posted
That's weird that it took them four days to find him only five minutes away from where he was last seen.
Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
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posted
The Uintas are possibly the most amazing range of mountains in the world. However, it is super-easy to get lost there, especially for a youngster. An important part of the preparation for any trip to the area should include an explanation of what to do if you get separated from your group.
But boy, I wish I could go up there this summer.
Posts: 1652 | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
Well - he was about five MILES from where they centered their search. That isn't exactly five minutes when you are talking about wooded mountain areas. If they were being very thorough, it could take quite a bit of time to cover that sort of territory, and helicopters can't see much if there is a lot of vegetation.
FG (edit: this was in response to mph)
also - remember he was probably moving that entire time too. I doubt he sat down and waited for four days. If he kept moving, it made finding him harder.
Posts: 9538 | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
I think This story may have overlapped with the search. Which would be very worrying in an irreverently funny way.
Posts: 2010 | Registered: Apr 2003
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quote:An important part of the preparation for any trip to the area should include an explanation of what to do if you get separated from your group.
Heck, yes! And this boy is 11, a Scout from Utah? I'd assume he was in Cubs before this. He should have known what to do, and they should have re-emphasised it one more time before going out! By the time I was 3, I knew that if I was lost and separated from my family I should get to a safe, preferably visible place and stay there unless there was imminent danger!
I am sorry for what this kid and his family and friends went through, and I'm glad he's safe. But, really! Preparedness is a big part of any outdoor activity, especially Scouting, no matter what age you are, and part of that is knowing what to do in dangerous situations!
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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I also knew my colors and could count forward to 100 and backwards from 20 at age 16 months.
Did I mention that when I was 3, I also knew how to identify and stay away from poison oak in all seasons, and "helped" cook? I was planning and cooking full meals by age 11. Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Doesn't it stink, growing up and losing your prodigy status? If your family brags about you knowing how to count to 100 and naming your colors when you are in your 20's, no one acts impressed anymore.
But you are a Hatracker Par Excellance, and that counts for something.
posted
I gotta wonder why any scout didn't know how to "Make himself Big" and that he should "Hug a tree."
From what I can tell, this kid did everything wrong.
I don't blame the kid. The reason those two expressions were coined is that we know what kids do when they are lost: They wander, and find a place to shelter where no one can see them. Before going to a camp like that (or for indoctrination) they should have drilled that into his head.
I don't understand why the kid avoided the horses though.
Posts: 3735 | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
It did say he was delirious. Maybe he was caught up in some kind of half-dreaming state and thought they were after him.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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quote: I also knew my colors and could count forward to 100 and backwards from 20 at age 16 months.
Did I mention that when I was 3, I also knew how to identify and stay away from poison oak in all seasons, and "helped" cook? I was planning and cooking full meals by age 11.
By age 12, she had isolated herself from all of the stupid children (who were coincidentally all covered in poison oak because they couldn't count the leaves).
Posts: 1480 | Registered: Dec 2004
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posted
Interestingly enough, I am quite good at recognizing poison oak (even when there are no leaves in winter ), but I don't need that skill, at least for my own benefit. I am immune. So is my brother, and so is my dad; so was my grandfather. It seems to be a dominant trait.
Now, if only I wasn't allergic to grass...
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
"They said Brennan was taught to stay on the trail if he ever got lost and also not to talk to strangers, so "when an ATV or horse came by [searching for him] he got off the trail ... when they left, he got back on the trail."
Well, that answers that question.
Personally, I think "Don't talk to strangers" is dumb advice to start with. First, child molesters and kidnappers are usually trusted friends and family, not strangers.
And second, ignoring someone who says "Good morning" as you walk down the street is at the least somewhat rude, and at the most destroys general goodwill in the community.
There must be a better way. In this case, it could have cost the kid his life.
Posts: 3735 | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
I can't believe the news isn't pushing the "what could leaders do better so boys don't get lost in the Uintas" angle a little harder. Even the parents- I haven't heard a single person say they should have done something differently to prevent the whole thing. They sound like a couple of idiots blathering on about prayers being granted, the whole situation should have been prevented.
My office has Fox News blasting all day, so that's been on my mind since 7 this morning.
Posts: 377 | Registered: May 1999
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posted
While I was away from home, I read somewhere that the child is "socially challenged but not mentally challenged." I thought that was an odd thing to say. Has anyone else heard this? I forgot the source.
The story made it seem like he is borderline autistic. That could account for why he took some of the safety advice (don't talk to strangers) so literal in a survival situation where it is obvious that he should have responded to anyone from civilization.
Posts: 2445 | Registered: Oct 2004
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quote: Brennan did not want to talk much but after drinking some water and eating some food he expressed interest in a volunteer's cell phone video game...he didn't tell rescuers much except that he wanted to see his mother.
This also struck me as not normal. The boy probably has a disabilty, and out of respect for a kid who is trying to make it in the mainstream, folk are politely not mentioning it.
Posts: 10397 | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
That would explain some things, but brings up another question-- if he was borderline in his social function to begin with and gets lost easily, why did he not have a buddy who was supposed to stick with him, and could have alerted someone when he wandered off?
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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quote: "socially challenged but not mentally challenged."
I'll bet this would describe 90% of Hatrackers as children. Definitely would have described me. When I was 14, I got off the plane in the wrong city and didn't realize it for an hour and half. I did vaguely wonder where my mother was, but that was it. I was busy reading Plato's Republic at the time. Socially-challenged, but not mentally-challenged is a perfect description.
Considering my opinion of society in general then, I didn't really see this as a hardship. I would have rather gotten lost every once in a while than gotten an eating disorder and slept with my boyfriend in order to feel loved. There's a price to pay for buying into society when you're young and haven't solidified who you are yet.
I'm sure the kid is fine. Probably an eleven-year-old dork, but he's fine.
Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000
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posted
That doesn't change the fact that 11 year olds, especially ones who get lost easily and can't stay with the group, should have buddies anyway.
And I'm with you, Katie; I got locked in the library once because I was engrossed in a Lindsey Davis mystery and sitting under the lights that don't go out at night. My mom had to call the fire department next door (luckily, they had a key) to get me out. It does seem something more than just that kind of social challenge is going on with this kid, though.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Here is another quote I just read from USA Today.
quote: "It's going to take awhile to get everything out," said his father, who described Brennan as socially immature because he was born prematurely. Toby Hawkins said Brennan has "challenges" but no mental disability.
When they talk about "challenges," I don't think they are refering to gifted--like some Hatrackers. It sounds more like a euphamistic way to say he has some type of disability.
I know you can't judge a book by its cover, but I have a lot of experience working with youth who have mild to severe mental handicaps due to a host of factors-- like FAS, moms who does drugs while pregnant, and more mild problems caused by more minor biological conditions. The first time I saw his picture, he reminded me of so many kids (with less severe issues) I work with.
I think Tante Shvester was spot on when s/he said
quote: The boy probably has a disabilty, and out of respect for a kid who is trying to make it in the mainstream, folk are politely not mentioning it.
quote:I got locked in the library once because I was engrossed in a Lindsey Davis mystery and sitting under the lights that don't go out at night. My mom had to call the fire department next door (luckily, they had a key) to get me out. It does seem something more than just that kind of social challenge is going on with this kid, though.
This is hilarious, KQ. And not surprising at all.
Aw, that does sound like he does. Poor kid. Well, if they don't want to focus on it for his sake, then I won't. I'm glad they found him, and I won't add to the hooplah. *hooplah hands*
Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000
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), but I don't need that skill, at least for my own benefit. I am immune. So is my brother, and so is my dad; so was my grandfather. It seems to be a dominant trait.
