Going Back to School with the CCC

man holding protractor with sand in foreground

Learning never stops in the California Conservation Corps. Here, a Ukiah Corpsmember uses a protractor to measure the slope of the sand as part of an exercise to see how erosion can shape our natural environment.

Lunches are packed, backpacks are loaded up, and it’s back to learning lessons across California. We’re not talking exclusively about school, we’re talking about the daily experience of hands-on experience and education of the California Conservation Corps.

“Why not take on that opportunity to create a change in your life?” said Corpsmember Keith Patrick Jr. “For me, this is going to open doors. This creates a whole different pathway for me.”

Whether in the classroom or field, young adults enrolled in CCC’s year-round programs are continuously advancing their education. Grounded in a shared commitment to serving both people and planet, Corpsmembers are learning about fire behavior, forest health, fish habitat, and more!

San Diego Corpsmember Keith Patrick Jr. exuberantly prepares to shake CCC Director JP Patton’s hand during CCC Statewide Graduation. 

When Keith Patrick joined the CCC, he didn’t have his high school diploma or a defined direction in his life. A year after enrolling, he’s graduated and is now focused on joining the Navy. For young adults still looking to finish their diploma and get paid to learn skills that lead to good careers, the CCC is the place to go.

“You can do it no matter what. I’m here, I’m graduating, I did it,” said Corpsmember Janeth Flores. “I can have big dreams now. I believe in myself. If I work hard enough, I can do what I want.”

The CCC isn’t just for those seeking their diplomas. It’s a place where all young adults, 18 to 25 and military veterans through age 29, can spend a year earning scholarships, industry recognized certifications, and work experience.

 

corpsmember cutting tree branches, another pulling them away

Corpsmember Janeth Flores, right, pulls cut tree limbs during a trail clearing project in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park near Julian, CA.

“This is a program I recommend for someone who wants opportunity to make a difference in their life,” Patrick said.

If you, or someone you know is interested in finishing their diploma, or exploring a gap year before college, head to the Join Now page to learn about the application and enrollment process.

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