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A welcoming first mission for curious detectives finding their feet.
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CASE 011 · PRINTABLE DETECTIVE ADVENTURE
The hike is on hold.Find the missing compass.
The Trailmaster Compass has vanished from Pine Ridge Camp just before the approved dusk hike. Staff have paused the hike while the field team traces where the compass went. Five suspects. Three evidence files. One mystery to crack.
8–12 years1–4 players per set~45 min of play
Complete PDF kit · Color + black-and-white · US Letter + A4
▷ See the mystery in actionEVIDENCE FILE / 011
YOUR MISSION
Crack the case
Crack the case
A complete mystery✦Hands-on paper puzzles✦Real teamwork✦Print at home
EVERY GOOD CASE STARTS WITH A QUESTION
Five suspects. Who can they clear?
Five suspects. Plenty to investigate.
Let the evidence do the talking.
Read the evidence. Compare their stories. Build a case you can prove.
OPEN THE FILE. FOLLOW THE CLUES.
This is what
being on the case looks like.
A look inside the actual printable game.
From the first clue to the final reveal.
ONE REAL CLUE FROM THE KIT
A real clue. A hands-on discovery.
Explore a sample paper puzzle from this case. Compare the evidence and build an explanation the team can prove.
Sample evidence. The mystery’s solution stays in the kit.One complete adventure, ready to print.
MAKE AN AFTERNOON INTO A STORY
The moment they say,
“Wait. I’ve got it!”
The debate over a suspect. A clue passed across the table. The grin when it finally clicks. Give them a mystery they can hold in their hands—and solve together.
Birthday partiesSleepoversFamily game nightsClassroom adventures
INSIDE THE HOST’S OWN PLAYBOOK
A REAL ROLE IN THE GAMEDETECTIVES INVESTIGATE. THE HOST IS MISSION CONTROL.
The host brings
the adventure to life.
The host has a part to play from the opening dispatch to the final reveal. With their own script in hand, they tell the story, respond to the team’s discoveries and unlock the next stage of the investigation.
- Speak as Mission Control. Read the opening briefing and deliver the story’s next message.
- Unlock the next evidence file. Check the team’s submission, then hand over the next packet when their Gate is accepted.
- Follow the investigation. Verify suspect-board moves and give the matching story response.
- Keep the adventure moving. Offer hints when requested and deliver the final reveal.
FROM THE INCLUDED SCRIPT
“Gate accepted.”
Then do this: Hand over the next packet. Players dock the Evidence card they earned.
Read a real opening-script page ↗The host sees the answers and plays a different role from the detectives solving the case. The guide provides the words, checks and hints to run it.
MAKE THE MISSION YOURS
First case?
Or ready for a challenge?
Two difficulty levels.
Hints available in both.
Hard
A bigger challenge for a team ready to put its detective skills to the test.
Five optional ways to play.
Shape this case around your group. Add a mode—or keep the classic investigation.
Scavenger
Follow location clues to hidden envelopes.
Time Trial
Set a target and race against the clock.
Parallel Investigation
Split the clues, then bring 3–4 players together.
Friendly Competition
Challenge another team. Prepare a set for each team.
Map Trail
Follow a map to retrieve the finale token.
Five ways to play this mystery, not five separate games.
THE CASE ENDS. YOUR AGENT STORY CONTINUES.
Small detective.
Growing reputation.
Choose a callsign. Create an agent ID. Log completed cases and work your way through 10 ranks, from Recruit to Mission Legend.
Keep your identity for future Brainwave Builders adventures.
One complete mystery included. Additional cases sold separately.
THE COMPLETE CASE KIT
The adventure.
And the help to run it.
Three books. One complete mystery.
All included in your download.
Host Setup & Components
Print instructions, preparation guidance and the game pieces.
Player Mission Files
The story, evidence, puzzles, agent credential and mission log.
Host Guide
Your own role in the game: read-aloud scripts, story responses, Gate checks, hints and the final reveal.
✓ Color + black-and-white PDFs✓ US Letter and A4✓ Three books · One complete mystery
A LITTLE PREPARATION. A BIG ADVENTURE.
Print. Cut.
Pack. Play.
Choose your paper size and edition. Print single-sided at 100% / Actual Size, then follow the setup guide to cut and pack your evidence.
Your supply list +
A printer, paper, pencils, scissors, tape or glue, removable tape and four opaque 9 × 12-inch document envelopes. Read the included preparation guide for any additional tools used by this case.
Plan preparation before play. The approximately 45 minutes is game time; printing and setup take additional time.
FOR TEACHERS & HOMESCHOOLERS
Bring a mystery
into the classroom.
Bring evidence reading, reasoning and teamwork to your grades 3–6 classroom, homeschool group or enrichment session.
- Prepare one player-and-component set for each team of up to four.
- Choose Normal or Hard to suit your group.
- Use the host guide for scripts, hints and answers.
Hosting a group? The guide helps you check answers and release the next evidence packet.
BEFORE YOU OPEN THE CASE
A few useful
answers.
Is anything shipped to me?
No. This is a printable digital kit. Your download is one ZIP containing all three books in color + black-and-white, in US Letter and A4.
Do I need special locks or an app?
No specialty locks or internet are needed during play. You will need the printing and craft supplies listed above, plus the case-specific tools listed in the included setup guide.
What does the host do?
The host plays Mission Control: reading scripts, checking submissions, releasing the next evidence packet, verifying suspect-board moves, offering hints and delivering the reveal. The Host Guide supplies the words and answers for that role.
Can more than four people play?
Yes—prepare a separate player-and-component set for each team of up to four. The host guide supports running the case.
Are the modes different mysteries?
No. Normal and Hard are difficulty choices, and the five optional modes are ways to play this same case. Once someone knows the solution, it will not be a new mystery for them.
Can I see all the product details?
The Trailmaster Compass has vanished from Pine Ridge Camp just before the approved dusk hike. Staff have paused the hike while the field team traces where the compass went. Five suspects. Three evidence files. One mystery to crack.
Turn a birthday party, sleepover, family game night or classroom activity into a detective adventure with Campfire Compass. Players examine evidence, tackle hands-on paper puzzles, compare suspects and build a case.
The host is part of gameplay
The host speaks as Mission Control, reads story scripts, checks progress, releases the next evidence packet and offers hints. The private Host Guide provides the words, answers and final reveal.
Choose the challenge
Normal and Hard difficulty, plus five optional ways to play this mystery: Scavenger, Time Trial, Parallel Investigation, Friendly Competition and Map Trail. Hints are available in the guide.
Build an agent story
Create an agent ID, choose a callsign and log completed cases. Work through ten ranks from Recruit to Mission Legend. This purchase includes one mystery; additional cases are sold separately.
For teachers and homeschoolers
Bring evidence reading, reasoning and teamwork to grades 3–6. Prepare a player-and-component set for each team of up to four.
The complete kit
Player Mission, Host Setup & Components and Host Guide, in color and black-and-white, in US Letter and A4. Ages 8–12, 1–4 players per prepared set and about 45 minutes of play. Preparation is additional.
Prepare before play
Print single-sided at Actual Size. Follow the included setup guide to cut and pack the evidence. Paper, pencils, scissors, tape or glue, removable tape and four opaque 9 × 12-inch envelopes are needed; check the guide for case-specific supplies.
Printable digital download. No physical item ships.
THE EVIDENCE IS WAITING
Crack the case.
Make their day.
Operation Campfire Compass
- Complete mystery across three printable books
- Normal & Hard · Five optional game modes
- Agent ID + mission log + 10 ranks
- Color + black-and-white · Letter & A4
Complete mystery kit