Revised guidelines have been released by BSA regarding use of digital media for videoconferencing and other technology-based meetings, workshops, and activities. You will find all the details on this National BSA webpage;:
Digital Safety and Online Scouting Activities
Note that all Redwood Empire Council BSA Merit Badge Workshops will continue to follow these policies, as we anticipated the new policies and we were familiar with those BSA policies already in place.
To provide security and privacy of Scout participants, all Scouts wishing to attend a REC-BSA Merit Badge Videoconference Workshop must register in advance on our website, and then will receive a personal e-mail invitation to any such workshop. Registration is “free” (no charge) for a REC-BSA Merit Badge Videoconference Workshop — all direct and indirect costs associated with these programs are fully funded by Friends of Scouting donations.
Any Scout under the age of 13 wishing to register as an individual for any Merit Badge Workshop, Merit Badge Midway, council camp, or district activity may only be registered online on our website by his/her parent or legal guardian through a MyCouncil account. This ensures that digital communication for such BSA camps and activities for younger members are communicated through a parent/guardian e-mail address.
Scouts are reminded to include their Scoutmaster and/or parent on any e-mail communication sent tto his/her Merit Badge Counselor.