Does the state of the economy maybe you have hunting for a free activities to savor as being a family? If so, you must give letterboxing an attempt. Letterboxing combines treasure hunting, puzzle solving, and a little art into an fun-filled activity that can be enjoyed by people of any age.

What is Letterboxing?

At the most basic level, a letterbox is a container holding a logbook and a rubber stamp. The container is hidden, usually in a very wooded location, and clues are distributed to assist others locate it. Letterboxes are normally hidden in city or state parks along trails.

Each letterbox participant has their own signature stamp, either purchased or hand-carved. Participants use their signature stamp to mark the letterbox logbook and prove they think it is. They then utilize the stamp that’s inside the letterbox to imprint their unique logbook as a record of these journeys.

Letterbox clues can vary from simple to complex. Some clues ask you to work with a compass. Other times the clue uses landmarks to direct one to the letterbox. You may have to solve a puzzle to understand in which the letterbox is found. Clues may be hidden in a poem, developed in Morse code, or even hidden inside a word puzzle. You will quickly discover there isn’t any end on the creativity.

Choosing a Letterboxing Trail Name

To start letterboxing, you are going to first need to create a trail name. You may want to choose something represents you or something is vital that you you. Get creative with your trail name! Coming up with an ideal nickname could be a large amount of fun. You can even tend to use a different trail reputation for every member of your family.

What would you should start with letterboxing?

To begin, you may need a signature rubber stamp to mark the logs, a logbook to record your finds, a stamp pad, and a pen. You can either get a rubber stamp or carve your own. Your logbook could be as simple as being a small spiral bound notebook. If you are artistic, you can create your individual logbook using scrapbooking supplies.

It is really a good idea to work with a small backpack or fanny pack to carry your letterboxing necessities. You can also include a few basic first aid supplies in your pack such as band-aids, pain reliever, and first-aid cream. A small bottle of hand sanitizer along with a bag of baby wipes are also an excellent addition for your pack. Tweezers are a great inclusion if you are going to become letterboxing in a area containing ticks. Be sure to bring a snack and water bottles for everybody if it would have been a long hike.

Where are you finding the letterboxing clues?

There are two main websites and you’ll discover clues – Atlas Quest and Letterboxing North America. Both sites allow you to search by location, so it will be readily available letterboxes which can be nearby. To search on Letterboxing North America, select either clues or hunt for boxes. The clues link will bring up a clickable map used to navigate for the exact area you wish to visit. The look for boxes link will allow that you narrow your research by city or other criteria. I prefer to make use of the map mainly because it has got the letterboxes grouped by county. To search on Atlas Quest, use their search box about the right side of the house page. You can also find the simple search link in the top menu. letter box designs will return all letterboxes inside a specified distance in the location you search.

Letterboxing allows you to explore places you would have not known existed, sometimes in your personal hometown! As an added bonus, you get to take pleasure from the fresh air and have a little little bit of exercise. Letterboxing can be an inexpensive activity that is great fun for the complete family.