Near Castile in Wyoming County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Life and Leisure in a CCC Camp
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2017
1. Life and Leisure in a CCC Camp Marker
The recreation hall was the place for leisure activities. Many camps offered evening classes. Camp life included time for sports and fun as well. Athletic contests were a popular pastime.
CCC camps were a tremendous boon to the local economy; camps purchased many of their supplies from nearby farms and merchants. Local carpenters and masons were hired to direct the workers. Camp enrollees also participated in local community events.
Erected by Letchworth State Park.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list.
Location. 42° 35.455′ N, 78° 0.637′ W. Marker is near Castile, New York, in Wyoming County. Marker can be reached from Park Road/Octagon Road, 2 miles east of Denton Corners Road (
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Lower Falls Footbridge (here, next to this marker); CCC Statue (a few steps from this marker); The men of the Civilian Conservation Corps (within shouting distance of this marker); Life in Lower Falls Camp 49 (within shouting distance of this marker); Lower Falls Camp SP-49 (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Big Bend Camp 23, SP 5 (approx. ¾ mile away); The Civilian Conservation Corps (approx. 0.8 miles away); Site of Camp 23, Sp 5 - Letchworth State Park's first camp (approx. 0.9 miles away).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Civilian Conservation Corps Camp SP-49
2. Marker detail: Completion certificate
Over 8,000 men learned to read and write at CCC camps across the country; countless others were provided with marketable skills for life. Upon completion of an educational program, a certificate was issued noting each enrollee's accomplishments.
3. Marker detail: Vocational Courses
Vocational courses were offered in cooking, baking, truck driving, welding, electricity, carpentry, and automotive repair. High School subjects, including chemistry, mathematics, journalism, first aid, and career development were available as well.
4. Marker detail: Baseball Team
Most CCC camps had a baseball team that competed with teams from local villages and other regional camps.
5. Marker detail: July 4th Parade
CCC float In Fourth of July Parade, Warsaw, New York, 1935.
6. Marker detail: Dance Flyer
Flyers such as this one, inviting local young ladies to dances at the park’s CCC camps, were posted in communities near the park.
7. Marker detail: Snow Emergency
The young men were often called upon to help in local emergency situations, clearing roads by hand in blizzards, fighting fires, and rescuing people from the gorge.
Photographed By Hans Stuart
8. Marker detail: Toboggan Run
Enrollees created a fast toboggan run that drew riders from the surrounding countryside and CCC camps within the park.
9. Marker detail: CCC Camp Pets
The young men made pets of raccoons, squirrels, and deer as well as dogs and cats.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2017
10. Life and Leisure in a CCC Camp Marker Kiosk
(marker is right panel of the two-panel kiosk)
(marker is right panel of the two-panel kiosk)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 195 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on December 4, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
