Letterboxing/Geocaching - anyone do this?

Kim · **Letterboxing/Geocaching - anyone do this?**

They sound like a fun, frugal way to entertain your family. Does anyone do this or know of anyone who does?

KathrynHannah · 03-04-2008, 09:26 AM

We do but with friends (they have the GPS). It's great fun especially with school age kids. (3+). They love the adventure. We do cashe in trash out events where we find a treasure but take in garbage bags and clean up parks at the same time. Lots of families participate. It's fun and free.

marrobinson · 03-04-2008, 11:42 AM

We have done letterboxing and our cousins do geocacheing (hmm, spelling!). It is a great adventure -- a very fun way to spend an afternoon. There are websites with directions. Several years ago, Family Fun had a great article about letterboxing. That's how we got started! You can even hide your own letterboxes!

Marlene

ChickyHip · 03-04-2008, 12:45 PM

I have a friend who loves geocacheing. She even meets other people doing it while she is out doing it. I have wanted to look into it, but haven't yet.

lyricandariasmom · 03-04-2008, 12:50 PM

What is Geocashing/Letterboxing?

SCMomOfTwo · 03-04-2008, 01:26 PM

Dh takes our dd's Geocaching with his handy-dandy GPS (a Father's Day gift), and they really like it - especially in the forest or around the beaches. It's fun to explore. In fact, one year, my youngest dd requested a "Geocaching Birthday Party," so we set up the party at a campsite, and hid chocolate coins before guests arrived. Then, we gave every child a little compass, grouped them up with an adult "guide" who had typed up directions, and set them on their way. Much like a treasure hunt. It was a hit!

Lancelotacres · 03-04-2008, 04:56 PM

To previous poster who asked about letterboxing/geocaching...it's like a treasure hunt. Geocaching needs a GPS, but letterboxing needs nothing high-tech...just clues from the website.

With letterboxing, you make a little 'box' (we use a rubbermaid container) with a small notebook, a pen, an ink pad, and a rubber stamp of your choice. Then you hunt down a 'letterbox'...a box hidden with the same items.

Once you find the letterbox, you use the stamp in the letterbox to stamp a page in your notebook and write the date, location, etc. Then you use your stamp to stamp a page in their notebook and write a little note...who you are, the date, etc. Then you leave their box hidden where you found it for the next person.

I think the website is letterboxing.org or letterbox.org, but I'm not sure right now. You should be able to google it. You just type in your location and they'll give you directions and clues to find letterboxes near you.

I was amazed at how many letterboxes were hidden within 30 miles of us. We are very rural

We only just started (we've found two) before the winter weather hit. We are looking forward to it this summer. A very fun way to spend family time together. Very inexpensive too, if you stick to local ones. We plan to look up letterboxes near where we vacation this summer, so we can find some 'out of town' ones too.

mamaflemming · 03-04-2008, 08:54 PM

Interesting! I had never heard of this but may have to try it. I found a few local ones too!

Kim · 03-09-2008, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancelotacres

I think the website is letterboxing.org or letterbox.org, but I'm not sure right now. You should be able to google it. You just type in your location and they'll give you directions and clues to find letterboxes near you.

This sounds like SO much fun! I can't wait to try it. Here's the website: Letterboxing North America

mamaflemming · 03-09-2008, 10:31 AM

This does sound like alot of fun! My kids are a bit young to understand but I may take them out when it warms up a bit because I am intrigued. I heard about this earlier this week on MS and there just happened to be an article in the local paper about a family who does Geocaching. I then found out that my Dad has done Geocaching a couple times.
(Where have I been??) LOL!