There are similar feelings in my house. Usually they all want to
go, but occassionally they won't be in the mood. Like at the
gathering a couple weeks ago, NONE of them boxed. Then the next
day, my youngest (Smiley-Hi), came with me to pick up the few that I
didn't get to during the event.

I don't force it, if they want to come that's great, if they don't
then ok, they don't. I don't like the thought of a long hike alone,
it's kind of like swimming; someone else should be around for
the "just in case" incidents. So far I have not had to go alone,
someone even a neice/nephew usually will want to come.

Have you made a box/stamp/logbook by hand? Maybe a small project
like that could help motivate and be a family thing. My children
really liked making their own stamps and then couldn't wait to try
them on the trails.

~Perdu


--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Baker"
wrote:
>
> Do any of the letterboxers here have trouble motivating their
family to
> letterbox. right now I have one one board, but the other two could
care
> less, and with the younest (11) he makes it hard to plan activtes
that
> include boxing as he hates it.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Baker
>
> My Blog http://bakersoutdoors.blogspot.com/
>

I have learned to keep our family letterboxing outings to short hikes,
cool locations and a picnic reward at the end. My children also LOVE
to carve, create clues and hide boxes. They carving skills are awesome
for their ages. We have hidden boxes for birthday parties with friends
and other events and never posted them online. We have had tons of fun
doing this.

Someday when they are no longer around 24/7 I will up my fcount until
then I enjoy the longer hikes with my dog only a few times a year.

GospelRoad
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Baker" wrote:
>
> Do any of the letterboxers here have trouble motivating their family
to
> letterbox. right now I have one one board, but the other two could
care
> less, and with the younest (11) he makes it hard to plan activtes
that
> include boxing as he hates it.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Baker
>
> My Blog http://bakersoutdoors.blogspot.com/
>

I'm afraid I don't have many answers for you but I can sympathize. My
13 yo DD will gladly come along but the boys are not so willing. The 9
yo is OK with it probably because he is usually the one who finds the
boxes (although he is starting to get leery (sp?) because of the
mountain lion warning signs at one trail.) The11 yo is dead set against
it and DH will tolerate it only because it makes me happy.

My solutions to getting them to like it have been to bring along some
snacks that we don't normally have, give them their own compass, let
them take turns in finding the boxes (which makes it hard because 2 of
them give up to easily), and find walking sticks for the ones who get
tired after 5 minutes. I have learned that a good meal is a must before
heading out. One time the 11 yo was hungry so he just sat down on the
trail and refused to go anywhere till he got some lunch. B-|

Another thing that helped was to go out with another family. The kids
had fun with the other kids. Unfortunately, they live a couple states
away so we don't get together much. I'm trying to get another family
involved but its going slow.

Can't wait to hear of the other ideas you get...Cindy B-)



Baker wrote:
>
> Do any of the letterboxers here have trouble motivating their family to
> letterbox. right now I have one one board, but the other two could care
> less, and with the younest (11) he makes it hard to plan activtes that
> include boxing as he hates it.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Baker
>
> My Blog http://bakersoutdoors.blogspot.com/
>
>
>

I have 6 kids, 1 girl and the rest boys. Their ages are 11, 10, 9, 6, 2 and 5 months. WHen we started last year, I told the kids about letterboxing and we went to the store and I had them pick out their own stamp. We use their nicknames as their trailnames, but we have a family trail name as well. Then, I got them each a logbook, and when we go out to look for the box, my parents and I (my hubby is not inot it) let one of them in charge of that "hunt". We help them read the directions, and the one picked to do find the box, is the one to retrieve it and the 1st to stamp in. Then, we help him (or her) hide the box back, and we go to the next one, and let someone have a turn. They consider it a treasure hunt and they love to go. =) Maybe by letting him be somewhat "in charge" of one of the findings will make it fun for him, and maybe letting him have his own stamp, if he doesnt have one already. And if he likes to draw or do crafts, maybe let him try to make his own
stamp. My kids had a blast this past winter making stamps for postal letterboxing. This year, we plan on planitng them in the wild.

Brat Pack IL
Big Brat


perdu_watcher wrote:
There are similar feelings in my house. Usually they all want to
go, but occassionally they won't be in the mood. Like at the
gathering a couple weeks ago, NONE of them boxed. Then the next
day, my youngest (Smiley-Hi), came with me to pick up the few that I
didn't get to during the event.

I don't force it, if they want to come that's great, if they don't
then ok, they don't. I don't like the thought of a long hike alone,
it's kind of like swimming; someone else should be around for
the "just in case" incidents. So far I have not had to go alone,
someone even a neice/nephew usually will want to come.

Have you made a box/stamp/logbook by hand? Maybe a small project
like that could help motivate and be a family thing. My children
really liked making their own stamps and then couldn't wait to try
them on the trails.

~Perdu

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Baker"
wrote:
>
> Do any of the letterboxers here have trouble motivating their
family to
> letterbox. right now I have one one board, but the other two could
care
> less, and with the younest (11) he makes it hard to plan activtes
that
> include boxing as he hates it.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Baker
>
> My Blog http://bakersoutdoors.blogspot.com/
>






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---------------------------------
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See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

As a lone letterboxer in a family of 4, I have quite a bit of
experience with this dilema. I've gotten used to letterboxing
alone locally, but when traveling with family on trips I sneak
in boxing by picking places with activities that appeal to the
rest of the family. Maybe a good birdwatching site for my wife
or a great playground for the kids. Sometimes the kids will even
letterbox with me once we get there, but I don't force it. Don't
try to make them letterboxers, but do keep taking them outdoors.
If they gain an appreciation for nature it will be worth it.

Silver Eagle

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Baker" wrote:
>
> Do any of the letterboxers here have trouble motivating their family
to
> letterbox. right now I have one one board, but the other two could
care
> less, and with the younest (11) he makes it hard to plan activtes
that
> include boxing as he hates it.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Baker
>
> My Blog http://bakersoutdoors.blogspot.com/
>

Let your 11 year old invite a friend to go with him. They'll still get the hike and all....and it's amazing how a more curious friend will spark the interest in your child. Perhaps if you let them carve a team stamp too...to be used only when they go together? And let THEM pick the box to go after by letting them read the clues online and promising them an ice cream stop ( or similar treat) after so many box hunts.

LW


---------------------------------
No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go
with Yahoo! Mail for Mobile. Get started.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thanks for the great advice. Actually it was letting him carve a
stamp that really captured is attention. So far he has carved four
and is ready to hide them. He also wants to go hiking to find some of
the Lb's I have been telling him about. I am teaching how to pace and
use a compass now, which until he carved the stamp he could have
cared less. So I'm happy. I think he is too.




--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Lock Wench
wrote:
>
> Let your 11 year old invite a friend to go with him. They'll still
get the hike and all....and it's amazing how a more curious friend
will spark the interest in your child. Perhaps if you let them carve
a team stamp too...to be used only when they go together? And let
THEM pick the box to go after by letting them read the clues online
and promising them an ice cream stop ( or similar treat) after so
many box hunts.
>
> LW
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go
> with Yahoo! Mail for Mobile. Get started.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>