The youth movement Urdd Gobaith Cymru was founded by Ifan ab Owen Edwards in 1922.  It rejected the apparent militarism of youth movements such as the Scouts and Guides, and resisted the forces of Anglicisation by providing the children of Wales with opportunities to socialise through the medium of the Welsh language.

From 1928 annual camps were held in Llangrannog on the Cardiganshire coast and Glan-llyn, on the shores of Bala Lake. Over the course of the twentieth century, generations of children visited these centres to enjoy themselves in a Welsh-speaking environment.

The first Urdd National Eisteddfod, in which children could take part in a range of different competitions, was held in 1929. It was to become the most important event in the movement’s calendar.

The movement went from strength to strength, increasing its membership from 24,454 in 1930 to 57,548 in 1950.  In the early 21^st century, the Urdd has four centres – Llangrannog, Glanllyn, Cardiff and Pentre Ifan – and continues to play an important role in organising youth activities through the medium of Welsh.