Hug-A-Tree: What To Do If You Get Lost in the Woods

A long time ago, search-and-rescue teams noticed something surprising: kids who stayed in ONE spot were found much faster than kids who kept walking around trying to find their own way out. So they made a simple plan for kids to remember, called Hug-a-Tree. It has just three steps.

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: - Say the three steps of the Hug-a-Tree plan in order - Explain why staying still helps searchers find you faster - Name two ways to signal for help

The moment you realize you can't see your family or your group, STOP walking. Do not try to find your own way back -- that's how kids end up more lost, farther from where searchers start looking. Instead, pick a tree nearby and go sit next to it. A tree is easy to spot, gives you something to lean on, and marks one clear spot for searchers to look for.

Searchers look for anything that doesn't belong in the forest. If you're wearing bright colors, stay out in the open near your tree instead of hiding under bushes. A whistle is better than shouting: three short blows can be heard much farther away than a voice, and it doesn't wear out your throat. Blow it three times, then stop and listen for an answer before blowing again.

While you wait by your tree, hugging it can help you feel calmer and gives you something solid to hold onto. If it's cold, wrap up in anything warm you're carrying, like a jacket, and try to keep dry. Search teams are trained to check likely spots first, like near trails and by trees, and they move fast once a search begins. Staying in one place is what lets that fast search work.