I post on many groups, and one..New Boxers, has a "Topic of the
Week". This week's topic is:

"Do you have a boxing buddy or do you go out alone? If you do box
alone do you have any tips to share?"

This was my response to it, and I thought it would be good to post it
here as well, as many "newbies" join the letterboxing world each day,
I thought it would be good to remind people of some of the things
that seem old hat to long standing members of the letterboxing
communitity! I know others might be on different groups as well, and
you may receive this more than once, for that I apologize, just
trying to catch newbies to each group as not everyone is signed up
with several like I am! *Smiles*

Here is what I replied, hope it helps others:


When I first discovered letterboxing, I had originally wanted it
to be something that my wife, Shannon, and I could go out and enjoy
together or with other friends that would be into hiking and
stamping. She suggested that the kids might like it as well, get
them away from the tv and video games and out into the fresh air and
sunshine. They do like letterboxing...however, much to my dismay, it
has become a competition for them and I find myself more irritated
with their bickering back and forth rather than enjoying the time
spent with them. They are 10, 12, 14 and 16 and I think that only
the 16 year old actually "gets it". What should be an enjoyable
adventure outdoors has become something I do not look forward to
doing with them. We have been out on four letterboxing runs....and
the kids seem to think that they each always have to be the FIRST one
to find the box, the FIRST one to stamp in, the FIRST one to stamp
their own logbook and it has become a mad dash to the hiding spot.
We try to have them take turns but it of course always starts more
arguments. All I can figure is the kids seem to think that not
everyone is going to get a chance to stamp in, like in the
old "Mission Impossible" show, that the stamp might self-destruct in
five seconds! Anyone have any suggestions for helping to change their
attitudes regarding this?

At any rate, at this time, we box as a family of six..."Cap'n
Rasha and my Scurvy Crew of Misfits", though once we finish the boxes
in our area (Central Coast of California) we may rethink that and
just start going out as a couple! We also take our toy Pomeranian
with us ("Sir Grog Dogee of Pomerania"!)and though he is not very big
and scary to deter anyone, he does bark and stays more alert of our
surroundings than we tend to and that is good to always have that
warning system to rely on...though we are careful when out anyway, as
its not about just protecting us as adults, but we have to protect
four kids as well. And though I can run pretty fast, I am not so
sure the kids can! So we stop when it starts getting dark and don't
go to areas that we think might be a dangerous situation.

New to Letterboxing, but I already have a few tips to add....

Tip One: Take a cell phone if you have one. We rarely remember to
take the cell phone, probably because we are wanting to get away from
all of that! But I do think that its a good idea to have one...it
can be turned off of course, so the outside world won't bug you while
you are out enjoying nature, but you'd have the security of knowing
that you have it with you in case of emergency.

Tip Two: My biggest suggestion is this, even if you "think" you
will only be out for half an hour or so....TAKE WATER WITH YOU! We
have run into too many instances where we needed water, either for
thirsty kids or the dog, or to clean something or someone off, and
have not had any, thinking that we would just go out for a half hour
run and then come home. But things never really work out that way!
Bringing a snack along, or even a makeshift picnic, is nice too.

Tip Three: Bring hand wipes or hand sanitizer. Someone always gets
messy retrieving boxes, or on rare occasions, steps in something!

Tip Four: Bring a camera! There are many opportunities for great
photos along the way. Remember, it's not the destination, it's the
journey! *Smiles* Also, if you want to photograph a hiding spot, it
is fun to get candid photos of everyone stamping in, just please
don't post the pictures showing the hiding spots to the group's
website as that sort of goes against the "Code of Conduct" for
letterboxers, that one doesn't tell others how or where to find the
box. If a picture shows the location, that sort of defeats the
purpose. *Smiles*

Tip Five: For convenience, get a "fanny pack" or get everyone one.
They are lighter and less cumbersome than a backpack, they allow you
easy access and you don't have to take them on and off in able to
reach what you need. Your stamp, log book, pens or stamp pad, a
granola bar or other small snack, a small disposable camera and
travel size hand sanitizer fit nicely into one. Some even have a
section that holds a bottle of water. You can rig gloves to it with a
clip and with the fanny pack, a hiking stick, and good shoes you are
ready to go!

Tip Six: Put on sunscreen before going out and bring along some sort
of small first aid kit. Doesn't have to be elaborate as you are
usually not that far away from your car or civilization. But bring
bandaids, sanitizer, perhaps antibiotic ointment, bee sting anti-
venom if you have someone that is allergic to bees and such, inhalers
for those with asthma--as you will likely be out stirring up dust or
hiking around plants that can cause an asthma attack ( I learned the
hard way not to leave mine in the car!) Bring along any first aid
items you think you might need, including something for headache
relief if you are boxing with children! ;) Also, it's a great idea to
either spray bug repellant before you go out, or bring some with you.

Cap'n Rasha and my Scurvy Crew of Misfits


PS---I had another thought, carrying a small pocketknife in your
fanny pack is a good idea also, and one could learn to use their
hiking stick as a staff weapon! *Smiles*

Also, if you are hiking alone, or even with others, it is especially
important to have a license or other form of ID and emergency contact
numbers with you in case something should befall you. If for some
reason, (*knocks on wood*) you should be found unconscious along the
trail, someone finding you would at least know who you are and who to
contact in an emergency.