The Answer:

The Civilian Conservation Corps was established in 1933 by the U.S. Congress as part of the New Deal program. It organized unemployed males between the ages of 18-25 and put them to work helping conserve the country's natural resources and infrastructure.

At its peak the corps had 500,000 members in over 2,600 camps spread out around the country. Each worker was paid $30 a month, of which $25 was sent back to his family. Enrollees were expected to work a 40-hour week and sleep at the camps. The enrollment period was for six months with the opportunity to re-enlist for another six months for a maximum of two years. Against President Franklin D. Roosevelt's request, Congress abolished the CCC in 1942 in favor of projects that aided national defense.

The CCC did significant work in national parks and soil conservation, among other areas, during its history. See the online James F. Justin Civilian Conservation Corps Museum for more information.

—The Editors