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Gatherings are all about social interaction with other people who share the addiction... er... I
mean hobby, which means exchanges, activities, and, of course, letterboxing. Here are some
ways to make every moment count during what promises to be a VERY busy, but very exciting
day!
Please make sure to read all the information on the event website for the gathering which
you are attending when you RSVP. There will be answers to all of your questions located
there. A link to the event website will be provided on both this group web page (check the
Gatherings link to the left) and on the specific AQ event listing.
Arrive on time!
Instead of having an exact start time, we have an arrival window set up. Coming during the
arrival window allows you to not feel stressed about being there exactly on time and ensures a
few things. First, you’ll get to meet your host and check out the stamps at the pavilion
firsthand. Anything that needs to be handed out at a gathering (like clues) might be limited, so
showing up first ensures you’ll get it. Also, by the time everyone arrives, the pavilion will be
swarmed with people and food and boxes and ink. You’ll be able to sit down and stamp into
the event book and the stamps in the area without having to wait your turn if you are there
before everyone else.
Stamp into the Event Log first.
We have a special Event Log that everyone attending can sign into. There’s also at least one
special event stamp that goes with it to stamp into your own logbook. Do this the moment you
arrive. Look for the Event Table that is set aside for the event log and stamps.
Get a name tag.
We will provide you with name tags to put your stamp, trail name and real name onto. Most
folks will know you either from seeing your trail name or from seeing your stamp in local boxes,
so be sure that’s on your tag!
Check the Event Table for traveling event stamps.
Traveling event stamps are ones that go to different gatherings all over so that everyone has
a chance to get the stamp and log in. These stamps will be at the Event Table. If you’re not
sure which table it is, just ask, then head over and stamp in before everyone else starts to
swarm the table.
If you would like to carve an event stamp for a gathering, go for it! You can bring it with you
or send it to Three Hearts (or any other boxer who is attending) before the event.
Look around the pavilion for hidden boxes and clues.
Yes, even at a gathering where it’s obvious we’re all boxing and people tend to be less
secretive about their stuff, boxers will still hide things that you won’t even know about until after
the event! The CFLLB has a Hide & Seek box tradition, so check under tables, in the corners
of the pavilion itself, in the bushes nearby, in the food containers and in anyplace else that’s
NOT someone’s private bag or stuff. You might be surprised at what you find!
Exchange, exchange, exchange (breathe). Repeat.
A fun aspect of letterboxing is exchanging signature stamps with other people. These count as
X in your PFX count (P for boxes you Planted & F for boxes you Found). There will be
letterboxers whom you only know by their stamp, trail name or email address on our group
board. Just walk up and introduce yourself…“Hi, I’m Three Hearts. Would you like to
exchange?” Within minutes, you’ll be sitting at a table with other people stamping into each
others’ logbooks and talking about your shared addiction!
Ask about personal travelers.
Some folks have a personal traveler (or two or more), which is just a letterbox that they carry
with them. Not everyone has them, so the best thing to do is check the personal traveler list
on the AQ event listing and just ASK. If you check the list ahead of time, you’ll know what it is
you need to do to get it, and people like the fact that you took the time to research it!
Go Boxing!!!
One of the things that some people forget to do is actually leave the event pavilion to do some
boxing! Remember, you're in an area that you may not have boxed before. Before or after
the gathering, try to go for the local area boxes as well as the boxes that are in the park where
the gathering is being held. It can be fun to strike out in groups to find the boxes at the host
park so you can continue to chat and get to know each other. The itinerary for our events is
set up in a way that makes sure that everyone has time to “get out there and box.”
Would you like to contribute a letterbox to an event? Please do! You can either visit the
park ahead of time to plant your box or you can send it to Three Hearts (or any other
letterboxer who will be in the area) to plant for you.
Take some pictures.
We have a special website for group photos, and an album will be created for each event. I’ll
try to get as many pictures as I can, including a group shot. I love it when I get your photos to
add to it! Most of the time, Three Hearts won’t be able to leave the pavilion, so it would be
great if you could snap some photos while you are on the trail, too.
Be there for games, raffles, and the group photo.
