Why would he need to go into the woods to "hide" from a scout leader? He wandered right after lunch time when the entire group - the ones who went on the hike from which Michael stayed behind and who had returned from the hike, plus Michael and the scout leader who had stayed behind as well - had come together for the noon meal. He was surrounded by everyone who was on the campout.
I just think there is more to this story. I have spent a lot of time in the woods and mountains. If this kid was only a 1/2 mile from the camp site, which makes sense because they said it was rugged terrain; how could 70 plus searchers swarming that area calling out for this boy and the boy not respond? Maybe the boy did not want to be found or maybe he was scared. Something is just not right.