One of the challenges with CCC camps of 1930s, and especially remote ones like Secret Valley was the simple fact that the men needed diversion outlets. Customary, many camps, the enrollees were busy with their assigned duties five days a week. Saturday mornings was for cleaning. Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday were time off for the enrollees. From time to time, the enrollees  were transported to Susanville to attend high school basketball games, dances and even the county fair. On some occasions a group from Susanville would make the trip to Secret Valley to hold a dance, etc.

Some of the men were creative on how to pass the time. It was interesting to come across this gem of a photograph where the men built a tennis court! Some of the men on Sunday’s went hiking and explore the surrounding territory. This, of course, led to the discovery of petroglyphs. There was also a large recreational hall at the camp, and more about that in the “Ode to Secret Valley.”

Tim