CAMARILLO : 10 Soviet Youths Get Working Vacation
Ten young Soviets will arrive July 1 to help the California Conservation Corps in Camarillo to build a trail across the Santa Monica Mountains and to restore an old Santa Barbara fort, the state youth organization has announced.
During their monthlong stay, the Soviet youths hope to make the rounds of Southern California tourist spots, such as Disneyland. Because they will arrive with little money, the corps is seeking donations, said Terri Kirby, the Camarillo operations officer.
The California Conservation Corps was established in 1976 to provide young people 18 to 23 with job experience in return for work on public projects, often outdoor physical labor.
The Camarillo camp competed with its 16 sister camps to host the Soviets, Kirby said.
The Soviet youths primarily will help California crews work on the Backbone Trail over the Santa Monica Mountains and the restoration of the Santa Barbara Presidio.
In exchange for the Soviet youths’ California visit, 30 young people from other corps camps will fly to the Soviet Union in August, Kirby said. They are scheduled to spend a month near Moscow working on historic restorations and parks projects.
None of the corps members from Camarillo are scheduled for the Moscow trip, Kirby said. But Paul Magie, assistant director of the Camarillo corps, will accompany the group as a staff member.
Those interested in offering donations may call 484-4345.
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