Check the itinerary for the time that these events will take place. You want to be in the group
photo, right? And, hey, don't let me forget to take it! We always have a raffle during which we
give away some letterboxing related prizes – make sure to be there for that! There may also
be a game or two to play for prizes. During some events, we may also have awards for
different letterboxing-related achievements.
Join someone for dinner.
We have a tradition of hosting mini meets for out-of-state letterboxers, so if you are visiting us,
please let us know if you are available for a celebratory meal to honor… well… YOU! You
deserve it! Please don't hesitate to let us know you'll be here. Even if you’re not visiting, ask
around at the gathering to see if anyone’s up for a meal (or coffee… or ice cream… or
drinks…) and more time to hang out and talk. In fact, this is something you can check before
you even come to the event… just ask the people you DO know if they want to get together
and invite others to join you.
Don’t share hitchhikers.
This is a big one! Hitchhikers are meant to travel from box to box, not person to person.
Please do not leave hitchhikers on the table for people to stamp in. If you have HHs with you,
you have two options: you can place it in a box at the host park or you can place it in the
Happy Hitchhiker Hostel and allow another letterboxer to move it to a new box. Please DO
NOT remove hitchhikers from the HHH and start passing them around! If the HH you have is
clearly designated as a flea, however, you may use it as a cootie or a hitchhiker.
Don’t be lax about discretion.
Just because a lot of boxers are around doesn't mean that there aren't a lot of muggles. The
same rules about being sneaky and re-hiding properly apply, especially when we are in a large
group. Few things are more disappointing than taking the time to create a box for a gathering,
then finding it was lost, stolen, or destroyed because someone carelessly left it out in the open
or was not being stealthy.
Watch out for cooties!
Infecting people with cooties can be a fun diversion at any gathering. Cooties are like
hitchhikers that someone sneakily slips into your bag or pockets while you are not looking.
Once you find it, do not place this into a regular letterbox (unless it specifically states that it is
a flea). Stamp into it, and try to quietly pass it off onto someone else as soon as you can.
When you grow weary of being infested, Dr. Three Hearts only charges $1 for a Cootie Shot
immunization (Your dollar helps fund our gatherings.).
Be considerate of others while boxing.
Everyone wants to stamp into the traveling event boxes and the other hidden boxes in the
area, so make sure to be fair about holding the boxes. While you’re exchanging with others,
don't Bogart a box you've found, or grab multiple boxes to stamp into. Take one at a time and
return it before doing anything else. It’s pretty frustrating to be trying to find the last Hide &
Seek box, but you can’t find it because Three Hearts has it and won’t shut up long enough to
stamp in or because Terras4TheHunt has it stacked up under the other event boxes she’s
hoarding and hasn't gotten to it yet!
Bring food!
Unless otherwise stated, all of our gatherings are potluck. Depending on the type of potluck,
once you RSVP, your trail name may go up on the event website under “Potluck
Contributions”. Many people will try to wait until the last minute to see what everyone else is
bringing before letting me know what their contribution will be – BUT – if everyone does that,
NO ONE will decide until the day before! Please just go for it! If you see that there is a need
for a dessert, a main dish, a side, some drinks, ice…pick one. If you need some ideas, check
with Three Hearts.
Give to your favorite local charity!
Think about letterboxing events like public broadcasting (without the quarterly beg-a-thon).
Your support helps us continue this great tradition of boxing and social events! Reserving the
pavilion, getting extra food and supplies, creating boxes, purchasing raffle and game prizes,
decorating the pavilion, and any other gathering-related expense does take time and money
that usually comes out of Three Hearts's pocket. So, it’s never a bad idea to donate a little
something, no matter how small and no matter what gathering you attend. There are plenty of
opportunities to get a little something out of your donation at each gathering (raffle prizes,
cootie shots, patches, car window decals, etc.). Every little bit helps!
Gatherings are loads of fun, and can sometimes be overwhelming!
Stay hydrated, bring bug spray, take a buddy and a water bottle with you, eat right and don’t
be surprised if you end up stamping into your own logbook a few times in the shuffle! Have fun
and see you at a gathering soon!
