TORONTO - Scouts Canada insists it is attuned to the younger generation, despite being an organization that has been around longer than most of its members' grandparents.

The international youth group, established in 1907, is legendary for its merit badges, commitment to the outdoors, and leadership building. But despite its long history and deep-rooted traditions, it has been working to stay relevant to the times by making its activities coed, updating its uniforms and incorporating technology.

Although most members join at a young age and eventually lose interest after a few years, an increasing percentage is staying committed and involved long into adulthood. Steve Kent, chief commissioner of Scouts Canada, said recruitment and retention rates have gone up in recent years.

"It's become a way of life," said the 33-year-old, who started with the organization as a cub in 1984 and is the youngest person to hold his current title in Canadian history. "I wouldn't be who I am today, I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for Scouts."

Up until three years ago, membership was on the decline. It had last peaked in the 1960s at around 320,000. Then in late 2008, it bottomed out at about 97,000 members, the organization said.

Numbers started to turn around in 2009 and since then, Scouting in Canada has grown steadily for the first time in three decades.

This is in part a result of a task force action plan launched to modernize the organization. Its mandate includes getting more young people involved with internal leadership positions, making it easier to volunteer and providing more resources. The curriculum has also been updated.

"While you're still able to learn map and compass, we also do orienteering and geocaching with GPS," said Kent, who lives in Mount Pearl, N.L.

Kent said the average child between the ages of four and 14 in Canada spends 44 hours a week in front of a screen device like a computer or iPad. Scouts Canada aims to help build a valuable relationship between its members and the outdoors.

"We were the original environmentalist," said Kent. "Long before it was cool or trendy to go green, scouts were planting trees and engaged in other environmental projects."

Esthetically, the organization has also updated its iconic beige uniforms. In March, Canadian fashion retailer Joe Fresh redesigned the outfits, which still include a neckerchief and button down shirts.

For 16-year-old Hannah Ridgeway, the biggest appeal of being a scout is the friendships she's fostered through the organization.

"I have best friends who I've know for five years who I have strong relationships with that will last forever," she said from Calgary. "Being able to hang out with them outside of school and go camping, it's just a different way of getting to know people."

The Grade 11 student has been a member for seven years and is now in its Venturer group. She also volunteers with younger members, helping them with camping trips and other after-school activities. She takes part in scout activities at least once a week.

Ridgeway laughed off the suggestion that Scouting may be perceived as uncool or dated.

"Stuff that you would do occasionally with your friends, you do more often," she said. "You can go wall climbing and climbing and hiking. And the uniforms aren't quite the same anymore."

She said the most important lesson she's learned from all her years in Scouts is to feel comfortable with being yourself.

"I was one of those kids who was shy and wouldn't go up to another kid and start conversation, but now I'm comfortable talking to people I don't know," she said.