THOUSAND OAKS : Despite Snakes, CCC Youths Are on the Trail

Chris Henkel, 20, does not mind spending his days hacking away at the purple sage and thistle blocking the trails through the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden.

“You get a real sense of accomplishment,” said the crew leader of the Camarillo chapter of the California Conservation Corps. “I can bring my friends back to the places I’ve worked and say, ‘I made it possible for you to walk on this trail.’ ”

The group is spending this week clearing trails for upcoming events at the park, including home composting and seed collection workshops on Saturday. Plans to clear nearby Conejo Creek of vegetation have been delayed until the fall because it is nesting season for many animals.

The group--which provides outdoor working experience to those 18 through 23 years old--travels around California, blazing trails, cleaning highways and assisting forestry officials during emergencies. Members head to Monterey next week.

Assistant crew leader Jesse Domondon experienced the most exciting moment of his 10-month CCC career on Thursday in the Conejo Valley gardens.

“I was building these steps, and I was down just like this,” said Domondon, crouching with his face about a foot from the ground. “That’s when I saw a snake. I jumped soooo high. It actually struck my rake. I’m lucky it wasn’t my leg.”

But the risk of three-foot gopher snakes and long days in the hot sun are worth the effort, said Domondon, who hopes to work as a park ranger after college. “I know I’ll be able to get a job right away with the experience I’m getting here.”