{"activityType":[{"id":38377,"name":"Practical skills"},{"id":38380,"name":"Outdoor skills"}],"activityCategory":"Activity","completionTime":"60","cost":"\u00A3","energy":"Focusing","equipmentList":[{"id":38356,"name":"A4 paper","description":"","type":"general"},{"id":38295,"name":"Pens or pencils","description":"","type":"general"},{"id":0,"name":null,"description":"Oscillator (such as the one made in \u0027Destination oscillation\u0027)","type":"specific"},{"id":0,"name":null,"description":"Semaphore flags (or red and yellow card)","type":"specific"},{"id":0,"name":null,"description":"Map of the local area","type":"specific"},{"id":0,"name":null,"description":"Sticky tape (optional)","type":"specific"},{"id":0,"name":null,"description":"Torch (optional)","type":"specific"}],"adjustments":"\u003Cp\u003EFor savvy map-readers, make this tougher by having the location sheets spell out a six-figure grid reference, rather than a place name. Decrease the number of locations to make this simpler.\u003C/p\u003E","firstProvidedBy":"","flexibilityStatement":"\u003Cp\u003EBring a torch if you\u2019re going out in the dark.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETry to keep all the trails on suitable terrain.\u003C/p\u003E","groupSize":"Teams","guide":null,"meetsRequirements":[{"notes":null,"subRequirementsToQualify":0,"numberOfTimeToComplete":0,"subRequirements":null,"tips":null,"optional":false,"id":41362,"nodeName":null,"title":null,"type":"","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":null,"searchDescription":null,"subHeader":null,"browserTitle":null,"silktide":null,"canonicalUrl":null}],"countsTowardsBadges":[{"title":"Communicator","sections":["Cubs"],"supportedBy":null,"badgeType":{"id":39282,"name":"Activity"},"activityTypes":[],"settings":[],"browserTitle":"Cubs Communicator Activity Badge","url":"/cubs/activity-badges/communicator/","id":40862,"nodeName":"Communicator","type":"badge","image":{"url":"/media/4316/activity-cu-communicator.png","caption":"Activity Cu Communicator","type":"png","size":12569,"width":347,"height":350,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Communicator","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"searchDescription":"","subHeader":"","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80MDg2MiJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/cubs/activity-badges/communicator/"}],"outcome":[{"id":38399,"name":"Problem solve","outcomeLabel":"Problem solve","outcomeDescription":"Find it easier to understand challenges, consider your options, and find solutions."},{"id":38404,"name":"Communicate","outcomeLabel":"Communicate","outcomeDescription":"Learn to express your own views, listen to others, and understand what they\u2019re trying to tell you."}],"preparation":null,"preparationTime":"60\u002B","reflection":"\u003Cp\u003EThere are lots of communication methods across the world and they\u2019re used for many different reasons. Both Semaphore and Morse code pass messages to another place or person in a way that not everyone understands. When or why might it have been important to send a secret message? What situations in Scouts can you think of where Semaphore or Morse code might come in handy?\u003C/p\u003E","relatedActivities":null,"setting":[{"id":38378,"name":"Outdoors"}],"supportedBy":null,"takingItFurther":"\u003Cp\u003ETry this somewhere new to see if these skills can help everyone get to know a different place.\u003C/p\u003E","whoIsItFor":"","youthShapedGuidance":"\u003Cp\u003ETeams can think up the phrase or sentence for others to find, and could even devise one another\u2019s trails. Check these to make sure they\u2019re suitable!\u003C/p\u003E","activityTags":[{"id":38567,"name":"Exploring"}],"roles":[{"id":39231,"name":"Helpers"},{"id":38724,"name":"Section Teams"},{"id":38725,"name":"Young Leaders"}],"sections":[{"name":"Scouts","id":39275,"logo":"","colour":null,"ageRange":""},{"name":"Explorers","id":39276,"logo":"","colour":null,"ageRange":""},{"name":"Cubs","id":39274,"logo":"","colour":null,"ageRange":""}],"themes":[{"id":38475,"name":"Communication"},{"id":38469,"name":"Teamwork"},{"id":38442,"name":"Local area"},{"id":38417,"name":"Outdoor skills"}],"searchEngineDescription":"Crack the code and follow the trail around your local area, in this dot-dash flag-waving bash.","plannerTimeSlot":60.000000,"safetyAlerts":[{"title":"Dark","alert":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EProvide some light, so the environment isn\u2019t completely dark. 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Always check the weather forecast, and inform parents and carers of any change in venue.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E"},{"title":"Road safety","alert":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EManage groups carefully when near or on roads. Consider adult supervision and additional equipment (such as lights and high visibility clothing) in your risk assessment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E"},{"title":"Snow and ice","alert":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EBe careful when activities involve snow and ice. Check surfaces and reduce the risk of slipping where possible. 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Always get\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/approving-activities-guidance-for-lead-volunteers/\u0022 title=\u0022Approving Activities - Guidance for Lead Volunteers\u0022\u003Eapproval for the activity\u003C/a\u003E, and have suitable\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/planning-and-assessing-risk/guidance-for-supervision-of-activities/\u0022 title=\u0022Guidance for supervision of activities\u0022\u003Esupervision\u003C/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and an \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/intouch/\u0022 title=\u0022InTouch\u0022\u003EInTouch\u003C/a\u003E process.