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"what was the cost of that 3 day fiasco?, it almost cost a kid his life for something that was easily avoided)"

Not having access to the full spectrum of cable TV as you do, I need to be filled in more on ths I'm sure... but wasn't it mentioned earlier that the kid simply wandered off? And at that, couldn't find the path that lead him to that very campsite?

As an Eagle Scout, I can appreciate what you say very well. But as you pointed out- Those serious about scouting can get their hands on it. This kid seems very much NOT serious about it, which was the problem in the first place. All the technology in the world can't stop a 12 year old from doing the wrong thing once in a while.

If he had the GPS available, who's to say he would have paid enouh attention at his proposed badge workshop to properly use the GPS? Again, he couldn't even back track to a highway. A map can do that for 5 bucks.

I knew a kid who was so highspeed, he hiked out a slab of steak with some dry ice in his pack simply to have steak 3 days out in the hike. So people can do that.

I knew another who never went on a hiking trip with his brother, despire them both being in our troop. This was later revealed to me because their parents could only afford one ruck and sleeping bag. The rest of the essentials, they usually borrowed in secret.

Some people can afford to do as you say. Some people care enough. But not everybody is going to. Nor would I expect them to. Scoutng is for those who are fit for it. (Just like the military it models itself after.)

How much would it have cost that kid (or how much danger would he have been in) if he had simply volunteered to stay wit his group? Keeping in mind- he left them. He didnt fall behind. He didnt fall down a ravine while filling a sump hole. He left. Period.

It also just kind of feels unnatural to bring electronics out like that. A flare gun would have been cheaper than anything you've mentioned so far. And he would have been found MUCH faster. Or a reflective blanket. Or building a small fire. Or using any number of techniques his field book could have walked him through (even his own, selfish goal).

you have a good point on this kid

I already suggested the flare kit(I offshored fished for 30 years) to friends and family but putting a flair into a kids backpack might
be a bit dangerous, I'd sure carry one, a helicopter would see it easily

signal fire next to a stream is another easy way but I believe for the first day or so he didn't want to be found

the more I hear about him the more I think he should never have been hiking with a scout troop

I heard today he heard people in the woods and ignored them because he wanted to hike home

if that's the case his backyard is as far away from home he should camp out because he has serious mental problems

it put his scouts in danger as well as the hundred or so searchers

big difference between wanting to be found and doing what you were trained to do and not caring one way or another