Before having a child, JD and I enjoyed heading to the mountains to hike through the state parks. They are absolutely gorgeous where we live and we have never been disappointed. I was even going on some trails when I was 20+ weeks pregnant. 
Last summer we headed to a friend's cabin in the mountains for a getaway. There was a lake right off the property and we headed down to take a short walk around it. Or maybe not. To the right, you will see what we encountered. I know it is only the stage we are in right now, therefore I have plans to try something new in the years that lie ahead.About 3 years ago a friend mentioned Letterboxing to me. She and her elementary aged son had recently gotten into it. In the last few months some other friends have mentioned their enjoyment of Letterboxing (see photo below of Three Ladies and a Bug {only two ladies shown}). The more they explained, the more intrigued I became. It is a treasure hunt!
How did Letterboxing get started? According to Letterboxing North America "letterboxing is said to have started in England in 1854 when a Dartmoor National Park guide, James Perrott of Chagford, left a bottle by Cranmere Pool with his calling card in it as an invitation to those who found the bottle to add theirs. Eventually, visitors began leaving a self-addressed post card or note in the jar, hoping for them to be returned by mail by the next visitor (thus the origin of the term “letterboxing;” “letterbox” is a British term for a mailbox). This practice ended in time, however, and the current custom of using rubber stamps and visitor’s log books came into use. It caught on in the US in 1998 after an article in Smithsonian magazine."
What is a letterbox? It is a waterproof container hidden in a publicly accessible place. Clues are placed online for others to hunt and find the letterbox. The containers hold a log book and stamp of the owner (often handmade).
How do I get started? First you will need to create your own "trail name" or identity. You will then need to gather your supplies: a stamp that is meaningful to you and/or your family (can be purchased or handmade), log book, stamp pad, and pen/pencil. Once you have gathered all these things you are ready to begin your letterboxing adventure.
Where do I find Letterboxes? Clues can be found here or here. Print off your clues and head out for a day of fun. It is a great way to get some exercise and fresh air as well as teaching your children how to follow specific directions. Not to mention to be in the beauty of our God's creation!
What do I do when I find a Letterbox? Once found, take the box a bit away from the hiding location. Letterboxing is a somewhat secretive game, so if someone asks what you are doing, be creative with your answer. Once opened, you will find, as previously mentioned, a log book and a stamp. There might also be a stamp pad. Open the box's log book and imprint your family's stamp into the book, writing your "trail name," hometown, and date found. Next, you will stamp the letterbox's stamp into your log book. You can include date found, name of the letterbox, and location. You can also journal your experience if you desire. Make sure you leave the box exactly as you found it. Remember, water damage is the biggest threat to the letterbox, therefore it must be sealed tightly (so recommendations are to put everything in a freezer bag before sealing it in the water tight container). Once home, you can go online and record that you found the box. How do I make my own? Once you have gotten the hang of finding, your family can set out to make your own letterbox. You will need a stamp, log book, and waterproof container. For very detailed instructions you can look here. Once your box is created, you will need to find a place to hide it. Detailed instructions on where to find it need to be entered into the Letterbox database on either of the letterboxing websites.
I cannot wait until LilE is old enough to go on a treasure hunt. Maybe in the fall she will enjoy an easy find. What I love about this is the promotion of family time! Make it a scheduled event...'once a month we find a letterbox', or whatever time frame fits with your family. I also love that it is very inexpensive. Around $10 for supplies for you to find the letterboxes, and about the same to create your own; plus gas, of course. You can't beat a morning of being in the beauty of nature, with family, for next to nothing out of your pocket!
Here are some helpful links if you would like more details than those previously mentioned:
This was originally posted at Today's Housewife on April 8, 2009.
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