How many boxes are usually at this event? With only 3 days will there be time for all these activities?

Right now we are planning roughly 200 boxes on the trails. We have adopted the attitude of previous events - something for everyone. As a result, we have enough boxes for those who want to box non-stop rather than attend activities. So I expect you won't be able to do everything during the weekend.

Unlike the previous event, many of our boxes will be permanent plants....so you can stay a few days longer if you really want to participate in the activities AND get all of the boxes. Just be aware the dorms are not available after Sunday night.

There seems to be a fair interest in a carving workshop. In the past however, I talked to a few skilled carvers who were not comfortable letting others watch them. So, if you you use knives/needles/other special tools, get compliments on your stamps, or have blue diamond boxes AND are willing to let others watch you carve for a few minutes - please contact me :-) (taking a video of you carving may be another option?)

If no one is interested, we can still set up a workshop for people to try out a variety of materials and tools. I'll be happy to carve, but I use gouges exclusively.

Thanks for the info. The activities sound fun. Since I’ve never been to L&B before I just am not quite sure what to expect. Except a lot of fun!

There was tie-dying at the last event and I missed it. Would love a chance to do that at this event if there is enough interest.

How many boxes are usually at this event? With only 3 days will there be time for all these activities?

As with the previous L & B events, you don't have to feel that you need to do all of the activities that may be included. Nor do you have to feel obligated to get all the boxes. I would imagine that as with those two L & B it will be very laid back. You just do what you feel like doing. You come and enjoy yourself, whatever that means to you.

In 2013 it was to dress up as your trail name

I think that was just a suggestion. I didn't come as my trail name and I won third prize. And wearing a costume was way out of my comfort zone so I really enjoyed getting over myself and doing it. Then when I won I was really surprised.

I have come to think of the costume party as kind of a L & B tradition.

And people were not obligated to wear a costume, just to come and have a good time. It was a lot of fun.

Unlike the previous event, many of our boxes will be permanent plants.

Hikers have access to the trails at a later time if they are not staying at the camp?

Yes, this location is a public facility with a day use fee.

How many boxes are usually at this event? With only 3 days will there be time for all these activities?

If your goal is to get every box listed at the event, then no, you will not be able to do much else besides run the trails. You might not even get to eat or sleep much!

PI Joe - on the trails and boxes committee for L&B XX

Well I guess I missed the memo in 2013 because I had no idea my costume was supposed to be related to my trailname, so I was Galadriel. I don't remember why... I think I just wanted to? Or because there was a LOTR themed trail... I am thinking my idea for this time around might not work.

Unless you go for something a bit general like "favorite movie character".

advanced carving is really detailed lettering and shapes,, id like to see the tools people use to carve very small letters and shapes, like the white space in a persons eye( on the stamp that is,,,not real eyes)

Different transfer methods. I've done pencil, acetone, and iron but none work on my printer at home (no, I'm not bringing it). But some discussion on other methods.

I went to the glossary to add "gypsy box", but I don't know how to add an entry. This would be a great entry to make.

Suggest it to admin. They are the only people who can add to the glossary.

I can't remember if it was a L and B event or just a regular gathering, but there was a Pajama Party one night, that was fun too.

Another suggestion is to have activities for kids. Kids only crafting...making stamps ( foam or potato etc) And decorating a poster or t shirt or making simple log books .... One popular activity at a previous event was creating a flag for your cabin. Lots of kids participated maybe a letterbox themed poster contest just for kids. Etc

Amanda from Seattle

I, too, was not aware of that theme. I came as Nan Wood Graham and my husband portrayed Dr. Byron McKeeby.

Now I remember, I dressed up as "my favorite letterbox". That was a nice theme because it got us all talking about our favorites.

Maude, that's what you did, too, because I remember you telling me about the box you based your costumes on.

I just want to thank everyone for your ideas and feedback! Please feel free to add to the discussion.

We have two planning meetings coming up in the next few weeks and will share a list of firm planned activities later this month.

if there were events at libraries to get people into the sport, I would love it.

There have been many events at libraries. There are also many boxes planted at different libraries around the country. You need to click around Atlasquest and look at event listings, past and present and do a search for boxes at libraries.

Explore the site.

Idea for carving workshops: a webcam pointed at the carving area and projecting it onto a wall/screen - so we could see the technique without crowding around the carver...

I have been taking self-defense-only martial arts (hapkido) for years and would love to share some of what I know with my fellow hikers. My guess is that lots of people would be interested in learning some defensive strategies. I have found that many people think they know some stuff but it either is not accurate or wouldn't work if not applied correctly. For instance, "my boyfriend has a gun" or yelling "fire" are not the best options and "kick him in the nuts" can have serious repercussions if not done, shall we say, "thoroughly".

However, I am not quite a black belt (I'm blue 1st or level 8, BB1 is 11), so in my organization I'm not allowed to teach technique. (The basic thinking behind that is that since the goal is to defend your life and not be a sport and since the techniques are very specific, if I were to teach you incorrectly I could be jeopardizing your confidence and/or life.) Yet I have assisted in many self-defense clinics and am actually more comfortable teaching large groups than my instructor :-)

I know a Master in Helotes, TX, which is an 1.5 hours away. If there is a lot of interest, I could inquire whether he (and probably some of his students as assistants) would be willing to come. We'd probably need to pay him a fee (or at least for his gas!) but we could charge those who attend the class. It would only be 1 hour (or 2 tops) and I would prefer it to be in the evening when I'm back from the trails anyway, but I'd be willing to do a right-before-dinner time, too.

I'll also ask my instructor here if there are any parts I would be able to present by myself, since most of what we show in a basic class is not limited to hapkido, anyway.

Thanks for the offer! I'll run it by our planning team at the next meeting.

What exactly is "advanced carving"?

Carving does get better with practice but I'd like help with creating finer lines and more detailed carves, especially on small pieces.

finer lines and more detailed carves

I would say that's pretty much what "advanced carving" amounts to.

This could also include more advanced printmaking techniques, such as designing and aligning multilayered stamps, thinking about color blending, and approaches for plugging or rebuilding sections of a stamp with a mistake.

At past events I've done "donation boxes", like a service project. I'd be happy to bring any of them if someone local would be willing to take care of getting the donated items distributed. I have "I get a charge out of letterboxing" (donate packs of batteries for overseas military personnel), "Project Pajama Pants" (pretty self explanatory), "A Change for the Better" (benefitting Fisher House...this was a cash donation, but if a local House (affiliated with a VAMC) is in need of physical items, we could do that), and one for Honor Flight Chicago (which could be used to benefit your local Honor Flight hub).

How about a pumpkin carving contest?

I just realized that L&BXX is right before Halloween - I don't know how I missed that detail up to this point. I guess when we starting planning over a year ago it was too far away for that fact to sink in.

Has a decision been made about a Pajama Party or Costume Party and if so is there a theme? Did I miss a memo? It is coming down to the wire and not sure if we should bring costumes or not!!

-Amanda from Seattle

The costume party was discussed but Western Swing Dance with live music won out. Bring a cowgirl costume and you'll fit right in! Yeehaw!

Are there any workshops, activities, classes, special types of boxes, or anything you experienced at a previous event which you want to see again?

Prison tattoos?

See ya soon (If I make parole)

I'm sure you'll make parole if you tell them you're on a mission from God