3 Missing Texas Girls Found Alive in a Hollow Tree 1 Mile From Camp — They Survived Nearly 10 Days Thanks to These 2 Things
In a story that has left both law enforcement and the nation in awe, three young girls from Texas were found alive nearly 10 days after disappearing from a summer camp in East Texas. Their incredible survival — despite being lost in dense woods and scorching heat — has been credited to two unlikely but crucial factors: their deep friendship and survival lessons taught during a nature workshop just days before they vanished.
The Disappearance
It started as an ordinary summer day at Pine Glen Wilderness Camp — a rustic camp known for immersing kids in the outdoors, far from phones, screens, and modern comforts. On July 18th, shortly after breakfast, campers and counselors realized that three girls — 10-year-old Riley Martinez, 11-year-old Zoe Franklin, and 9-year-old Hannah Cobb — were missing. A short walk to the camp’s creek had turned into something far more dangerous.
Search crews were dispatched immediately. Over the next few days, helicopters, K9 units, drones, and hundreds of volunteers combed through the dense forest. Hopes began to fade as temperatures soared and no trace of the girls was found beyond a few footprints.
The Breakthrough
On the morning of July 28th — 10 days after their disappearance — a search team noticed something strange: a pile of branches that looked too neatly arranged to be natural. Underneath, they discovered a hollowed-out tree trunk, partly hidden by brush. Inside, curled up and exhausted, were the three girls — alive, dehydrated, scratched, but miraculously unharmed.
When word reached the command center, some rescuers broke down in tears. “We thought we were looking for bodies at this point,” one sheriff admitted. “But instead, we found a miracle.”
Their Story of Survival
Once stabilized and rehydrated at a nearby hospital, the girls began sharing their incredible tale. After getting turned around on the creek path, they realized they were lost. Instead of panicking, they remembered something they had learned just two days prior: a wilderness safety talk from a guest instructor who had visited the camp.
“We were told if we get lost, we should stay together, find shelter, and make ourselves visible,” Riley said softly from her hospital bed.
The three huddled under trees for the first two nights, using their backpacks for pillows. By day three, they came across the massive hollow trunk of a fallen oak — just large enough to fit all three if they curled up. They dragged in leaves, moss, and sticks to insulate it.
That hollow tree became their refuge from the elements and the buzzing insects that seemed to multiply every day.
But it was the second factor — their bond — that made the biggest difference.
The Power of Friendship
“They never left each other’s side,” said Sheriff Dana Wilkes. “One of them had a twisted ankle. The others helped her move. They rotated nights staying awake to keep watch. They rationed snacks and reminded each other not to drink too much creek water.”
All three girls credited Zoe, the oldest, with taking the lead when things felt scary. She taught them how to make signals using branches in the shape of arrows, pointing toward their hideout — one of which ultimately led rescuers to them.
At one point, when their spirits were low and Riley started to cry, Hannah — the youngest — began singing a campfire song to lift the mood. “It’s funny,” she told reporters later, “but even when we were scared, we were still laughing sometimes.”
Community Response
As news of their rescue spread, social media exploded with messages of joy and relief. Hundreds gathered outside the hospital in nearby Jasper, Texas, holding signs that read, “Welcome Home, Girls” and “You Are Our Heroes.”
The girls’ parents, who had endured agonizing days filled with false leads and prayers, publicly thanked the search teams, volunteers, and the “power of love and hope.”
“This is what a miracle looks like,” said Clara Martinez, Riley’s mother. “Ten days ago, I thought I’d lost my baby. Today, I held her in my arms.”
Lessons Learned
While their survival was a triumph, officials are using the event to highlight gaps in camp safety. Pine Glen Wilderness Camp is now reviewing its protocols, ensuring all children carry emergency whistles, reflective vests, and GPS tags during hikes.
The instructor who gave the wilderness talk — a retired park ranger named Bill Taggert — has also become something of a local legend. “I just wanted to make sure the kids had some basic skills,” he said, choking up. “I never imagined they’d have to use them so soon — or so well.”
A Look Ahead
Though all three girls are expected to make full physical recoveries, doctors say they’ll receive counseling to address emotional trauma. For now, they’re surrounded by family, cuddling their pets, eating their favorite foods, and slowly returning to normal.
“They want pancakes, cartoons, and to never go camping again,” one dad joked.
Still, many are calling them heroes. A GoFundMe page set up to help cover their recovery expenses has already raised over $150,000 in just 48 hours.
Their story is being hailed as a testament to resilience, courage, and above all — the unshakable power of friendship. In the words of 11-year-old Zoe, when asked what kept them going:
“We just kept saying, ‘Don’t give up. They’ll find us. We’ve got each other.’”
