SIGNS, SIGNALS

AND CODES
 BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
MERIT BADGE SERIES

SIGNS, SIGNALS,
AND CODES

“Enhancing our youths’ competitive edge through merit badges”

 Requirements
1. Discuss with your counselor the importance of signs,
signals, and codes, and why people need these different
methods of communication. Briefly discuss the history and
development of signs, signals, and codes.
2. Explain the importance of signaling in emergency
communications. Discuss with your counselor the types
of emergency or distress signals one might use to attract
airborne search-and-rescue personnel if lost in the outdoors
or trying to summon assistance during a disaster. Illustrate
these signaling examples by the use of photos or drawings.
3. Do the following:
a. Describe what Morse code is and the various means
To satisfy the by which it can be sent. Spell your first name using
Morse code. Send or receive a message of six to 10
braille writing
words using Morse code.
requirement 5b for b. Describe what American Sign Language (ASL) is
this merit badge, and how it is used today. Spell your first name using
American Sign Language. Send or receive a message
you do not need
of six to 10 words using ASL.
to emboss braille 4. Give your counselor a brief explanation about semaphore,
dots in thick why it is used, how it is used, and where it is used. Explain
the difference between semaphore flags and nautical flags.
paper. Rather, you
Then do the following:
may use a pencil a. Spell your first name using semaphore. Send or receive
or pen to draw the a message of six to 10 words using semaphore.
b. Using illustrations or photographs, identify 10 examples
dots on ordinary
of nautical flags and discuss their importance.
paper, copying the 5. Explain the braille reading technique and how it helps
characters of the individuals with sight impairment to communicate. Then
do the following:
braille alphabet
a. Either by sight or by touch, identify the letters of the
to spell out your braille alphabet that spell your name. By sight or
message letter touch, decode a braille message at least six words long.
b. Create a message in braille at least six words long, and
by letter.
share this with your counselor.

4    SIGNS, SIGNALS, AND CODES

6. Do the following:
a. Describe to your counselor six sound-only signals that
are in use today. Discuss the pros and cons of using
sound signals versus other types of signals.
b. Demonstrate to your counselor six different silent
Scout signals. Use these Scout signals to direct the
movements and actions of your patrol or troop.
7. On a Scout outing, lay out a trail for your patrol or troop to
follow. Cover at least one mile in distance and use at least
six different trail signs and markers. After the Scouts have
completed the trail, follow no-trace principles by replacing
or returning trail markers to their original locations.
8. For THREE of the following activities, demonstrate five signals
each. Tell what the signals mean and why they are used:
a. Sports official’s hand signs/signals
b. Heavy-equipment operator’s hand signals
c. Aircraft carrier catapult crew signals
d. Cyclist’s hand signals
e. An activity selected by you and your counselor
9. Share with your counselor 10 examples of symbols
used in everyday life. Design your own symbol. Share
it with your counselor and explain what it means. Then
do the following:
a. Show examples of 10 traffic signs and explain
their meaning.
b. Using a topographical map, explain what a map legend
is and discuss its importance. Point out 10 map
symbols and explain the meaning of each.
c. Discuss text-message symbols and why they are
commonly used. Give examples of your favorite
10 text symbols or emoticons. Then see if your
counselor or parent can identify the meaning or
usage of each symbol.
10. Briefly discuss the history of secret code writing
(cryptography). Make up your own secret code and write
a message of up to 25 words using this code. Share the
message with a friend or fellow Scout. Then share the
message and code key with your counselor and discuss
the effectiveness of your code.

SIGNS, SIGNALS, AND CODES   5

 .Resources

Resources Braille Flash Cards

Website: http://www.printableflashcards.
net/preview/Braille
Scouting Literature
Cryptography
Boy Scout Handbook, Fieldbook; Break the Code
Communication, Digital Technology, Website: http://www.cia.gov/kids-page/
Disabilities Awareness, Emergency games/break-the-code
Preparedness, Graphic Arts, Indian Lore,
Programming, Radio, Railroading, CryptoClub
Search and Rescue, and Wilderness Website: http://www.cryptoclub.org
Survival merit badge pamphlets. Crypto Museum
Website: http://www.crytpomuseum.com
Websites, Tutorials, and Apps
Journey Into Cryptography
American Sign Language Website: http://www.khanacademy.org/
American Sign Language University computing/computer-science/cryptography
Website: http://www.lifeprint.com Secret Language: Cryptography
dDeaf World & Secret Codes
Website: http://www.ddeafworld.com Website: http://www.exploratorium.edu/
Handspeak® ronh/secret/secret.html
Website: http://www.handspeak.com Morse Code
Learn American Sign Language AE Morse Code Tutor,
tablet/smartphone app tablet/smartphone app
Signing Savvy Learn Morse Code
Website: http://www.signingsavvy.com Website: http://www.learnmorsecode.com

Braille Morse Code Machine

Braille Alphabet Website: http://www.boyslife.org/games/
Website: http://www.braillealphabet.org online-games/575/morse-
code-machine
BrailleBack, tablet/smartphone app
Morse-It, tablet/smartphone app
Braille Bug®
Website: http://www.braillebug.afb.org

SIGNS, SIGNALS, AND CODES   91

Resources.

