CCC 50th Anniversary

1977 had an active fire season. Our crew SLO #1 lead by C1 Frank Garcia, and CDF Crew Foreman John Renstrom deployed to two major fires that season: the Pondosa Fire in Lassen NF & Marble Cone Fire in Los Padres NF. That’s where I caught the fire bug!… I retired from CAL FIRE CZU as a Fire Captain in 2015.

I am from the Canadian exchange program – Katimavik of 1985. In the CCC, I responded to flooding in the Delta. After finishing the program, where I met my future husband, I moved back to California and have lived here ever since. I raised my son here, who also went into the CCC in 2018 at Fortuna.

My best memorary being in the CCC was when our crew leader took us to a fire camp at Mammoth Mountain and we also visited Mono Lake. My time in the program inspired me to go on with many landscaping and hardware projects. CCC taught me self discipline and a strong work ethic – which are so badly needed in today’s world.

That hard work pays off – just knowing I did work that people enjoy to this day. Restoring part of the Jug Handle trail in Fort Bragg meant alot to me, to work on a place close to home where I can take my kids to see. For those in the program, push yourself more and more each day. CCC can and will open a great future for you!

While CCC gave me a love for the outdoors, my backcountry season cemented it. The program made me want to work in natural resources for the rest of my life. It also gave me the discipline to go back to school and get a degree. I currently work for the Trinity County Resource Conservation District and utilize my degree.

My favorite memory was when I was at San Gabriel Canyon – on the weekends I would camp out on the ridge just above the center. My favorite project was working at the LA Arboretum near the Fantasy Island House and having lunch at the lagoon. I wish that every young person would go into the CCC. It would teach them a skill (for life).

My proudest moment in the CCC was being a crewleader on the Kings Canyon backcountry crew – we were the first crew in ten years that all completed the season. We worked on the Johm Muir Trail, exlusive to the Glen Pass area, moving big rocks and rebuilding the trail. It kept me grounded and taught me how to become responsible.

My favorite memory was working around the South Lake Tahoe Basin. Constructing trails, re-green projects, and resources – one of my favorite projects was the Rubicon Trail on South Lake. Take lots of pictures because one day you will look back and see how far you’ve come in your life. The CCC is a stepping stone to your future.

I was 18 when I was accepted to backcountry. It completely changed who I became in terms of my priorities, approach to conservation, and relationship to nature, peers, and mental health. It was the best possible mirror I could have had at the time. I learned valuable skills and came out so much stronger and worldlier than I went in.

Going to a fire emergency at Yosemite National Park was one of my peak moments in the CCC. I also loved repairing trails. This program gave me the opportunity and experience to become what I am today, maintaining State Parks. For those currently in the CCC, my best piece of advice is to keep going at it!

CCC introduced me to so many amazing people – including my husband – bred ultimate self confidence, an incredible work ethic, and an even deeper love of nature. Our son followed in our footsteps and learned so much too. Words cannot express the gratitude and reverence I feel for the C’s. LONG LIVE THE CCC!!

The best thing that I got out of CCC was the ability to structure and prioritize projects which allowed me to move on and open my businesses. The CCC is a place to learn how to get along with eachother, work as team members, and develop the structure and discipline that’s needed for handling life‘s curveballs and daily living.

Yosemite Backcountry taught me rock masonry: a skill I brought with me to National Parks across the West. I wouldn’t be able to lead NPS trail crews in Denali & Saguaro without that experience. I worked on trails for twenty years and led hundreds of volunteers and public lands crews thanks to the CCC.

At the Santa Clara Center, I was on a fire crew and worked with the City of Fremont to make a park ADA accessible – we laid about 1/4 mile of concrete walkways for wheelchairs. In the CCC, I learned to work hard and take personal accountability for my work. For those in the program, I hope you learn to challenge yourself!