Though an economist, and not much skilled at matters of the heart, there seems to be something amiss in today’s national psyche. There’s no real sense of purpose or unity. For those of us old enough to have had very close relatives who lived through the Depression, today just feels different from their stories. During this recession, the stimulus package could better be described as merely a huge supplemental spending bill. This does not help create a sense of shared sacrifice and later triumph. Though I suspect it is the price of progress, I think many of us long for that feeling of a stronger sense of national purpose and unity.

That is why the announcement of the Young Hoosier Conservation Corps this week piqued my interest. The Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s still resonates with Americans. Legions of young American men were lured to military style camps to work in rural areas and national parks. We ended up with some lasting benefits – like the Appalachian Trail. It must have meant something to the men in the camps since the next big CCC reunion is scheduled this May.

But my real interest in the YHCC is because my first real job was with the Youth Conservation Corp, the predecessor of the YHCC. (by the way,  a real job is one you pay taxes on unless nominated for a cabinet post).

My first job started in the spring, 30 years ago in the midst of nationwide double digit unemployment and double digit inflation. I was 17 and had just graduated high school. A strong back, work boots and a willingness to sweat were all I brought to the labor market (my, how little things change).

At Great Falls Park, Virginia, where I was assigned, 40 or so kids (almost all 16-19) were divided into four teams with a youth leader and a temporary park service employee. We came from all over the region, rich and poor, college student and high school drop-out. We were issued work gloves, a small tin cup, a YCC shoulder patch and hardhats. We arrived at work at seven each morning packing a lunch bag and our gear. After a cursory training period we were issued axes, shovel, swing blades, picks and rakes. For the rest of the summer I mostly cut and improved park trails. By the end of summer we were permitted to help with an archeological site and build stone barbecue grills. I gained ten pounds that summer and earned today’s equivalent of $6.22 an hour. I was happy with both.