We're new to letterboxing, but have been first finders once so far. We were treated to a hitchhiker as our FF prize. FYI.

I'm about to plant some boxes this month. I think we'll leave a certificate (as described in another response) as well as a hitchhiker. It keeps it all "in" the game... although if a box was hidden in a coffee shop or in a shopping center, I can see how a certificate for a cup of coffee, or a local food shop certificate might be fun too...

Ladybugs Picnic

I don't do first finder's prizes for boxes for an event or WOM boxes, but I do them on regular boxes (this is just my personal preference only!).

I do certificates sometimes with other prizes, sometimes just the certificate. We have created bookmarks and framed images from the stamp image, a little story book with the stamp series, put in related store bought trinkets, modified store bought trinkets with the image and note of first finder, put in a WOM clue as a prize (mine), put in related HH-- I like to make it so you never know what might be in there. :)

GoSox wrote:

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except that I can not find anything that tells me that the NPS has asked letterboxers not to plant them on *our* land.

Here is what I have discovered so far, in a very quick internet search. I'm sure there's quite a lot more out there, but I haven't yet found the specific section of NPS regulations that contains the letterbox/geocache prohibition. When I have a little more time, I'll go hunting on the NPS website and see if I can come up with it. Until then, here are a few specific mentions.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota):
"SECTION 2.22(a)(2) PROPERTY
... The practice of geocaching, letterboxing or similar activities are prohibited."

Prince William Forest Park (Virginia):
"36 CFR 2.22--PROPERTY
Only National Park Service approved “Geocache” or “Letterbox” sites are permitted. (Note: See the Visitor Center for coordinates for the approved Geocache site.) [Refer to Section 1.5(f)]"

BEAR FACTS
Planning Trends and Information from California State Parks February 2005 [newsletter]:
Locating a cache on National Park Service parkland is a violation of federal regulations established to protect fragile habitat and historic and cultural resources. Before placing a cache on State Park land or in a regional or local park, you should contact park personnel directly."

BOSTON GLOBE--Hikers, you've got mail!
By Ned Bristol, Globe Correspondent May 15, 2005:
"Government agencies have reacted to letterboxing in different ways. The state of Connecticut plants its own boxes to encourage people to take advantage of its 32 state forests. National Park Service lands, on the other hand, are generally off limits to letterboxing. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation is developing guidelines for placing boxes on state lands."

My experience has been about 50/50. 50% of my FF have had some sort of prize; 50% have had nothing but the satisfaction of getting there first.

My kids love it when there's a tangible prize. Me--I just like knowing I found it before anyone else. I have put HH's in my boxes, I've put in certificates, but I haven't put any prize at all in my last couple of plants. I'm doing well just to get the box put together and out there.

This past weekend I was FF on a box that has been in the wild for almost a year. There was a sticker with the stamp image on it as a prize, but I was more thrilled by that gorgeous, blank first page in the book. ;-)

Knit Wit

Funny you should ask. Just today I bought some Polymer clay with the idea of making a *First Finder* charm/medallion/ whatever you want it to be. My idea is to carve a wooden stamp and use it to press out the tokens and then make a hole that a cord could be strung through. I've never worked wiht polymer clay before so we'll see how it works.

Shiloh

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Just today I bought some Polymer clay with the idea of making a *First Finder* charm/medallion/ whatever you want it to be.

If I remember (it has been awhile) I did this with one of my PLBs. I used polymer clay to make the backing for the stamps and with the left over I made a little FF prize. I wonder what ever happened to it?

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I used polymer clay to make the backing for the stamps

How did that turn out?

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I wonder what ever happened to it?

Sombody left it in a cache to get rid of it. :) *kidding*

Shiloh

I used foam for the actual stamp. I was trying to get exact shapes, without any design on them. Then I used foam glue to attach it to the polymer clay backing. It worked pretty good. It confused a lot of people, but at the time it was the only way I could get the exact shapes I needed.

cool ideas. I agree
1. I already have enough 'stuff' so more trinkets wouldn't be something I would do
2. love the ideas of certificates, hmmm.
3. I really love the idea of a bookmark made with the letterbox image, that is Awesome!!!!

This has been a great thought provoking post. when we first started boxing hadn't heard of prizes. Then later we started placing a very simple certificate in.

