New Details Revealed About the Nearly 2 Dozen Young Girls Confirmed Missing from Christian Camp After Devastating Texas Floods
July 11, 2025 | Central Texas
The tragic aftermath of the unprecedented flash floods in Central Texas continues to unfold, as officials confirm that nearly two dozen young girls remain missing after their Christian summer camp was overtaken by rapidly rising waters. What was meant to be a week of spiritual growth, bonfires, and friendship has turned into one of the most harrowing stories of the flood disaster that has devastated large parts of the Lone Star State.
A Summer of Faith Turned Nightmare
Camp Eden’s Promise, a Christian camp nestled in the rolling hills near Llano, Texas, has operated for over 40 years. Known for its wholesome programs and emphasis on spiritual development, it welcomed nearly 200 campers this summer, many between the ages of 9 and 14. But on July 8, the camp became the epicenter of heartbreak.
The rain had been falling for days, saturating the ground and swelling the nearby Llano River. Camp directors were monitoring the conditions but believed the location—elevated and surrounded by thick woods—would keep them safe. Unfortunately, a sudden release of water upstream combined with a series of cloudbursts created a devastating flash flood that struck with almost no warning.
Within minutes, floodwaters surged across the campgrounds just after 2:15 a.m., ripping through cabins, prayer tents, and trails. Screams and chaos filled the darkness as staff rushed to evacuate children, some of whom had been sleeping in lower cabins near the riverbank.
The Vanishing
As the sun rose, what remained was unrecognizable. Trees were uprooted, buildings flattened, and debris scattered over miles. Dozens of campers were rescued by first responders, some pulled from trees, others found clinging to rafters and debris. But 22 girls were unaccounted for.
As of Thursday evening, 14 have been officially identified as missing, with 8 others still being verified as search efforts continue. Authorities have not released the full list of names, but families have begun to come forward, begging for information and holding onto hope.
The Chilling Last Messages
Some of the missing girls managed to send text messages during the ordeal. One 13-year-old, Madison Wells, sent a text to her mother at 2:21 a.m.:
“We’re on the roof. It’s coming fast. Tell Dad I love him.”
That was the last time her phone was active.
Another camper, 10-year-old Chloe Ramirez, reportedly told a counselor she “heard the water talking” just moments before the cabin she was in disappeared downstream.
Parents who had been planning to pick their daughters up the following weekend were instead notified that the camp had gone into emergency evacuation mode — and then told their daughters were missing.
Heroic Efforts and Grim Discoveries
Camp counselor Lily Harper, just 19, is being hailed as a hero after she reportedly saved five girls by carrying them up a steep hill barefoot, guiding them to safety even as branches and debris crashed around them. She suffered a broken arm and multiple lacerations but has refused to leave the site, insisting on assisting the search teams.
“She wouldn’t leave until every last camper was accounted for,” said Sheriff Roy Hensley of Llano County. “She’s the kind of person who gave everything for those kids.”
Tragically, three bodies believed to be campers were recovered late Wednesday about three miles downstream. Autopsies are pending, and officials have yet to confirm identities out of respect for the families.
The Search Intensifies
The area surrounding the camp has become the center of a massive search and rescue operation. Over 250 emergency personnel, including FEMA, the National Guard, local volunteers, K-9 units, and drones, are working day and night. Helicopters hover overhead, scanning the riverbanks, while boats navigate the swollen waters below.
Governor Greg Abbott visited the site Thursday morning and promised full state support.
“We will not stop until every child is found. These families deserve answers, and we will do everything in our power to bring them home.”
Search teams face immense challenges — fast-moving water, tangled wreckage, and muddy terrain that has become nearly impassable in some areas. Still, hope remains. Several children have been found miles away from camp, alive and disoriented, some suffering from hypothermia or injuries.
Families in Agony
Outside the gates of Camp Eden’s Promise, dozens of parents and relatives have gathered, some clinging to photographs, others holding each other in silence. A few have set up makeshift memorials — candles, teddy bears, and handwritten prayers.
Melissa Carpenter, whose 11-year-old daughter Ava is among the missing, spoke through tears:
“She begged me to let her come to camp this year. She was so excited for the bonfire and the lake. I just want to hold her again.”
Families are being supported by crisis counselors, pastors, and trauma response teams from nearby churches and the Red Cross. Community members from surrounding towns have brought food, blankets, and support in a display of unity during tragedy.
A Camp’s Questionable Readiness?
As the investigation unfolds, questions are mounting about the camp’s emergency protocols. Some parents claim they were never informed of the worsening weather, and there are concerns that no formal evacuation plan had been established for flash flooding.
Camp director Marcus Renner gave a tearful statement on Wednesday:
“We did what we thought was best in the moment. We never imagined the water would come so quickly. We are devastated… these children are our children too.”
A state inquiry has been launched to determine whether negligence played a role in the disaster.
A Community on Its Knees
Churches across Texas have held prayer vigils for the missing girls. Social media is flooded with hashtags like #BringThemHome and #PrayForEden. Hundreds of thousands have shared photos of the girls, asking for any information that might help identify survivors or provide leads.
National attention is now focused on Central Texas. Celebrities, politicians, and faith leaders have weighed in, expressing condolences and calling for reforms in camp safety regulations.
Holding Onto Hope
For now, the families wait. Searchers push forward, and prayers rise from every corner of the country. One volunteer, a retired marine named David Holmes, summed it up best:
“We’re not giving up. Not today. Not until we bring every last one of them home.”
As the waters recede, the truth of what happened at Camp Eden’s Promise will slowly emerge. But for the parents, siblings, and friends of the missing girls, every hour is agony, every siren a spark of hope… or dread.
The world watches, waits, and prays.
