Kids learn how to survive if lost in the wild

Should a child ever find himself lost in the wilderness, the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District and Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue is guaranteed to be there.

Recently, fourth graders at Incline Elementary School and Lake Tahoe School got a crash course in Winter Wilderness Survival, a program known as "Hug-a-Tree and Survive."

"The kids really like the program," said Tia Rancourt, director of communication for the NLTFPD." It's really educational and informative. They get to go outside and perform what they learn in the lecture indoors."

The agenda starts with an indoor assembly reviewing how to dress properly, food and fuel and the "3 W's" (Where am I going, who am I going with, when will I be back?).

Rancourt said the kids enjoyed the demonstration of what to bring and, when they answered correctly, the demonstrators would pull the items out of their pockets.

Things like healthy snacks, a flashlight and Chapstick along with a garbage bag that could be used as a rain slicker, something to sit on, a signal or a temporary shelter were all shared with the students.

The wilderness learners then ventured outside to practice their newly acquired skills in three winter awareness stations each covering a different topic.

The first station was the "S.T.O.P" station, which taught the kids a memorable acronym for important things to do if they're ever lost: Stop, Think, Observe and Plan.

At the second station, kids learned how to build a shelter with materials such as branches, the surrounding trees and rocks.

The children were taught to make themselves big and obvious, use a whistle to get attention and make an "x" in the snow with skis or rocks and branches.

"We think they're at an age where they're old enough to grasp the concepts we teach," Rancourt said. "They absorb the information and hopefully they'll go home and share with their parents and siblings."

More on the program

The "Hug A Tree" & Survive" Program was started in San Diego, California after a search for a nine-year old boy who died in the local mountains. In March of 1981, just one month following the unsuccessful search a group of people that were involved in the search, put together an assembly program for children on how not to get lost, how to stay comfortable and how to be spotted and found.

Targeted to teach children ages 5 Š 12 years of age, this program is specifically designed for their level of understanding and with respect to them as persons.

The Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue Team has been teaching Winter Wilderness Survival since 1976 and collaborating with North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District since 1996. Families living in the wilderness areas, such as Lake Tahoe need to know this important information. Whether hiking, camping or playing in the snow it only takes a minute to get lost, become disoriented and suddenly be in a situation that requires you to know basic outdoor survival skills Š winter or summertime. The "Hug A Tree & Survive" Program has been well received across the United States and other countries, noting documented saves in areas where the programs is available and taught. For more information on this life saving program log onto www.tahoenordicsar.com.