This wonderful tip sheet was edited and used with permission by:
The (generous and talented) Sprite and The (gathering attendee extraordinaire) Highlander.
mean hobby, which means exchanges, activities, and, of course, letterboxing. Here are some
ways to make every moment count during what promises to be a VERY busy, but very exciting
day!
Please make sure to read all the information on the event website for the gathering which
you are attending when you RSVP. There will be answers to all of your questions located
there. A link to the event website will be provided on both this group web page (check the
Gatherings link to the left) and on the specific AQ event listing.
Arrive on time!
Instead of having an exact start time, we have an arrival window set up. Coming during the
arrival window allows you to not feel stressed about being there exactly on time and ensures a
few things. First, you’ll get to meet your host and check out the stamps at the pavilion
firsthand. Anything that needs to be handed out at a gathering (like clues) might be limited, so
showing up first ensures you’ll get it. Also, by the time everyone arrives, the pavilion will be
swarmed with people and food and boxes and ink. You’ll be able to sit down and stamp into
the event book and the stamps in the area without having to wait your turn if you are there
before everyone else.
Stamp into the Event Log first.
We have a special Event Log that everyone attending can sign into. There’s also at least one
special event stamp that goes with it to stamp into your own logbook. Do this the moment you
arrive. Look for the Event Table that is set aside for the event log and stamps.
Get a name tag.
We will provide you with name tags to put your stamp, trail name and real name onto. Most
folks will know you either from seeing your trail name or from seeing your stamp in local boxes,
so be sure that’s on your tag!
Check the Event Table for traveling event stamps.
Traveling event stamps are ones that go to different gatherings all over so that everyone has
a chance to get the stamp and log in. These stamps will be at the Event Table. If you’re not
sure which table it is, just ask, then head over and stamp in before everyone else starts to
swarm the table.
If you would like to carve an event stamp for a gathering, go for it! You can bring it with you
or send it to Three Hearts (or any other boxer who is attending) before the event.
Look around the pavilion for hidden boxes and clues.
Yes, even at a gathering where it’s obvious we’re all boxing and people tend to be less
secretive about their stuff, boxers will still hide things that you won’t even know about until after
the event! The CFLLB has a Hide & Seek box tradition, so check under tables, in the corners
of the pavilion itself, in the bushes nearby, in the food containers and in anyplace else that’s
NOT someone’s private bag or stuff. You might be surprised at what you find!
Exchange, exchange, exchange (breathe). Repeat.
A fun aspect of letterboxing is exchanging signature stamps with other people. These count as
X in your PFX count (P for boxes you Planted & F for boxes you Found). There will be
letterboxers whom you only know by their stamp, trail name or email address on our group
board. Just walk up and introduce yourself…“Hi, I’m Three Hearts. Would you like to
exchange?” Within minutes, you’ll be sitting at a table with other people stamping into each
others’ logbooks and talking about your shared addiction!
Ask about personal travelers.
Some folks have a personal traveler (or two or more), which is just a letterbox that they carry
with them. Not everyone has them, so the best thing to do is check the personal traveler list
on the AQ event listing and just ASK. If you check the list ahead of time, you’ll know what it is
you need to do to get it, and people like the fact that you took the time to research it!
Go Boxing!!!
One of the things that some people forget to do is actually leave the event pavilion to do some
boxing! Remember, you're in an area that you may not have boxed before. Before or after
the gathering, try to go for the local area boxes as well as the boxes that are in the park where
the gathering is being held. It can be fun to strike out in groups to find the boxes at the host
park so you can continue to chat and get to know each other. The itinerary for our events is
set up in a way that makes sure that everyone has time to “get out there and box.”
Would you like to contribute a letterbox to an event? Please do! You can either visit the
park ahead of time to plant your box or you can send it to Three Hearts (or any other
letterboxer who will be in the area) to plant for you.
Take some pictures.
We have a special website for group photos, and an album will be created for each event. I’ll
try to get as many pictures as I can, including a group shot. I love it when I get your photos to
add to it! Most of the time, Three Hearts won’t be able to leave the pavilion, so it would be
great if you could snap some photos while you are on the trail, too.
Be there for games, raffles, and the group photo.
