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The Backcountry Trails Program was
established in 1979, as a special program within the California
Conservation Corps, the oldest and
largest conservation corps program in the world.
A proud tradition of excellence has been forged by the many members who have
played a vital role helping to build, maintain, and repair
trails in some of California's most magnificent wilderness
areas.
Each spring, the Backcountry Trails Program
assembles six crews of men and women, from widely diverse
backgrounds, who leave behind the conveniences and luxuries
of modern life and venture into the mountains to spend five
exhausting months doing some of the most challenging and ultimately
rewarding work of their lives. The 17 members who comprise
each of these crews learn through experience the skills of
trail maintenance, construction, and the process of building
healthy productive communities.
The 2008 Backcountry Trails Program -- April 21, 2008 through September 25, 2008 -- Apply Now!
Application deadline: March 3, 2008
Our Mission:
The Backcountry Trails Program is dedicated
to preserving our remaining wilderness areas, making them
safer and more accessible to the public through hard work
and national service.
We are committed to building strong functional
communities based on respect, cooperation, and the tireless
effort of each member.
The Experience:
Past Backcountry members cite the following as the three essential
ingredients for success:
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Ability to get along and work cooperatively
with others
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Desire, self-motivation
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Enthusiasm for hard work
Life in the Backcountry is extremely physically
and mentally demanding. Crews live for five months in remote
wilderness camps with few luxuries. Participants are required
to hike at high elevations from 2-20 miles per day at a mininmum
of 3 MPH. Crews are assigned to log, brush, build new tread,
clean waterbars and other drainage structures, reroute trails
around fragile areas, repair damaged meadows, build and repair
bridges, build waterbars, steps, rip rap, retaining walls
and causeways out of rock, wood and other native materials.
Backcountry camps are located up to 30 miles
from the nearest road, store, phone, or electrical outlet.
Camps are established at elevations up to 11,000 feet and conditions
are spartan. The food is generally great and delivered by
mules or helicopter once a week, along with mail and other
supplies. For most, learning how to maintain a healthy and
productive community life is the most challenging aspect of
the program. Crew members learn that building a functional
community demands that everyone treat each other with great
respect, consideration, and have an open mind to the ideas
and feelings of others.
In addition to the daily work requirements of each crew member there is an extensive curriculum that
each crew will undertake during their five month season. The
curriculum takes the form of evening classes and training
sessions. Curriculum topics include native fauna and flora
identification, natural history classses, wilderness survival
training, career development training, community development
meetings, and health and safety meetings. Crew members are
encouraged to leave camps on weekends to explore the rivers,
lakes, peaks, forests, and canyons that surround them and
have become their "backyard."
The Pay/Benefits:
-
Crew members are paid a stipend of $1,387 monthly.
The Standard Maintenance Deduction, $300/month, is taken
from all crew members' checks for food.
-
Health insurance is provided for all
crew members.
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All Backcountry crew members receive
a $2,362.50 Educational Award upon successfully
completing the Backcountry Program.
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The Backcountry Trails Program provides all members with
good quality work boots, rain gear, and all safety equipment.
In addition to this equipment members must supply their
own backpacks, sleeping bags, daypacks, and other personal
items as outlined in our Personal
Equipment List.
Who May Apply:
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Must be 18 years old as of April 21, 2008.
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Cannot be on probation or parole.
How to Apply:
The Backcountry Trails Crew Member Application consists of a
Reference Evaluation and the Corpsmember Application. Both
parts need to be completed and submitted no later than 5:00pm
March 3, 2008. Late applications will not be accepted.
A phone interview will also be required from
each potential applicant. Selections will be made by Friday, March
14, 2008.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typical Daily Schedule
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