Camp San Luis Obispo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Camp San Luis Obispo |
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| San Luis Obispo, California | |
 Camp San Luis Obispo
Camp San Luis Obispo
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| Coordinates | 35°19′17″N 120°44′20″W / 35.32139°N 120.73889°W |
| Type | Military Base |
| Site information | |
| Owner | State of California |
| Controlled by |  California National Guard |
| Condition | In use |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1928 |
| Built by | California Army National Guard |
| In use | 1928 – Present |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | 1941-03-10 – 1941-08-22 1941-09-05 – 1941-12-08 40th Infantry Division Deployed to Pacific Theater. 1942-01-17 – 1942-03-01 1943-01-18 – 1943-03-27 35th Infantry Division Deployed to France. 1942-04-24 – 1942-08-14 1942-10-20 – 1943-01-15 7th Infantry Division Deployed to Pacific Theater. 1943-03-28 – 1943-07-21 6th Infantry Division Deployed to Pacific Theater. 1943-11-20 – 1944-04-19 81st Infantry Division Deployed to Pacific Theater.. 1944-04-22 – 1944-07-02 96th Infantry Division Deployed to Pacific Theater. 1944-10-01 – 1944-11-23 1944-12-04 – 1945-02-05 86th Infantry Division Deployed to France. |
Camp San Luis Obispo is a special place in California. It's known as the first home of the California Army National Guard. During World War II, it was a big training camp for the United States Army.
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History of Camp San Luis Obispo
Camp San Luis Obispo started in 1928. It was first called Camp Merriam. This camp is in San Luis Obispo County, on California's Central Coast of California. A major road, State Route 1, goes right through it. The camp is between the towns of Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo.
Camp Size and Soldiers
The camp originally covered about 6,274 acres (25.4 square kilometers). In 1941, it grew to about 15,433 acres (62.4 square kilometers). During World War II, Camp San Luis Obispo could house many soldiers. It had space for over 1,500 officers and more than 19,000 enlisted personnel.
Camp's Role in Wars
During the Korean War, from 1950 to 1953, the camp was used again by the U.S. Army. Soldiers received special training for the signal corps here. This training included everything from setting up communication lines to understanding secret codes. Camp San Luis Obispo also held prisoners of war during World War II.
Cuesta College Opens
In 1965, Cuesta College began holding classes on a part of the camp. The college rented land from the California National Guard. Later, the college bought 160 acres (0.65 square kilometers) for a permanent campus. Construction started in 1970, and the college fully moved to its new site by 1978.
El Chorro Regional Park
In 1972, over 700 acres (2.8 square kilometers) of the camp became El Chorro Regional Park. This park is now a fun place for the community. It has barbecue areas, a softball field, volleyball courts, and camping spots. Dairy Creek Golf Course is also located within the park. However, a small part of the park is closed because old, unexploded munitions were found there.
Salinas Dam and Water Supply
The Salinas Dam was built to provide water for Camp San Luis Obispo. This dam created Santa Margarita Lake. Today, the lake supplies water to the city of San Luis Obispo. The United States Army Corps of Engineers still owns the lake.
Emergency Services Training
The California Office of Emergency Services uses parts of the camp. They have special training areas for handling dangerous materials, known as HazMat.
Law Enforcement Training
From 2011 to 2016, California State Parks used the camp. They trained their park rangers and lifeguards there. In 2018, the California Department of State Hospitals moved their police officer academy to the camp.
California Military Academy
The California Army National Guard runs the California Military Academy at Camp San Luis Obispo. This academy trains members of the National Guard from California and other western states. It also trains members of the California State Military Reserve. A key part of the academy is OCS, or officer candidate school. This school trains people to become Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Army National Guard.
Conservation Corps State Museum
The Conservation Corps State Museum is located in four old barracks buildings at Camp San Luis Obispo. It opened in 1995. The museum shows the important work done by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in California. One building is set up like a CCC barracks from the 1930s. It displays tools, uniforms, and other items from that time. The museum is open by appointment.
Youth Programs at the Camp
Camp San Luis Obispo hosts several programs for young people.
Grizzly Youth Academy
Since the early 2000s, the Grizzly Youth Academy has been a major part of the camp. This is California's version of the Youth Challenge Program. It helps young people develop important life skills.
California Cadet Corps Headquarters
In July 2011, Camp San Luis Obispo became the main headquarters for the California Cadet Corps. This program helps young people learn about leadership and citizenship.
Civil Air Patrol Encampment
The camp also hosts the Civil Air Patrol's Encampment for the California Wing during the summer. This is a special training event for young cadets. They also hold their Cadet Programs Conference here in mid-February.
