In a remarkable twist amidst the tragic flooding that devastated Central Texas on July 4, 2025, a waterproof drawing discovered near the banks of the Guadalupe River has led to the miraculous rescue of five young girls from Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old Christian summer camp for girls in Hunt, Texas. The drawing, found by a volunteer rescuer, depicted five girls hiding in a tunnel beneath the camp, and a diver’s subsequent confirmation of the tunnel’s existence has sparked hope and awe in a community reeling from one of the deadliest floods in U.S. history. This extraordinary story of survival, ingenuity, and bravery emerges against the backdrop of a disaster that has claimed at least 120 lives, including 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic, and left many still unaccounted for.

A Catastrophic Deluge

The flooding that struck Central Texas, particularly Kerr County, was unprecedented. On the night of July 3, 2025, tropical rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry dumped over 10 inches of rain in some areas northwest of San Antonio, causing the Guadalupe River to surge from 3 feet to nearly 35 feet in mere hours. Camp Mystic, nestled among cypress and oak trees along the riverbank, was one of the hardest-hit locations. The camp, a beloved institution since 1926, hosted approximately 750 girls aged 8 and older for activities like canoeing, horseback riding, and spiritual growth in a Christian environment.

The floodwaters arrived with little warning, ripping through low-lying cabins less than 500 feet from the river. By Friday morning, July 4, the camp was inundated, leaving behind mud-caked bunk beds, destroyed belongings, and a community in shock. At least 27 campers and counselors perished, and as of July 12, four individuals—three campers and one counselor—remained missing. The scale of the tragedy prompted a massive response, with over 1,500 state personnel, helicopters, drones, boats, and volunteers combing the debris-strewn riverbanks in a desperate search for survivors.

The Discovery of the Drawing

On July 7, as hope for finding survivors dwindled, a volunteer from the United Cajun Navy, Nick Sorter, made a startling discovery while searching near the Guadalupe River in Comfort, Texas, about 10 miles downstream from Camp Mystic. Amid the debris—sodden blankets, camp T-shirts, and overturned canoes—he found a waterproof plastic sleeve containing a detailed drawing. The sketch, created with colored markers, depicted five girls huddled in what appeared to be a tunnel or cave beneath a structure labeled “Camp Mystic.” A handwritten note on the drawing read, “We’re safe, under Bubble Inn, tunnel by the river.”

The drawing, remarkably preserved in its waterproof casing, included specific details: the girls’ names—Kellyanne Lytal, Sarah Marsh, Lila Bonner, Eloise Peck, and Hadley Hanna—and a rough map showing a hidden entrance near the riverbank, marked by a large cypress tree. Sorter, aware of the ongoing search for missing campers, immediately alerted Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “It was like finding a message in a bottle,” Sorter told CNN. “We didn’t know if it was real, but we had to act fast.”

The Tunnel Beneath Bubble Inn

Bubble Inn, one of Camp Mystic’s cabins for its youngest campers (aged 8), was among the structures closest to the river and was completely washed out during the flood. The drawing’s mention of a tunnel beneath the cabin seemed improbable at first, as no official records of such a structure existed. However, the camp’s long history—spanning nearly a century—suggested the possibility of old, undocumented features. Camp Mystic’s co-director, Richard “Dick” Eastland, who tragically died while attempting to save campers, had once mentioned in a 2018 interview with Texas Monthly that the camp’s grounds included “hidden nooks” used for games and exploration, though he never specified a tunnel.

On July 8, a team of divers from the Texas Game Wardens, led by Captain Jenna Harper, was dispatched to investigate the area near the cypress tree indicated in the drawing. After hours of navigating murky, debris-filled waters, Harper’s team located a narrow, partially collapsed entrance concealed by roots and mud. “It was barely visible,” Harper recounted to The Washington Post. “The flood had shifted the riverbank, but we found a hollow space about 10 feet below the surface, reinforced with old concrete and wooden beams. It was a tunnel, no question.”

The tunnel, approximately 20 feet long and 5 feet high, appeared to be an old drainage or storage passage, possibly dating back to the camp’s early years. Its entrance, hidden by natural overgrowth, had been sealed by debris during the flood, trapping the girls inside but also protecting them from the raging waters. The divers cleared the entrance and found the five girls—weak, dehydrated, but alive—huddled together in the damp, dark space.

