New badge programme and Centenary help to attract 15,000 additional members across the UK
   
Largest  increase in demand from young people AND volunteers for 22 years BUT significant volunteer shortage still exists

New members further cements The Scout Association’s position as the leading and largest youth organisation for boys and girls in the UK

 The Scout Association has today revealed the continuing popularity of the Movement, with 15,000 additional members joining across the UK in the last year.  London has seen an overall increase of youth and adult members by 2.2 per cent, there are now over 41,254 youth and adult members across the capital, forming almost 1000 Groups of Beaver scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts and Explorer Scouts.

London has seen a huge increase in popularity in Scouting, with both Haringey and Camden experiencing some of the largest growth in the country, with both districts attracting over 140 youth and adult members each.

Across the UK, The Scout Association census figures reveal a total 3.7 per cent increase in youth membership and a 1.7 per cent increase in adult membership. These figures are the largest increase the Movement has seen for 22 years, and represent the 13,500 young people and 1,500
adults who have joined The Scout Association in the last previous year.


Membership has been steadily increasing since 2005.  The biggest growth across the country has been in the 14 – 18 years age range (Explorer Scouts), which has seen a 6.5 per cent increase in members.  This has been attributed to the new activity programme for this age group, which
total membership is now calculated to be over 350,000, with 100,000 adult volunteers.

Rosie, aged 16, an Explorer Scout from Eltham, said: “Being a Scout has had a massive impact on my like; it has made me what I am.  Already this year we have been camping in the snow, and
caving and canoeing”.

Laura, a Cub Scout Leader in Southgate, said: "I have to admit that as well as helping local kids, I get a lot out of volunteering too.  The Scout Association has made it really easy for me to volunteer, the hours are flexible and I can get as involved as I want to, using my skills and
learning new ones too.”

Peter Duncan, Chief Scout, said: “Our adult volunteers are what make Scouting such a success and without them there would be no Scout Groups.  We try to make it as easy as possible for adults to volunteer, the hours are flexible and we let people get as involved as they want.

“'Historically, Scouting has helped to develop strong community ties, while providing an outlet for young people who need support outside their family and school environments. New volunteers have discovered that as well as having an adventurous time themselves they can contribute, on their own terms, to the bigger picture of social cohesion that the media and government are crying out for.

“It’s vital that we keep recruiting volunteers to the Movement; it makes us stronger, brings in fresh new ideas, and gives the upcoming generations of young people somewhere else to go and something else to do, a little out of the ordinary.”