Scouting--October 1998

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Scoutmaster to Webmaster

By Mark Goodin

• Sites for Free Software and Help
• Some Quality Scouting Web Sites

Troops, packs, and crews--as well as many BSA councils and districts--share news and information on the Internet. Here are six steps on how you can develop your own home page on the World Wide Web.

Troop 94's home page is their site's "front door." A table of contents leads to more information.

Troop 94 of Mariposa, Calif., is located just outside of Yosemite National Park, a seemingly perfect spot for Scouting. But the wilderness setting lacks contact with the "outside" world of Scouting, so the troop decided to create a home page on the Internet's World Wide Web.

Assistant Scoutmaster Mike Montoya, who works for Iron Mountain Systems, Mariposa's local Internet service provider, established the troop's Web site. And since 1996, thousands of Scouting enthusiasts have visited the site.

Like Troop 94, any Scout unit, district, or council can have its own Web site up and running in a matter of hours--for free. A Web site provides a way for the local community to learn about a Scout troop, Cub Scout pack, or Venturing crew. It also allows units to share achievements and experiences with other Scouts and Scouters around the world.

Troop 94's site has enabled it to become an active participant in the world brotherhood of Scouting, says assistant Scoutmaster Montoya.

"With the Internet, we're not isolated anymore," he said. "Now, Troop 94 is known all over [the globe]. We had a troop leader from New South Wales in Australia ask about the Klondike derby we listed on our 'Upcoming Events' page, and a Scouter in British Columbia in Canada saw our Web site and wanted to trade 'programme' information."

Start with software

Store-bought software, such as Adobe PageMill, Microsoft FrontPage 98, and HoTMetaL Pro 4.0, can simplify Web site construction.

To create your Web site you'll need a computer equipped with a modem, a way to access the Internet (see below), and software for designing and maintaining the site.

At one time, the only way to create a Web page was to be proficient in HTML (HyperText Markup Language) programming. But that is no longer necessary, says Mike Montoya. A variety of easy-to-use software now available means that "ignorance of HTML is no longer an excuse for not having your own Web page," he adds.

You can download free Web design software from the Internet, or you can buy more elaborate programs to do the job.

Top commercial software programs include Adobe PageMill 3.0, Microsoft FrontPage 98, and HoTMetaL Pro 4.0 by SoftQuad.

Basic steps to Web site presence

1. Choose an Internet service provider (ISP) to host your site. This can be a commercial online service, such as America Online, or a local service provider.

   Your Web site files will be stored on the access provider's computer, which is always hooked into the Internet and allows 24-hour access to your site.

   Most ISPs offer subscribers free space for a Web site.

   Some of your Scout families may already be online and agree to let the troop use their unused space for a site.

2. Choose a Web design/HTML editing program. Choose from free software available from an Internet source or a commercial product.

3. Design and create your home page. This is the first screen people see when they access a Web site. Your page should contain a brief introduction of your unit followed by a table of contents.

   "Don't put a lot of graphics on your home page," Montoya advises. "People can get impatient waiting for the images to load on their computer screen and decide to leave."

   Troop 94's home page contents includes the troop's history, membership roster, schedule of events such as a merit badge class and a camporee, and links to other Scouting sites, such as a local council service center and the BSA national office.

   A Web site can be used to publicize, recognize, and congratulate outstanding accomplishments in your unit.

4. Link items on your home page to the other pages or sections within your site.

   Follow your software's instructions for placing links in your home page contents and then create the separate pages for visitors to jump to. (Some editors may have you create the Web pages before you insert the links in your home page.)

   Be sure to place a "Back to home page" link at the bottom of each of your site's pages so that visitors can easily return to the site's table of contents.

5. Add photographs of troop activities by digitizing them with a scanner and converting them into a JPEG (Joint Photographic Export Group) or GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) file. Digital cameras can also provide Web images without needing a scanner.

6. When you finish building your Web pages, you'll need to send the files to your server. Check your local service provider's home page to find specific instructions for uploading files.

Update, revise, and expand

The following tips will help keep your site fresh and encourage repeat visits.

• Update your event calendar, add or delete names from your roster, recognize advancements in rank, and post new photographs from recent activities.

  You may also receive feedback from visitors that point out typographical errors or inaccuracies.

• As you become more proficient with building Web pages, you can experiment with adding multimedia and interactive items to your pages.

  A Web journal encourages the writing and photography talents of your Scouts. Let the world know where you`ve been and what you`ve done on recent outings.

• Get the Scouts involved, using their ideas and suggestions to design the site. An adult can handle most of the maintenance, including uploading files, with youth members doing some of the other work. "Some units have created a scribe position to handle their Web site," says Mike Montoya. "Some have an adult member who does the job, while others, like Troop 94, use a combination."

• Respond promptly to requests for information. Just an hour or two a week should keep your troop's site current and responsive.

Mark Goodin is a reporter and photographer for the Mariposa (Calif.) Gazette and Miner.

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