daily activities

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History’s Mysteries

Secret Codes + Languages

Secret codes have been used for centuries to protect some of our world’s greatest mysteries. They’ve signaled for help and kept top-secret information confidential. But did you know that modern-day codebreaking was developed during World War II—and that women and Native Americans were leaders in cracking codes? Today, you'll learn some of their secrets and even try some code-making of your own.

DAY 1

what you’ll need

Your Camp Kinda toolkit

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FOR PARENTS

Ask About Today

Can you tell me about the codebreakers of World War II? What did you learn?

Dinner Discussion

What are some of the unique ways our family communicates, or “codes” we use when we talk to each other?

Skip the Ads

Unfortunately, online videos often start with short advertisements. Remind your campers to click the "Skip" button as soon as they can to move ahead to the video.

explore

30-45 minutes

Before you can become a master of code-making and codebreaking, you’ll need to understand some of the roots of secret codes in our modern times. Start by learning about the history of codebreaking.

Code-Making and Code-Breaking

"Cryptography" is the science of making (and breaking) secret codes. In this video from Sci Show, you'll learn what it's all about, and why some codes are so much harder to crack than others.

Popular Codes

What are the most-used codes in history? Read about some of the most popular systems of secret messages.

Meet the Code Talkers

The Navajo Code Talkers were instrumental in helping the Allied forces win World War II. By using their native language, Navajo, to make coded messages, the Code Talkers were able to send and receive messages the enemy could not break. Explore this Britannica Kids article to learn all about the Navajo Code Talkers.

Code Girls

Meet the “Code Girls,” the women codebreakers of World War II.

Disguising Your Identity

Head over to the International Spy Museum and try disguising your identity by changing your walk, your voice, or by blending in with your surroundings.

Download

Crack the Code Game

Brush up on your code-cracking with this game from National Geographic Kids.

create

30-45 minutes

Secret codes, also known as ciphers, have been used for thousands of years. It's time to make your own.

Make a Cipher

Julius Caesar, the Roman general and ruler, used a simple substitution cipher. He substituted each letter with the letter three places further along in the alphabet. So “A” was replaced with “D,” “B” was replaced with “E,” and so on. (For example, “HELLO” would be written as “KHOOR.”)

Create a substitution cipher using Caesar’s rules (or your own), then try sending a message to your family. For example, what do you want for dessert tonight? Tell your family using your cipher and see if they can figure it out.

Pro Tip:

Write out all the letters of the alphabet on one line, and then write your substitutions underneath. And remember, you don’t have to use just letters. You can use numbers and symbols, too!

move

30-45 minutes

What if you had to make a secret code or language with no letters or numbers...only body movements?

Talk Through Dance

Make up a dance to communicate something important to you. Think of each movement as part of a code: For example, clapping your hands might mean you're happy, or a spin might mean confusion or sadness. Bonus points for recording or performing your dance for your family. Can they figure out what you're trying to say?

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