Civilian Conservation Corps

To remedy the catastrophe that was the Great Depression of the 1930’s, Franklin Delano Roosevelt persuaded Congress to fund a series of federal programs. One of which, was the Civilian Conservation Corps.

On March 19, 1933, FDR called six federal government officials to the white house to organize the CCC. This included the secretaries of War, agriculture, and interior, the director of the budget, the judge advocate general of the army, and the solicitor of the Department of The Interior.

His ideas for the Civilian Conservation Corps were as stated, “Conservation of our natural resources and conservation of our human resources. Both are sound investments for the future.”

The War Department provided work camps to enroll, clothe, feed, and pay the men who were selected for the CCC. The first camp was called Camp Roosevelt, established April 17, 1933. The average number of camps open at any time was 1,600.

Only unmarried men 18-25 could enroll for a six month period with the CCC. They could later reenlist for up to two years. Later, enrollment was opened to WWI veterans and men 17-28. By 1938, more than a half million men were enrolled.

Despite the “civilian” part of its name, it was essentially a military organization. Everything the men used or wore was reused from World War I. Even transportation to and from camps was done in the backs of open army trucks. The workers would rise at 6AM and work 8 hours a day for 6 days a week on projects such as laying miles of highway, repairing bridges and constructing public buildings. Active duty military officers led them; many of the officers fought in WWI and would fight again in WWII.

Men were compensated for their hard manual labor with food, shelter, clothing, and 30$ per month (25$ of their salary was sent home to their families). Some men even learned to read and write, and many received additional schooling from the CCC educational programs.

On April 16, 2006, a special event organized by Michael Smith, the president of the National Association of the Civilian Conservation Corps Alumni, the was held at Julia Randall Elementary School in tribute to the Civilian Conservation Corps. The members of Phoenix Chapter 44 of the NACCCA had a chance to share their stories. Those who attended watched two movies, listened to music, and viewed the exhibits and artifacts on display.