Hello! I am new and have a few questions. Is there a way to connect to other members of this community that live in the same area? I live near Ann Arbor, Michigan. If there is a way to connect via one of the two main websites, that would be awesome. Is it frowned upon to make facebook letterboxing groups for ones particular area to connect to others? I am so excited for this deep freeze to pass so I can start on this new adventure. I homeschool my 9 year old daughter and run a homeschool event group with hundreds of families, many who I'm sure would also be interested in learning about letterboxing.
-Plastic Ono

Welcome! There is quite a group around Ann Arbor. I love A2 and the Ann Arbor area letterboxers. I am a Flint native, but recently, as of three weeks ago, moved to Lansing. There is a Michigan board (and a board for each state). There is a Facebook group called Great Lakes Letterboxers (or letterboxing) which stems from a still active Yahoo group.

We have events here. There is usually a yearly event in Milan, and the hostess does homeschooling. Then there is another nearby event, a birthday celebration for a letterboxer, in September. In February, on the other side of the state, there will be a unique event, and in October there is a more traditional letterboxing event that will also probably be unique, too. I've heard talk of an event or two being planned.

While enthusiasm is awesome, there are people that prefer letterboxing to be kept lowkey/clandestine and others that wish it was shared more. Everyone has their own opinion on that. If you are brand new to this hobby, I recommend finding some/some more and planting before showing how it all works because you can see the different styles and know the intricacies. My ninth anniversary of doing this will happen at the end of March, and with 3,000+ finds under my belt I STILL don't believe I am an expert. Definitely talk with local letterboxers. You have so many knowledgeable, friendly, and active letterboxers within 10 miles of you.

By the way, I like your trailname.

Welcome!

I homeschool my 9 year old daughter and run a homeschool event group with hundreds of families, many who I'm sure will also be interested in learning about letterboxing.

Before you do anything like this, please, please go out and do some boxing, both finding and planting. Read the tutorials here on AQ....they are under "Toolbox" at the top of the homepage. Read the Code of Conduct...it is under "Home", also on the home page.

Also check out this site by one of our veteran members. It has a lot of good information:

http://www.letterboxing.info

The smartest way to learn about boxing is to do it. It's not a good idea to start teaching and showing other people until you have a fair amount of experience actually going out and boxing.

On the surface this is a simple hobby but there is a lot to learn if one wants to do it wisely.

It's a great hobby for spending time with your kids instead of having them sit in front of a screen. It's a fun hobby.

I am one of those mentioned that would rather not have it taught to large numbers of people but if it's done I'd like to see it done wisely and with respect.

With respect to stealth......a word you will see over and over again.....some of us spend many hours carving finely detailed stamps. So keeping them safely hidden is important.

This particular board is a good way to connect with people from most areas. It's kind of the main board on AQ but there are some local boards on this site also. If you search letterboxing on Facebook you will find some groups. I think most of them are kept private so people have to ask to join but I'm not sure.

I'll climb down off the soapbox and go look out the window at the blizzard now!!

Hi Koalacat :) Thanks for the welcome. I'd love to connect with the other homeschooler you mentioned. Do you know her trailname?
Where are the state specific boards you mentioned? I will keep my eyes on the events! I'm so excited about this and plan to be very active.... as soon as it's not so frigid. I also have an idea of where to plant my first box.

Welcome! There are several places you can connect with locals! I am in Detroit area, and as KoalaCat said, I'm hosting an event in September. It's available for sign-ups in the event listings.

Here is a link to the AtlasQuest Michigan Group
https://www.atlasquest.com/boards/messages.html?startId=953181;boardId=257

Facebook Great Lakes Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/LBGLK/

and Yahoo group for great Lakes.
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/LBGLK/info

The great lakes area annual Bingo game is about to start! You have 4 days to enter, you need to join the Yahoo group to be eligible. Atomic Beans is running i and just posted a great info message about it this morning.

Hi Missmoon :)
I didn't mean to suggest I would teach letterboxing to my large group. I love the idea of having this "secret" hobby. I'd love to get together with locals who share the same excitement. I have spent quite a bit of time reading and researching- I understand the importance of respect and stealthiness and we will definitely follow the etiquette :)
Let's hope the weather passes soon so it's more comfortable to get outside!

BaliWho-
Thank you! I've sent requests to join. That's what I was looking for :)

Welcome Plastic Ono, sounds like you are hooked already!
It is always exciting to hear of new Michigan boxers!!
I am not from your area, I'm up in the thumb, and no expert by any means but if you have any questions please feel free to contact me via AQ mail and
I will be happy to try and help :)

Shooz

Thankfully Bali posted them. A quick glance at your profile, and I can see that you already found the events and signed up for the Milan one.
When you find some boxes or record finds for some boxes, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Ann Arbor/Ypsi/Saline was or is the area with the most boxes. A2 is just a wonderful area, though. Letterboxing has shown me so many interesting places there and around the U.S./Ontario. I have plans to letterbox there with a letterboxer, but her and I don't have anything set yet. I have lunch plans to visit the Lunch Room with a local letterboxer.
By the way, I am a vegetarian, and I love concerts.
Let me know if you have any questions, want to find some letterboxes, or get a bite to eat somewhere.

Shooz sez she's no expert. Best laugh I've had all day.

BBStacker not from Michigan but I go there a lot - or at least I used to. Welcome to Plastic Ono.

Have you checked out the Detroit Filling Station in A2? It's on my list. I just checked out your profile. I was also at that Garbage/Pumpkins concert :)

The Great Lakes event is always a great one.

Pssssst! There are probably some indoor boxes you could look for now if you're excited to get started. Go to the advanced search and click on the icon for "indoor" (in the section with options for drive-by, stroll, hike, etc.)

I'm definitely with you on wanting to wait until it warms up! Though my friend PeaceLovePiano always drags me out for her birthday hike in late January…

There are probably some indoor boxes you could look for now if you're excited to get started.

Yup, I’ve got an indoor box in Ann Arbor that would be perfect to find if you’re looking to stay warm. Just sayin’. ;)

Welcome to the hobby, Plastic Ono!

Is Detroit Street Filling Station different from the Lunch Room? I have been to the Lunch Room a few times.

I was also at that Garbage/Pumpkins concert :)

=O Awesome! I am on the lookout for a taping of that show. Supposedly one exists. I went to see Billy Corgan by himself in Toronto back in October and James Iha perform with A Perfect Circle in Grand Rapids the day before Thanksgiving.

Welcome, Plastic Ono, to the hobby. I live in West Michigan and I agree that there are wonderful boxers to connect with throughout the state, but east Michigan seems to be especially plentiful.

Spend your winter months getting ready for the hobby. Here are a list of "necessities" for letterboxing adventures, although there are many other things letterboxers carry with them, depending on where they are going:
*A bag to carry your equipment (a small backpack, possibly, or a larger bag with a strap to put over your head?)
*A logbook to stamp your finds (Michaels, Joann Fabrics, Hobby Lobby -- look for coupons online to keep the cost to a minimum)
*A signature stamp (create your own, if possible!)
*Some stamp friendly markers to color the stamps with
*A small black stamp pad
*A compass
*A pen

Then, of course, peruse this website for nearby letterboxes and print the clues. Become familiar with the icons so you are prepared for the length of the journey.

And, of course, learn the rules of etiquette. I think the best way is to go with a seasoned letterboxer, but that's often not possible. So read up ahead of time and you should be good to go.

I hope that helps. Once you get started, you may find that you LOVE this hobby as much as many of us do.
Angel Winks (from the other side of the state)

Koalacat-

Yes! DFS is different and It also has a great mission.