Digital Projects

Req 6 — Hands-On Digital Projects

Do THREE of the following. For each project you complete, copy the files to a backup device and share the finished projects with your counselor.

This is the hands-on heart of the Digital Technology merit badge. You will choose three of the eight options below and create real digital projects. Each one builds practical skills with different types of software. Remember: for every project, you must back up your files to a separate device (USB drive, cloud storage, or external hard drive) and share the finished work with your counselor.

Option A: Spreadsheet or Database Project

6a.

Using a spreadsheet or database program, develop a food budget for a patrol weekend campout OR create a troop roster that includes the name, rank, patrol, and telephone number of each Scout. Show your counselor that you can sort the roster by each of the following categories: rank, patrol, and alphabetically by name.

Tools you can use: Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc, Apple Numbers

For the food budget:

List every meal (Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast)
Include ingredients, quantities, and costs
Use formulas to calculate totals per meal and a grand total
Consider per-person costs by dividing by the number of patrol members

For the troop roster:

Create columns for Name, Rank, Patrol, and Phone Number
Enter data for your troop (or create sample data with at least 10–15 entries)
Demonstrate sorting by rank, by patrol, and alphabetically by name
Consider using data validation or dropdown lists for rank and patrol fields

Google Sheets — Getting Started Guide Google's official tutorial for creating and formatting spreadsheets, including sorting and formulas.

Option B: Word Processing Letter

6b.

Using a word processor, write a draft letter to the parents of your troop’s Scouts, inviting them to a troop event.

Tools you can use: Google Docs, Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, Apple Pages

Your letter should include:

A proper header with your troop number and contact information
The date and a greeting
Clear details: What is the event? When and where is it? What should families bring?
A call to action (RSVP instructions)
Professional formatting: consistent fonts, appropriate spacing, and a polished appearance

Focus on using word processing features like headers, bold/italic text, bulleted lists, and spell check. A well-formatted letter shows real word processing skills.

Option C: Graphics Design Project

6c.

Using a graphics program, design and draw a campsite plan for your troop OR create a flyer for an upcoming troop event, incorporating text and some type of visual such as a photograph or an illustration.

Tools you can use: Google Drawings, Canva, Microsoft Publisher, GIMP (free), Adobe Express

For the campsite plan:

Draw a bird’s-eye view of the campsite layout
Include tent locations, fire ring, cooking area, water source, latrine, and gathering area
Add labels and a simple legend
Consider compass orientation and spacing between elements

For the event flyer:

Include a catchy headline, event details (date, time, location), and contact information
Add at least one image or illustration
Use design principles: clear hierarchy, readable fonts, contrasting colors
Make it something you would actually want to post on a bulletin board

Option D: Presentation

6d.

Using a presentation software program, develop a report about a topic approved by your counselor. For your presentation, create at least five slides, with each one incorporating text and some type of visual such as a photograph or an illustration.

Tools you can use: Google Slides, Microsoft PowerPoint, Apple Keynote, LibreOffice Impress

Strong presentation tips:

Keep text minimal — bullet points, not paragraphs. Your slides should support your speaking, not replace it.
Every slide needs at least one visual element (photo, diagram, chart, or illustration)
Use a consistent design theme across all slides
Include a title slide and a conclusion or summary slide
Pick a topic you are passionate about — it will show in your presentation

Option E: Digital Photography

6e.

Using a digital device, take a picture of a troop activity. Send or transfer this image to a device where it can be shared with your counselor.

What you will demonstrate:

Taking a clear, well-composed photograph of a real troop activity
Transferring the photo from one device to another (phone to computer, for example)
Methods: email attachment, AirDrop/Nearby Share, USB cable, cloud upload, or messaging app

This is the most straightforward option, but take it seriously — focus on getting a good photo with clear composition and adequate lighting, not just a quick snapshot.

Option F: Voice Recording

6f.

Make a digital recording of your voice, transfer the file to a different device, and have your counselor play back the recording.

Tools you can use: Voice Memos (iPhone), Sound Recorder (Android/Windows), Audacity (free, all platforms)

What to record: Consider recording something useful — a patrol meeting summary, a trail description, or a reflection on a Scouting experience. Make sure the recording is clear and audible.

Transfer methods: Email the file, upload to cloud storage, transfer via USB, use AirDrop/Nearby Share, or use a messaging app.

Option G: Blog

6g.

Create a blog and use it as an online journal of your Scouting activities, including group discussions and meetings, campouts, and other events. Include at least five entries and two photographs or illustrations. Share your blog with your counselor. You need not post the blog to the internet; however, if you choose to go live with your blog, you must first share it with your parent or guardian AND counselor AND get their approval.

Tools you can use: WordPress.com, Blogger, Google Sites, Wix, or even a Google Doc formatted as a blog

Your blog needs:

At least five entries covering different Scouting activities
At least two photographs or illustrations
Each entry should have a date, a title, and substantive content (not just “We went camping. It was fun.”)

Option H: Webpage

6h.

Create a webpage for your troop, patrol, school, or place of worship. Include at least three articles and two photographs or illustrations. Include at least one link to a website of interest to your audience. You need not post the page to the internet; however, if you decide to do so, you must first share the webpage with your parent or guardian AND counselor AND get their approval.

Tools you can use: Google Sites, WordPress.com, Wix, or even hand-coded HTML in a text editor

Your webpage needs:

At least three articles (about your troop’s activities, upcoming events, history, etc.)
At least two photographs or illustrations
At least one external link to a relevant website
A clean, organized layout that is easy to navigate

The same safety rules apply — get parent and counselor approval before publishing online.

Illustrated collage of eight digital project types: spreadsheet, letter, graphic design, presentation, photography, voice recording, blog, and webpage

For All Projects: Back Up Your Work

No matter which three options you choose, you must back up your files to a separate device. This reinforces the data protection principles from Req 4c. Options include:

USB flash drive — copy files directly
Cloud storage — Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive, Dropbox
Email to yourself — simple but effective for small files
External hard drive — for larger projects

You have built real digital projects. Now let’s make sure you understand the laws that protect the digital work of others — and your own.