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou must run your activities in line with the \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safe-scouting-cards/safeguarding-code-of-conduct-for-adults-yellow-card/\u0022 title=\u0022Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults - Yellow Card\u0022\u003ESafeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card)\u003C/a\u003E and report any concerns to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.\u003C/p\u003E","basicChecklist":"\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EComplete a \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/risk-assessments/\u0022 title=\u0022Risk assessments\u0022\u003Erisk assessment\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EHave the right \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/adult-to-young-people-ratios/\u0022 title=\u0022Adult to Young People ratios\u0022\u003Eratios\u003C/a\u003E of number of adults to provide suitable\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/planning-and-assessing-risk/guidance-for-supervision-of-activities/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Guidance for supervision of activities\u0022\u003Esupervision\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESet up an \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/intouch/\u0022 title=\u0022InTouch\u0022\u003EInTouch\u003C/a\u003E process\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safe-scouting-cards/safe-scouting-and-emergency-procedures/\u0022 title=\u0022Safe Scouting and Emergency Procedures\u0022\u003EKnow what to do in an emergency\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EShare information with parents and carers with an\u003C/span\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/general-activity-guidance/activity-information-form/\u0022 title=\u0022Activity information form\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eactivity information\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E form\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EGet \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/approving-activities-guidance-for-lead-volunteers/\u0022 title=\u0022Approving Activities - Guidance for Lead Volunteers\u0022\u003Eapproval from your Lead Volunteer.\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","scoutLedAvailable":"\u003Cp\u003EThis activity can be led by you or someone else in Scouts:\u003C/p\u003E","permitRequired":"\u003Cp\u003EThe activity leader must have an \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/activity-permit-scheme/adventurous-activity-permit-scheme/\u0022 title=\u0022Adventurous Activity Permit Scheme\u0022\u003Eadventurous activities permit\u003C/a\u003E with the right level and permissions for your group.\u003C/p\u003E","externallyLedAvailable":"\u003Cp\u003EYou can go to a centre or use an activity leader who\u0027s not part of Scouts:\u003C/p\u003E","aalaRequired":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.hse.gov.uk/aala/index.htm\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022AALA licence\u0022\u003EAn AALA licence is required\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","aalaExempt":"\u003Cp\u003EIf the provider is exempt from the AALA licence.\u003C/p\u003E","publicLiabilityInsurance":"\u003Cp\u003EThe provider must have public liability insurance.\u003C/p\u003E","actvityLink":"/activities/"},"duration":60,"instructions":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBefore you begin\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThere are lots of communication methods across the world and they are used for many different reasons. Semaphore using handheld flags (like in this activity) originated around 1860, but other semaphore systems have been used since ancient times! Morse code has been used since the 1830s. Both have been used to pass messages to another place or person in a way that not everyone understands.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis activity gives everybody the opportunity to learn Semaphore or Morse code by following trails set out in their local area. The trails only use the chosen communication method of the team and lead people to different locations before returning to the meeting place to decipher and communicate a sentence or phrase to another team.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EPlan out how many Morse code and Semaphore trails you\u2019ll need for this activity, based on the number of people in your group. Each trail should only use one of the communication methods. Large groups may like to have multiple smaller teams tackling either Morse code or Semaphore, while in smaller groups it\u2019s probably easier to split into two teams and have one try each.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECreate two Semaphore flags each for the teams completing the Semaphore trails.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHow to make them can be found on the \u2018Semaphore signals\u2019 sheet. If there is time, teams could create them in the session, before heading out.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESource an oscillator for every team completing the Morse code trail.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf this is not possible, consider completing the \u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/destination-oscillation/\u0022 title=\u0022Destination oscillation\u0022\u003EDestination Oscillation\u003C/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;activity before this to give everyone the opportunity to build a simple oscillator.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESet a trail\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Col\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EPlot a trail for each team. Each team should visit six different locations on their trail. Teams may visit the same location, but only at different times. Use the map to help. Once the trails are done, translate the name of each location into Semaphore or Morse code, depending on who\u2019s going to be following it. Use the \u2018Semaphore signals\u2019 and \u2018Morse code\u2019 sheets to help.