The Civilian Conservation Corps in New Jersey
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a nationwide government work program that provided jobs for unemployed men between the ages of seventeen to twenty-five. They had many camps all over the United States including New Jersey. New Jersey had nine CCC camps in total but the CCC contributed to conserving numerous state parks and forests. The CCC also built trails, picnic shelters, bridges, and roads. In New Jersey only a few parks were established before the Great Depression but during the Great Depression, development of parks took off. The Civilian Conservation Corps in New Jersey hired young men between the ages of 18-25. Most of the workers were from familes that were suffering unemployment. The men could serve for periods of six months for a max of two years. Each enrollee recieved thirty-five dollars a month, which all but five dollars was sent back to their families. This was a payment for the forty hours per week that each individual put in. Room and board was provided by the CCC for the men in addition to health care.
Many people benefitted from the devlopment of the Civilian Conservation Corps, from the enrollees to the people that were in towns around the CCC camps. While people were getting laid off, the CCC was providing jobs for the unemployed. Young men that were of age could enroll and help support their families. As new men join the CCC, a demand for people to train the men grows; that came from the locals around the camps. The program would hired local men that were experienced in a certain area to help train the incoming men that were going to be part of the CCC. Another benefit was that all the food, supplies, etc. were bought from the local area. So the CCC killed two birds with one stone; they provided the youth with employment and its camps stimulated the economy.
Many people benefitted from the devlopment of the Civilian Conservation Corps, from the enrollees to the people that were in towns around the CCC camps. While people were getting laid off, the CCC was providing jobs for the unemployed. Young men that were of age could enroll and help support their families. As new men join the CCC, a demand for people to train the men grows; that came from the locals around the camps. The program would hired local men that were experienced in a certain area to help train the incoming men that were going to be part of the CCC. Another benefit was that all the food, supplies, etc. were bought from the local area. So the CCC killed two birds with one stone; they provided the youth with employment and its camps stimulated the economy.
An interesting fact about the CCC and New Jersey is that in May of 2007 a piece of legislation was introduced in New Jersey; It established March 31 as the official Civilian Conservation Corps Recognition Day in New Jersey. They made this day because the legislators believed that the CCC is a good job in helping conserve natural resources and providing jobs for the unemployed.
CCC Projects/Camps
Some well known CCC projects/ camps in New Jersey are the follow:
-Bass River State Forest
-Belleplain State Forest
-Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
-Cheesequake State Park
-Hacklebarney State Park
-High Point State Park
-Jenny Jump State Forest
-Penn State Forest
-Parvin State Park
-Ringwood State Park
-Stephens State Park
-Stokes State Forest
-Voorhess State Park
-Bass River State Forest
-Belleplain State Forest
-Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
-Cheesequake State Park
-Hacklebarney State Park
-High Point State Park
-Jenny Jump State Forest
-Penn State Forest
-Parvin State Park
-Ringwood State Park
-Stephens State Park
-Stokes State Forest
-Voorhess State Park