November 27, 2025 – Texas regulators have proposed dramatic hikes to summer camp licensing fees — increases that could reach as much as 4,000% — sparking concern among camp operators that many longtime youth and overnight camps might be forced to shut down. Under current law, the initial license fee for a residential youth camp — like an overnight summer camp — is $750, with annual renewals ranging from $103 to $464 depending on the camp’s size. Under the new proposal filed by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), that initial fee would soar to as high as $21,000 for very large...