AR-3721
May 16-27, 2008
Must commit to 4 days
CCC Camp Ozone is located in the heart of the Ozark National Forest on the Pleasant Hill Ranger District. It is one of 65 camps established by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Arkansas during 1933–1942. Drought and lack of fire protection had destroyed vast areas of Arkansas’ national forests by the early 1930s, reducing the state’s 32 million acres of timberland to 22 million acres. The conservation work of the CCCs in Arkansas essentially stopped the potential loss of vast areas of the state covered in forest. Between 1933–1942, CCC enrollees planted approximately 19.4 million trees, built 80 fire towers, 4,900 bridges, 5,200 miles of roads, ran 4,000 miles of telephone lines, and spent 493,000 man-days fighting and preventing forest fires. CCC Camp Ozone was home to Companies 1708 and 3742.
Camp Ozone today is a shadow of what it was over six decades ago. Remnants of the camp visible on the landscape include foundations of barracks, the kitchen and mess hall, latrines, garage and shop facilities, the recreation building, sidewalks, the still-standing rock bulletin board, and a goldfish pond constructed in the shape of the State of Arkansas. In the spring, daffodils that lined sidewalks and the flagpole still bloom.
Volunteers will work with the Forest Service Recreation Manager and Archaeologist to construct a foot trail and install signs interpreting features of CCC Camp Ozone. We will also remove underbrush, construct a safety fence, and instal benches. In addition to such recreation-oriented work, we will conduct archeological investigations including survey with metal detectors, selective shovel testing, and mapping to locate remnants of the camp and improve our documentation of its heyday. Volunteers may have an opportunity to meet the veterans at the annual CCC reunion tentatively planned for Memorial Day 2008 at the adjacent ozone Recreation Area.
Number of openings: 25
Special skills: Some archeological experience helpful but not required
Minimum age: 16 years old; under 18 with a responsible adult
Facilities: Free camping at Ozone campground adjacent to project area, pavilion with tables, large grill, electric outlets, and accessible restroom, pavilion parking area for RVs, no electric hookups or drinking water; free camping at Horsehead Lake Recreation Area (45 minutes), can accommodate RVs to 30-feet, centrally located water hydrant, flush toilets, and bathhouse with hot showers, no electric or water hookups
Nearest towns: Ozone, 2 miles; Clarksville, 18 miles
Applications due: March 16, 2008