Three squares a day: Enrollees in the civilian conservation corps

In contrast to previous research on the Civilian Conservation Corps (1933–1942), which has focused on policy developments in Washington, the present study looks at young men in the CCC camps across the country. Incorporating a variety of data sources and applying social science methodology to historical data, the study finds that two camp variables, food and living conditions, were the variables most associated with enrollee satisfaction in the CCC. An “emergent” variable in the study, employment opportunities, also played an important role; enrollees tended to leave the CCC when other jobs were available. Taken together, the two camp variables and the employment variable combine into a theme of basic needs-food, shelter, and jobs. A common phrase during the 1930s, “three squares a day,” perhaps best captures this group of variables. Two geographical variables, urban vs. rural background and distance from home, also influenced enrollee satisfaction. Urban enrollees and enrollees a great distance from home responded less positively. Two enrollee demographic variables, age and race, were not significantly associated with enrollee response. Possible implications of the CCC experience for modern youth employment programs seem to be: (I) address fundamental needs of young people which, in the 1980s, may be education and employment: (2) keep programs close to home, urban or rural; and (3) do not overemphasize individual characteristics; program design is probably more important.