Now Hiring at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove

We’re excited you’re interested in becoming part of our Team!

staff on 1st day of campThe UMaine 4-H Learning Centers at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove provide opportunities for people to connect to the natural world and each other. Each year we hire folks like you, well-rounded individuals keen to carry out hands-on programming that builds skills, inspires creative problem-solving and helps young folks reach their full potential. You will play a huge role in the success of our programs whether you serve as an educator or a member of our kitchen crew!

Tanglewood & Blueberry Cove are both unmistakably beautiful places to work, nestled in the woods along the Ducktrap River and overlooking Tenants Harbor respectively. Our communities are welcoming ones, for we recognize that every individual who works here plays an equally essential role in carrying out our mission.

Please read through the job descriptions and program pages thoroughly to determine which site and program position is the best fit for you.

We are getting things set for hiring for the 2025 program year. Stay tuned for job applications and application links. 

Please email one of the following folks if you’d like to learn more.

Reed Bridge-Koenigsberg, Tanglewood: reed.bridgekoenigsberg@maine.edu

Jessica Decke, Tanglewood: jessica.decke@maine.edu

Ryan LeShane, Blueberry Cove: ryan.leshane@maine.edu

Below is a list of the positions we typically hire for

  • Open Air Classroom Environmental Educator, based at Tanglewood (April-June, April-late October, or September-late October)
  • Facilities and Grounds Worker, based at Tanglewood (April-late October)
  • Trips and Leadership Program Instructor
  • Food Service Supervisor (lead cook)
  • Food Service Assistants
  • Health Care Provider
  • Summer Counselor (Day and Overnight Camps)
  • Summer Educator (Day and Overnight Camps)
  • Summer Program Leader/Unit Leader
  • Summer Camp Program Coordinator
  • AmeriCorps Mentor at Blueberry Cove
  • AmeriCorps Mentor at Tanglewood

Internships

We work with you to create an internship for any of our positions. If you are looking to earn internship credit for one of our advertised positions, please note this on your application for that position. If you have an idea for an internship that does not align with a listed position, please contact one of our Directors with your proposal. Some of our internship options typically include Outdoor Leadership, Outdoor Education, and Early Childhood Education.

“Tanglewood was the best camp experience of my life. My peers and mentors are some of the greatest people I have ever met, and I hope to offer a similar support system for everyone there, either camper or staff.”

— former summer counselor —

About Working at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove

Tanglewood & Blueberry Cove are centers for positive youth development, emphasizing discovering our connections to the natural world. 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.

Being a leader at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove is not about blowing whistles and being “in charge.” It is about teaching, sharing, and supporting kids as they learn that it is OK to be themselves because they are the innermost (and most important) part of their environment.

Joining our staff team involves a commitment to living together with trust, honesty, and integrity. Fostering a healthy and vital community is one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of being a part of our teams. 

Facilities

While we do our best to make sure you are comfortable while living at camp, our facilities are rustic and may not be what you’re used to. Be prepared to spend a lot of time outside exploring and playing with the young folks we work with, this includes spending a lot of the day on your feet and walking around with the campers. 

The Basics

You will live in a shared cabin, which consists of an extra-long twin bed, shelves, and a dresser. It’s not much, and we encourage you to be creative and make it your own. You and your cabin co-leader share the space with up to 8 campers who sleep on bunk beds. Our summer cabins are non-insulated, with screens rather than glass for windows, so at night it can sometimes be cold, but during the day the lack of windows can be very welcome! Cabins for spring and fall staff are insulated, with glass windows, and a wood stove. However, there’s also no electricity in any of the sleeping cabins, so flashlights are a must.

The cabins are arranged into living units, each with a simple bathhouse. There is also a modern bathroom facility with showers and a staff-only bathhouse with extra showers and cubbies for you to store toiletries!

Time Off

Summer Camps

The exact schedule of time off you receive will depend on your position in camp, although as a general rule, staff has about 2 hours off each day and about 4 hours every other evening. Trips staff, who are on duty for the duration of their trips, receive additional time off during their weeks in camp to compensate.

Some examples of what staff has done on nights off include:

  • Watching movies
  • Mini-golf
  • Going for ice cream
  • Playing games

Each week of camp is also split with a “weekend” of time off between Friday afternoon (approx. 5:30 PM) and Sunday morning at noon.

Other fun weekend outings:

  • Hitting Popham Beach for some sun and sand
  • Hike the trails in Acadia National Park
  • Go on shopping trips to Freeport, Maine
  • Cook special meals together
  • Spend time at the homes of local staff for some “family time”

School Programs

Most weeks follow a Monday-Friday schedule. Depending on the programming of the week, evenings may or may not be free as well — overnight school program days wrap up around 8:30 PM, though educators are not responsible for students after program time (chaperones and school teachers cover those). 

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).