Global Corps
Throughout the years Corpsmembers have had the opportunity to visit many different places across the world as part of exchanges, visits, and projects.
The CCC’s Global Corps program facilitates lifechanging opportunities for Corpsmembers to explore the world while continuing their journey in the CCC.
Over the years, representatives from more than 48 countries, attracted to the CCC concept, have connected with the CCC to address youth development and environmental protection. From these contacts, several international exchanges developed.
Now, Corpsmembers may have the opportunity to visit truly unique international environments to further their careers and knowledge in trail buildings, parks, and conservation.
How Global Corps Works
Global Corps opportunities come from long-standing international partnerships. Not every international partner is able to host a CCC crew every year.
The typical crew size working with our international partners is eight Corpsmembers and one CCC supervisor. Corpsmembers selected to participate on a Global Corps crew receive their Corpsmember stipend. The CCC Foundation may assist with travel costs and other expenses.
Exchanges can last from four to eight weeks. During the visit, Corpsmembers complete natural resource work with host conservation groups, learn about native land stewardship traditions, and are fully immersed in the local culture.
In 2024, a Global Corps crew of eight was the first to visit Patagonia in southern Chile. The crew worked on trail projects and experienced surreal amazing views and landscapes.
Application & Selection
When a Global Corps crew opportunity is scheduled, CCC centers will be informed and Corpsmembers are able to apply for one of the eight position.
To be eligible to join a Global Corps crew, Corpsmembers must:
- Have at least six months of service in the CCC
- Be in good standing with the program
- Obtain their District Director’s recommendation
Corpsmembers typically fill out an online application, get an updated evaluation from their crew supervisor, submit their resume, and answer a few questions. Applications are then reviewed by staff at both the CCC district and executive levels.
Global Partners
The CCC’s Global Corps takes Corpsmembers across the world to experience conservation on other continents and in other countries. Below are recent and historical Global Corps visits.
Patagonia - Chile
In partnership with Conservation VIP, a CCC Global Corps crew has worked in Patagonia in Chile in both 2023 and 2024.
Up in the Andes, the CCC crew partnered with local Chilean workers as well as volunteers from around the globe to restore and expand the trail network in the Torres Del Paine National Park.
Chile
Greece
In 2023, the CCC hosted a team from Ecogenia, a nonprofit that introduced the corps service model in Greece. In 2024, the CCC sent a Global Corps crew to Greece to build trails on Mt. Olympus and support Ecogenia’s disaster recovery and response work.
Greece
Honduras
In 2016, the CCC helped the U.S. Forest Service establish a conservation corps, Jóvenes para la Conservación (JPC), in Honduras. In 2023, CCC Corpsmembers travelled to Honduras to participate in an exchange and build trails alongside JPC participants.
In August 2024, a Global Corps crew of eight Corpsmembers and one supervisor connected again with Jóvenes para la Conservación and the Asociación de Promotores Ambientales de Honduras (APAH). During the four week visit, the crew crafted new hiking trails in the heart of a lush cloud forest To kick off the adventure, Corpsmembers acquainted themselves with the local environment, wildlife, and unique tools, such as a hand-held clinometer used to survey trail inclines and a leafy escoba that was constructed locally using materials directly from the forest.
Honduras
Historical Exchanges and Visits
Australia
Historical Exchange
Since 1988, the CCC has regularly sent Corpsmembers to Australia through an International Work Exchange program with Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA).
The visit to Australia historically would last for up to nine weeks. Most years, an Australian contingent visited to work in California. The Australians lived and worked in CCC centers during their stay, giving Australian youth the opportunity to experience the culture and environment of America.
In Australia, Corpsmembers worked with CVA on a variety of conservation projects such as erosion and salinity control, tree planting, seed collection, invasive species removal, construction and maintenance of trails, endangered flora and fauna surveys and monitoring, weed control, habitat restoration, heritage protection, and more.
Australia
Canada
Historical Exchange
The CCC’s first international exchange began with the Canadian Katimavik program in 1983. Katimavik comes from an Inuktitut word that represents the concept of “a meeting place.”
In 1983, 1984, and 1985 three groups of 12 Corpsmembers visited Canada as part of the exchange. Youth from the Katimavik program then visited California and joined the CCC for project work across the state. Each exchange lasted three months.
Learn more about Katimavik.
Canada
Great Britain
Historical Exchange
In January 1985, nine Corpsmembers departed California for Great Britain for a three-month exchange with the Community Service Volunteers (CSV) organization in London. Five Corpsmembers worked in Sunderland in northeast England and Lanark in Scotland. Four others worked as volunteers in a hospital in Cardiff, Wales.
In April 1985, 10 members of CSV arrived in California for three months completing natural resource project work at numerous CCC centers. Included in their visit, was working out of the then-named Butte Fire Center in Magalia. The difference between CCC and CSV work stood out, as mentioned in an April 26, 1985 article in the Paradise Post.
“The American CCC is based on hard physical labor,” said CSV liaison Michael Sanderson. “Our projects are based more on ‘caring’ work.”
Britons joined Corpsmembers in maintaining trails in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park in San Diego County, as well. The exchange to the UK was funded by the United States Information Agency.
Great Britain
Japan
Historical Exchange
On Tuesday, May 30, 1989, the CCC was invited to send two Corpsmembers to Japan as part of the Blue Sea and Green Land Foundation’s annual youth voyage. The voyage was an annual excursion of Japanese youth sailing from Tokyo to British Columbia in Canada and then to San Francisco.
The California Governor’s Office was invited to select 12 young people to participate in 1989 and two spots were offered to Corpsmembers. The trip ran from June 24 to July 14. A Corpsmember from the then-operating Humboldt Fire Center and from the Mendocino Center were selected. Corpsmember Karen Russell recounted the experience for us shortly thereafter:
“Once on board the ship all Americans were separated and we had there Japanese roommates. The Japanese students knew text book English, but when it came to speaking that a was a different story. So, I would write words down and they would understand, some Japanese students spoke English very well, a lot of them were just shy.”
A total of 550 Japanese youth were on the voyage that year, with 13 Americans. A unique exchange that lasted a lifetime for those who went.
“I also mastered the chop sticks, it’s amazing what you can do when you are really hungry!” Karen wrote.
Japan
Around the World
The work may be similar, but the location sure is something different — and special. Check out some of the incredible sights the Global Corps has seen!
Ask Us Anything
We know you have questions about our Global Corps program. Here are some of the common one’s we get. Have more questions? Connect with us!
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Read Our Updates
Eight Corpsmembers are spending six weeks in Chile, maintaining and restoring the trail network in Torres Del Paine National Park.
With the support of CCC partners, eight Corpsmembers participated in a cultural exchange in Patagonia. Though the experience lasted only a month, the memories will surely last a lifetime.