The poor kid must have not spent much time in the woods. It is hard to not reach civilization if you have any hiking and backpacking experience. Sorry, but it just is.
Yep...If you find a stream, just follow it down...It will lead to where people are...
Even then, a 12 year old would not likely have that kind of experience.
I grew up in Northern New England. There is really only one place where you can get REALLY lost…and that is if you get turned around in Northwest Maine.
Everywhere else, if you know how to walk in a straight line, you will cross a road in 5-10 miles. Of course, the inability to walk a straight line might cause you to get lost in the first place. ha ha.