Breakin’ the code is unlocking the code to a ‘cellphone down’ communicative culture
Cellphones down, thinking caps on! Ready, set, start timeclock, go! Within Breakin’ the Code (escape rooms), get ready to fully engage and truly communicate with family, friends or co-workers to unlock joyous times.
“It’s about bringing groups of people and families together without being tied to a cellphone - it’s about family,” Amanda said.
Outside of an escape room, cellphones are held high over restaurant tables, coffee tables or even workdesks, outshining luminous and important conversations with family, friends or co-workers. Smartphones can weaken communication within any relationship and inhibit fun and enjoyable engagement.
“When we tried the escape room, we said, ‘We have to open one of these in Houma,” Amanda explained.
Owners, Amanda Songe and her husband, Korey, instantly knew Houma needed engaging escape rooms when playing an exit game in Gatlinburg, Tennessee in 2014. Therefore, Breakin’ the Code officially unlocked its game place doors without puzzling hesitation in September of 2016 - the first and only puzzle room(s) in the area.
Breakin’ the Code offers fifteen differently themed rooms that range in complexity. Since each room has its own individuality, the tasks created mostly by Korey, matches each puzzle room’s personality. Then, Amanda decorates each room according to the market’s ideal aesthetics like a sleuth coordinating clues.
“If it’s what the people want - we give the people what they want,” Amanda stated.
Depending on the theme and hardness level of the room, all ages are capable of detective work in solving puzzles to unlock distinctive codes. Some rooms are even suitable for a toddler’s “magnifying glass in hand” sensory help. They can assist and learn while opening locks, pin-pointing numbers, and reading aloud colors.
“It’s definitely something that can be done by the entire family. It’s very family friendly depending on the theme,” Amanda said.
Breakin’ the Code benefits the community by offering an outlet of original “no phone in hand” fun and also entertaining outlets to learn and build communicative skills. Businesses, families, students of all ages, and everyone and anyone are encouraged to put on Sherlock Holmes’ hats and uncover interesting and amusing details.
“You find out who is really good at finding things, math (without a calculator), English/ spelling, and reading comprehension - who can think outside of the box,” Amanda stated.
“The game is afoot!” - Set timeclock, go! While families and friends use their sensible detective noses, a game master is assigned to each room if help and hints are needed. Uninterrupted communication with each other, and possibly the game master, is the true key to “Aha!” success.
“It gives people the opportunity to spend time with one another without cellphones. Failure to communicate - failure to get out of the room,” Amanda said.
Breakin’ the Code also offers two community events that encourage more team building and fun ‘cellphone free’ communication:
The Amazing Race Houma is a major scavenger hunt where ambitious groups are led to local businesses to perform different activities and uncover clues. The race starts at 9:30 am and ends around 1:30 pm.
“We want to do another Amazing Race in the future because it gets people familiar with local businesses,” Amanda said.
The second offered event is Murder Mystery(s). Employees from Breakin’ the Code travel to businesses or venues and become “Mrs. Peacock” or “Cornel Mustard” in this “Who did it?’ performance.
“It’s about bringing groups of people and families together without being tied to a cellphone - it’s about family,” Amanda explained.
Amanda immensely loves her big family and the uninterrupted nature of family and events. She has “seven” children and considers her daughter-in-laws and son-in-laws as her children also. Two of her daughters are employed at Breakin’ the Code, and Amanda hopes they keep unlocking codes to the ‘phone free’ culture of the escape rooms.
“It’s a family business and that’s how we want to keep it. We want to be the ones coming up with the puzzles and doing every aspect together as a family,” Amanda explained.
So, cellphones down! Thinking caps on! Visit Houma’s only escape room(s) to escape the trapping screen of a cellphone, and have fun intentionally interacting with family and friends to ‘break the code’.
“That’s the goal for Breakin’ the Code - for families, friends, and workmates to come together and to have a good time solving puzzles,” Amanda ended.
*Each escape room is kept unlocked due to fire marshal code and possible anxieties.
*Children five and under are free.
*Booking in advance is recommended but walk-ins are welcomed. All rooms are private to individual parties for more intimate bonding (corporate, families, schools, etc.).
*Hours vary and are flexible to accommodate fun puzzle solving. Find out seasonal hours on Facebook or call to find out hours: (985) 860-9590
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