A study examined patterns of attrition in the California Conservation Corps (CCC), a state-funded program that is offered for the dual purpose of conducting useful conservation work and promoting the employability of youth. The attrition analysis was based on the actual intake program and separation experience of 3,224 corpsmembers who entered the CCC between November 1, 1983 and October 31, 1984. Data were obtained from a baseline questionnaire given to 91 percent of the program participants at the time of their enrollment, payroll records (that included information on raises, promotions, and transfers), and separation records. It was discovered that attrition from CCC is high. The mean length of stay in the CCC was 5.1 months, and 18 percent of the corpsmembers left the program directly from the training academy. It was concluded that this high attrition rate may be the inevitable outcome of combining work production with the pursuit of youth development goals. Race, ethnicity, sex, and income status appeared to have little effect on attrition; the level of education did, however, appear to be strongly associated with higher program completion rates. It was concluded that length of stay in the CCC cannot be predicted on the basis of information that can be measured at the time a corpsmember enters the program. Thus, although it is unlikely that attrition can be managed by manipulating the composition of the corps, the data may enable program practitioners to address some of the reasons for attrition. (MN)