Here's the basic idea: Someone hides a waterproof box somewhere (in a beautiful, interesting, or remote location) containing a logbook and a carved rubber stamp, and perhaps other goodies. The hider then writes directions to the box (called "clues" or "the map"), which can be straightforward, cryptic, or any degree in between. 

Hunters in possession of the clues attempt to find the box.  When the hunter successfully deciphers the clue and finds the box, he stamps the logbook in the box with his personal stamp, and stamps his personal logbook with the box's stamp. The box's logbook keeps a record of all its visitors, and the hunters keep a record of all the boxes they have found, in their personal logbooks.

Where are the clues and the boxes?  You can find boxes in just about any location in North America and you can find the clues at Letterboxing.org. 

Are there Letterboxes in the Branson area?  Yes, there are several.  Some are located along hiking trails, in parks, in nature areas, and in other Branson area attractions.  To see the latest list go to this link at Letterboxing.org and search under Branson MO. 

So what is Anchor Inn's 2012 Letterboxing Challenge and what are the prizes?  Anchor Inn guests see how many letterbox stamps  in Stone and Taney County (the Branson area) they can collect during a stay with us.  Those who find the most will receive a $50 certificate toward a future stay at Anchor Inn on the Lake. 

If you're interested in taking the letterboxing challenge, just let us know when you check in and we'll give you a card for your stamps.  We'll keep track during the year and announce the winners December 31, 2012.  If there is a tie for the most, we'll award certificates to all challengers with that number of stamps.

Check back on our website during the year to see who's in the lead.