Scouting on crest of a wave
Adventurer Bear Grylls, the UK's Chief Scout, hailed the biggest growth in the movement in 38 years.
Total membership in the UK has risen to nearly 500,000.
More than 16,500 people have joined since January last year, the fifth consecutive yearly rise. Grylls, 35, said: "Scouting is empowering, wild and fun."
There are now more than 65,000 teenagers in scouting, a rise of more than 26 per cent since 2001. It is also proving popular among adults, with 2,800 currently signed up to a leaders' programme, up 3.1pc on on 2009.