About Our Center

Placer Center opened as a CCC Center in 1978 as one of eight fire centers. In 1984 it became the combined Energy Center which incorporated the Econ, Weatherization, and Solar Programs. While Placer Center still conducts an occasional energy retrofit, the formal Energy Training Program (EnTech) ended in 1996. The Construction Unit was added in 1996 and currently provides about half of the Center's work. The remaining resource crews often focus on brush removal, fuel hazard reduction, steam clearance, park development, trail maintenance and construction, range fencing, and wetland rehabilitation, along with other outdoor work projects. The Center has traditionally provided most of its crews to support to fire camps in the summer and crews are often asked to work away from the camp in distant parts of the state a week or two at a time on projects throughout the year.

Contrary to a widely held myth, Placer Center does not have a pool or horse riding stables. We do have an on-site sewage treatment plant with three ponds, but swimming is prohibited for health reasons. We do have a resident flock of wild turkeys and a visiting herd of deer. Lizards, squirrels and abundant wildlife are often seen on the grounds.

Work Projects/Sponsorships

Person to contact for potential projects? Project Coordinator, Rod Thornhill.

Housing and Facilities

The Center supports separate dormitory wings for men and women. Each spartan room typically has two to four bunk beds and a separate locker for each resident. Space for personal items is limited. COMET trainees are housed in rooms dedicated to the COMET program during their training

Dining is provided in a recently renovated and spacious dining hall complete with big screen TV, soda fountain, and salad bar. Large picture windows overlook a grass quad that makes up the center of the camp.

Training and education is provided by two classrooms. One with table based seating and the other with student desks. Both are equipped with overhead projectors, public address systems, and large white boards for instruction. In addition, one classroom is supported by two separate computer labs: one dedicated to instruction and another for study and personal use. Both classrooms can seat up to 24 students comfortably.

Recreational facilities are supervised by the Corpsmember Advisory Board (CAB), which is similar to a student government at a high school. The CAB oversees a fully equipped, though somewhat cramped, weight room; a small library; an internet cafe; a pool room with a pool table (again no swimming pool); a recreation room with ping-pong and foosball tables; a large screen TV room with DVD player and couches; and a small store with refrigerator and microwave. In addition, there is a fire pit, which can be used in the winter, a basketball court and a baseball diamond with bleachers, a wooden deck patio with grill, an outdoor atrium, and a smoking area.

The center is located in a rural subdivision in a foothill oak woodland at an elevation of 1700'. The town of Auburn is close, but is not really accessible by foot. Occasional town runs are provided on a weekly basis by the Center. Cab service is available for a fee. Cell phone reception can be spotty at times, with certain carriers working better than others. Many residents entertain themselves while off-duty with conversation, cards and dominoes, personal game consoles and DVD players.

Education and Training

Training starts immediately with a six day COMET program that provides instruction on policy and expectations, along with some basic life skills (e.g. money management, time management) training. Upon successful completion of the COMET program, the trainee enters employment and begins crew work.

Placer School for Adults provides a high school and a GED class on site for corpsmembers. Two credentialed teachers provide group and individual assistance to help corpsmembers advance toward a diploma. Any CM who does not have a high school diploma is required to spend three hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights working on their high school studies. The on-site high school is very successful in supporting corpsmember's in obtaining a high school diploma through self-paced and independent study.

In addition, every corpsmember will be required to attend a two day First Aid/CPR course, three nights and one day of Career Development, and three nights and one day of Conservation Awareness and other courses that are required for job training such as chainsaw use, chipper operation, safety harness orientation, and commercial driver certification.

Sierra Community College, one of the highest rated colleges in the area, is about a 30 minutes commute from the camp. Students must provide their own transportation and will probably have to be assigned to Kitchen or "In-Camp" crews so as to avoid off camp-assignments that would interfere with their studies.

Internships

Special Programs

The Placer Center fully supports the AmeriCorps scholarship program, which can provide up to $4,600 in college/school scholarships per year.

Community Activities/Recreation

The Center community often participates in local community volunteer activities, which mostly focus on supporting events, such as festivals and parades. Seasonal participation in local intra-mural sports leagues (especially basketball) is also available. About once every two months there is a trip to another city or area such as San Francisco or Lake Tahoe. Any expenses other than transportation must be covered by the participants.