Sent to battle the

erosion and destruction

of the nation’s natural

resources.

FDR at CCC Camp

Organization

• The National Director was Robert Fechner.

• The Agriculture and Interior departments were responsible for planning and organizing work to be performed in every state.

• The Department of Labor was responsible for the selection and enrollment of applicants.

• The War Department mobilized the nation’s transportation system to move thousands of enrollees from the induction centers to work camps.

Volunteer Sign-Up, April 1933.

Leaving for Camp

Eligibility Requirements

• U.S. Citizen

• Of sound physical fitness.

• Unemployed

• Unmarried

• Between the ages of 18-25

Most importantly, all members of the CCC were required to send

$25.00 home every month.

After being accepted, applicants

• Underwent a physical examination similar to military recruits,

• Got inoculated,

• Took the CCC oath,

• Received supplies and an allotment of clothing that included a blue denim work suit and an olive uniform for dress purposes.

CCC Uniform

CCC Camp Grounds

A Typical Day6 a.m. Wake Up

6-7 a.m. Calisthenics, Breakfast, Roll Call, Inspections

8 a.m.-4 p.m. Work

4 p.m.-5 p.m. Return to Camp, Free time

5:30 p.m. Dinner

After Dinner Attend Classes, Free time

10 p.m. Lights Out

CCC Projects Included:

• More than 3,470 fire towers erected;

• 97,000 miles of fire roads built;

• 4,235,000 man-days devoted to fighting fires;

• More than 3 billion trees planted;

• 46 camps assigned to work under the direction of the U.S. Bureau of Agriculture Engineering;

CCC Projects Included:• More than 84,400,000 acres of good

agricultural land received manmade drainage systems;

• 1,240,000 man-days of emergency work completed during floods of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys;

• Disease and insect control;

CCC Projects Included:

• Forest improvement (including reforestation);

• Forest recreation development—campgrounds built, complete with picnic shelters, swimming pools and restrooms.

• 7,153,000 man days expended on protecting the natural habitats of wildlife.

Education• Developed in June 1933

• Vocational training and additional education

• Programs varied considerably from camp to camp

• More than 90% of all enrollees participated in the programs available

• More than 40,000 illiterate men were taught to read and write.

Recruits at class

Auto Mechanics Class

Cooking and Baking Class

Radio Engineering

A Balance of

Work and Play

Library

Sports

The End of the CCC• Death of Director

Fechner

• Changing conditions in both the U.S. and Europe

• Changes in the job market which led to lower rates of unemployment

Pearl HarborPearl Harbor

December 7, 1941December 7, 1941

Now, let’s take a closer look at…

…the CCC in Michigan!

Between 1848-1898, Michigan lumber barons

cleared the land of trees, for a profit of $4 billion dollars.

• 485 million trees were planted• 140,000 man days were spent fighting fires• 7,000 miles of truck trails were constructed• 504 bridges were built• 222 buildings were constructed• 4,000 fire towers were erected• 75,000 miles of telephone wire was strung

Between 1933 and 1942

in Michigan

The CCC is The CCC is also credited also credited with curbing with curbing

juvenile juvenile delinquency delinquency and reducing and reducing

prison prison populations.populations.

Corpsmen plant seedlings at Michigan’s Silver Lake camp.

Isle Royale

CCC, Camp Wyman, Co. 671, Munising, Michigan, 1934

Michigan’s CCC Camps may have disappeared,

but the legacy of the corps remains.

• Using what you have just learned about the CCC, write a journal entry or a letter home as if you were a member of the CCC.

• Think about the living conditions, the recreational activities, the educational opportunities, and the work the members of the CCC completed.

• When writing, be sure to keep in mind that your family back home is suffering as a result of the Great Depression.

• Your letter or journal entry must be at least 2 paragraphs long, of 4-5 sentences each long!