Letterboxing

Letterboxing is a fun activity that combines puzzles and mystery with venturing in the great outdoors. Letterboxing has it's origins in Darmoor, Devon, England in 1854 when a gentleman left his calling card in a jar by a remote pool. The note accompanying the card directed people to leave their cards in the jar as well. More jars were placed in Darmoor, and letterboxing began. The cards were eventually replaced by stamps, and word of mouth clues moved to the internet.

In order to begin letterboxing, one needs a stamp, ink pad, a notebook, and to visit one of the letterboxing sites on the internet. We like to use letterboxing.org but altasquest.com is another popular site. On the website you can find clues to hidden letterboxes in all 50 states. These letterboxes contain at least a stamp and notebook. The finder stamps their personal stamp in the letterbox guest book, and stamps the found stamp in their personal stamping notebook. The letterbox is returned to its hiding spot for others to find.

When hooked on letterboxing, one will find them hidden in many scenic and historic areas. Some are hidden in more remote areas i.e. the trails at Mohegan Park, and others are in high traffic areas i.e. downtown libraries. There is even a letterbox hidden at a local historic museum! This is a great activity to get you & your family outside and exploring your world.

For more information, check out CT author Randy Hall's Letterboxer's Companion.

Letterbox Ditty

Ditty for our "Chocolate Mill" Letterbox

Stroll down the garden path,
West entrance of the House;
A porch you'll see
To the left will be
A nook, a cranny, a brick.

Behind the brick
Is the box you seek;
"Chocolate bars" will be your treasure.

So the next in line
Will also find-
Be sure to rehide well.

by Melodye Whatley