Quilter camp earns excellence accreditation

November 20, 2007

FREMONT -- After a three-day monitoring visit in September, The Corps Network recently awarded the WSOS Quilter Civilian Conservation Corps Camp the Excellence in Corps Operations accreditation.

According to final reports compiled by the reviewers, the ECO reviewers commended WSOS for "the enthusiasm with which they participate in the work of the corps and strive to implement the best possible corps program."

ECO is a peer-assessment process that recognizes corps that makes a commitment to high-quality standards and continuous improvement. Its purpose is to promote and recognize excellence in the corps movement and provide evidence of a corps' continued self and outside evaluation. Corps uses the process as a tool to identify strengths and challenges and bolster program quality. ECO status is awarded to corps who completes the ECO process for a period of five years.

"This is a great honor," said Jacquie Wells, director of Family Development at WSOS. "Our staff works really hard to operate a quality program and this designation honors that. We are very pleased."

Three reviewers visited the Green Springs site to conduct a peer-assessment process evaluation before announcing their decision. The reviewers were Lori Godorov, executive director of the Work Group and who also served as the lead site reviewer; Joseph Billingsley, of East Bay Conservation Corps; and Sally Prouty, president/CEO of The Corps Network.

WSOS will be recognized as an "ECO Corps" at a recognition ceremony at the 2008 Annual Corps Forum in Washington, D.C. in February 2008.

The Quilter CCC camp has served as a training ground for youths 18-24 years old across Ohio. Youths at the camp learn life skills, educational enrichment, and employ-ment and training skills.

President Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933 and the Green Springs site was established in 1942. In 1947 the CCC program was disbanded, but resurfaced again in 1957 as the Student Conservation Association when colleges placed students as volunteers in national parks and forests. It operated until 2003 when state budget cuts placed the camp on the chopping block.

With the help of state legislators Larry Mumper and Jeff Wagner along with the support of Rep. Chris Redfern and funding from with The Corps Network and the governor's discretionary fund, WSOS was able to keep the camp open. Several funding sources help to keep the camp open today.

For information on the CCC camp, call Lisa Heyman at (419) 639-2802 or email info@wsos.org.

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