In March of 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was established as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal legislation. The creation of the CCC provided jobs to unemployed men between the ages of 18 and 25 to address the high rate of unemployment that took place during the Great Depression.

Like many of the young men of the depression years, Arthur C. Woodcock decided to join the CCC as soon as he was eligible. When Arthur turned 18 on January 10, 1934, he followed behind an older brother and became a member of the CCC. Arthur was eager for the opportunity to support his family, to see parts of the country he had only dreamt of, and to possibly learn a better way of life for himself. The $25 a month he sent home was crucial in supporting his mother, a younger brother, and three younger sisters during the Great Depression.

Although unclear how Arthur ended up on the west coast while part of CCC Company 562, he and the men he worked alongside might have been responsible for building Camp Hayden Creek near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and Camp Nowhere, Idaho. Company 562 was also responsible for building at least one bridge and interconnecting roads in Idaho. During his travels, Arthur made stops at Camp Gardena, Idaho and Camp Beulah, Oregon before helping build Camp Refugio which was located in Solvang, California.

Living in parts of the country far from his home helped expand Arthur’s world view. His travels gave him the opportunity to see and fish in the Pacific Ocean. He was able to observe Navy ships which included the USS Arizona, USS Nevada, and the USS Oklahoma. The highlight of his experiences with the CCC was when he watched the 1935 Rose Bowl Parade.

When Arthur returned to Indiana, he continued his CCC experience with Company 556 at Camp Pokagon which was located north of Angola, Indiana.

Some of the above biographical information was provided by Arthur's son Charles Woodcock.