Custom Text Mystery

Fulfills Step 1 of GSUSA Cadette Cybersecurity Investigator badge requirements.

Info Needed for badge requirements: Text messages can reveal a lot about someone, like their daily routine, interests, or relationships. Strangers might use this information to guess passwords, track habits, or even steal identities. To protect your privacy, avoid sharing sensitive details like passwords or personal info in texts and think carefully about what you send. Always assume someone else might see your messages!

Items Needed

A printed set of text message threads for each group of scouts (examples listed below).
Pens or pencils (one per scout).
Blank sheets of paper (one per scout).

Instructions

The leader shares the mystery scenario with the scouts. This provides the starting clue that they need to solve the mystery using the text message threads.
Divide scouts into small groups. Give each group a printed set of text message threads.
Scouts use the details from the text message threads to figure out the solution to the mystery. Each group writes down their answer and explains which clues helped them solve the puzzle.
Groups share their answers and discuss how they found the clues in the text messages. The leader can confirm the solution and highlight any missed details.

SIMPLE Text Message Threads

Pick the one that fits your troop the best.

The Soccer Ball Mystery

Scenario:
During practice yesterday, a scout lost their soccer ball. They remember having it earlier in the day, but now it’s missing. The soccer ball is important because it was signed by their favorite team! Scouts, your job is to figure out what happened to the soccer ball by reading through the text message threads. Pay close attention to the clues, as not all messages will give you the answer directly.

To Ellie:

Did you see my soccer ball at practice yesterday?
I don’t think so. Did you leave it near the field?

To Lucas:

Do you have my soccer ball? I can’t find it anywhere.
I saw Ryan near the field after practice.

To Ryan:

Hey, Lucas said you were near the field yesterday. Did you see my soccer ball?
I saw something near the bleachers, but it wasn’t mine.

To Maya:

Did you happen to grab my soccer ball near the bleachers?
I think I saw Olivia carrying something like that, but I didn’t ask her about it.

To Olivia:

Maya says you might have taken my soccer ball after practice. Did you?
No, but I remember seeing something by the bleachers when I walked out. I think Lucas went back there after everyone had left.

Solution:
In this version, scouts need to connect the dots:

Clues suggest the soccer ball was left near the bleachers.
Maya points toward Olivia, but Olivia’s message shifts focus back to Lucas.
Scouts must trace the movement of people and link Lucas to the soccer ball at the end.

Missing Backpack Mystery

Scenario:
Amanda left their backpack at school after color guard practice. When they returned to the classroom, the backpack was missing! Scouts must examine Amanda’s text message threads to figure out where the backpack might be and who knows what happened to it.

Text Message Threads:

Amanda & Mia:

Amanda: Hey Mia, did you see my backpack after practice? It wasn’t in the classroom.
Mia: Hmm, I saw it when you left the field. Did you stop by the library after that?
Amanda: I don’t think so. Why?
Mia: I passed by the library later and didn’t see it anymore.

Amanda & Jamie:

Amanda: Hey Jamie, did you see my backpack near the library yesterday?
Jamie: Library? No, but I saw something near the bleachers after practice.
Amanda: Do you think it was my backpack?
Jamie: Maybe? I didn’t stick around to check, but Hannah might know—she was by the bleachers too.

Amanda & Hannah:

Amanda: Mia and Jamie both mentioned you were around after practice. Did you see my backpack?
Hannah: By the bleachers? I think I did.
Amanda: What happened to it?
Hannah: I left after practice, but I remember seeing someone else near the field. Maybe ask Oliver?

Amanda & Oliver:

Amanda: Hey Oliver, did you go near the field after practice?
Oliver: Yeah, I saw a backpack by the bleachers on my way out.
Amanda: Did you take it?
Oliver: Nope, but I remember Mrs. Stevens was cleaning up the area.

Solution:
The backpack was likely picked up by Mrs. Stevens during her cleanup after practice. Scouts must follow the trail of clues through the messages to conclude this.

Missing Book

Scenario:
Alex borrowed a friend’s favorite book and took it to a park to read. When Alex returned home, they realized the book was missing. Scouts must figure out what might have happened to the book by analyzing Alex’s text message threads with friends and piecing together the clues.

Alex & Mia:

Alex: Hey Mia, I lost Logan’s book! Did you see it when we were at the park today?
Mia: Wait, wasn’t it in your bag?
Alex: I thought so, but it’s not here now.
Mia: Well, I saw you set your bag down by the picnic table when we stopped for snacks. Maybe you left it there?

Alex & Jamie:

Alex: Jamie, did you see Logan’s book at the picnic table when we were at the park?
Jamie: I think so. It was on the bench, right?
Alex: Probably… Did you grab it?
Jamie: No, but I saw Ryan pick up something from the bench when we were leaving.

Alex & Ryan:

Alex: Jamie said you might’ve taken Logan’s book from the bench at the park. Do you have it?
Ryan: Oh, that was Logan’s? I thought someone just left it behind, so I moved it to the info board in case they came back for it.
Alex: The info board near the walking path?
Ryan: Yeah, next to the bike racks.

