Part 3: Civilian Public Service (CPS) Camp Periodicals

During World War II more than 75,000 draftees applied for and received conscientious objector status. Of these men, 12,000 entered the Civilian Public Service (CPS) camps to perform work of "national importance" as an alternative to military service. Many of the camps produced newsletters, magazines, or other publications. These publications were created by the men assigned to the various camps and contained news about individuals, their work, leisure activities, religious services, philosophical discussions on peace, war, nonviolence, and other interests. Some publications contained art work, poetry, or photographs covering major issues of the day. Conscientious objectors in CPS were dairy farmers, smoke jumpers fighting fires in National Parks, built roads, worked to eradicate hook worm in the Southern states, served as attendants in hospitals for the mentally ill, and volunteered for medical experiments. The publications provide a wonderful view of life in the CPS camps.