Back to Conservation (Fire) Camps Program

Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp

As of January 2023, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Division of Adult Institutions (DAI) maintains the Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp (PGYCC) in Amador County. It screens and accepts youths age 18 and older from counties who contract with CDCR-DAI.

Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp Logo

Contact Information

Physical Location

13630 Aqueduct-Volcano Road, Pine Grove, CA 95665

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 1040, Pine Grove, CA 95665

Main Phone

(209) 296-7581

CDCR Staff

Lt. V. Melendez, Camp Commander

Sgt. C. Chamberlin, Assistant Camp Commander

Sgt. A. Eltareb, Assistant Camp Commander

Sgt. J. Williams, Assistant Camp Commander

Sgt. J. Zysman, Assistant Camp Commander

Note: Program facility for males adjudicated in juvenile courts.

For an overview of the Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp facility and current programs, view this two-part video:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Video by Clarissa Resultan, CDCR Photographer | Story by Tessa Outhyse, PIO

Training is provided by CAL FIRE and youths are certified to engage in wildland firefighting operations. Fire crews from CDCR camps perform approximately 180,000 hours of fire suppression services in a “normal” year.

Crews typically work in state and county parks performing stream clearance, wild land fire prevention tasks, and restoration work. During the fire season, youth crews are involved in wildland fire suppression throughout the state of California. Crews also respond to flood control activities. The major emphasis of the camp programs is to provide youths with employable skills and to develop within them a strong emphasis on solid work habits. In addition, youths receive leadership training within their crew structure.

For a detailed history of PGYCC, go here: Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp continues tradition of training young offenders – Inside CDCR

Youth participants at PGYCC must have their high school diploma or GED, or be able to complete their education while at camp.

Programs and Services

PGYCC provides education and trauma-informed treatment to California’s youthful offenders up to the age of 25. Participants typically have the most serious criminal backgrounds and most intense treatment needs. Most juvenile offenders today are assigned to county facilities in their home communities. That way they can be closer to their families and local social services that are vital to rehabilitation.

The Integrated Behavior Treatment Model constitutes the framework for Pine Grove’s programs. It is designed to reduce institutional violence and future criminal behavior by teaching anti-criminal attitudes and providing youth with personal skills to better manage their environments. PGYCC staff from every professional discipline work as a team to assess the unique needs of each youth. They develop an individualized treatment program to address those needs. Collaborating with the youth, the team administers a case plan that utilizes their personal strengths to maximize treatment and reduce risk of re-offending.

PGYCC provides academic and vocational education and treatment programs that address violent, criminogenic, and sex offender behavior. Additionally, programs treat substance abuse and mental health needs while maintaining a safe and secure environment conducive to learning.

The Integrated Behavior Treatment Model constitutes the framework for youth treatment. It is designed to reduce institutional violence and future criminal behavior by teaching anti-criminal attitudes and providing youth with personal skills to better manage their environments. Staff from every professional discipline work as a team to assess the unique needs of each youth and to develop an individualized treatment program to address them. Through collaboration with the youth, the team administers a case plan that takes advantage of each youth’s personal strengths to maximize treatment in other areas of their life and reduce their risk of re-offending.

Please call PGYCC with any questions about visiting at 209-296-7581.