This page will set forth Troop 990's Privacy and Acceptable Use Policies. The guiding principle behind these policies is . . .

"The privacy and safety of the youth in the troop is the primary concern. The Internet provides an excellent tool for the troop members to communicate but we will maintain a safe haven for all. We will err on the side of confidentiality."

There are several excellent references that parents and scouts will find useful:

• Boy Scouts of America, "Guide to Safe Scouting"
• MAIN - Parent's Guide (this is an excellent read for parents wondering about the Web and their child's safety)
• Tips to help you build a website for your Scouting organization, including youth safety.

The Troop 990 Website will be divided into two separate areas, a Public area and a Private area. The Public area will be accessible by anyone. The Private area will only be accessible by a Username/Password combination that will be made available to the scouts and family of Troop 990. Access to the Private area will be monitored by regular reviews of the Web site logs to assure that the area's intended security has not been compromised.

Public Area: Privacy Policy

On the Public pages of the Troop 990 Website it is OK to:

• provide locations and dates for events (calendar),
• general news,
• links to other sites,
• reference Scouts by firstname and lastname initial, e.g. Bill J,
• reference Scouters (adults) by name with their permission, other as firstname and lastname initial,
• use email aliases for troop members using the domain alias, e.g. webmaster@troop990.org,
• use group photographs of low enough resolution that individuals would be difficult/impossible to identify by strangers.

On the Public pages of the Troop 990 Website it is not OK to:

• use Scout's fullname, address, phone number, birthdate or any other identifying information,
• use Scouter's (adult's) fullname, address, phone number, birthdate or any other identifying information without their permission,
• use unaliased email addresses,
• use photographs of individuals that make identification possible by strangers.

Private Area: Privacy Policy

This portion of the Troop 990 Website will be blocked to strangers by a username/password mechanism. This area of the Website is intended to only be accessible to Troop 990 Scouts, their families and adults closely affiliated with the Troop.

On the Private pages of the Troop 990 Website it is OK to:

• use Scout's fullname, address, phone number, birthdate or any other identifying information (unless requested otherwise by parents/guardians),
• use Scouter's (adults) fullname, address, phone number, or other identifying information (unless requested otherwise),
• use unaliased email addresses,
• use photographs of Troop members taken at Scouting functions.

General: Acceptable Use Policy

Troop 990's Website will contain no nudity, no references to sexual activity, no hate speech, no objectionable speech (sexual, defamatory, demeaning, etc.), and no references to violence or depictions thereof. The Website will adhere to the highest level of propriety as set forth by the Internet Content Rating Association on the Internet, ICRA.

The Troop's Website must be hosted by a web hosting service that has appropriate policies regarding anti-spamming, privacy protection and no adult web sites hosted.

The Troop 990 Website will not be used for any for-profit activities including but not limited to commercial ad banners.

This web site is designed and maintained entirely by the members of Troop 990. Please send comments and suggestions to webmaster. This site is always in development and will grow with time.

Troop 990 Privacy and Acceptable Use Policy