A SURVIVAL challenge course for kids recently highlights the alarming fact that around eight children a year are reported lost in the Forest every year.

"Although they have always been found safe and well they have sometimes spent long periods of time lost and frightened while valuable minutes have been lost searching for them," say the organisers.

Police fitness instructor Shane Wood and park rangers put the children through a survival situation staged at Beechenhurst Lodge, which included building themselves a shelter.

All the children were also given a whistle, which is an invaluable aid for guiding searchers to someone lost.

Shane said he also hoped the survival challenge would whet their appetites for more country pursuits as well as teaching valuable life skills.

"We neglect rural life sometimes and there are young people in the Forest involved in drugs – if you can get them involved in other activities such as camping and fishing, then that's got to be good for everyone."