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Hug-a-Tree and Survive
Hug-A-Tree and Survive is a great program to bring into your family, classroom, guide or scout unit, youth group, or any other community group interested in teaching kids about being safe.
If a child should become lost in the woods, hugging a tree can help them stay safe, and be found. Staying near a tree offers some protection from the elements, and keeps lost children in the same place, which makes it easier for searchers to find them.
![Artboard 1HugATree](https://www.adventuresmart.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Artboard-1HugATree.png)
The Hug-a-Tree Rules
- Tell an adult where you are going.
Always tell your parents, or another trusted adult where you are going, who you are going with, and when you will be back. You can do this in person, over the phone, through a text message, or by leaving a note in a place they will see it.
- If you are lost, “Hug-A-Tree” and stay put.
A tree can help protect you from the elements while you’re outdoors, and most importantly, keep you in one place. Depending on where you are, there may not always be a tree. Perhaps your “tree” can be a large rock or bench at a park, or a sales counter at a mall. No matter what your landmark is, it is important to stay put, in order to stay safe.
- KEEP WARM AND DRY
Temperatures change throughout the day, and can drop at night. Even if you are warm during the day, keep your jacket handy for night time. If you get cold, put on an extra layer, pull up your hood or put on your hat if you have one, tuck your shirt in, tuck pant legs into your socks, and zip up your jacket. You can also keep warm by building a nest to keep you off the ground, or by using an emergency shelter.
- Help searchers find you by answering their calls.
Whether searchers are parents, police officers, or SAR volunteers, remember they just want to get you home safely. Answer back to their calls by making noise and signaling, so you can be heard and seen. Make sure to leave lots of footprints and clues, so searchers can follow your tracks to find you.
The Hug-a-Tree and Survive Presentation
The Hug-a-Tree and Survive presentation is aimed at children aged 5–11, and can be delivered by any interested adult—including parents, teachers, and guide or scout leaders—using the Presenting Hug-A-Tree guide. Alternatively, when available, trained AdventureSmart presenters are able to present the program to groups. To request a presentation click here.
Hug-A-Tree and Survive was developed in the United States following the search for Jimmy Beveridge in 1981, and was first adapted for Canadian use by the RCMP. It was updated by the National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS) and the SAR Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) in 2015 with new videos and activities to support program delivery.
Register as an Outdoor Educator
*In order to become an Outdoor Educator with AdventureSmart, individuals need to be associated with an organization and must receive presenter training prior to registering.
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The Hug-a-Tree and Survive Video
RESOURCES
Click here to download the kids’ colouring book
Click here to get the crossword puzzle
Click here to get the word search game
Click here to get the true/false game
Click here to get the origami game
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