Letterboxing - A Fun Outdoor Activity for the Whole Family!
Does the condition of the economy have you hunting for a free activities to savor being a family? If so, you must give letterboxing an attempt. Letterboxing combines treasure hunting, puzzle solving, and a amount of 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 really a container holding a logbook along with a rubber stamp. The container is hidden, usually in a wooded location, and clues are distributed to help others locate it. Letterboxes can be hidden in city or state parks along trails.
Each letterbox participant has their particular 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 use the stamp that has been inside the letterbox to imprint their unique logbook like a record of their journeys.
Letterbox clues can range from an easy task to complex. Some clues need you to work with a compass. Other times the clue uses landmarks to direct you to the letterbox. You may have to solve a puzzle to figure out in which the letterbox is located. Clues may be hidden in the poem, coded in Morse code, or even hidden inside a word puzzle. You will quickly discover there is no end on the creativity.
Choosing a Letterboxing Trail Name
To get going letterboxing, you will first have to think of a trail name. You may want to choose something represents you or a thing that is imperative that you you. Get creative using your trail name! Coming up with the perfect nickname may be a lot of fun. You can even decide to possess a different trail term for every a relative.
What does one should start with letterboxing?
To begin, you are going to need a signature rubber stamp to mark the logs, a logbook to record your finds, a stamp pad, and a pen. You can either purchase a rubber stamp or carve your own. Your logbook can be as simple like a small spiral bound notebook. If designer letter boxes are artistic, you may make your individual logbook using scrapbooking supplies.
It can be a good idea to use a small backpack or fanny pack to transport your letterboxing necessities. You can also will include a few basic medical supplies in your pack such as band-aids, pain reliever, and first aid cream. A small bottle of hand sanitizer as well as a bag of baby wipes will also be a great addition in your pack. Tweezers are a fantastic inclusion if you are going to become letterboxing within an area which includes ticks. Be sure to bring a snack and water bottles for anyone if it is a long hike.
Where are you finding the letterboxing clues?
There are two main websites where you can find clues - Atlas Quest and Letterboxing North America. Both sites allow one to search by location, therefore it is readily available letterboxes which can be nearby. To search on Letterboxing North America, click either clues or seek out boxes. The clues link brings up a clickable map that can be used to navigate to the exact area you wish to visit. The seek out boxes link will allow one to narrow your search by city or other criteria. I prefer to make use of the map since it has got the letterboxes grouped by county. To search on Atlas Quest, use their search box about the right side of the home page. You can also choose the simple search link from your top menu. Atlas Quest will return all letterboxes within a specified distance through the location you search.
Letterboxing allows you to explore places you'd probably haven't ever known existed, sometimes in your individual hometown! As an added bonus, you will get to savor the oxygen and acquire a little little exercise. Letterboxing can be an inexpensive activity that's great fun for the complete family.