Every puzzle is a variant on a Mathcamp tradition or significant cultural event. In particular, a key word from the original has been replaced. These original words can be found, with one letter changed, in the puzzle answers:
| Puzzle | Tradition | Answer | Changed Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plate Quiz | BOWL Quiz | marisa deBOWSky | S |
| Cape Tuesday | SARONG Tuesday | neil armSTRONG | T |
| The D I | The CROW Invasion | cindy CRAWford | A |
| Name for the Galaxy | RACE for the Galaxy | miRA BErnstein | B |
| Lemon Ratings | CHILI Ratings | winston churCHILL | L |
| Fifth Third Library of MCSP | Fifth Third BANK of MCSP | BEN Kingsley | E |
| Vroom Vroom | BUS BUS | SUSan durst | S |
| Hand Functions | NOSE Functions | jaNE SEymour | E |
| Dans' Conditioner | Dan's SHAMPOO | jameS HAMPTOn | T |
Reading the changed letters yields STABLE SET, which describes the order the junta must bring as well as the independence with which they must act.