Hmm, maybe the prize thingy would be just the thing to help along those new BC boxers to continue boxing (so many box once or twice, then no more.)

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I would like to know what kind of things people leave in new boxes for the first finder.

I have left and found First Finder Certificates.

My certificates have the usual congratulations stuff plus the electronic version of whatever image I used printed on it. Then I also stamp my stamp on it. I keep them small enough so people can tape or glue them into the average size logbook without folding it more than once.

I have also gotten a wooden little disk with a little sticker printed like a First Finder Certificate. It was cute but it didn't fit in the logbook too well.

I have found a refrigerator magnet with the image of the stamp as well. I really liked that idea!

I've read about people who have put a letterbox in the letterbox. The first finder was supposed to take it and replant it as a permanent plant somewhere of their choosing and put it on the websites. That was creative.

Larry

I guess what all the posts show is there is no *best* prize. Some don't care about trinkets and others don't like certificates.

Just put what you want fora prize.

Shiloh

I personally don't need a prize; I am there to find a letterbox. Knowing I was first to find a special and/or difficult box is enough for me.

I personally don't need a prize; I am there to find a letterbox/quote>

And here's another view on first finder prizes.

Shiloh

I should have added that I too think that the first to find bragging rights is enough.

I'm still thinking about putting them in my future boxes.

Shiloh

This information is just what I was looking for. Thanks to all who replied.

I am wanting to place a box in an area that is known for family entertainment. I thought tickets for free admissioin would be cool. (I can get them at a discount)

I also like the idea of making a nice presentation of the stamp to be placed in the log book.

P.S. I stayed up late last night working on my personal stamp.....yeah, I think it looks good. It was much easier than I expected. I am already having to tell myself, "Get your work done FIRST!!!" lol I am soooo pumped!

Thanks again,
-TPL

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I personally don't need a prize

I definitely don't need a prize (reminds me of geocaching - which is fine, just not my thing). The be honest, around here in the PNW, just to find the box without the contents being destroyed or slimy/soaked (yuck!) is prize enough for me!

I have gotten a first finders certificate for a hitchhiker (from a dear letterboxer from back east who visited one of my boxes and left a really cool HH), and I liked that a lot. Mostly our 'prize' for finding a box is a couple of 'hanger-on-ers' (slugs)!

~SHH :-)

I am currently working on a 50 box series - one for each state. I decided that it might be cool to have a postcard from the state in the box as a first finder's prize. So if any of you would be interested in sending me a postcard from your state (I'm from Illinois so I have that covered) please email me here at AQ for my address. I thought it might also be neat if donors could stamp their personal stamp on the card where the message would be. I have people sending postcards from Alaska and Hawaii. Most other states are open. :D Anyone interested?!
Cherokee Rose 2

I would love to help you out by sending one from Ohio.

sure...
I can get you the NC one you will need

dixiekin

am going to TN this weekend also.

I could get you a CO one for sure, and a WY one (with a little time) if you can't find anyone to get you one from that state. Cheyenne is only about 90 minutes from me.

Send address privately.

preboxed
Denver, CO

I could do WA and I am close enough to Oregon if you need that one to.

M n M Maniac

I can provide South Carolina...just email me via AQ
Zoe

I am overwhelmed by the wonderful response I got to my request for postcards for each state for my first finders' prizes for my 50 box series (one for each state). So far I have postcards being sent for the following states:
Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming.
If anyone else is willing/interested in helping me out please email me here at AQ. Thanks so much!
Cherokee Rose 2

I'm in Massachusetts and would love to send you whatever you need. Let us know. Wendy and Adrew

Hi Cherokee Rose - I can send you one from MI, and I'm fairly close to OH too, if you need that one.

SunFleur

One of my favorite first finder awards was from some letterboxes at the Old Sac Gathering in Sacramento, CA. They were the smashed pennies from those smashed penny machines. I glued them into my logbook with the stamp images.

-Amanda from Seattle

I work with PC all the time. You have to warm it up in your hands to get it ready. Truly the stuff is amazing. If you want, you can just use your pz cut to make an impression. Of course, if you enjoy making a carving in wood, that will work well too. I use my practice stamps to texturize my polymar clay projects instead of buying special plates in the craft store.

Eaglewatcher

We're in California. What do you need?