California Conservaton Corps (Page 1 of 2)	
California Conservation Corps	
What is the CCC? 	 California Conservation Corps, or CCC, is state agency with two mission
s:  	
1) employment and training of youth, and 2) protection and enhancement
 of California's natural resources.  
The CCC follows in footsteps of the federal U.S. Civilian Conservation C
orps of the 1930’s.  CCC, 
established in 1976, is oldest conservation corps now in operation in any state.  The CCC’s has offices in 
Northern, Central, and Southern Claifornia.  The CCC is known as one of California’s best emergency 
response forces.  When floods, fires, oil spills, or earthquakes happen, the members of the Corps provide 
assistance within hours.  The CCC program has a motto:  Hard work, low pay, miserable conditions and 
more!  About 1,400 corpsmember jobs are available each year. .
What kind of work do CCC crews do?  	CCC crews work on many projects that improve California’s 	
environment, communities, and provides emergency response when disaster 
strikes  	Corpsmembers job duties	 include park landscape improvement, trail 	
construction, fire fighting, energy conservation, historic structure renovation, 
improving accessibility for persons with disabilities, oil spill cleanup
, erosion 
control, flood prevention, environmental education, masonry, computer mapping, 
and more.  CCC projects give Corpsmembers an opportunity for on-the-job 
training in a variety of basic skills.  The average length of stay in the CCC is 
about nine months. 
Why do Corpsmembers join?  	Young people join for many reasons — to work 	
in the outdoors, get a paycheck, decide on a career, or further their education.  	
Why do Corpsmembers wear different color hats? 	 Hat colors are an indication of Corpsmember 	
achievement:  Blue hat indicates the Corpsmember has completed Corpsmemb
er Orientation Motivation 
Education Training (COMET).  Green hat indicates the Corpsmember is a specialist 
in a particular program 
area.  Red hat indicates the Corpsmember is a Crew Leader.  Orange hat indicates the Corpsmember is a 
Crew Leader II.  Yellow hat is worn by CCC managers and supervisors.
What educational opportunities are offered? 	 Those who join the CCC without a 	
high school diploma (about 50%), are enrolled in John Muir Charter Sch
ool to earn 
the high school diploma.  Corpsmembers must continue their education aft
er the work 
day at a local community college, with tuition paid for by the Corps.  I
n addition, 	all 	
corpsmembers will take classes 	in tool use and safety, first aid and CPR, chain saw 	
work, firefighting, leadership, cooking, career planning, and environmental awareness.
Does the CCC prepare young people for the work world?  	Yes.  As a work ethic 	
program, the CCC focuses on the development of good work habits, includi
ng teamwork, 
punctuality, and self-discipline.  These are important qualities for any employee to have.  The CCC is 
dedicated to training Corpsmembers into citizens with character, credentials, and commitment.  Former 
corpsmembers are hired in all areas of the work world.

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Are there other opportunities for corpsmembers?  	CCC members with good work records may apply for 	
special opportunities and stay up to three years in the CCC.  	Stream Enhancement:	 With the Department 	
of Fish and Game, corpsmembers tackle tough stream clearance and habitat
 improvement to restore salmon 
and steelhead fish populations.  	Drought Response Program:	 The CCC is hired by agencies to install 	
water saving irrigation systems, plumbing, and grass replacement.  	International Work Exchanges: 	The 	
CCC sends corpsmembers to work and share information with Australia, Canada, and other countries. 
What is the Backcountry Trails Program?  	The Backcountry Trails Program (BTP) is a special program 	
to help build trails in some of California’s wilderness areas such as Yosemite Park.  Each spring, the BTP 
assembles six crews of men and women who leave behind conveniences of mo
dern life and venture into 
the mountains to do challenging and rewarding work.  Crews live for five months in wilderness camps and 
required to hike from two to twenty miles per day at high elevations at a minimum of 3 MPH (miles per 
hour).  Crews are assigned to clear logs and brush, build new trails, c
lean waterbars, reroute trails around 
fragile areas, repair damaged meadows, build and repair bridges, build w
aterbars and retaining walls out 
of rock, wood, and other native materials.  	Backcountry camps are located 	30 miles from nearest road, 	
store, phone, or electricity.  The food is good and delivered by mules or helicopter once a week along 
with 
mail and supplies.  Crew members attend evening training sessions to lea
rn about 
environment, fauna and flora (animal and plant) identification, natural history, and 
wilderness survival training.  Crew members are paid an hourly wage.  While living 
at residential camps, some money is deducted for room and board (meals)
.
How do you join the CCC?  	Applicant must be between the ages of 18 and 25, 	
not on probation or parole, free of convictions for a violent or serious
 drug crime, 
California resident, willing to work hard, and able to succcessfully pass fingerprint 
and background check, drug test, and physical exam.  To ask about joining, call 
1-800-952-JOBS (5627).  To learn more, visit the website:  www.ccc.ca.gov
1. What are the 2 missions of the CCC?
2. When was the CCC established?
3. What is the CCC’s motto?
4. a) List 5 job duties of corpsmembers.  b) What 	
is the average length of stay in the CCC?	
5. List 4 reasons why young people join.
6. a) Of what are hat colors an indication? 
 b) What does a blue hat indicate?  c) Green hat?  	
d) Red hat?  e) Orange hat?  f) Yellow hat?	
7. List 5 of classes every corpsmember must take 	
while in the CCC.	
8. What 3 good work habits are developed while 	
in the CCC?	
9. Describe what Corpsmembers do in these 
 special programs:  a) Stream Enhancement?  	
 b) Drought Response Program?  c) International 	
Work Exchange?	
10. a) How many crews are assembled each spring 	
for Backcountry Trails Program?  b) How long 
do crews live in wilderness camps? c) How 
long may they hike each day?  d) List 4 things 
crews are assigned to do.  e) Where are the 	
 backcountry camps located?  f) How is the food 	
delivered?  g) What 4 things are taught during 
evening training sessions?  h) For what is some 
money deducted?  	
11. List 4 requirements CCC applicants must meet.  
12. What is website address to learn more about the  	
CCC?	
13. a) Do you think you would enjoy joining the 	
CCC?  b) Give a reason for your answer.