A few years ago I read about a Boy Scout who was swept downstream after falling out of a raft. He was wearing a PFD and made his way to shore to be found a couple days later. Where he was found had been searched. He said a guy came by on a horse shouting his name but since he was a stranger, the boy hid.
I teach my trail life kids that if they are lost and someone comes by shouting their name. It’s ok.
You’re doing the right thing. Even though there are some very sassy, grown up sounding kids these days who could ‘out-draw’ us in phone use readiness, some children still do listen to exactly what we say, and take it quite literally.