Outdoor Skills · Ages 7 and up

Signaling: Morse Code and Semaphore

Send secret messages with Morse code, flags, flashlights, and hand signals.

Before phones, people sent messages with clicks, flashes, and flags. The 1911 Handbook for Boys taught the American Morse telegraph code, the Myer wig-wag code, and semaphore. By 1914 the handbook had switched to International Morse, “the code used in wireless,” which is the code we learn here.

Things to try

In any order, at your own pace. Tick what you've tried if you like keeping track; ticks stay on this device.

Spell your name in MorseUse the table to write your name in dots and dashes. Then learn SOS (· · · – – – · · ·), the best-known Morse signal. A good goal: you can tap your name from memory.
Learn the timingIn Morse code, a dash lasts as long as three dots. Leave a gap of one dot between parts of a letter, three dots between letters, and seven between words. Practice by saying “dit” and “dah” out loud. A good goal: a grown-up can tell where your letters break.
Send by sound and lightSend short words by tapping on a table, blowing a whistle, or blinking a flashlight. A partner writes down what they receive. A good goal: you've sent five words correctly by two different methods.
Learn the whole alphabetLearn all 26 letters. Try learning them in groups, such as the all-dot letters (E, I, S, H) and the all-dash letters (T, M, O). A good goal: you can send and receive a five-word message.
Try semaphoreMake two flags from dish towels and sticks. Using the old chart, learn the arm positions for the letters in your name. A good goal: someone across the yard can read your name from your flags.
Use hand signals on a walkAgree on simple silent hand signals with your family, such as stop, come here, look, and go that way, and use them on a walk. A good goal: the group follows your signals without any talking.
Signal at nightAfter dark, flash Morse messages across the yard or between windows with a flashlight. A good goal: you've exchanged a message and an answer.
Teach a codeTeach a family member at least ten Morse letters, then trade secret messages with them. A good goal: they decode one of yours.

International Morse Code (· = dot, – = dash)

A · –B – · · ·C – · – ·D – · ·E ·F · · – ·G – – ·H · · · ·I · ·J · – – –K – · –L · – · ·M – –N – ·O – – –P · – – ·Q – – · –R · – ·S · · ·T –U · · –V · · · –W · – –X – · · –Y – · – –Z – – · ·1 · – – – –2 · · – – –3 · · · – –4 · · · · –5 · · · · ·6 – · · · ·7 – – · · ·8 – – – · ·9 – – – – ·0 – – – – –

Read about it in the old books

Teddy Rook Book is not affiliated with or connected to any scouting or youth organization. These pages are free ideas to use however you like.