Difficult Run MB Day

Digital Technology Merit Badge

Course Information & Permission Slip

Dec 2026

Welcome to the Digital Technology Merit Badge! This session will give Scouts a hands-on look at how our

devices work, how data travels across the internet, and how to stay safe in a digital world. Please review

the schedule below and return the signed permission slip before our session begins.

Instructor: Jeff Johnston, Troop 124

Email: johnstonjs@gmail.com

Official Requirements: https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/digital-technology/

Course Schedule

1. PRE-WORK (To be completed BEFORE our session)

● Requirement 1: Watch the Personal Safety Awareness "Digital Safety" video with a parent or

guardian.

● Requirement 2a: Interview a parent, grandparent, or another adult about how the digital

technology available today compares to what they had growing up. Come prepared to share their

answers with the group!

2. IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES (What we will cover together)

● Requirements 2–5, 7, & 8: We will have interactive discussions and hands-on demonstrations

covering the history and future of tech, data compression, how computer networks operate,

malware protection, internet data transfer, intellectual property (copyrights and patents), and the

proper recycling of e-waste.

3. HOMEWORK (To be completed AFTER our session)

● Requirement 6: Complete THREE digital projects of your choice (options include creating a

spreadsheet budget, drafting an event flyer, making a slide presentation, taking and transferring

digital photos, etc.) and share the final files with me.

● Requirement 9: Explore and research a career OR a hobby related to Digital Technology, and

share your findings with me.

Parent/Guardian Permission

The Digital Technology merit badge requires Scouts to use the internet for research and to access secure

websites. By signing below, you grant permission for your Scout to complete the following requirements

under your supervision or the counselor's guidance. Your Scout must bring this signed form with them to

participate in the merit badge.

● (Req 1) View the Personal Safety Awareness "Digital Safety" video.

● (Req 5b) Use a search engine to find ideas for a troop campfire program.

● (Req 5c) Connect to an HTTPS (secure) website.

● (Req 7c) Read an internet report about a recent intellectual property legal case.

● (Req 9a) Use the internet to research careers related to digital technology.

● (Req 6g / 6h) If chosen for their project: Create a blog or webpage. (Note: If the Scout wishes to

post it live to the internet, additional explicit approval from both the parent and counselor is

required).

Scout's Name:

Parent/Guardian's Name:

Parent/Guardian's Signature: _____________________________________ D