James Dunham
Camp Tanglewood Director
Cooperative Extension
For 25 years Jim Dunham has formally held the title of “Camp Director” of Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center in Lincolnville. Jim’s wife, Cindy, has been an equally active and significant contributor to Tanglewood’s success. Both of them have been part of the camp since its inception as a 4-H camp in 1982.
Tanglewood was created as a project of the Knox-Lincoln County Extension office in 1982. With Jim’s dedication, vision and commitment it grew into the statewide program it is today. Programs at both Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove camps have reached over 100,000 Maine people. Programs Jim helped create include summer youth, day, residential, discovery trip and leadership camps; school programs; Elderhostel and forestry camps.
The following are some of the highlights of the past 25 years at Tanglewood 4-H Camp:
- Fulfilling the dream of starting and running an environmental education center,
- Watching kids grow and mature to positions of responsibility within the camp and the wider community,
- Bringing Soviet children affected by the Chernobyl nuclear accident to Tanglewood,
- Working with international staff who shared their cultures,
- Living in a community that strives to walk the talk (of living lightly on the planet),
- Utilizing the UMaine connection of a supportive, capable and friendly network of colleagues around the state,
- Providing a service for the local community,
- Reconnecting with former staff and campers,
- Working with dedicated volunteers, Board, and staff to make Tanglewood better, and
- Having the opportunity to be outdoors with young people in a workplace that offered numerous campfire programs, pond scooping, powerful lightening storms, a pristine riverine ecosystem, and night walks in very dark woods.
Working with Jim has been a great joy for his colleagues. His continued friendship and the programs he (with Cindy) helped create will be treasured for many years to come. Thank you for your 25 years of dedicated service.