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Training CEMA SAR Team Offers Hug-a-Tree Program
One of the worst things for a child to experience is being lost. They are scared, often times alone, and without food and water. In 1981, the body of 9-year-old Jimmy Beveridge was found four days after he went missing. Jimmy was camping with his parents and brothers in California and he never made it back to camp. After his death a program was created to help teach children how to stay safe if they ever become lost and to give rescuers a better chance of finding them.
The Chatham Emergency Management Agency's Search and Rescue (SAR) Team is committed to reducing the number of children lost each year. SAR Team members are trained to teach the principles of the Hug-A-Tree program which is recognized by the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR). Countless lives have been saved since the program's inception in 1981.
The concept of the program is simple; if children become lost they are taught to hug a tree or a stationary object. Children are also taught what to do if they don't have food and water and what to do if they become scared or see animals. In 1984, four-year-old Eli became lost while on a walk with his mother in California. He was found after a 23-hour search. He had seen Hug-a-Tree four months earlier at his brother's Cub Scout pack meeting and his first words to his rescuers were, "What took you so long?"
You may be thinking here in Chatham County we don't have a lot of heavily wooded areas. Of course when you get away from the more populated areas, you'll see more trees; however, this program can help children who become lost in a busy shopping mall or downtown River Street. Three-year-old Andy was separated from his mother at a Michigan shopping mall in 1985. He was found by the store manager, who said Andy insisted on hugging a tree just outside the store. His brother, a first grader, had told him to hug a tree if he ever got lost. In 1988, two boys on a school field trip became separated from their group and when they realized they were lost, they sat down. One of the boys had a whistle with him and kept blowing it until the teacher found them.
The 30 minute program features a short video, educational demonstrations and a brief question and answer session. It is geared towards children ages five through 12. The program can be taught in schools, boy/girl scout meetings and church organizations. However, in an effort to conserve the resources of the SAR Team, we ask that the program be presented to a large group of students in a general assembly setting. If you have a special event, programs will be considered on a case by case basis.
If you are interested in bringing this program to your school, event or church, please contact Kelly Foster at the CEMA office at 912-201-4500. One of our highly trained SAR team members would love to talk with your children and teach them the simple skills on ways to stay safe if they are ever lost.
