We are proud to announce that we received a Web Excellence Award in the Children & Youth category, recognizing innovation and superior performance for the design and development of OCScouts.org.

Scouting America, formerly Boy Scouts of America, was founded more than 100 years ago to foster personal growth for youth through holistic, values-based, outdoor programs. Scouting America: Occoneechee Council was later chartered in North Carolina to serve children in 12 counties, including the greater Raleigh-Durham and Fayetteville areas.

The Council’s service area has seen significant population growth in recent years, and they had the capacity to serve more Scouts. To better engage their community, the Council wanted a website that helped potential Scouting families learn about the value of Scouting and the breadth of opportunities offered. They also wanted to make sure current Scouts could easily find programs, events, and resources.

In building the Council’s new website, Beam & Hinge sought to balance tradition and innovation while reflecting the energy and impact of modern Scouting.

We started by substantially changing the navigational structure. Separating content by audience allows us to cater resources and calls to action to each group, improving clarity and limiting redundancy. The content was enriched with testimonials and videos that have strengthened recruitment, communication, and community-building across the Council’s entire network.  

Well-structured information is critical, but design has the power to inspire excitement, a sense of belonging, and the desire to participate. The Occoneechee Council’s new website delivers this in spades.  

The site’s color scheme maintains national brand compliance while amplifying the outdoor experience through the use of khaki, neutral blue, and natural tones.  Compelling photography and videography feature a variety of Scouts learning, growing, and having fun in a way you only can outdoors.  

Placing images in circles evokes merit badges earned through discovery and represents unity through shared experiences.  Scripted lettering provides a human touch that conveys sincerity and warmth.  

Using their new, technically revamped CMS, the Council is updating their site more frequently and adding news regularly, strengthening operational services and support to its network of Troops, Packs, Ships, and Crews.  

The Occoneechee Council provides an inclusive environment where children can cultivate lifelong skills in leadership and ethical character development, preparing them for any adventure life has to offer. Their new website is a testament to that vision.  View the site in our portfolio