It's unlikely an adult would get lost on Cedar Butte (except in the "Black Forest"). But it seems that every year several kids do get lost in the woods. And while I am not aware this has ever happened here, why be the first?

The best plan is to not get lost in the first place. Kids usually get lost when the run ahead of their slow and panting parents. Keep them in sight! If they go out of sight--call them back immediately!

But kids will run ahead--and keep going. By which time it is too late to explain the fine points of what to do. So it is very important to go over the following tips beforehand.

First, as above: stay together! Don't go out of sight of the rest of the group.

But as your kids get older they will want to range ahead, so a few more tips are necessary.

Second: stop at all trail junctions. Even if _you_ know which way to go, good old Dad might have a different idea. So stop, and wait for the others to catch up. Even if you know the "right" way to go--wait! Because you are more likely to get lost being "right" than staying together.

Third: stay on the trail! It is tempting to take a shortcut, especially when it is starting to get dark. But that is just when you are most likely to get lost. Don't do it!

(And please don't take shortcuts even when you can see exactly where they go. Especially do not "cut" switchbacks. Shortcutting damages the edge of the trail, and causes serious erosion problems. Don't do it. And explain to your kids why they shouldn't do it.)

(Cross-country hikes--going where there are _no trails_--can be fun. But do it with an experienced guide.)

Fourth: be aware of your route. As you go up the trail note various landmarks you pass, and the junctions ("opportunities for getting lost"), and which way you came from. Point these out to the kids. It's a good idea to turn around after you have passed a junction and look back, so that you will recognize the correct branch to take on the way back. (This is especially important if someone is hurt, and you have to explain to someone else how to get there.) Bringing a trail map is also good, but is not a substitute for having good route awareness.

(Even three-year old kids have some awareness of their route. Engage it by asking them which way to go.)

Fifth: be aware of your direction. It is quite disheartening (and tends to lead to cold, hungry nights in the woods) to pound a trail for a couple of hours, only to find yourself at the wrong end. This doesn't mean you need to know the finer points of using a compass. It can be as simple as knowing that, if you are returning from Cedar Butte to the Cedar Falls Trailhead at the end of the day, you should generally be headed towards the setting sun. (But you knew that because when you left the trailhead at lunch time you noticed you were generally headed nearly east.)

Sixth: if you have older kids, and are willing to let them run ahead or take an alternate route (teens, especially, do need to range), be sure you have a shared, clear understanding of where to meet.

Finally, give everyone whistles--good, loud whistles. (On a string, so they don't lose the whistle!) And tell them (and keeping asking them, until they can repeat it back) what to do if they get lost: stop! And start blowing the whistle. Generally, blow three long blasts, then wait and listen. Also very important: impress on the kids to NOT blow their whistles unless they are lost.

(By the way--if you are looking for someone that may be lost, or you want your kids to come back: blow two blasts.)

And that should keep you from losing any kids. Or losing your parents.