Frequently Asked Questions

Ukandu provides year-round support for families battling childhood cancer, creating connection, healing, and moments of joy beyond the hospital — 100% free of charge. We serve the entire family from diagnosis through treatment and beyond with mental health services, community programming, and The Loft — an innovative space where kids can be kids again, and families can heal together. Our year-round programs include daily drop-in hours, intentional community events, weekly affinity groups, behavioral health services, and more. Our annual programs include our residential camp programs — Camp Ukandu, Ukandu Family Camp, and Teen Retreat.

Ukandu programming is available to all individuals who have been affected by childhood cancer. At Ukandu, we know that a childhood cancer diagnosis impacts the entire family, and our programming reflects that. Some programs have age limitations or other guidelines, but we have available programming for siblings, parents and patients/survivors.

All Ukandu programs are 100% free of charge!

You can stay connected with other active Ukandu Families by joining our private Facebook page here.

Our programs rely on over 200 annual volunteers! If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer please click here.

The Loft’s address is 3015 SW 1st Ave, Portland, Oregon 97201.

You can register for a Ukandu Program or drop-in hour by logging into our online Portal.

New to Ukandu? Create a Portal account.

The Loft is open Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

View upcoming programs and events in the Program Calendar.

To register for a Ukandu program or drop-in hour, log in to the Ukandu Portal. New to Ukandu? Create a Portal account.

Healing takes more than one kind of care. The Ukandu Behavioral Health Clinic offers mental and emotional wellness designed around the real needs of families.

Our comprehensive model addresses the whole family. Whether it's a child processing fear and uncertainty, a sibling feeling overlooked, or a parent carrying the invisible stress of caregiving, our team meets each person where they are with compassionate, individualized support.

Because we believe healing shouldn't come with a price tag, every service is offered 100% free of charge.

The Loft is over 20,000 square feet of programmatic space. It includes a parent lounge, community and active spaces, and the Ukandu Behavioral Health Clinic. These spaces give families opportunities to connect, relax, participate in programs, and receive mental and emotional wellness support, all free of charge.

Yes. The Loft offers two volunteer opportunities: Loft Generalist and Loft Receptionist.

Learn about the roles and get started on our Volunteer page.

Patients or survivors who are age 8–18.

Up to one sibling of a patient or survivor age 8–18.

Camp Ukandu is a medically supervised camp with 4 pediatric oncology nurses and 1 pediatric oncology provider on-site 24 hours a day through the full week of camp. This allows campers in active treatment to safely attend camp, while also having access to highly qualified nurses and providers.

You can register you child(ren) for camp through CampDoc registration.

Families who have a child with a current or former cancer diagnosis. Cancer affects each member of the family, and families come in all shapes and sizes. Ukandu Family Camp is a space for the entire family to find hope, joy and connection with one another - as well as with other families who have journeyed the same path.

You can apply for Ukandu Family Camp through the Ukandu Portal. Applications typically open in the Fall/Winter. Please keep in mind that each member of your family will need an individual application.

Ukandu Family Camp has a variety of sleeping arrangements. Prior to arriving at camp, you’ll be able to select your preferences for lodging. We do our best to accommodate each family's individual preferences. Typically, each family will have their own sleeping space and access to bathrooms in either a shared lodge or a nearby bathhouse.

Meals are eaten together in the dining hall.

We understand that for many families, a full week of camp can be logistically challenging. We are happy to work with families, but ask that, at a minimum, your family is prepared to arrive on the Saturday of camp and stay through Wednesday morning.

Yes, Family Camp is ADA accessible, and Ukandu will work with your family to make any additional needed accommodations.

Your family is invited to attend for up to three years, depending on availability. Priority is given to families on active treatment and new diagnoses.

Yes, at Ukandu, we know that a childhood cancer journey never ends. Beareaved families are always invited to participate in Ukandu programming.

Families on the waitlist may be invited to attend camp all the way up until the beginning of camp. We will do our best to communicate as early as possible.

Boating, art, archery, walks on the beach, “Coffee Chats” with a licensed psychologist, massage therapy, and more.

Ukandu Family Camp is a medically-supported camp. We will have an oncologist on-site all week as well as additional oncology/hematology nurses to assist with general care, medicine distribution, and any other medical needs to arise. Ukandu also has a great relationship with the regional hospital, Adventist Health Tillamook, 25 minutes from camp.

In addition, we have mental health support through our “Rainbow Connection” Team, led by Ukandu Clinical Director, Joel Lampert, PsyD.

Please direct any additional questions to our Program Director, Robin “Bluebird” Emerick, at remerick@ukandu.org - we look forward to hearing from you!

Past projects have included care packages for teens receiving inpatient care at local hospitals, a Holiday Bazaar to raise money for local children’s hospitals, and more. Each year’s project(s) are decided entirely by the teens who participate.

Yes! If your teen has a community service requirement, we are happy to facilitate confirmation of hours fulfilled through Ukandu Corps.

In partnership with LEAP, Ukandu Teen Retreat takes participants white-water kayaking down the lower 55 miles of the Salmon River while camping on the riverbank each night.

Please communicate with our Program Director, Robin Emerick, at remerick@ukandu.org. As much as possible, we will work with their oncology team and our river guides to accommodate a variety of mobility needs.

Teen Retreat is adaptable, and the difficulty level can be scaled up or scaled down as needed.

Teen Retreat is led by a team of certified river guides who will provide instruction and guidance for all participants to safely navigate the river.

There is no cell service or internet on the Teen Retreat. Participants are encouraged to leave their phones at home. Our guides will have satellite phones for emergency purposes only.

Ukandu collaborates with LEAP’s certified river guides to create a successful and safe trip down the river.

LEAP, our partnering organization, sets up camp each evening after we pull off the river and cooks dinner and breakfast at our camp. Lunch is “brown bag” style, which we eat in the middle of the day when we pull off the river for a rest. There are a few sleeping options available: sleeping in a tent on top of a sleeping mat, or sleeping in your inflatable kayak under the open sky. The stars are an amazing bonus of sleeping in the kayak! Both options need a sleeping bag for warmth.

Anyone who has participated in Ukandu camps or programming in the past, present, or will be attending in the future is welcome to attend the Ukandu Family (Re)Union. This includes former and current volunteers, former and current campers, as well as family members of campers. The more the merrier to connect with new and old Ukandu Family!

Each year is a little different but you can expect food and drinks, scrapbooks, games, art, and the opportunity to connect with new and familiar faces!