Alex & Taylor:

Alex: Taylor, did you go by the info board when we were leaving the park? Ryan says they left a book there, but it’s gone now.
Taylor: Yeah, I passed by. I didn’t see any book, though.
Alex: Are you sure?
Taylor: Oh, wait—I think I saw a park ranger taking something from the board while they were cleaning up.

Solution:
The book was likely taken by the park ranger while cleaning the area. Scouts must piece together the clues—Mia’s mention of the picnic table, Jamie’s observation of Ryan moving the book, and Taylor’s note about the park ranger—to figure out the book’s whereabouts.

ADVANCED Text Message Threads

These contain some Message Threads unrelated to the mystery. Pick the one that fits your troop best.

Missing Notebook

Scenario:
During a group hangout, Jordan realizes their notebook is missing. The notebook contains sketches of their big art project due next week! Scouts need to examine Jordan’s text message threads with friends to figure out what happened to the notebook and how to get it back. Not all the threads are related to the mystery, but one holds the key to solving it.

Text Message Threads:

Jordan & Taylor:

Jordan: Hey, what’s the plan for the hangout?
Taylor: I think we’re meeting at the park, near the fountain.
Jordan: Cool, I’ll bring snacks!
Taylor: Awesome. Are you bringing that notebook you’ve been working on too?
Jordan: Yeah, I never go anywhere without it!

Jordan & Jamie:

Jordan: Hey, what time are you heading to the park?
Jamie: Probably 4:00. Do you still need help with your art project?
Jordan: I do, but I think I lost my notebook after yesterday’s hangout.
Jamie: Yikes! Where’d you last see it?
Jordan: I had it at the picnic table when we were all sitting there.
Jamie: Did someone else grab it?
Jordan: Maya said you might have grabbed my notebook when packing up art supplies.
Jamie: Oh, I thought it was yours, but I left it in the bike basket on my way out!
Jordan: Bike basket? Where?
Jamie: I left my bike near the fountain.

Jordan & Ryan:

Jordan: Did you see my notebook yesterday? I left it near the picnic table.
Ryan: Oh yeah, I saw it there when we were playing frisbee.
Jordan: Did you pick it up?
Ryan: No, but I remember Maya was organizing her stuff near the table before she left.

Jordan & Maya:

Jordan: Ryan said you might’ve seen my notebook. Did you grab it?
Maya: Hmm, I remember seeing something on the bench.
Jordan: My notebook?
Maya: I don’t think I picked it up—I thought Jamie had it when they were putting away the art supplies.

Jordan & Olivia:

Jordan: I still can’t believe that concert last night!
Olivia: Same! The light show was epic.
Jordan: I’m going again next month, wanna join?
Olivia: You don’t even have to ask.

Jordan & Logan:

Jordan: What are you up to today?
Logan: Just chilling. Maybe heading to the skate park later.
Jordan: Fun! Let me know if you wanna hang later.
Logan: Will do.

Solution:
Scouts need to trace the clues:

Taylor confirms Jordan had the notebook at the hangout.
Jamie’s second thread reveals the notebook was left in Jamie’s bike basket near the fountain.
Scouts connect the dots to conclude that the notebook might still be by the fountain or nearby.

Missing Water Bottle

Scenario:
During a neighborhood picnic, Alex realizes that their favorite water bottle is missing. They remember having it at the start of the picnic, but now it’s gone. Scouts must figure out what might have happened to the water bottle by reading through Alex’s text message threads with their friends. Only one thread contains useful clues, while the others are unrelated. Scouts will need to think critically to connect the dots and solve the mystery.

Alex & Charlie:

Alex: Did you notice my water bottle anywhere at the picnic?
Charlie: I think you had it when we sat under the big tree.
Alex: Yeah, I remember that too. But it’s not there now.
Charlie: Maybe you left it by the dessert table—I saw you grab cookies from there.

Alex & Riley:

Alex: Riley, did you see my water bottle near the dessert table?
Riley: Hmm, I saw something shiny on the table. Was it red?
Alex: Yes! That might’ve been it. Did you take it?
Riley: No, but I saw Jordan clearing off the table after everyone left.

Alex & Maya:

Alex: Hey, when are you coming over tomorrow?
Maya: Around 2. Do you need me to bring anything?
Alex: Nah, just yourself.
Maya: Perfect!

Alex & Jordan:

Alex: Riley said you were cleaning up the dessert table. Did you see my red water bottle?
Jordan: I think so. I moved it to the bench because it was in the way.
Alex: Which bench?
Jordan: The one near the soccer field.

Alex & Harper:

Alex: Did you finish watching that show yet?
Harper: Not yet! I’m on the second-to-last episode.
Alex: It’s SO good. Text me after the finale!
Harper: I will!

Alex & Taylor:

Alex: Jordan said they moved my water bottle to the bench by the soccer field. Did you see it?
Taylor: The soccer field? I passed by the bench earlier, but I didn’t notice a red water bottle there.
Alex: Are you sure?
Taylor: Yeah, pretty sure. I did see Mr. Miller walking around with some stuff near the field, though.

Solution:
The water bottle was last placed on a bench near the soccer field. Scouts will need to follow the clues from Charlie, Riley, Jordan, and Taylor to figure out that Mr. Miller might have picked it up while tidying the area. However, no single text gives away the full answer, so they must piece the story together themselves.