If you are going camping this weekend, leave the iPads at home. The best game you can play once the sun goes down requires nothing but a flashlight and a little bit of knowledge.
It’s called Visual Morse Code.
While we usually think of Morse Code as beeps and clicks, it was originally designed to work just as well with light. Ships use signal lamps to talk to each other in silence across the ocean. You can do the same across the campground.
The Rules of Light
- Dot (Short Flash): Turn the light on and off quickly (0.5 seconds).
- Dash (Long Flash): Keep the light on for 3 times as long (1.5 seconds).
- Pause: Wait a second between letters so your friend knows you moved to the next character.
What to say?
You need short, punchy messages.
- “Dinner is ready”
- “Bear in camp” (Okay, maybe shout that one instead).
- “Over here”
How to practice
Before you head into the woods, write down your signals.
- Go to the LoopyText Translator.
- Select Morse Code.
- Type: HELLO.
- Get the pattern:
.... . .-.. .-.. --- - Practice tapping your flashlight button: Flash-Flash-Flash-Flash (pause) Flash (pause)…
It is a skill that is fun to learn, but could also be genuinely useful in an emergency if you ever need to signal S-O-S (... --- ...).