Lost in the Forest – Amazon Rainforest, Brazil

Climate: Hot, humid, with frequent rain.

Lucas was hiking in the Amazon rainforest when he got separated from his group. As night fell, he realized he needed a shelter to stay safe. He searched for large fallen branches and used them to build a simple lean-to against a sturdy tree. To protect himself from rain, Lucas gathered broad palm leaves and layered them over the branches as a makeshift roof.

For the ground, he spread smaller leaves and grass to avoid sleeping directly on the wet soil. He chose a spot near a large rock for added protection but far enough from rivers to avoid insects and predators. The shelter kept him dry and warm through the night until he reunited with his group the next morning.

• Time to Build: 2–3 hours (gathering materials and assembling a basic structure).
• Cost: Free – All materials were sourced from the forest.
• Local Materials: Yes – Fallen branches, palm leaves, and grass were all natural and locally available.

• Imagine you are lost in a forest. What would you use to build a shelter for the night?
  (Would you use branches, leaves, rocks, or other natural materials? How would you make it safe?)