Most Squamish kids grow up with quite an extensive knowledge of the surrounding forest and outdoors in general.
Nonetheless, there are always situations where they need a little more expertise, and Squamish Search and Rescue (SAR) is working hard to ensure just that.
The AdventureSmart program concept, which focuses on how to avoid and how to cope with getting lost in the wilderness, has been circulating Squamish elementary schools for about 20 years.
The program was officially adopted in B.C. in 1995 and became known as the AdventureSmart RCMP program. SAR volunteers run the program in Squamish and last year they presented to 1,174 kids in the district.
"It's really just common sense but good to teach kids the main rules at a young age," said SAR volunteer Al Modin. "Prevention is essential. For every $300 spent saving someone, less than $1 is spent on public education. It's just so proactive cost and safety wise to provide these programs."
Hug a Tree and Survive is the first program taught and Modin and other SAR volunteers make it fun for kids from kindergarten through Grade 6. It originated in San Diego, California following the tragic death of a nine-year-old boy who became lost.
Modin and the volunteers spend an hour teaching classes the simple rules and get them to try out the strategies.
"We teach them how not to get lost and what to do if they unfortunately do," said Modin.
The volunteers take footprints, let the kids try out their bright orange shelter bags and give them whistles, a colouring book and a certificate when the mini-course is completed.
Hug a Tree and Survive is only the first in a three course series and their certificate has room for all three program completion stickers.
Hug a Tree and Survive has four main rules: always tell an adult where you're going and when you'll be back, if you get lost hug a tree and stay in the same place, and stay warm and dry and help the searchers find you.
Modin said by following these four main rules, any search should be short and successful.
The second program, Snow Safety, teaches the kids about outdoor and backcountry safety in the winter months, and the final sticker for Be A Survivor is an online educational game.
The programs also include a pamphlet for the parents.
"It's important stuff, " said Modin. "So often when you ask a kid what they learned in school today the response is 'nothing.' This way parents can see what they learned and maybe reiterate some of the points."
On the other hand, said Squamish Emergency Program co-ordinator Jim Lang, there are some cases where the kids become the ambassadors to some extent.
"When heading out they might say to Mom and Dad, 'Where's your whistle?'" said Lang.
Modin said the kids are very sharp and always come up with new questions - the most common being whether the presenters have ever been lost. Lang said he always admits he's been lost on a few occasions.
With all the new tracking devices such as cell phones, Blackberrys and radios, there's been a dramatic shift in the way rescue searches are carried out over the past few years, said Lang. There was even an incident eight years ago when Lang was able to rescue a lost hiker without leaving the house.
"The guy was lost up on Machiter Trail, he called and I was able to direct him out of there with a map in front of me," said Lang.
Lang said dependence on devices has led some to take fewer precautions, and the prevention programs reiterate basic skills and preventative measures.
"You should always be prepared when you hit the trails," he said, "whether it's for one hour or the whole day, you never know what can happen."
Modin said the number one goal is keep kids from getting lost, but "if there is a search, we want it to be short and successful."
SAR also has a program for ages 13 to 100 called Survive Outside educating people how to prepare for outdoor hikes and other recreational activities. They present on Friday nights at the Alice Lake amphitheatre and specific dates will be announced shortly.
All the programs are free and to book a presentation contact Jim Lang at [email protected] or visit their website www.adventuresmart.ca for more information.
