Camp Ukandu began in the late 1980’s when a cancer family from Portland could no longer attend Camp Goodtimes in Washington State.

Ken Raddle, along with his family, was the impetus to create an Oregon-based camp for children with cancer. Ken’s children had attended Camp Goodtimes in the past.

Ken made connections with Dr. Neerhout at OHSU Dorenbecher and the American Cancer Society. That first year of camp was held at the Kiwanis Camp on Mt. Hood run by PSU students. The camp wasn’t exactly what Ken had in mind. So he went to plan B.

The program moved to Camp Yamhill, which had everything we needed…except staff. To help create the intended atmosphere at the camp, Ken asked Cindy Trelstad (Tiggrr) and Ted Gillette (Chief) to be the first Camp Directors. Tiggrr’s mantra when interviewing staff members was that they needed to be a little silly and goofy so the campers and families would think, “Wow at least I only have cancer, I am not crazy!”  In addition to finding staff, they had to plan the program. 

As with all new things, camp had its struggles that first year. There was not quite enough help. They had all-night sessions planning for the next day, and as they planned, they untangled the fishing lines on all the fishing poles. Tiggrr came home from camp exhausted but totally inspired by all the first-year campers.

The second year of camp, Tiggrr and Chief had had a whole year to plan. Dick Simpson, a long time YMCA Camp Director and a friend of Tiggrr’s, helped get us organized. Tiggrr also informed her family she needed HELP!! Scamper and Shakes were quick to sign up. Ma and Pa came to camp for a couple of days to help Neets with journals and work with clay with the kids. One of our first volunteers rode a Greyhound bus from Pendleton to join the staff. Another young man, maybe we should say boy, also made his way to our camp staff and has never missed a camp, no matter where he was living. As we soon found out our volunteers were a dedicated bunch, returning year after year to be with our kids. Our staff grew by word of mouth as all these crazy staff members brought in friends and family, all dedicated to outrageous fun.

The staff would often gather in the kitchen after lights-out to drink coffee, eat leftovers, and discuss our day. Other times, we’d listen as Pebbles read a story to us. Pebbles, a school librarian, was hysterical and always made us laugh. The bonding that happened in the evening was an essential part of creating a family atmosphere.

Similar to the programming at today’s Camp Ukandu, the early camps had art, fishing, archery, a rope swing over the creek, games, drama, campfires, skits, wishboats, a dance, and singing. We also took campers to the Flying M Ranch to ride horses. We were lucky enough to have professional songwriter/singer Jim Newton attend camp for two or three years, playing his guitar and teaching us lots of songs. Many of his songs are still in use today.

To create a special experience for older teens, we took them on a bus to the beach for an overnight camping trip at Beverly Beach. They loved the opportunity to bond over walks on the beach and s’mores over a campfire.

To start the day, we would all circle up around the flagpole. Each cabin had a turn to raise the flag and sing a song to start the day. It wasn’t long before all the campers were discussing what might be up the flagpole when they got to morning circle. Quite often, some unknown person would be missing pants or a shirt. Even Tiggrr’s famous red hat ended up the flagpole.

Other fun activities included a Dutch Auction, hikes to three ponds, a zipline across the creek, sleepovers in the teepees (rumor has it that the teepees were much nicer than the cabins!), snacks by the dining hall that turned into water fights, and much more. 

We also had a dance. The first theme was “Everybody Dance Now”. The kids decorated the dining hall, they traced each other on butcher paper and then hung the figures on the walls. One teen camper on crutches came in and told Tiggrr, “I don’t see anyone that looks like me with one leg.” Tiggrr replied, “well lay down and we will trace you!” There was so much for us to learn and both staff and campers worked together to make that happen.

The morning after the dance, our cook, Ruthie, made homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast! What a treat. Ruthie was a great cook, the best camp food ever!

In preparation for our last campfire, the campers and staff made wishboats out of tree bark, maybe with moss, fern fronds, a paper with their wish, and a candle. After campfire, the cabins, one by one, would walk to the edge of the creek and push their wishboats into the water. It was beautiful to watch the boats float out of sight.

From the very start the philosophy was to create a fun and exciting week for the kids and maybe some special time for the parents with the kids left at home. At camp, the Nurses and Doctors on staff were the same ones the campers saw at the hospitals. It has always been hard for the parents to leave their kids at camp, but almost all can see and feel the positive difference camp made in their children’s lives. Speaking on behalf of all the staff, we are forever grateful to the parents for the trust they put in us. 

PS - And that young boy who was part of the first staff and never missed a camp? That was Thumper, known by many as Jason Hickox, Ukandu’s CEO.