Since 31 January 2009 16,568 adult and youth members have joined the Scouts, including record numbers of new teenagers, according to the Scout Association figures.
Scouting membership has grown by 3.5 per cent in the past year, which represents the biggest surge in a year since 1972. Total membership has now almost reached 500,000 with teenagers making up for more than 65,000.
Chief scout Bear Grylls said the surge "is proof that Scouting is appealing more and more to teenagers".
"Scouting is empowering, wild and fun, and offers so many adventure-based activities for young people and adults alike," he added.
But despite this growth, waiting lists to join Scouting remain at an all-time high due to the need for more adult volunteers.
While the Scout Association has been able to create over 13,500 new places this year thanks to 2,871 new adults volunteering their time to local groups, there are currently over 33,500 young people waiting to join Scouting throughout the UK.
