Do You Know What "CCC" Stood For Way Back When?

Occasionally, Ann from the Odom Genealogy Library hands me something of interest for the blog. The other day she brought me information about the CCC.
Many of you will have no idea what CCC stands for or stood for way back in the late 30's and early 40's. It was the Civilian Conservation Corps, a work relief program for young men from unemployed families that was established March 19, 1933 by U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as part of his New Deal legislation. The program was designed to combat poverty and unemployment caused by the Great Depression.
The CCC was limited to young men 18-25 years old who were unemployed. The average age of the enrollees was 18-19. There were two exceptions to the age limits: Veterans and Indians, who had special programs and their own camps. In 1937 Congress changed the age limit to 17-28 and dropped the requirements that enrollees be on relief.
The young men went to camps of about 200 men each for six-month periods where they were paid to do outdoor construction work. They built roads, picnic shelters, bathhouses, dams, bridges, and fences. They dug irrigation canals and fought forest fires. They learned trades and took education classes.
The men worked a 40-hour week and were paid $30 per month (roughly equivalent to $425 today) and were required to send $25 of their monthly pay home to families. The CCC provided two sets of clothes and plenty of food. The Army operated the camps. Discipline was maintained by threat of "dishonorable discharge." There were no reported revolts or strikes. Late afternoon and evening activities were sports and classes. Weekend bus service was provided (or their own trucks could take them) into town or they could attend dances and religious services in the camps.
The separate Indian Division was a major relief force for Native American reservations during the Depression.
The CCC became the most popular New Deal program among the general public. There were 4,000 camps in 48 states, as well as the Hawaii and Alaska territories, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
But the CCC lost its importance as the Depression ended about 1940. As unemployment fell, so did the need for the CCC. After the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan in 1941, national attention shifted away from domestic issues in favor of the war effort. Rather than formally disbanning the CCC, the 77th U.S. Congress ceased funding it after 1942 fiscal year, causing it to end operations.
There are 34 North Georgia camp sites listed at the website Civilian Conservation Corps North Georgia Camps. Look at http://ngeorgia.com/feature/cccl.html for more information.
If any of your relatives served in the CCC, there are a number of resources available for researchers. The National Archives in Washington, DC, has extensive records on the CCC in its Record Group 35, including photographs, official correspondence, camp directories, inspection reports, and accident reports. You can also check the state archives where your relative served for additional records. And you can request copies of the enrollee's records from the Civilian Personnel Records Center in St. Louis.
To learn more about the CCC, go to the Civilian Conservation Corps Alumni website at http://www.cccalumni.org/. You'll also find information about the CCC Museum in St. Louis.