Founded in 1907 by Robert Baden-Powell, the Scouts organisation sought to educate young people and support their mental, physical and spiritual development.  The movement encouraged members to be active and partake in outdoor activities such as camping, sailing and hiking.  In Wales, the movement proved popular and Scout Halls could be found in most towns.

Girls were not originally included in what was the ‘Boy Scouts’ but such was the interest shown, for example by a group of girls that attended the first rally in 1909, that the Girl Guides was formed in 1910.  Despite the scepticism and widespread criticism, the movement grew in popularity and quickly gained numbers.

An emphasis on uniform, militarism and the British Empire characterised the movement and, in Wales, the Scouts received competition from Urdd Gobaith Cymru, which sought to counteract such forces in Welsh culture.