The surge in membership follows a publicity drive and the appointment of TV adventurer and occasional bug-eater Bear Grylls as chief Scout. Kate Lloyd, a Scout leader in Newcastle, said it was also down to the exciting activities offered by the organisation such as rock climbing, canoeing and abseiling. "Schools are turning away from them because of health and safety," she told the paper. "The Scouts are carrying on with these just the same."
The Guardian spoke to Scout Association spokesman Simon Carter, who said interest in Scouting began to rise after a major review in 2002, which led to the introduction of new badges in "street sports"
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