International Work Exchange Programs
Over the years, representatives from more than 45 countries have visited or contacted the CCC. Many of the countries were seeking to address needs of both youth employment and environmental protection and were attracted by the CCC concept. From these international contacts, several international exchanges have developed.

A little history:
The CCC's first international exchanges began with the Canadian Katimavik program in 1983, with three years of exchanges. This national volunteer youth service program offered corpsmembers a chance to live and work in communities in British Columbia while the CCC hosted Canadian youth in California.

In 1986, the CCC sent corpsmembers to Great Britain as part of the Community Service Volunteers while British youth worked at California CCC centers.

Two years later, in 1988, the CCC began an exchange with the Australian Trust for Conservation Volunteers, now Conservation Volunteers Australia. The exchange has continued every year since, providing environmental opportunities for corpsmembers in Australia and Australian youth in California.

In 1990-91, an exchange was developed with the Committee of Youth Service (KMO) in the former Soviet Union. Corpsmembers worked on outdoor projects in Moscow and Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) and CCC centers hosted Soviet youth a few months later.

During this time a partnership was also initiated with the Tahoe-Baikal Institute, which fosters environmental exchanges and research focusing on two freshwater lakes, Lake Tahoe and Lake Baikal in Russia.

CCC exchanges are conducted at no additional cost to the taxpayer, as each host country provides food, lodging and other operational expenses. Corpsmembers earn their regular salaries and pay their own transportation costs.

Current Exchanges:

Australian Work Exchange Program
Every year since 1988, the California Conservation Corps has sent corpsmembers "Down Under" through an International Work Exchange program with Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA).

Each spring, interested corpsmembers apply for a spot on a crew of 10. Those selected travel to Australia in August for nine weeks of work on conservation projects in cities such as Melbourne and Sydney as well as the great Australian outback and several territories. Corpsmembers earn their regular paychecks as they live and work with Australians and experience both the environment and culture of Australia first-hand. Soon after the CCC crew returns, an Australian contingent arrives for work in California. The Australians live and work in CCC centers during their stay, giving more corpsmembers the opportunity to learn about the culture and environment of Australia.

Those selected for the exchange pay their own travel expenses, with room and board provided by the host organization.

Tahoe-Baikal Russian Exchange
The Tahoe-Baikal Institute (TBI) each year designates a spot for a CCC corpsmember to participate in an environmental exchange program focusing on the preservation of two freshwater lakes, Lake Tahoe in California and Lake Baikal in Siberia. Lake Baikal, whose watershed extends from Russia into Mongolia, is the largest, deepest and oldest freshwater lake in the world.

The select group of exchange participants – no more than 20 – spend five weeks at Lake Baikal and five weeks at Lake Tahoe, meeting with top scientists and environmental policy-makers, developing and presenting research projects and getting involved in conservation projects. This is an exceptional opportunity for one member of the CCC. And corpsmembers based at the CCC's Tahoe Center, who help with local exchange logistics, benefit as well, getting to get to know the Russian participants during their five weeks in the Tahoe area.