Help for the Family Sending a teen-age son off to a CCC camp is a godsend to working families that have lost income. The son gets valuable job training, and a great bonding experience with fellow camp-mates, with zero living expenses. The monthly pay is about one-quarter of a normal manufacturing wage, and most is sent straight home to support the family. Except at the very beginning, camps are segregated, so that Blacks and Whites won't mingle. Half the recruits are from rural areas, where segregation is still the norm.

	Out West Many CCC recruits are sent to national parks out west, to establish mountain trails, check erosion and reforest areas burned or logged. In addition, the CCC creates 800 state parks on lakes or ponds, with rustic picnic tables, fire pits and outhouses.
	On-the-job Training The CCC is credited with building 100,000 miles of access roads and trails, along with 40,000 bridges, which help open up national forests in the West. It builds 3,500 fire lookout stations, and erects 45,000 buildings of all sorts, including many in parks.
	Gaining Experience CCC youths receive valuable training, usually on the job, but sometimes in facilities. Training is also provided by the National Youth Administration (NYA). This was a separate program, for high school and college youths who want to stay at home. Women make up half its enrollment.
	Conservation Work Most CCC youths work in the woods or on roads, but some are employed on farms, to control soil erosion.
	Army Flavor One important side benefit of working under the CCC is exposure to other males of the same age. Group living conditions promote bonding, and many friendships started in CCC last for years. The military-style administration in most camps is also good preparation for life in the army, for those that will enlist during World War II, which is just a few years away.