Build an Adventure: Inside the BSA’s new campaign to recruit Scout families

Build-an-Adventure-2Today’s families have less free time than ever, and the BSA helps them make the most of the fleeting time they have to positively affect the lives of their children.

You know that. I know that.

Now it’s time to make sure all of America does, too.

Today marks the launch of Build an Adventure, the Boy Scouts of America’s new national recruiting campaign, which helps parents understand that Scouting provides quality time and irreplaceable experiences for families pulled in a million directions by work, school, sports, church and home.

“For parents, every minute with their kids matters, so they want to make the best decision on how their children’s time is spent outside of school,” says Chief Scout Executive Wayne Brock. “Through the Build an Adventure campaign, we are demonstrating that choosing to put a child in Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts today is part of the foundation that can help him reach his full potential and become a successful adult.”

Build an Adventure shares that message through fliers, billboards, posters, yard signs, Web banners, e-blasts, PSAs, print ads, door hangers, postcards, bookmarks, peer-to-peer cards and social media images.

In other words: Councils have tools to reach families wherever they are.

For my money, the inviting and aspirational imagery of the Build an Adventure campaign is the BSA’s best yet. The print and Web materials include compelling visuals and a simple but powerful message. The TV spots, which you can watch below, beat any Super Bowl ads I’ve seen.

The campaign itself was designed for use in 2015, but in a nod to councils champing at the bit to use the new materials, the BSA released everything early for use this fall.

Build an Adventure’s core messages

  • Today’s parents are busy
    • They’re constantly pressured by the challenge to balance work and home. Even as they’re working harder than ever, it’s important to them to spend quality time with their children.
  • Youth today are spending less time outside and more time in front of screens
    • Parents are increasingly concerned that screen time is robbing their kids of real-world experiences. Scouting provides those experiences.
  • Scouting makes the most of the little time parents have to affect their children
    • For parents, every minute with their kids matters so they want to make the best decisions on how their children’s time is spent outside of school.
    • Making Scouting part of children’s lives gives them the chance to participate in a wide variety of fun adventures that parents are unlikely to provide on their own for their children on a routine basis.

Where to download the materials

Find everything related to Build an Adventure, including campaign guidelines, right here.

And learn more over at Scouting Newsroom.

Watch the new PSA videos

 


About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.