James Dunham & Cynthia Dunham
Camp Director and Assistant Camp Director
Camp Tanglewood
Jim and Cindy Dunham are retiring from their leadership roles at Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center in Lincolnville. They have been part of the camp since its inception as a 4-H camp in 1982. Over these many years they shared equally in their commitment to Tanglewood and the University and so we recognize them together as a team.
Tanglewood was created as a project of the Knox-Lincoln County Extension office in 1982. With Jim and Cindy’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 and Cindy 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 their 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 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 and Cindy has been a great joy for all their colleagues. Their continued friendship and the programs they helped create will be treasured for many years to come. We wish you the very best in retirement.