MAPS Group

Washington, DC: Elizabeth Hargrave and Matt Cohen authors of The Natural Capital blog. Matt also provides wild edible classes through Matt's Habitats.

Chanterelles are a choice culinary mushroom prized by chefs around the world. And they grow in Washington, DC [and the Mid-Atlantic region].

The most common chanterelle species in our area, Cantharellus cibarius, generally comes up in July; we've already found several this year. They are golden yellow to yellow-orange (but not pumpkin orange). The gills on the underside of the cap are very distinctive because they continue down the stem, and are not very deep -- it's almost like the mushroom has wrinkles, rather than the gills you'd see on a typical gilled mushroom. The smell is also distinctive -- sweet and fruity, like apricots (some guidebooks also suggest rose and pumpkin).

Too much frustration often results in a child refusing to do an activity again. Know the child's attention span and tolerance for frustration. A little bit of frustration accompanied by discussion, thinking, and resulting success can be a real growth experience.

I have heard that many MAPS kids have thought about moving to the wild wooded areas to live the WILD life... doing what they have learned in all the nature camps and MAPS Meets they have been attended.

As you know, your parents are funny about this kind of thing (the running away part) so I thought I'd send you a copy of a letter I sent a few years back to a couple of MAPS kids who want to do just that.

The names have been changed, but you can put yours in the Dear so-and-so block. But, I am now sharing my secret with you all.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Education/Indian Village Manager, Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum. Fire in the tradition bark lodges of the Eastern woodland indian were necessary for warmth, light to work by and cooking. It is the hearth by which the people gathered to share the day's events and socialize. If the fire was not prepared correctly and smoked excessively no one would want to be near it or in the lodge. You would have to understand the details to making an inside fire work for you rather than against you.

Using the traditional bark lodges in the Indian village at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum we have learned a few of these necessary lessons about bark lodge fires.

FREDERICKSBURG, Virginia (WUSA channel 9 News, Feb 2010)

"I would say it doesn't hurt to be prepared," says Tim MacWelch from his Fredericksburg, Virginia house.

MacWelch is founder of Earth Connection, a school of wilderness survival.  His line of work helps him plan for the worst--including in the home, if disaster strikes.

"I've got a small camping stove I can use to cook on if we lose power," MacWelch shows 9NEWS NOW.

His house is equipped with the essentials for power outages--lots of flashlights and batteries.  MacWelch is also ready for the loss of water.

"I've got enough water for my family for 3 days. Plus I also have some water purification tables in case I need to purify even more drinking water and I have a water purification pump."

He also has a battery operated smoke detector and all-purpose fire extinguisher.  Not to mention plenty of non-perishable foods to last a family of four for 2 weeks.

"Having some household preparations can give you some comfort. You know you are provided for at least a little bit of time," says MacWelch.

Earth Connection Video Emergency Preparedness Tips