Check the itinerary for the time that these events will take place. You want to be in the group
photo, right? And, hey, don't let me forget to take it! We always have a raffle during which we
give away some letterboxing related prizes – make sure to be there for that! There may also
be a game or two to play for prizes. During some events, we may also have awards for
different letterboxing-related achievements.
Join someone for dinner.
We have a tradition of hosting mini meets for out-of-state letterboxers, so if you are visiting us,
please let us know if you are available for a celebratory meal to honor… well… YOU! You
deserve it! Please don't hesitate to let us know you'll be here. Even if you’re not visiting, ask
around at the gathering to see if anyone’s up for a meal (or coffee… or ice cream… or
drinks…) and more time to hang out and talk. In fact, this is something you can check before
you even come to the event… just ask the people you DO know if they want to get together
and invite others to join you.
Don’t share hitchhikers.
This is a big one! Hitchhikers are meant to travel from box to box, not person to person.
Please do not leave hitchhikers on the table for people to stamp in. If you have HHs with you,
you have two options: you can place it in a box at the host park or you can place it in the
Happy Hitchhiker Hostel and allow another letterboxer to move it to a new box. Please DO
NOT remove hitchhikers from the HHH and start passing them around! If the HH you have is
clearly designated as a flea, however, you may use it as a cootie or a hitchhiker.
Don’t be lax about discretion.
Just because a lot of boxers are around doesn't mean that there aren't a lot of muggles. The
same rules about being sneaky and re-hiding properly apply, especially when we are in a large
group. Few things are more disappointing than taking the time to create a box for a gathering,
then finding it was lost, stolen, or destroyed because someone carelessly left it out in the open
or was not being stealthy.
Watch out for cooties!
Infecting people with cooties can be a fun diversion at any gathering. Cooties are like
hitchhikers that someone sneakily slips into your bag or pockets while you are not looking.
Once you find it, do not place this into a regular letterbox (unless it specifically states that it is
a flea). Stamp into it, and try to quietly pass it off onto someone else as soon as you can.
When you grow weary of being infested, Dr. Three Hearts only charges $1 for a Cootie Shot
immunization (Your dollar helps fund our gatherings.).
Be considerate of others while boxing.
Everyone wants to stamp into the traveling event boxes and the other hidden boxes in the
area, so make sure to be fair about holding the boxes. While you’re exchanging with others,
don't Bogart a box you've found, or grab multiple boxes to stamp into. Take one at a time and
return it before doing anything else. It’s pretty frustrating to be trying to find the last Hide &
Seek box, but you can’t find it because Three Hearts has it and won’t shut up long enough to
stamp in or because Terras4TheHunt has it stacked up under the other event boxes she’s
hoarding and hasn't gotten to it yet!
Bring food!
Unless otherwise stated, all of our gatherings are potluck. Depending on the type of potluck,
once you RSVP, your trail name may go up on the event website under “Potluck
Contributions”. Many people will try to wait until the last minute to see what everyone else is
bringing before letting me know what their contribution will be – BUT – if everyone does that,
NO ONE will decide until the day before! Please just go for it! If you see that there is a need
for a dessert, a main dish, a side, some drinks, ice…pick one. If you need some ideas, check
with Three Hearts.
Give to your favorite local charity!
Think about letterboxing events like public broadcasting (without the quarterly beg-a-thon).
Your support helps us continue this great tradition of boxing and social events! Reserving the
pavilion, getting extra food and supplies, creating boxes, purchasing raffle and game prizes,
decorating the pavilion, and any other gathering-related expense does take time and money
that usually comes out of Three Hearts's pocket. So, it’s never a bad idea to donate a little
something, no matter how small and no matter what gathering you attend. There are plenty of
opportunities to get a little something out of your donation at each gathering (raffle prizes,
cootie shots, patches, car window decals, etc.). Every little bit helps!
Gatherings are loads of fun, and can sometimes be overwhelming!
Stay hydrated, bring bug spray, take a buddy and a water bottle with you, eat right and don’t
be surprised if you end up stamping into your own logbook a few times in the shuffle! Have fun
and see you at a gathering soon!
This wonderful tip sheet was edited and used with permission by:
The (generous and talented) Sprite and The (gathering attendee extraordinaire) Highlander.