Camping can be a great way to spend a weekend, or a few weeks. The feel of the wind in your hair, the sense of nature all around you, and the beautiful scenery everywhere you look. While spending a few days communing with nature can be a great experience, finding yourself lost in the woods might not be the great experience you were looking for. If you do find yourself lost while on a camping trip, there are a few things you can do.
The first thing to do if you find yourself lost on a camping trip is to remain as calm as possible. It might seem difficult, but you need to stay calm. Take a few deep breaths, and sit down wherever you are until you regain your composure. If you continue to feel panicky, that panic can slowly begin to take you over. This can prevent you from making clear and rational decisions, and also prevent you from focusing on your surroundings. In a panicky state you may just miss that landmark that will get you back on the right trail.
The next thing you can do is to sit down and take a long look at your surroundings. You should take a long look around and see if anything looks familiar. The woods can be a frightening place, and if you are feeling upset or frustrated you may not realize that you are still on a designated path or trail. If you have a map, look for any landmarks that might be labeled on the map. This can include streams or rivers, which will point you in the right direction.
If you're lost in the woods and you have a map, you may be able to find your way out by finding a stream or river shown on the map. Most likely if you find yourself lost on your camping trip, you will not have a map. In that situation you still need to find your way to a water source. Water flows downhill and will typically lead to a trail, or lead you out of the woods.
The last thing to do if you get lost during a camping trip is to stay in one place after dark. When night falls the woods come alive, and there are several species of animals that hunt after dark. You will also find it difficult if not impossible to walk through the woods at night. There are far too many dangers in nature at night beyond the wild animals. You can easily misjudge where you're walking, fall down, and seriously injure yourself. As soon as it turns dark, or you have trouble seeing, sit down and stay in one place until the sun rises.
The most important thing you can do if you find yourself lost during a camping trip is to stay calm and do not panic. If you maintain your composure and avoid panicking, you are far more likely to find your way in a timely manner.
