Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center's mission is to teach Maine youth and adults to be effective and caring citizens of the earth through affordable environmental education and nature-based experiences.

Tanglewood embraces the goals of 4-H Earth Connections: "Youth, adults and families seeing themselves as part of an interconnected world and are committed to a sustainable future." 4-H is the youth education program of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. The overall objective of 4-H is the development of youth as individuals and as responsible and productive citizens.

Tanglewood's vision is to create a place where people learn to live responsibly and in balance with the earth. It encourages reflection and respect, while inspiring change within ourselves and our communities.

Making friends, learning and having fun are central to the Tanglewood camp experience. In order to create an atmosphere where these can thrive, we have adopted a strict policy of safety for self and others and respect for all life. This policy is introduced at the opening circle of each program and reinforced throughout. Tanglewood does not tolerate name calling, put-downs, fighting, violent behavior, possession or use of tobacco, alcohol or other non-prescription drugs and all other acts which violate principles of safety and respect.

Core Values
The core values that guide Tanglewood include the following:

• Caring and respect for all life and the wise use of natural resources
• Commitment to embrace Maine's 4-H youth philosophy and values
• Commitment to create and maintain a safe and physically accessible environment at Tanglewood
• Commitment to high quality experiential education that encompasses the individual development needs and learning styles of participants
• Respect for the rights of others to hold, develop, and express ideas different from ones own
• Commitment to create an understanding of ecology and how the earth works
• Commitment to maintain a sound fiscal management system
• Commitment to kindness and mutual respect
• Belief that the future will be influenced by our individual actions within a global context, and that we take responsibility for those actions

History
Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center is situated on the Ducktrap River in a beautiful, forested 940-acre section of the Camden Hills State Park in the Waldo County town of Lincolnville. It includes 45 rustic buildings including a dining hall with modern kitchen, nature center, classrooms, sleeping cabins, wash buildings, swim area, and playing fields. Hiking and cross-country ski trails meander through the forest and along brooks and streams.

The United States Department of Interior acquired most of the land known as Tanglewood in the 1920s for the purpose of developing the Camden National Recreation Area. The forestland had been logged heavily in the early part of this century, leaving what must have looked like a "tangle of wood." The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed the wood frame buildings, playing field, swimming pond, etc. during the 1930s. The original national plan for the area was never carried out, and upon completion in 1940, the facility was leased to the Bangor-Brewer YWCA and operated as a girls camp from that time until 1972. In 1947, the title was transferred to the State of Maine and the entire facility became part of the Camden Hills State Park. Tanglewood was leased to the University of Maine at Farmington from 1972-75 and to the federally funded Young Adult Conservation Corps (YACC) from 1976-80.

Tanglewood was established in 1982 as an affordable, environmentally-focused summer camp for Maine youth. Since that time it has become a learning and enrichment center where people of all ages can develop effective leadership skills, accept and celebrate diversity of culture, and gain a global perspective through local identity.

For eighteen years the Tanglewood programs were managed out of the Knox-Lincoln County office of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. A most generous donation was received in 1999 to purchase a new Tanglewood headquarters building at the head of the road leading to camp. In the spring of 2000 the Executive Committee of the Knox-Lincoln Extension Association transferred responsibility for managing the facility to the newly created non-profit Tanglewood Camp and Learning Center Corporation. The central office was moved to its present location in June 2000. 

Tanglewood is a creative partnership between the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Tanglewood Camp and Learning Center Inc. The Bureau owns the property.  Cooperative Extension leases the property and conducts the educational programs. The non-profit Tanglewood Corporation provides financial support. This unique collaboration annually delivers affordable, educationally enriching and fun-filled environmental education to youth and adults.

Tanglewood offers a diverse range of year-round learning opportunities. You can explore these opportunities and learn more about Tanglewood by following the links, or contacting us by phone, mail, or email bkoster@umext.maine.edu

Contact Information
Tanglewood 4-H Camp & Learning Center
One Tanglewood Road, Lincolnville, Maine 04849
Telephone (207) 789-5868 or 1-877-944-2267 (Maine only)
TDD and voice: (207) 581-1226
Email: bkoster@umext.maine.edu

Blueberry Cove Camp
22 Blueberry Cove Road
Tenants Harbor, ME 04860
Telephone (207) 372-6353
Email: lhyde@umext.maine.edu

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