Ukandu

In 1995 I was a shy teenager who also happened to be the sibling of a cancer patient. We arrived at Camp Ukandu not knowing a soul and it was life changing. I had not had the opportunity to meet other siblings and realize that what I was going through was very similar to what other families were living through. I was not alone.
In 2003 I was a shy, new volunteer to the Counselor in Training program at Camp Ukandu. I recognized some faces from my time as a camper and was able to interact with campers who were living through the same thing that I had not that long ago. That was the reason I wanted to return. To let other kids know that they were not alone, although it really felt like it sometimes.
Over the years I have had the good fortune of getting to work more behind the scenes and meet the families that we serve. You'll hear stories of parents hesitant to drop their child off with strangers, and we get it. But when those parents come to pick up their child at the end of the week, they might not recognize their happy child for their time at Camp Ukandu has changed them, much like it changed me in 1995.
At Camp Ukandu you are not alone.

I was first introduced to Camp Ukandu from a friend who encouraged me to attend a fundraiser. It was there that I heard from several families who have children who have battled with cancer. Some won the battle, some lost.
There, I decided to apply to volunteer for this camp that gives “outrageous fun” to kids battling cancer and their sibling.... because siblings are battling too.
The administration team works hard to place the volunteers in areas where they will thrive in this camp. They truly believe that if their people are placed in areas that best use their gifts, then the whole camp work better to create the best memories for the campers.
The camp was AMAZING. I met so many kids of all ages in different parts of their battle. They were laughing, playing, joking and cheering each other on. They were no longer the “kid with cancer”.
They were just kids having outrageous fun.
This camp brings so much fun, hope, inspiration and joy into these kids lives who have had to fight hard to survive because of cancer. At camp, they are having the time of their lives. Truly, they are living out loud.
It brings tears to my eyes thinking about the powerful impact this camp has for not only children battling cancer, but also for their sibling and all the volunteers who have the amazing opportunity to be a part of it.
It truly is one of a kind.

Camp Ukandu provides a unique camp experience and opportunity for children with cancer and their siblings to connect with others that understand their circumstances. Our daughter has enjoyed the camp two years and even virtual camp this past year. The staff and volunteers are so full of positive energy and make it a long lasting memory full of fun crafts, campfire songs and skits, cabin activities and more. We are so thankful for the generous gift of fun and escape that they have given to our whole family!!

My kids love Camp Ukandu and have really enjoyed their time there. The counselors are excellent and the program is so versatile. My kids have made lasting friendships there with peers and with their counselors! This is a great place for kids who have/had cancer and their siblings. There is a invisible bond this kids have since they have all seen the unfortunate horror of Childhood Cancer. They are able to relate to one another that they couldn't do anywhere else.
I recommend this to any other Cancer Families!

I have been going to camp since 2009. When I first went I was unsure if I would like it there. I was an extremely shy kid fresh out of treatment. After my first year, I knew camp was going to be my favorite place. I have never felt so included and welcomed. I knew as a camper they did everything to make me happy. I met friends that I shared a deeper bond with than anyone I have ever met. At camp I wasn’t the weird bald cancer kid, I was just like everyone else. I made sure I went to camp every year after that(I have only not gone to camp once in the past 11 years). When I turned 18 I knew I had to go back as a staff member, and as staff I made even more friendships. It was my time to give those kids the best week of their life, just like camp gave to me. Camp is my happy place and I am so thankful of everything camp does.

The best experience my daughter had when she was going through treatment for brain cancer was spending a week at Camp UKandu. Cancer treatment is scary and overwhelming. It can be hard to feel anything but total fear. Ukandu understands that and has found a way to bring HOPE & JOY to kids and families dealing with pediatric cancers through OUTRAGEOUS FUN! I asked my daughter what she liked most about going to camp and she said that it was being able to just be a kid. “I’m not the kid who has cancer, I’m just a kid - having fun and making friends.” As a parent of a child with cancer, seeing a smile on their face and having fun with friends...I can’t put a price on that. The work this amazing organization does is so important to emboldening the spirits of these kids and empowering them to take on life’s challenges. Not only did it help our daughter, but It helped our entire family. By having our daughter go to camp, my husband and I were able to have a break as caregivers allowing us to recharge our batteries too. We continue to give to this organization because I know it puts smiles on kids faces when they need it most.

Our kids attended Camp Ukandu last year and had such an amazing time. The bonded with peers, learned about the world, tackled new challenges and came home begging for more. We love Camp Ukandu!

Camp Ukandu is a great place where you can relate to others and have fun. I can’t pick a favorite activity because I loved too many of them. A few that I really enjoyed are the carnival, the dance, and art. Weeks after camp has ended I’m still singing the songs. Even during COVID-19 they managed to stay connected with us by creating a virtual camp.

I was diagnosed Oct 1, 1992 with Acute Lymphatic Leukemia at age 7. My oncologists David Tillford told my parents about a cancer camp called Camp UKANDU. In 1995 My parents dropped myself and sister off in a large field filled with people who we didn't know. Intemedating? Very. I cried and did not want to stay not knowing that this would be the best week of my life.( We returned in 1996 for a 2nd year ) It was a life changing experience that I will never forget. The counselors where so caring and loving and there was sooo much to do. The most important part was that I was around kids who shared the same experience that I did. Who could relate to my cancer issues. I knew that I was not alone and no one was judging me. You make such a bond with friends and counselors that make a big impact on your life. Jason...(Thumper) was my impact. He was a boys counselor but that didn't matter to me. He was always there and carried me everywhere. He made my exspeirence at camp last forever.. Fast forward a few years. I returned to Camp UKANDU in my early 20s and was sooooo excited! When I got to camp there was counselors who where still volunteering. Campers who I knew from camp that where new counselors. Come to find out Thumper was still there and it was like I never left camp we still had that bond. It connections like that, that make camp, camp. Camp UKANDU is not only a camp for kids with cancer, but its family. Until there is a cure there is camp. #Campstrong.