Youth Conservation Camps

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation – Division of Juvenile Justice, (formerly called CYA) maintains one DJJ "mountain" (Pine Grove) and one institutional - based (Ventura) youth conservation camps. Both Pine Grove and Ventura Camps screen and accept low risk classification wards from more secure facilities. Training is provided by CAL Fire (formerly CDF) and wards are certified to engage in wild land firefighting operations as part of a Type One Hand Crew. Fire crews from DJJ camps perform about 180,000 hours of fire suppression services in a "normal" year for the people of California.

The Department began its Youth Conservation Program in 1946 with the Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp located about one hour southwest of Sacramento near Jackson. The newest such facility, the Sylvester Carraway Public Service and Fire Camp opened in 1990. It is a camp within the facility, operating out of Ventura Youth Correctional Facility. The youth conservation camps are jointly operated with CAL Fire as an equal partner. DJJ staff are responsible for the custody, supervision and treatment of wards. CAL Fire Officers plan and supervise work projects performed by the wards.

Ward camp crews, each led by a fire captain (CAL Fire), provide a variety of conservation services to state and local government agencies.

Crews typically work in state and county parks performing stream clearance, wild land fire prevention tasks, and restoration work. During the fire season, ward crews are involved in wild land fire suppression through the state of California. Camp crews are also assigned to flood control activities. The major emphasis of a camp program is to provide wards with employability skills, with a strong emphasis on developing good work habits. Wards also receive leadership training within their crew structure.

The education programs are in the evenings after work. All non-high school graduates participate in GED preparation, a high school program, or basic skills. The aim is completion of educational requirements for normal entry-level employment. Each camp also has a formal drug program offering various treatment modalities.