Lostproofing: How to Prevent Your Child from Becoming Lost in the Woods

All too many times I hear of young children wandering away from their parents during a hike or camping trip and getting lost in the woods. Sometimes the story has a happy ending, but all too often it does not. There are a few simple things you can teach your child so that 1) they don't ever become lost in the woods in the first place, and 2) in the event that they do become lost in the woods, they will have a much better chance of surviving until they are found.

One common household item every child should take with them on an outing is a large garbage bag. Have them simply stick it in their back pocket. Believe it or not, a garbage bag can mean the difference between life and death if a person is lost in the woods overnight, even in mild temperatures. Most deaths of people lost in the woods are caused by hypothermia, a condition that often occurs at temperatures well above freezing.

A garbage bag has many uses. It can be used as a sleeping bag (stuff it with dead leaves for extra insulation) if you become lost in the woods. If you cut a hole in the top and the two sides, it can be used as a rain poncho, which helps to preserve body warmth. That single thing - a garbage bag - can save your child's life if they become lost in the woods. For that matter, it's a good idea for adults to stick a garbage bag in their back pockets or day packs, just in case they themselves become injured and immobile or lost in the woods.

Go over how to use the plastic bag before you take your child on a hike or camping. Make it a game, but also emphasize that it is to be used only in emergencies or if they become lost in the woods.

Another great thing to give your child on outings is a whistle. Whistles can be heard at longer distances, and anyway, a child's voice is often too small to hear. I know of one child who was calling out when he became lost, but he was next to a river, and his voice was lost in the noise. Again, explain to them that it is to be used only if they get lost in the woods. (This may be a little harder, because you know they are going to want to blow that whistle!)

To get some of that yearning to blow their whistle out of their system, you can play a "lost in the woods" game. Give them a few minutes to "hide" and pretend they're lost, then tell them to blow the whistle three times, wait, then three times again. Your job, of course, is to "find" them and praise them for doing the correct thing.

To prevent your child from becoming lost in the woods, what you really have to do is teach them to stay found. That means taking walks with them and pointing out distinctive trees, rocks, or other landmarks. Occasionally have them turn around and look back the way they came, because that is the way the trail will look on the way back. This will help prevent them from becoming lost in the woods in the first place.

After walking some distance, make a game and ask your child if he/she can lead you back to camp. If they have been paying attention, they will leap at the opportunity to "be in charge" and their self-confidence in the woods will grow as well. (The only drawback to this game is that they may try to find their way back to camp if they're lost in the woods, as opposed to staying put, which is what they are supposed to do. Explain the difference so they don't get confused as to what to do if they should get lost in the woods.)

The National Hug-A-Tree Foundation http://www.tbt.com/hugatree urges children to find a tree and stay put if they become lost in the woods. Tell them to find a tree that makes them feel good and stay there. It is much easier to find a child who stays in one spot, than having to track a child lost in the woods through rough terrain.

If the worst scenario happens and trackers are brought in to find your child who is lost in the woods, they will want to know a lot of things -- what was your child wearing, what kind of shoes did he/she have on, how old, what weight, and so on. If you have your child step on some aluminum foil before you go on an outing, you will have a "copy" of their footprint to show trackers - a very useful bit of information for trackers looking for a child lost in the woods.

Basically it boils down to these 4 things: 1) Teach your child woods "savvy"; 2) Take a foil print of their shoes whenever you go for a picnic or campout; 3) Have them carry a garbage bag and whistle any time they are away from camp, and be sure they know what to do with them; 4) Tell them to "stay put" if they ever get lost in the woods and blow three times periodically on their whistle or yell out.

A great book to get and read about teaching your child how to survive if they get lost in the woods through fun games is "Tom Brown's Field Guide to Nature and Survival for Children". You may have to order it, but it's well worth it. There are all kinds of fun activities in his book that will make both you and your child's experience in the outdoors not only safer but much more fun.

Whatever you do, go over with your child how to stay found and what to do should they become lost in the woods before you ever go hiking, picnicking, or camping. Then get out there and teach your child about the wonders of nature! Happy camping to all!

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