CAMARILLO CENTER

Mailing address: 2714 E. Vineyard Ave. Oxnard, CA 93036

Location: The Camarillo Center is presently located on the campus of the former El Rio Elementary School. Construction of a new residential center nearby is in progress.

Phone number: (805) 278-2787

Welcome to Camarillo Center : We are part of the CCC Region II. At full strength, we engage more than 60 Corpsmembers in meaningful environmental, public service and educational activities. The CCC Program has been located in Ventura County since 1977.

Our center sphere of influence and stretches across the beautiful Los Padres Mountains to the Pacific Ocean including Southern Santa Barbara County, all of Ventura County on and much of Los Angeles County. The Center operates satellites in Los Angeles and Norwalk. This varied geography offers our Corpsmembers a wide variety of work-learn projects that are both mentally and physically challenging.

Corpsmember Expectations: Corpsmembers must work hard to develop a solid work ethic, and so the CCC demands a good deal from Corpsmembers during the work day. Our top priority on work projects is for safe and injury free employees. We want Corpsmembers to be efficient workers and to be challenged while learning about the environment, their peers and themselves. Crew supervisors hold in high regard the following traits: honesty, respect for co-workers and supervisor, clean language, teamwork, the "thinking worker” and a worker who enjoys and respects the environment.

Work Projects/Partnerships: Corpsmembers participate in a variety of conservation work projects. The projects are sponsored by federal, state, county and city agencies as well as nonprofit organizations. Typical partnering agencies include the State Department of Parks and Recreation, LA, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, California Department of Fish and Game, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), National Park Service, and various other environmentally related organizations. We pride ourselves on providing a well rounded experience for Corpsmembers by involving them in a variety of demanding and educational projects such as watershed restoration, trail construction and maintenance, fence building, boardwalk construction, fish habitat restoration, park development and landscaping. Corpsmembers also respond to emergencies such as fires, floods, oil spills, pests and earthquakes. The Camarillo Center has completed some very special “legacy” projects over the years. This would include projects such as the reconstruction of the Presido Chapel in Santa Barbara; the elevated boardwalk with disabled access at McGrath State Beach, and the construction of several miles of trail on the famous Santa Monica Mountains Backbone Trail.

For Project More Information Contact: Juan Mercado @ (805) 278-2787 ext. 16

Housing and Facilities: The Camarillo Center is currently located on the former El Rio Elementary School near Oxnard in Ventura County between Santa Barbara and the San Fernando Valley. This temporary site enjoys a very mild climate year round. Nearby scenic areas include the Los Padres National Forest, the Santa Monica Mountains, the Channel Islands as well as coastal communities from Malibu to Santa Barbara. Housing for Corpsmembers is similar to a military barracks with nine people sharing a room. The facility includes a comfortable library, classrooms, lounge, weight room and common areas plus a kitchen with central dining. The CCC is currently building a brand new state of the art Center in Camarillo which is expected to be completed by Summer 2010.

Education and Training: The CCC Corpsmember Development Program (CMD) offers a variety of educational and training opportunities to all Corpsmembers. These activities assist Corpsmembers in improving their skills and broadening their knowledge. Participation in the education program is mandatory and Corpsmembers will attend a minimum of three hours a week. Educational scholarship dollars can be earned while in the CCC as well. Classes are offered in the following categories:

• Basic Education/Literacy Skill Classes - Improve skills in reading, math, grammar and writing.
• English as a Second Language (ESL) - Weekly sessions to help non-English speakers learn or improve their English.
• High School Diploma
• Independent Study - Limited opportunity to enroll in college or independent study is offered to motivated Corpsmembers who have a GED or high school diploma.
• Alternate CCC Classes - Special classes for Corpsmembers who have completed their core competency classes through ROP, independent study and other sources.
• The CMD program is equipped with a classroom, library and computer learning lab.

We also encourage Corpsmembers to take advantage of promotional opportunities, leadership training (when offered), firefighting, drivers training/licenses, chainsaw certifications and other skill building opportunities offered by the CCC.

Internships: The Camarillo Center currently offers internships with the city of Camarillo. There have been other internship sponsors in the past such as Caltrans, City of Simi Valley, the Ventura County Fairgrounds, the California Department of Forestry, and there is always a potential for new internship sponsors developing within Ventura County. Through the internship program, Corpsmembers report directly to the sponsor and can be either residential or non-residential. This opportunity offers Corpsmembers a more direct one on one training opportunity in a specific employment skill area. Corpsmembers are encouraged to take advantage of sponsor provided training as well as enrolling with local education providers for intern related training when available.

Special Programs: The Camarillo Center has developed a work-learn program that brings meaningful fisheries and watershed restoration project work to the local area. Crews work in creeks and surrounding watersheds utilizing tools such as a chainsaw, heavy duty rock drill, and grip hoist to implement restoration projects that will forever benefit fragile watersheds and threatened fish populations including the Steelhead Trout. Crews work with landowners, conservation groups, local, state and federal agencies to complete projects. Corpsmembers can make contacts for future employment opportunities with entities like state parks, fish and game and environmental consulting firms.

Community Activities/Recreation: The town of Oxnard is close by and local area transit systems are easily accessed. Our CCC recreation staff coordinates trips to local stores, movies, parks, basketball games, beaches and many other exciting, entertaining events. Corpsmembers must lend a hand in the planning, logistics, driving, but are encouraged to participate since these activities increase group unity and broaden the CCC experience. The surrounding locale offers numerous educational, cultural and recreational activities. Camarillo Center is in reasonable proximity to a myriad of activities in the greater Los Angeles area including Disneyland, Magic Mountain, Universal Studios, beaches, camping areas, outlet shops and malls.

Community Service: The CCC offers opportunities for Corpsmembers to be active in local communities. Community involvement is important and Corpsmembers are required to give 48 hours of community service during their year in order to be eligible for a CCC scholarship. The Camarillo Center location is approximately an hour and a half from the City of Los Angeles, and just minutes from the beaches and the mountains. This gives Corpsmembers the opportunity to volunteer on their own or be a part of a CCC sponsored activity for a variety of organizations and agencies. The Camarillo Center provides service to FOODSHARE, Habitat for Humanity, Rio School District and has participated in Special Olympics, AIDSWALK, the Chumash Indian festival, and assisting at street fairs and other community sponsored events when needed.