Letterboxing

Letterboxing is an outdoor hobby that combines elements of treasure hunting, art, and navigation. Participants seek out hidden boxes in public places by following clues and using maps or compasses. Each box contains a logbook and a rubber stamp. Finders stamp their personal logbook with the box’s stamp and leave their stamp in the box’s logbook.

Benefits

  • Enhances navigational skills and map reading.
  • Encourages physical activity and outdoor exploration.
  • Stimulates creativity through the creation of stamps and clues.
  • Promotes problem-solving and critical thinking.

Resources

  • Atlas Quest (atlasquest.com): A comprehensive resource for finding letterboxes and clues.
  • The Letterboxer’s Companion” by Randy Hall: A guidebook available on Amazon that covers the basics of letterboxing, including how to start and etiquette.
  • YouTube: Search for letterboxing tutorials for beginners to get visual guides on how to start.

Best Age to Start

Letterboxing is suitable for all ages, but children aged 6 and above will particularly enjoy the adventure and be able to participate actively in the navigation.

Equipment and Materials Needed

  • Rubber stamp: $5-$20
  • Ink pad: $2-$10
  • Logbook: $1-$15
  • Compass (optional): $10-$50
  • Total initial cost: $18-$95
  • Weekly/monthly cost: Minimal to none, mainly transportation to different letterboxing sites.
  • Membership fees: Free, although donations to websites like Atlas Quest are appreciated.

Starting Tips

  1. Visit Atlas Quest or another letterboxing website to understand the basics and find your first clue.
  2. Create a unique stamp and logbook for your letterboxing identity.
  3. Start with easily accessible boxes to gain confidence.
  4. Respect nature and the letterboxing community by following the “Leave No Trace” principles and not disturbing the hidden box locations.

Recommended Frequency

Engage in letterboxing 1-2 times a month to gradually improve your skills and explore new locations. The frequency can increase based on interest and availability of new boxes.

Requirements/Tasks for Mastery

  • Find and log at least 100 letterboxes.
  • Hide and maintain at least 5 letterboxes of your own, with creative clues and stamps.
  • Participate in letterboxing community events or forums.

Most Famous People Known to Do This Activity

Letterboxing does not typically have “famous” participants in the traditional sense, as it is a community-oriented activity with anonymity being a common aspect. However, creators of popular and well-crafted letterboxes gain recognition within the community.

Letterboxing is an enriching activity that combines the thrill of treasure hunting with the joys of outdoor adventure and creative expression. It is accessible to enthusiasts of all ages and provides a unique way to explore the world around them.

 

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