There are vast patches of woods in the US that do not have any readily available landmarks or defining features to use as a marker. Using a compass takes some experience. I find city slickers lost in the outback around here once or twice a year. Even with a real smartphone GPS feature - no map preloaded and out of cell range.
My daughter and I drove to Death Valley in my 4 wheel drive truck several years ago. We were miles off the pavement. I stopped and turned off the truck and opened the windows.
I turned to my daughter and said, “you understand why I brought the water, tent, compass and radio?”
I think that was the fastest “prep before you go out” lesson I could have taught her.