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<< Everyday Explorers demonstrate hands-on exploration. Photos courtesy of Peter Thron, National Geographic Channel

Guide others in the exploration of your local area! Hide a letterbox in a common public space and create geographic clues so that others can find it.

(Please note: Play it safe whenever exploring outdoors. Familiarize yourself with the area and take safety precautions that protect you and the wildlife you will encounter. Children should only participate with adult supervision.)

Familiarize yourself with the cardinal directions (North, South, etc.) and how to use a compass; these skills will be necessary if you want to successfully complete your mission. You can practice navigating using the cardinal directions with the Orientometer. Basic instructions on using a compass can be found at this Appalachian Mountain Club page.

Create Your Letterbox
Now the fun begins! You need to create a letterbox that you will later hide. You will need a small, waterproof container, a small notebook, and a stamp. The container should be big enough to fit the notebook and stamp and any additional items you'd like to add to your box. Check out this site for more information about creating your box.

Hide Your Letterbox
Once you've created your letterbox, it is time to hide it. Think of a place you would like to hide the box. Generally, the box should be placed on public land (note that National Parks are off limits). Bring your box to the general area in which you would like to hide it. Search for a specific hiding place. The box should be virtually invisible to anyone except those who have followed your clues. Try to conceal the box under some rocks, or in a hollow log—somewhere that will likely not change much over time. Again, be careful of the local wildlife, for your own safety and theirs. See the Letterboxing North America FAQ page for tips and etiquette.

Once you've hidden your box, you'll need to write up some clues. Check out existing clues on Letterboxing North America to get an idea of what the clues look like. Use landmarks (such as a large statue, crooked tree, etc.) if you don't want your clues to be too tough. If you want to make more difficult clues use compass bearings and paces (i.e. 50 paces from the place where the water runs east). Get creative. For example, instead of telling people to walk under an overpass, say, "While you go under, the traffic goes over." Be sure to run through your clues from the starting point at least once to make sure they will lead people to your box.

Post Your Clues
Now you're ready to post your clues on the Internet! (Be sure to ask your parents for permission and help whenever posting anything on the Internet.) You can either create your own Web site for your clues and link them to an online letterboxing site, such as Letterboxing North America, or enter clues directly into the site's database (some sites require users to sign up for a free membership, so get your parents or teacher to help). You can also track your letterboxes at this site.

Congratulations, you've done it! Remember to go back and check your box from time to time to see if it has been visited.

Younger Xpeditioners: Check out Letterboxing North America's Letterboxing Kids! site. Follow their directions for creating your own personalized stamps, or play their letterboxing game. The game will even help you hone your orienteering skills!

Look for a letterbox in your area. With your parents, go out and try to find it. Don't forget to bring your notebook and stamp!

Older Xpeditioners: Create your own personalized letterbox stamp. Hide a box with your special stamp inside.

Take your role as a letterbox "hider" to the next level by making your clues as creative (but still accurate) as possible. See some of the online postings for examples of clever clue writing.

Parents: Work with your children to hide and find letterboxes. Spend time with them creating unique stamps, choosing journals for their stamp collections, and thinking of interesting items to include in your boxes.

Next time your family takes a vacation, hide a letterbox somewhere on your trip. Consider putting some self-addressed postcards in the box to allow visitors to send you a message.

Hunting for a letterbox can make a family walk or hike even more fun. Make letterboxing a weekly or monthly activity to encourage your children to be Everyday Explorers!