Cryptography Club: Summer Camp for Codebreakers & Puzzle Solvers (Ages 9–12)

Does your learner like solving puzzles and mysteries?  Then this class is just for them.  

In this engaging 4-week club, students will explore the world of cryptography - the study of writing or solving codes.  Codes and ciphers have been used throughout history to pass along secret messages, which is exactly what we are going to learn how to do.

Each week students will be introduced to a different type of code or cipher.  Through hands-on practice, creative challenges, and historical context, learners will stretch their thinking while strengthening logic and problem solving skills.  .  

What we'll explore:
Week 1 – Students will learn about the history of cryptography and be introduced to Morse Code.
Week 2 – Students will learn about substitution ciphers including Caesar, Atbash, and Pigpen.  
Week 3 – Students will learn about transposition ciphers including Zigzag.
Week 4 – Students will embark on some final cryptogram challenges.  

Students will want some paper and a pencil handy during each class, plus there will be handouts posted in the classroom prior to each class to help guide them through the encoding and decoding process.  

This class is ideal for curious learners who enjoy brain teasers, puzzles, or history with a twist of mystery.