Privacy Policy
Effective Date: 6/19/2026
Website: ScoutSmarter.org
Contact Email: info@scoutsmarter.org
ScoutSmarter.org respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect information when you visit ScoutSmarter.org, subscribe to our newsletter, leave comments, contact us, or submit content for possible publication.
ScoutSmarter is operated by Jeff Pastorius, a Scouting America volunteer who resides in St. Louis, Missouri. ScoutSmarter is an independent blog that provides tips, tricks, insights, and practical resources for people involved in the Scouting movement, including Scout leaders, parents, volunteers, and supporters.
ScoutSmarter is not an official website of Scouting America, the Boy Scouts of America, or any local council, district, lodge, troop, pack, crew, ship, or other Scouting organization unless specifically stated.
Information We Collect
We may collect information in the following ways:
Newsletter Subscriptions
If you choose to subscribe to the ScoutSmarter newsletter, we may collect your email address.
We use this information to send blog updates, Scouting-related tips, digital tools, resources, announcements, and other content related to ScoutSmarter.
ScoutSmarter currently uses Mailchimp as its newsletter provider. This provider may change at any time. Newsletter subscription information may be processed and stored by Mailchimp or a future email service provider according to that provider’s own privacy policy and terms.
You may unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link included in our emails or by contacting us at info@scoutsmarter.org.
Comments
ScoutSmarter may allow readers to leave comments on blog posts or other website content.
If you leave a comment, we may collect information such as your name, email address, website URL, comment content, IP address, browser user agent, and other technical information used to help detect spam, prevent abuse, and manage comments.
Comments may be publicly visible once approved or published. Please do not include private, sensitive, or personal information in comments that you do not want shared publicly.
We reserve the right to moderate, edit, approve, or remove comments at our discretion.
Contact Forms and Direct Communication
If you contact ScoutSmarter through a contact form, email, or other communication method, we may collect your name, email address, message content, and any other information you choose to provide.
We use this information to respond to your questions, feedback, requests, or other communications.
Contributor and Volunteer Writer Submissions
ScoutSmarter may accept article submissions, guest posts, contributor applications, author bios, images, or other materials from volunteer writers and contributors.
If you submit content or apply to contribute, we may collect information such as your name, email address, biography, website links, social media links, submitted articles, images, and related communications.
We use this information to review, edit, publish, attribute, and manage contributor content.
Submitting content to ScoutSmarter does not create an employment, contractor, paid contributor, partnership, or agency relationship. Contributors and writers are volunteers unless a separate written agreement states otherwise.
Photo and Media Submissions
If you submit photos, images, graphics, videos, or other media to ScoutSmarter for possible publication, we may collect and store those submitted materials along with any related information you provide.
By submitting photos or media, you are responsible for ensuring that you have the necessary rights, permissions, and consents to share those materials with ScoutSmarter.
This is especially important for photos or media that include youth, Scouts, volunteers, parents, leaders, or identifiable individuals.
ScoutSmarter may decline, remove, or edit submitted media at its discretion.
Google Analytics and Website Analytics
ScoutSmarter uses Google Analytics to help us understand how visitors interact with the website.
Google Analytics may collect information through cookies and similar technologies, including:
- Pages visited
- Time spent on the site
- Referring websites
- Browser type
- Device type
- Operating system
- Approximate geographic location
- General usage behavior
- Interactions with website content
This information helps us understand what content is useful, improve the website experience, monitor performance, and develop future blog topics.
Google Analytics may process information according to Google’s own privacy policies and terms. You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
ScoutSmarter may use cookies, analytics tools, and similar technologies to operate the website, improve performance, understand visitor behavior, and support website functionality.
Cookies are small files stored on your device that help websites remember information or track general usage patterns.
You can adjust your browser settings to block, delete, or manage cookies. If you disable cookies, some website features may not work as intended.
Affiliate Links, Advertising, and Sponsored Content
ScoutSmarter may include affiliate links, advertising, sponsored content, or links to products and services.
If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, ScoutSmarter may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Affiliate relationships, sponsored content, or paid partnerships will be disclosed where appropriate.
ScoutSmarter only aims to recommend resources, tools, or services that may be useful to readers, but readers are responsible for evaluating whether any product, service, or resource is right for their own needs.
Embedded Content from Other Websites
Articles and pages on ScoutSmarter may include embedded content from other websites, such as videos, images, social media posts, maps, forms, documents, or other third-party content.
Embedded content from another website behaves as if you visited that third-party website directly.
These third-party websites may collect information about you, use cookies, embed additional tracking, or monitor your interaction with the embedded content according to their own privacy policies.
ScoutSmarter is not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or policies of third-party websites or services.
Links to Other Websites
ScoutSmarter may link to third-party websites, resources, tools, products, services, or official Scouting-related websites.
These links are provided for convenience and informational purposes only.
Once you leave ScoutSmarter.org, this Privacy Policy no longer applies. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.
How We Use Information
We may use collected information to:
- Send newsletter emails and updates
- Respond to messages, questions, or requests
- Manage comments and prevent spam
- Review and manage contributor submissions
- Publish contributor content, author bios, or submitted materials
- Improve website content and user experience
- Understand which topics are helpful to readers
- Monitor website performance and security
- Maintain website functionality
- Comply with applicable legal obligations
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information.
How Long We Keep Information
We keep information only as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy.
Newsletter subscription information may be kept until you unsubscribe or request deletion.
Comment information may be kept for as long as the comment remains published or as needed to manage spam prevention, moderation, or website records.
Contact form and email communications may be kept as long as needed to respond to your message, maintain records, or manage future communication.
Contributor-related information may be kept as long as necessary to review submissions, manage published content, maintain attribution, preserve editorial records, or handle related communications.
Analytics data may be retained according to the settings of Google Analytics or any analytics platform used by ScoutSmarter.
Data Security
We take reasonable steps to protect the information we collect and maintain.
However, no website, email system, database, or online service can guarantee complete security. By using ScoutSmarter.org, you understand that information shared online carries some level of risk.
Children’s Privacy
ScoutSmarter is intended for adults, including parents, volunteers, leaders, and other members of the Scouting community.
ScoutSmarter does not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under the age of 13.
If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without appropriate parental consent, we will take reasonable steps to delete that information.
Readers, contributors, and commenters should not submit personal information about youth unless they have the necessary rights, permissions, and consent to do so.
Your Choices and Privacy Rights
You may choose not to provide personal information to ScoutSmarter.
You may unsubscribe from newsletter emails at any time by using the unsubscribe link in the email or by contacting us at info@scoutsmarter.org.
You may also adjust your browser settings to block or delete cookies.
Depending on where you live, you may have additional privacy rights under applicable laws. These may include the right to request access to, correction of, or deletion of certain personal information.
To make a privacy-related request, contact us at info@scoutsmarter.org.
Scouting Disclaimer
ScoutSmarter is an independent blog and is not an official website of Scouting America, the Boy Scouts of America, or any local council, district, lodge, troop, pack, crew, ship, or other Scouting organization unless specifically stated.
Any opinions, tips, resources, or recommendations shared on ScoutSmarter are provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered official Scouting policy, advancement guidance, legal guidance, safety guidance, or program direction.
For official rules, policies, advancement requirements, youth protection guidance, safety guidance, and program materials, readers should refer to official Scouting America resources and their local council.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
ScoutSmarter may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Continued use of ScoutSmarter.org after changes are posted means you accept the updated Privacy Policy.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact:
ScoutSmarter
Email: info@scoutsmarter.org
Website: ScoutSmarter.org