What Does It Take To Be a Camp Counselor at Tanglewood?
Working at Tanglewood is an experience that is very unique and rewarding.  It also takes a lot of dedication and energy.  As you decide if Tanglewood is right for you, consider the following:

Do you like to work with children?  
First and foremost, we are about making a difference in the lives of children.  Anyone and everyone who works at Tanglewood in the summer must enjoy being in the company of children and being a role model.  There may be times when campers really need your leadership and enthusiasm, even if you are tired from a long day or a difficult week!  Campers come to Tanglewood to learn and have fun… If you are having fun, then they will more easily follow suit.  This means enjoying what you do, and doing your best to show it.

Are you ready and willing to be responsible?
Tanglewood doesn’t have a strict dress code, but we expect our staff to look healthy, clean and somewhat professional while at camp.  Some parents are leaving their children with us for the first time, and we also want them to be as comfortable with that as they could be. A cheerful counselor excited to meet campers on the first day of camp is what parents and their children want to see.   Also, sharing your space with many other people requires tolerance and communication.  Being responsible, getting plenty of sleep, and keeping healthy and alert are absolute musts.

What about environmentalism?  
Tanglewood 4H Camp and Learning Center is a center for environmental education.  That means not only do we teach children to respect the earth and their surroundings, but that we also practice environmentally friendly methods of running our programs.  We eat healthy and often local food.  We run “leave no trace” camping trips.  We compost, and teach about the benefits of creating less food waste.  We have a no smoking policy in camp.  Not everyone is used to these practices, but we ask everyone who works here to respect them and become familiar with them.  The message we want to put forth is that living this way is not only possible, but it can be enjoyable too!  Being a counselor at Tanglewood is not about blowing whistles and being “in charge.”  It is about teaching and sharing, and making sure kids learn that it is ok to be themselves, because they are the innermost (and most important) part of their environment.

We are mostly “unplugged”… While we do our best to keep up with modern technology, we do not indulge in it. We’ll have a computer for staff to check their email or get online, and we’ll have a stereo and VCR hook-up, but that’s pretty much all!  Campers are not allowed to bring electronic equipment to camp, as we feel it will distract them from the experience of appreciating and learning about the outdoors.  Since our staff are here for a much longer time, we sometimes watch movies or listen to music in the staff house during time off.  We have found that minimizing technological dependence allows us a greater overall experience at camp and creates a better environment for teaching and learning.

What’s In It for Me?
One thing that is certain is camp counselors don’t earn a lot of money.  It is possible to save money while working at camp, since you won’t have to pay for food or rent.  Most people come to work at Tanglewood because they really enjoy working with kids and being in the outdoors.  Many like the fact they can gain teaching experience.   

Some answers to questions you might have before you arrive to work at Tanglewood…

Where is Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center?
The natural beauty surrounding Tanglewood is one of its greatest assets.  It is located in a 950 acre forested section of Camden Hills State Park and is 10 miles from the popular coastal communities of Camden and Belfast. Lincolnville Beach and Penobscot Bay are nearby attractions, just down the road on Coastal Route 1

What makes Tanglewood unique?
Our emphasis is on environmental education and we incorporate values of a sustainable lifestyle into our camp programming.  4-H is the youth program of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, and we strive to provide educational opportunities for young people and help them develop lifelong skills.  Our mission also states that we will make camp affordable to Maine youth and Tanglewood’s tuition is one of the lowest in the state.  We emphasize cooperation in all aspects of our camp community and encourage non-competitive activities.

What does the daily schedule look like?
Counselors live in cabins with a co-counselor and up to eight young people (of similar sex and age).  Counseling makes a busy day and involves living, playing, teaching, and eating with campers.  In our residential program, the day begins with a morning circle, followed by breakfast, cabin group chores, Focus time, recreation and lunch.  Afternoons include cabin rest hour, two or three “elective” activities (one or two led by you each day), another recreation time and supper.  After supper there is an all-camp activity and cabin put-to-bed.  During the day we try to provide two hours off for each staff member - generally one elective and one recreation period.  Staff also get one evening off per week (beginning at 9:00 p.m.), one in-camp evening off after 9 p.m., and most weekends are off from 7 p.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Sunday.

Trip Leaders will live on the trail, on the river, on the ocean and islands, on the farm, or wherever their trip takes them.  During the day they will provide direction to their group, lead fun challenges and educational games along the way, and help their kids plan, cook, and clean up from daily meals.  Every day starts and finishes with a group check-in.  Appreciations also happen at the end of the day, before heading into the tents for the night. Trip leaders at times also work in camp, teaching some programs, leading short trips and supporting “base camp” and other trips.  Trip leaders will be housed in cabins designated for trip leaders only.

Leadership Program staff follow both schedules as their programs run in and out of camp. 

Who are the staff?
The average age of staff at Tanglewood is twenty; ranging from recent high school graduates to professional environmental educators.   Many staff return to Tanglewood each year and we actively recruit new staff from colleges and other programs. Percentages vary from year to year, but we strive to have a diverse mix of staff from Maine and “away”, including international counselors.  We hire approximately 30 staff each year and the staff to camper ratio is 1:4.

What are some staff rewards/sacrifices?
Both camp counseling and trip leading are intensive jobs, but they can also be very rewarding.    These jobs provide the chance to develop and improve teaching skills and determine if working with youth should be in one’s future. Strong and lasting friendships are usually formed on staff.  Camp is also a great opportunity to give of oneself to campers and others.

Working at Tanglewood requires one to be a respected role model for young people.  We therefore do not allow any staff member to use alcohol, illegal drugs or tobacco while involved with any aspect of the camp program.  Alone time is minimal in this around-the-clock job and people who need lots of privacy and personal space generally do not fare well at camp.            

In conclusion...Spending a summer working at Tanglewood can be a great time, but there are sacrifices.  It is our expectation that all staff realize they are at camp to teach and be role models, not for monetary gain or a paid summer vacation.  In short, working at a camp and living outdoors is like no other job on earth.  It requires patience, stamina, flexibility, and humor, creating memories for a lifetime.

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