UMaine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Tanglewood

09/05/2026

As we honor this Labor Day and as summer gives way to fall, we celebrate the special moments, nature sightings, and friendships that brought magic to the final camp sessions at Tanglewood. We are grateful to the staff, families, campers, and community supporters who make the important work of human and nature connection possible. Thank you all for a truly wonderful summer season! ❤️🍀

07/25/2026

We’re in our 44th summer as a 4-H Camp and we’ve been busy living each of the 4-H’s to their fullest this summer! Keeping our thinking clear and open-minded, our hears open and loyal, giving back through service to community and being good friends, and taking care of our health in how we live each day actively and with yummy food! How do you live 4-H? 🍀

It’s hard to believe we’ve crossed the half way point already. The Tanglewood staff are hitting their stride as a solid team that creates awesome programming and supports each other and the campers. Here’s to more silly evening programs, engaging electives, great leadership experiences, and the best focuses and morning programs. ❤️🍀

07/13/2026

Calling All High School Students Who Love the Outdoors!

Spend two unforgettable weeks at Tanglewood 4-H Camp & Learning Center while earning 4 college credits and a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification through the University of Maine Early College Outdoor Leadership Program.

Participants will gain hands-on experience in hiking, canoeing, climbing, navigation, outdoor leadership, and wilderness emergency response all while exploring the natural beauty of midcoast Maine.

📍 Tanglewood 4-H Camp & Learning Center (Lincolnville)
📅 July 19–31, 2026
🎓 Ages 15–18

✅ Tuition is FREE for qualified Maine public and homeschool students.
💲 Scholarships are available to help cover overnight costs.
⏳ Space is limited to just 12 participants. Apply by July 12.

👉 Learn more and apply: https://extension.umaine.edu/tanglewood/tanglewood-lincolnville/leadership-programs/early-college-outdoor-intensive/

07/05/2026

Through the heat, campers and staff had a great week overcoming challenges, made new friends, learned many new skills, expressed their creativity, and had fun!

Week Two brought both the Garden Focus and Tanglewood Times back to life. It’s exciting to see former campers, now staff, reconnect with programs that inspired and brought them joy, bringing all of it to a new generation.

The Great Circle Loop trip beat the heat by hiking early and swimming each afternoon by a different lake.

And, we launched Leadership Three 2026. With safe travels they’ll make it to Baxter State Park mid-week!

Much gratitude to our staff who make all this magic happen. ♥️🍀

07/01/2026

So proud of our NorthStar team at RSU 71!

Check out this article about NorthStar 4-H and our expansion into Waldo County at Troy Howard Middle School (RSU 71)!

The NorthStar 4-H Tanglewood team is led by Jessica Decke, Tanglewood 4-H Director; Melissa (Mel) Tracey-Torres, NorthStar 4-H Program Coordinator; and AmeriCorps member and Tanglewood alumnus Gideon Orestis. This is a rock star team, and they have already made a major impact on the youth they serve!

What began as a pilot program in western Maine has grown into a multi-county mentoring initiative that helps rural youth discover new opportunities through mentoring, afterschool programming, experiential learning, service, and outdoor adventure. We are excited to see this work expanding to new communities and grateful for the incredible partners, staff, volunteers, and families who make it possible.

Read the full article to learn more about NorthStar 4-H and the amazing work happening in Waldo County and beyond!

https://umaine.edu/news/2026/06/northstar-4-h-program-helps-rural-maine-youth-discover-new-opportunities/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSx5IJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJEZUtWZk9IRjlvaTgzSVo0c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvQsn_eIfl8Te7HyQcaTIzJZ-1zsZ04WMHDsG3TbldqV8GIBad5PqOLlPB0w_aem_7mCdhe8bmVlxJHmPg3LwaQ

06/28/2026

We wrapped up Week One of Overnight Camp with a picnic adventure to Myra’s Beach. It was a real treat to explore the tide pools and cool off in the ocean. What did we find… sea stars, hermit crabs, green crabs, periwinkles, a great blue heron, gulls, and so many colorful rocks and shells. It was the perfect end to a lovely and memorable week! Here’s to a great start to Summer 2026! ❤️🍀

Much gratitude to Bill and Marty Leavitt for sharing their space with Tanglewood.

Image: young people explore the rocky coast of Maine.

06/24/2026

Are you a teen with a passion for the outdoors and a desire to learn practical skills and leadership?

Check out our Early College Intensive!

Through our partnership with the University of Maine Early College, we are excited to be able to offer this for-credit experience Early College program at Tanglewood this summer.

Through this two-week intensive course, you will earn four college credits that will launch you on your way to a degree at UMaine or can be applied to most other colleges and universities.

Hone skills in canoeing, wilderness medicine, backpacking, climbing, and orienteering!

Earn college credit while enjoying everything summer at Tanglewood has to offer!

Registration: Participants must complete enrollment with the University of Maine Early College Program. Once that is completed we will send you an invitation to enroll for the Tanglewood portion of the program.

UMaine tuition for this course is free for Maine high school students (public school & homeschoolers). Tuition for out-of-state students and Maine private school students is $149 per credit for a total fee of $596.

Tanglewood Overnight fees: $900, including all housing, meals, and certification fees, scholarships available.

Ages: 15-18, group size 12 participants

Weeks 5-6: July 19-31, 2026

https://extension.umaine.edu/tanglewood/tanglewood-lincolnville/leadership-programs/early-college-outdoor-intensive/

06/21/2026

Happy Summer Solstice and the first day of summer camp for the 2026 season. We are excited to share this longest day of the year with campers taking part in one of our unique mini-camp sessions. Short-stay camps are often helpful for first time campers to get into the energy of an overnight camp experience without so many nights away from home. Each week at Tanglewood brings its own magic and flair. The 2026 Summer Staff have prepared awesome morning programs, electives, and evening programs--We hope you are ready for a magical time at Tanglewood. ❤️🍀

05/20/2026

We are just one month out from the start of the 2026 summer camp season. For over 40 years summer at Tanglewood has served as a safe space for youth from across Maine and beyond to make friends, discover new skills, build self-confidence, and have fun while exploring the natural world.

We are committed to our mission of ensuring our programs are as affordable as possible. How do we do that, with a lot of support! Let's give a big shout out to: Crawford Lake Association, Camden Garden Club, Belfast Garden Club, Merrymeeting Audubon, National 4-H, Tractor Supply, Maine Community Foundation donors, Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and private donors. They help make what we do happen, and we are grateful.

Are you still looking for an awesome summer camp experience? Spaces remain open in several sessions in our Day Camp, Overnight Camp, and Teen Leadership Programs. Perhaps this is the summer you (or someone you know) experiences the magic of Tanglewood 4-H Camp. ❤️🍀