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ol\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you do this on a computer with web access, \u003Cu\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://morsecode.world/international/translator.html\u0022 title=\u0022A website which translates sentences into Morse code\u0022\u003EMorse code\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/u\u003E and \u003Cu\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http://www.semaphorify.info/\u0022 title=\u0022A website which translates sentences into Semaphore pictures\u0022\u003ESemaphore\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/u\u003E can be quickly translated at these linked websites.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Col start=\u00222\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECreate a sentence or phrase for each team, divide it up and write it on the back of their location sheets in English for them to collect on their way round\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ol\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEach team will need to translate this sentence or phrase into either Semaphore or Morse code when they get back to the meeting place and communicate it to another team.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Col start=\u00223\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EPut the location sheets at their places in the local area before the meeting starts\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ol\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMake sure the order is written down so there is no confusion when placing them out. Make note of any risks or hazards leaders and young people should be aware of while these are being put out.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBelow are example trail sheets in Morse code and Semaphore to get you going:\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe purple letters are for guidance only, and should not be included when making trail sheets for this adventure. Otherwise locations will be uncovered very quickly!\u003C/em\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"twoColumnWide","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/5510/morse-code-trail-sheet-example-01.png","width":8000,"height":4500,"altText":"Example of a trail sheet written in Morse code.","caption":"","link":null}]},{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/5511/semaphore-signals-trail-sheet-example-01.png","width":8000,"height":4500,"altText":"An example trail sheet using Semaphore signals.","caption":"","link":null}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExplore and uncover\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Col\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EEveryone should get into their groups. Make a final decision on who\u2019ll be using Morse code and who\u2019ll be using Semaphore. Give the Morse code teams their help sheet and the Semaphore teams theirs. Let each team know which colour team they are, or how to recognise the bits of paper they need to collect.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EGive each team their location sheet. If anyone needs any help deciphering the code, they should be encouraged to ask for it now. Each team should then set off to the first location on their trail with their adult helper.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ol\u003E\n\u003Caside\u003EEach group should take the location sheet with them from each location as they have the phrase on the back they need for later. Inform adult helpers of any hazards or risks on the trail.\u003C/aside\u003E\n\u003Col start=\u00223\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhen all of the teams return, they should have all their location sheets. Everyone should then use their help sheet to translate this sentence into Morse code or Semaphore (whichever one they\u2019ve been using). Give out pens or paper where needed.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EExplain the correct sending and receiving procedures to all the teams to follow.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ol\u003E\n\u003Caside\u003EThese are on the help sheets for reference while they are sending their message.\u003C/aside\u003E\n\u003Col start=\u00225\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EPair up teams who don\u2019t share the same communication method and have them relay their message in Morse code of Semaphore. Make sure the team receiving and the team sending has the relevant help sheet. The receiving team should write down the message as they receive it.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhile teams are sending their messages, everyone else should be timing them. It should take no more than a minute to send five words.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ol\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"ownerAuthor":null,"porRules":null,"id":50003,"nodeName":"The road to the code","title":"The road to the code","type":"activity","image":null,"assets":[{"id":12352,"url":"/media/5504/generic-resources-morse-code.pdf","caption":"Morse code","type":"pdf","size":146781},{"id":12378,"url":"/media/5508/generic-resources-semaphore-signals.pdf","caption":"Semaphore signals","type":"pdf","size":275747}],"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"The road to the code","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"searchDescription":"Crack the code and follow the trail around your local area, in this dot-dash flag-waving bash.","subHeader":"Crack the code and follow the trail around your local area, in this dot-dash flag-waving bash.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC81MDAwMyJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/the-road-to-the-code/"}