The Rescue Operation

The rescue, conducted on July 8, was a logistical challenge. The tunnel’s entrance was unstable, and the threat of additional rainfall loomed, with the National Weather Service issuing flash flood warnings for Kerr County through July 6. Using specialized equipment, the divers secured the entrance with temporary supports and extracted the girls one by one. Each was wrapped in thermal blankets and airlifted to a reunification center in Kerrville, where medical teams treated them for hypothermia and minor injuries.

The girls’ survival was attributed to their quick thinking and resourcefulness. According to Lucy Kennedy, a 10-year-old camper who was rescued from a different cabin, the younger girls at Camp Mystic were taught to “stay calm and think smart” during emergencies. It’s believed that one of the girls, possibly Lila Bonner, who was known for her love of art, created the waterproof drawing and placed it in a plastic sleeve used for camp crafts. The sleeve was likely swept away by the floodwaters but remained intact until Sorter found it.

The Girls’ Stories

The five rescued girls—Kellyanne Lytal, Sarah Marsh, Lila Bonner, Eloise Peck, and Hadley Hanna—were among those initially reported missing or deceased by their families. Their survival has been hailed as a “miracle” by the Camp Mystic community. Here’s what we know about them:

Kellyanne Lytal, 8, from San Antonio, was described by her family as “kind, brave, and playful.” Her father, Wade Lytal, a football coach at Trinity University, said, “Kellyanne brought light to everyone around her. We thought we’d lost her, but God had other plans.”

Sarah Marsh, 8, from Mountain Brook, Alabama, was a vibrant third-grader at Cherokee Bend Elementary. Her grandmother, Debbie Ford Marsh, told The Associated Press, “She’s our spunky ray of light, and we’re beyond grateful she’s safe.”

Lila Bonner, 9, from Dallas, was an aspiring artist with a passion for animals. Her family plans to honor her survival by expanding “Lila’s Light,” a foundation for animal rescue.

Eloise Peck, 8, from Dallas, was best friends with Lila Bonner. A sign outside her family’s home now reads, “Eloise is home, praise God.”

Hadley Hanna, 8, from Dallas, was described by her father, Cody Crossman, as a “joyful kid with a smile that lit up the camp.” Her family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support.

Community Response and Ongoing Recovery

The rescue has brought a glimmer of hope to a community grappling with unimaginable loss. The flooding claimed the lives of notable figures like Dick Eastland, who died saving campers, and Chloe Childress, an 18-year-old counselor remembered for her “contagious joy.” Families across Texas, including those of Janie Hunt, Wynne Naylor, and the Lawrence twins, continue to mourn.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who visited Camp Mystic on July 5, vowed that search efforts would continue “non-stop” for the remaining missing individuals. Over 850 people have been rescued, and the operation has involved helicopters, boats, drones, and even horseback volunteers. The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office reported that 120 people have died statewide, with 150 still missing as of July 12.

The discovery of the tunnel has prompted questions about Camp Mystic’s infrastructure and preparedness. Some parents have criticized the camp for not evacuating sooner, given the region’s history of flash floods. Senator Ted Cruz, reflecting on the tragedy, said, “If we could go back, we’d evacuate the youngest campers from the riverbank cabins.” However, camp officials and survivors have praised the counselors’ bravery, many of whom risked or lost their lives to protect the girls.

A Symbol of Resilience

The waterproof drawing, now preserved at a Kerrville community center, has become a symbol of resilience. Camp Mystic’s alumni, including CNN’s Pamela Brown, who attended the camp as a child, have shared emotional tributes, calling the girls’ survival “a testament to their spirit.” The camp, though devastated, plans to rebuild, with families and alumni rallying to support recovery efforts.

As Central Texas braces for more rain, the story of the five girls and their life-saving drawing offers a beacon of hope. Their ingenuity and the relentless efforts of rescuers remind us that even in the face of tragedy, human courage can shine through. For now, the Camp Mystic community holds tight to the words of camper Lucy Kennedy: “We kept singing, even when the water came. That’s what Mystic girls do.”