Evening star., 1933-12-24
BY GUY ID. MCKINLEY,

BY GUY ID. MCKINLEY,
Assistant to the Director, Emergency Con-
servation Work.
TINE 500, 900 youths, war veterans
and experienced woodsmen of
the Civilian Conservation Corps
i camps are to have an oppor-
tunity to develop their brains
as well as brawn-
During the nine months that have
elapsed since the first OF the Nation
wide series OF forest work camps was
established in the Blue Ridge Mountains
of Virginia last April the men of the
forest camps have been developing their
physiques, hardening muscles and gain
ing dexterity in the handling OF the
ak and other forestry tools Now, as a
result of a recent decision of President
Roosevelt, the men are to be taught
how 10 improve their minds so they VIII
be better qualified to obtain and hold
permanent employment when dis
charged from the Conservation Corps.
In compliance with the wishes Of
President Roosevelt, Robert Fechner,
director of emergency conservation
which shortly will result in the setting
q
ualistic educational system in each OF
the ,466 camps where 250,000 young
men Of college and high school age, as
well as $4,000 veterans and 25000 ex-
perienced woodsmen. are working this
Winter as members of the c. c. G. The
new educational system is to incor-
porate the best features of the educa-
tional facilities now available in large
numbers Of the camps. The aim at each
camp will be to develop a unified edu-
cational program which will best fit
the needs, capabilities and desires of
the group of 200 enrolled men living at
that particular forest location.
Three RS" to Be Taught.
A wide and varied program of in
struction will be offered the young for
est workers. The usual three Rs" will
be taught in most of the camps. There
will be special classes for those who
cannot read or write. Virtually all
camps will cffer courses in forestry and
the other outdoor classes Of work be-
ing done by the enrolled men. In many
camps courses in current events will
be provided. Vocational courses will be
offered wherever desired. For those who
desire special courses classes will be
arranged. Individual educational and
vocational guidance will be offered all
enrolled men. One of the major goals
sought will be that Of assisting the men
so to improve their education that they
will be able to obtain permanent en-
ployment when they leave the camp.
In approving the new educational
program President Roosevelt made
known his desire that forestry, agri-
culture and similar subjects should be
stressed
"It is the hope of the President, Mr.
Fechner said in announcing that
broader educational advantages were
to be added to the activities of the
camps, that the educational program,
by emphasizing forestry, agriculture
and like subjects, will assist the men
in readjusting themselves to a new
mode OF living-to country life instead
of city life-and to assist them in i'm
proving themselves educationally and
vocationally. One of our major aims
will be to develop an appreciation of
country life in the minds of the en-
rolled men. Wherever possible, we will
arrange for young men interested in
have access to the facilities of colleges
and schools near the camps. We pro-
pose to give as many men as possible
d CIid1lCc db dIl cOuCdLlOI4 dIlQ oil OpPO1
tunity for vocational counsel and guild
ance which will aid them to make a
living"
DIR. Zook Directs Work.
The task Of introducing and admin
iStering the program has been placed
largely in the hands of the Office OF
Education of the Department Of the
Interior and officials of the War De-
partment. The educational set-up also
will include general educational di-
rector assigned to the office of DR..
George F. Zook, commissioner Of edu-
ton; a corps area educational ad-
wiser for each of the nine Army corps
areas, and camp educational adviser
for each of the camps Special care Is
to be taken in selecting the advisers
SO as to make certain that capable men,
well Qualified to teach the enrolled
men, will be appointed. Salaries which
it is believed will attract capable men
will be paid the approximately 1900
advisers needed.
The educational director, under the
supervision of DR.. Zook, will have gen.
eral charge of the whole educational
program. Under the direction of the
camp commander, the camp educa-
of the program of instruction for each
camp, He will have the assistance of
one enrolled man, who will be deSlg-
mated as assistant leader The The entire ire
staff, including Army officers, forestry,
road-making and soil erosion experts
of the supervisory staff and qualified
enrolled men will serve on the teach
ing staff.
when the adviser arrives to take
up his new duties in the camp" said
DR.. Zook in discussing the new pro-
gram, there will be placed in his
hand a handbook of suggestions pre-
pared by the Office of education and
approved by the War Department. Be-
fore writing this handbook several COM
mittees from the Office of education
visited the nearby camps with a view
of recommending workable plans.
These committees were unanimous in
their beliefs that such work must OF
necessity be carried out on more or
less individual basis. The overnight
visitor to one of these camps finds