services. Organizers said the camp had hosted church groups and community programs until its closure announcement in March.
State lawmakers enacted the regulations following deadly flooding events in Texas Hill Country and subsequent safety concerns tied to youth camps. The rules expanded licensing requirements for camps, including upgraded emergency warning systems, infrastructure requirements such as broadband connectivity, and increased annual licensing fees.
Camp administrators said the requirement for fiber-optic internet service contributed significantly to the closure. They said providers informed them the rural location made installation infeasible. Other camp operators in Texas have reported similar challenges, according to industry groups.
The Texas Department of State Health Services, which oversees camp licensing, increased annual fees for youth camps under a revised structure that raises costs based on camper capacity. Camp operators said the new fee system, combined with compliance costs, has placed additional financial pressure on nonprofit and rural camps.
Cynthia Royal, board president of Orr Family Ministries, said the organization also faced broader compliance demands. “We had church groups coming, and we had to give back deposits,” she said. “I don’t know where those kids will go.”
Royal said the organization sold the property and redirected some proceeds to help other camps meet licensing requirements. She said smaller rural communities will lose access to nearby camp programs.
The closure comes as camp operators across Texas adjust operations to comply with new rules. State records and industry estimates indicate that dozens of previously listed camps no longer appear on updated licensing rosters, although the state does not track how many closures resulted directly from regulatory changes.
Some camp operators have reduced programming or modified activities to avoid being classified as licensed youth camps. Under state rules, facilities that offer certain specialized activities, such as archery or horseback riding, must meet additional licensing standards.
Urban and suburban camp operators have also reported challenges. Multi-site organizations said the increased per-location licensing fees have raised operational costs, particularly for programs serving low-income families.
Mike McDonell, president of a Houston-based camp operator, said some requirements were designed for overnight rural camps but also apply to day camps. “The problem is that the state attempted to create safety rules for one situation and applied them to all camps,” he said.
Camp directors and advocacy groups have also raised concerns about infrastructure requirements, including emergency planning standards and facility modifications that they say are difficult to implement in older or urban sites.
A group of 19 Texas camp operators filed a lawsuit challenging certain provisions, including broadband-related requirements. The Texas Department of State Health Services later reached an agreement allowing camps to qualify if they maintain at least two forms of internet access instead of fiber-optic service. Camp Oak Haven officials said the change came after they had already completed the sale of the property.
Despite the partial regulatory adjustment, operators said other cost increases remain in place, including higher licensing fees and inspection requirements. Some camps have warned that continued financial pressure could lead to additional closures ahead of future licensing cycles.
Families who previously used Camp Oak Haven said the closure reduces access to affordable summer programming in rural areas. Some parents said they are now seeking alternatives in neighboring states or scaling back summer camp participation due to cost and distance.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has not released a full accounting of camps that have closed since the regulatory changes took effect. State officials said 316 camps currently hold active licenses, while dozens of applications remain under review for upcoming summer operations.
