The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was one of the New Deal's work relief programs during the Great Depression, and was the first federal government program for young, unemployed men (between the ages of 18 and 25). Legislation to create the program was passed March 31, 1933. The program focused on projects related to conservation and the development of the nation's natural resources. The CCC program ended in 1942, when the United States entered World War II.

The first CCC camp in Iowa, established in 1933, was located in Keosauqua. Iowa had created a long-range conservation plan early in 1933 (the Twenty-Five Year Conservation Plan), and as a result was one of the first states to be approved for CCC programs. Many of the CCC projects in Iowa were done in state parks building lodges, trails, dams and other structures.

The collection (1933-1983, n .d.) contains news clippings, photographs, newsletters, and publications. These materials cover various Iowa CCC companies during the 1930s, reunions of these companies during the 1980s, and a few conservation related materials done after the Great Depression at sites where Iowa's CCC members worked. The collection also contains a small amount of material on an Idaho Civilian Conservation Corps (Company 1744). The materials in the collection were received from several donors, which accounts for the varying nature of the material.

Much of the collection consists of newsletters and photographs. Newsletters often contain information on projects, new members and after work entertainment such as dances, talent shows and sports activities. The Backbone Timber Cadet, a newsletter for Iowa Company 781, includes lists of members of Company 781 with home addresses, describes work accomplished by the company, and plans for future work. It also contains a description of the park area and excerpts from a speech by Iowa State botany professor L.H. Pammel at the dedication of the park's fish hatchery.

For related collections, see the Frank Wayne Calderwood Papers (RS 21/7/131) and the United States. Federal Emergency Relief Administration. Mason City (Iowa) Central Nursery School Scrapbook (MS 292). The State Historical Society of Iowa also holds related collections.

Materials regarding the CCC reunions and Iowa conservation are at the front of the collection, and the CCC camp materials are located at end.