Hide-and-Seek (article)

September 24, 2008

Janna Odenthal, Post-Tribune correspondent

The game of hide-and-seek continues throughout adulthood. Individuals search for missing socks and car keys on a regular basis. The pursuit of intentionally hidden items, however, is more enjoyable.

This sport is called letterboxing. It began in 1854 in DartmoorEngland, the setting for the Sherlock Holmes mystery series.

Weaponry required for this hunt includes pen, ink pad, rubber stamp, compass, logbook and a list of clues. The prey is a hidden box.

No score is kept, no battle lines are drawn and there's no trophy to take home. Yet this free game of hide-and-seek has gained worldwide popularity among all ages.

Crown Point resident Dawn Cade has found several letterboxes in the northwest Indiana area with her husband, Michael, and sons, Shane and Scott.

"It's really a wonderful way for the four of us as a family to be together, outdoors and active," she said. "We ended up enjoying places we've discovered in our community that we were previously unaware of. It's an exciting learning experience for all of us -- all the stuff that was in our back yard we had never done before."

The fun begins long before the game starts. Stamps can be either purchased or created. Individuals wanting to design their own stamp simply draw a symbol or picture on a rubber eraser, stamp or other object. They then cut away the remaining sections, giving depth to the image.

This stamp, an ink pad and a journal are then placed in a waterproof container and carefully concealed in a variety of obscure locations.

Letterboxes have been hidden in public parks and buildings, remote forests, sandy hills, under rocks, high in tree branches. The list is endless.

The hider chooses a method of revealing clues regarding the letterbox location. He then posts it on a Web site for others to read.

The clues can be straightforward or hidden within a story, they may consist of map directions, landmarks and more. They range from easy to difficult.

Then the search begins. The seeker prints the list of clues, grabs his kit and puts his detective skills to work.

When he discovers the letterbox, he commemorates his find by marking his stamp and initials in the box's journal. He then records the box's stamp in his own logbook.

His records can include additional information as he so chooses.

Players discover the wonders and challenges along the pathway of the scavenger hunt. While some clues lead to breathtaking views, others take participants through more difficult terrain. Each experience is unique and often keeps participants coming back for more.

Illinois resident Amber Dilbeck has found letterboxes during her travels through Indiana with her husband, Tim. She has both placed and found letterboxes throughout the country. She said it has become her hobby.

"Whenever we travel anywhere on vacation, we always try to save some time to find a couple letterboxes while we are visiting," Dilbeck said. "It has led us to see sights in the country that are a little off the well-beaten paths, and led to exciting, more unpopular but interesting and beautiful areas."

To learn more

For more information visit www.letterboxing.org or www.atlasquest.com.