Nautical Flags Trail Signs

International Code Flags Trail Signs & Blazes
or Signaling Flags Website: http://www.inquiry.net/
Website: http://www.boatsafe.com/ outdoor/skills/seton/blazes.htm
nauticalknowhow/flags.htm Trail Signs of Direction
Nautical Flags and Their Meanings Website: http://www.inquiry.net/
Website: http://www.marinewaypoints. outdoor/skills/beard/signs_
com/learn/flags/flags.shtml direction.htm
Nautical Flags—International Code Flags Trail Signs: Traditional
Website: http://www.soundkeepers. Website: http://www.inquiry.net/
com/kids/alphabet outdoor/skills/b-p/signs.htm

Rescue and Distress Signals Wigwag and Other Signals

Basic Survival Strategy The Science Notebook
Website: http://www.cap-es.net/zips/ Website: http://science-notebook.com/
bsssh.PDF gilbert-signal01.html
Boating Distress Signals Sending WIGWAG Code
Website: http://boatsafe.com/ Website: http://www.cranburyscouts.
nauticalknowhow/distress.htm org/WigWagBL.htm
Camping Distress Signals Signalman Sam’s Signaling
Website: http://www.camping-field- Resource Page
guide.com/distress-signals.html Website: http://www.cranburyscouts.
Ground-to-Air Signals org/SamsPage.htm
Website: http://www.cap-es.net/zips/ Smiley Symbols Dictionary
gnd2airsignals.PDF Website: http://www.planetpals.com/
smiley.html
Semaphore
Semaphore Flag Signaling
Books and CDs
Website: http://inter.scoutnet.org
/semaphore American Radio Relay League.
Semaphore Flag Signaling System Your Introduction to Morse Code
Website: http://www.marinewaypoints. (audio CDs). ARRL, 2008.
com/learn/flags/semaphore Araujo, Lynn. Historical Signals
/semaphore.shtml and Semaphores.
Semaphore Flag Signalling U.S. Games Systems, 2006.
tablet/smartphone app Blackwood, Gary. Mysterious Messages:
A History of Codes and Ciphers.
Dutton, 2009.

92    SIGNS, SIGNALS, AND CODES

 .Resources

Collins, Harold S., et al. Braille for the Acknowledgements

Sighted: Beginning Braille. Garlic The Boy Scouts of America thanks the
Press, 1998. following members of the Signs, Signals,
Fletcher, Archibald Lee. Boy Scouts and Codes Merit Badge Development
Signal Sender, or When Wigwag Team, who worked diligently to develop
Knowledge Paid. Big Rock, 2011. the merit badge requirements and
content for this pamphlet.
Hubler, Michael S., and Lillian J.
Hubler. Scout Sign Language. Timothy I. Malaney—Eagle Scout and
CreateSpace Independent Publishing team lead
Platform, 2013. Shane T. Hensley, MBA—Certified by
Janeczko, Paul B. Top Secret: A the Registry of Interpreters for the
Handbook of Codes, Ciphers and Deaf (Certificate of Interpretation and
Secret Writing. Candlewick, 2006. Certificate of Transliteration); video
relay interpreter; native user of
Johnson, Bud. Break the Code:
American Sign Language
Cryptography for Beginners.
Dover, 2013. James Lindfors—Patrol sergeant,
sheriff’s office, Hennepin County
Lunde, Paul. The Book of Codes:
(Minnesota); amateur radio operator;
Understanding the World of Hidden
SKYWARN® spotter; National
Messages. University of California
Weather Service instructor;
Press, 2009.
active Scouter
National Imagery and Mapping Agency
Michael J. Lopez—U.S. Army radio
(NIMA). International Code of
operator for International Morse
Signals. Starpath, 2009.
Code; active Scouter and troop
Seton, Ernest Thompson. Sign Talk: committee member
A Universal Signal Code. Nabu
Gary McKee—U.S. Coast Guard
Press, 2014.
Radioman First Class; technical
Signal Corps. Manual of Visual supervisor, RCA Global
Signaling. United States Army Signal Communications; member, U.S.
Corps, 2013. Power Squadron; park manager,
Sternberg, Martin L.A. American Sign Florida State Parks; active Scouter
Language Dictionary. Harper Patricia Mitchell, M.Ed.—Special
Perennial, 1998. education teacher (retired); braille
Warner, Penny. Signing Fun: American instructor and certified teacher of the
Sign Language Vocabulary, Phrases, visually impaired
Games, and Activities. Gallaudet
University Press, 2006.

SIGNS, SIGNALS, AND CODES   93