The first boys’ club was opened in Treharris in 1922 – a response to the need to provide a productive and positive occupation for boys in coalfield communities.
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Other clubs soon opened at Nantymoel, Treorchy, Wattstown, Ton Pentre, Crosskeys, and Blaengwynfi, providing boys with the opportunity to take part in recreational and educational activities including sports and drama.
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St Athan’s camp was established in 1923. Alongside camp duties, boys would have a week of outdoor games, swimming, talks and entertainments. By 1935, 19,645 boys from across the south Wales coalfield had passed through the camp.
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Provision of activities for girls from the coalfield was also addressed, with Boverton Girls Camp being established in 1932. Activities included swimming, games, folk dancing, rambles, competitions, singing and picnics.
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