Tina “Hip Hop” Sixberry got involved with Ukandu in 2008 through a coworker (and Ukandu volunteer), “Pop Tart.” Having missed the deadline for Camp Ukandu, Hip Hop joined the finance committee and worked on securing donations throughout the year. In 2010, she finally was able to attend Camp Ukandu and has been hooked ever since! 

Since then, you can find Hip Hop singing along to camp favorites such as ‘Ghost Chickens’ and ‘Boogers,’ hanging with the teens in ‘Tree Tops,’ and dancing her heart out at the Shimmy in the Shire. Keep reading to hear about volunteering with Ukandu in Hip Hop’s own words! 

2) Why do you continue to volunteer with Ukandu?

I continue to volunteer every year because camp brings me so much joy and truly is a life-changing week. It is wonderful to be able to be a part of so much emotional growth and healing wrapped into a week of outrageous fun.

3) What is your favorite volunteer memory? 

I don’t know if I can pick just one!? I will say seeing all the campers (even the shy, super sick, and homesick kids) make friends and really start to open up by Wednesday is always a wonderful event to watch unfold. However, if I were to pick one memory, I remember early on my very first cabin, we had a camper in a wheelchair (Mini Giggles) and another camper in a walker (Party Girl). Near the end of the week, the other campers were encouraging Mini Giggles to try the walker. She got as far as standing on her own. It was a true accomplishment!  However, to make things even better, when I saw her in October (4 months later) at Teen Retreat, she came in beaming and so excited to show me how she was now walking with a walker on her own!!! It was one of the most exciting and touching moments I’ve been able to experience, and one I will never forget.

4) What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering with Ukandu? 

If you want to learn what fun, love, resilience, and determination look like, you have to experience Ukandu for yourself! Help change a child’s summer and your own perspectives on life. If you are questioning whether you should become a volunteer, stop asking and just join in on the fun. You won’t be disappointed!

Interested in volunteering with Ukandu? Learn more and get involved here!