I just noticed your location as NY - hello fellow NY resident!

NY DEC, which includes the NY forest rangers, has suggestions on what to take on a hike suitable for this area.

It's the "hiking safety" page, with a link to a PDF document called "lost in the woods", which is about how to prepare yourself not to be lost, what to take with you, and what to do if you are lost. Link:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28708.html