The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

50th Anniversary Preserve Letterboxing Challenge

January 01, 2011 - August 31, 2012

Across New Hampshire

Scenes from a letterbox. Flickr user yooperann

In celebration of 50 years since The Nature Conservancy’s first protection project in New Hampshire, the chapter is posing a year-long challenge to members, non-members, friends and anyone who likes to be creative and get outside.  Grab your hiking boots and your ink pads and take the 50th Anniversary Preserve Letterboxing Challenge!

What is letterboxing? 

Originating in Dartmoor, England in 1854, letterboxing is an intriguing pastime combining artistic ability with delightful “treasure hunts” in beautiful, scenic places.  Letterboxers choose a “trailname” and carve (or purchase) a signature stamp that reflects this trailname or something else that represents them.

Participants seek out hidden letterboxes by following clues, sometimes involving a compass and often with natural history of the area incorporated into it, and then record the discovery in a personal journal with the help of a hand-carved rubber stamp that’s part of the letterbox.  In addition, letterboxers have their own personal stamps that they use to stamp into the letterbox’s logbook. 

Letterboxers can also record their “finds” on two main letterboxing internet sites:
AtlasQuest
Letterboxing North America (LBNA)

It will be on these two sites, as well as right here, that you will find the clues for the 50th Anniversary Preserve Letterboxing Challenge.

What's the challenge? 

A series of letterboxes will be “planted” at 12 preserves across the state and 1 on the grounds of the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel.  A “series” includes 3-5 letterboxes on one preserve linked by a common theme.  Your challenge is to collect as many series as possible from now through July 31, 2012.. 

Collect 8 preserve series and get a goody.  Collect all 12 preserves and get a commemorative 50th Anniversary Letterboxing Patch.  Letterboxers collecting all 12 preserves will also be entered into a drawing for a free high-end weekend away at The BALSAMS Grand Resort Hotel!  Collect the series at the Balsams (you do not need to be a hotel guest to collect the letterboxes located on the grounds) and receive an extra entry into the drawing!

How do I get started? 

1. Carve a stamp (check out a how-to tutorial) or purchase one at your local craft store and grab an ink pad. 

2. Get your “passport” from the New Hampshire Chapter.  Stop by our office in Concord, North Conway or Newmarket to pick one up or request one by calling 603.224.5853 or  by email.  You can also download one and assemble it yourself.  

Download Letterboxing Passport (PDF; booklet style, 8.5" x 11" double-sided; 688kb) 

3. Armed with your supplies, start letterboxing!  Download clues to each preserves’ series from Atlasquest or Letterboxing North America (we highly recommend creating accounts on one or both of these sites to maximize your experience - it's free!).  Collect the stamps from each letterbox in your passport.  Stamp your stamp in the logbook at the end of each preserve’s series. 

4. Once you’ve collected all your stamps, show us your passport!  Mail it in, stop by an office, scan the pages - just show us you did it - and we’ll send you your prize and enter you into the drawing.  Remember, you have ALL YEAR 2011 TO AUGUST 31, 2012 to complete the challenge!!  Still have questions?  Check out the helpful links in the sidebar or email us.  Good luck and happy boxing!

Helpful links for getting started.

The web is a fantastic resource for learning the ins and outs of letterboxing.  Here are a few of our favorite links:

History
Frequently Asked Questions
Glossary
Code of Conduct
Stamp Carving 101

Letterboxing Challenge Featured Preserves

Otter Brook Preserve, Sullivan, Nelson & Stoddard - Download Clues!
Sheldrick Forest Preserve, Wilton - Download Clues!
Manchester Cedar Swamp, Manchester - Download Clues!
Lubberland Creek Preserve, Newmarket - Download Clues!
Ruth C. Warwick Preserve, Westmoreland - Download Clues!
Wales Preserve, Sharon - Download Clues!
Ossipee Pine Barrens, Ossipee & Madison - Download Clues!
4th Connecticut Lake Preserve, Pittsburg - Download Clues!
Hurlbert Swamp, Stewartstown - Download Clues!
Green Hills Preserve, North Conway - Download Clues!
Joanne Bass Bross Preserve, Peterborough - Download Clues!

Loverens Mill Cedar Swamp, Antrim - Download Clues!
Balsams Grand Resort Hotel, Dixville Notch - Download Clues!