Letterboxing for Fun and Adventure
I discovered letterboxing some years ago on a Boy Scout outing. We were always looking for ways to making hiking more fun for the boys. One of the moms suggested letterboxing and we found ourselves at Silver Creek Falls State Park on a treasure hunt.
Letterboxes are usually some sort of plastic box, one that is weather proof. They are hidden in various locations in parks, forests and cities around the world. Check out the website Atlas Quest to find locations. On the website, you will find a “treasure map”. This map will give directions on how to find the box. You will get directions such as:
go south 1.2 miles or
move 30 paces forward, then turn right or
turn right at the big moss covered boulder or
some are clever. I found one that was done in bunny hops!
So what is the treasure that you find in the box? A rubber stamp and a notebook. If you are really into letterboxing, you will have your own stamp and journal. When you find a treasure, you exchange. You put your stamp in the treasure notebook and write something short about yourself. In turn you put their stamp in your notebook and record where you found it. Sort of like a passport of letterboxes.
There are thousands of these letterboxes all around the world. At Silver Creek Falls there are 11, though some have been lost. The website will let you know if the box is active or not and when the last sighting was. Letterboxing is a great way to introduce someone to the wonderful world of hiking or it can be a fabulous hobby. Check out the website and see what treasure you can find!
November 24th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Your post about rubber stamps is so informative. I really have fun. I will follow your blog and put this to my favorites.