Hi, I am brand new to this Yahoo Group. I wanted to send this to the
letterboxing site but don't see a contact mail address to do that so
I will post this here and maybe someone can benefit from this
information.

I did one letterbox hike last summer with my children and another
family. I hope to do more family letterboxing hikes and I may even
place some letterboxes. I am so happy that so many letterboxes are in
my area.

I am also considering starting a letterboxing club for homeschooled
children, I homeschool my kids. This would be a way to get out in
nature and of course, have fun. It is nice with homeschooling, to
have the freedom in our schedule to hike 7 days per week, and during
regular "school days" such as great spring days and crisp autumn
days.

Making own stamps:
Thanks for the instructions on the site about making our own stamps.
I want to share an idea I came up with which is an adaptation of your
foot pad idea. I hope you share this idea on your website if you feel
it is worthwhile. You have my permission to share this idea and to
use any of my writing in order to put the information online.

After reading your directions, I intended to use the foot pads but
only could find one package/style that was not medicated! The non-
medicated pads were $3 for one pack (Dr. Sholl brand) and they were
weird oval shapes. I felt this was too expensive and didn't allow
enough options for designs.(There were about a dozen different shapes
in the medicated version.)

I had an idea to use regular craft foam sheets aka "foamies" instead.
These foam sheets may be purchased at any craft store or on the
internet. They are sold individually, with one 8.5"x11" sheet ranging
from 40 cents to 80 cents. They are also sold in packets, such as 40
sheets for under $4. These are more versatile than the foot pads as
they allow the person to cut out any shape they want and make the
stamp any size they want. I tested the foam sheets and they work fine
as stamps, both the very, very thin ones, and of course the sheets
that are thicker at 1/4 inch thick, work as well. These foam sheets
don't require peeling as some of the foot pads do, you just cut, glue
it on, and you are done.

Here is an example of a foam sheet packet of 40, selling for $3.71:
http://www.createforless.com/products/productDetail.asp?
ProductID=86682&GCID=C10601x061

Here is an example of one single foam sheet:
http://www.createforless.com/products/productDetail.asp?
ProductID=86680&GCID=C10601x061

Buckets and sheets of die cut shapes are also sold, such as basic
geometric shapes and even fancy holiday themed shapes. Some of these
even have peel-off backings with adhesive already on them, while
others require glue. These precut designs could be used with very
young children who are too young to use scissors and create their own
shapes. Buckets are inexpensive also at about $8 full retail or as
low as $5 on sale.

Here is an example of a bucket of foam shapes.
http://www.joann.com/catalog.jhtml;$sessionid$DG4WPAQAAHOQ0P4SY5LRIHR5
0LD3UEPO?CATID=101939&PRODID=96052

The sheets tend to have the intricate holiday designs or a theme
(i.e. sea creatures). Here is an example of a 50 piece packet that
sells for just $2:
http://www.createforless.com/products/productDetail.asp?
ProductID=49663

I am using recycled wood scraps as the base, which I had purchased
(in the past and already had on hand), for a very low price at a
craft store, labeled as factory seconds pine wood scraps. The jar
lids I had were not flat because they had a vacuum seal style, which
is so common now, and it caused problems with uneven stamping when I
did a trial run. If jar lids are used perhaps you can suggest to make
sure the surface is entirely flat.

Making your own blank journal book:
I also found a great site with instructions to make your own hardback
journal book, a small sized book. I adapted these directions by
omitting the spine and by using two signatures only as I felt these
young children didn't need a very thick journal, theirs is 44 pages.
If you follow these directions, the book would be 144 pages. Many
different recycled materials (paper, cardboard, wallpaper sample
books, old wrapping paper, etc.) may be used to make these journal
books.
http://personal.mem.bellsouth.net/d/r/drv1913/0204.html

Children's Birthday Party-Letterboxing:
Today I am hosting a letterboxing children's birthday party for my
son who is turning five years old. The 16 children, aged 2-8, will be
designing their own stamp at the clearing at the trailhead. I am
giving a small, inexpensive compass as a "gift" and will teach them
how to use it. They will each get their own journal book which as I
said before, I made by hand using some recycled materials. I will
teach them the "no trace" ethics protocol. They will hike and find
the letterboxes as a group (hiking with parents as well). We will
conclude by having cupcakes, picnic style, at the preserve's field.
Wish me luck!

Christine Montano
USA