Story, Photos & Video by Don Backman
What’s your favorite animal out here?”
“Definitely the Jersey,” Tatum Lancaster, Tillamook County Dairy Princess Ambassador, proudly announced while holding a curious young Jersey by its lead rope. A group of 4-H kids, their animals, their coach, and some parent volunteers were out at Camp Magruder for the UKANDU Family Camp.
“I’m here at the camp for pediatric cancer patients, Lancaster explained. “We brought a large variety of animal breeds and species for the cancer patients and their families to interact with.”
Goats, sheep, Jersey cows, and other animals participated. In addition to providing an exciting opportunity for kids with cancer and their families, the 4-H youth also had a chance to shine and to show off their animals before the Tillamook County Fair.
Sage Palmer, Communications Director for UKANDU, explained that “We are a local nonprofit. We serve children and families with a diagnosis of childhood cancer in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington.” Parents and medical professionals initially conceived UKANDU to provide children with cancer an opportunity to have experiences they may have otherwise missed out on.
“We have about 130 campers, which represent 32 families,” Palmer went on to say. UKANDU, an organization dedicated to providing children with cancer and their families with opportunities that cancer causes many, if not most, to miss out on, has been around for 40 years. According to UKANDU’s website: “The mission of UKANDU is to provide joy, hope, and connection to communities impacted by childhood and adolescent cancer. We recognize that cancer impacts the entire family and we aim to provide parents and caregivers a respite from the physical, emotional, and financial toll childhood cancer poses to families.”
Palmer further explained that Family Camp at Camp Magruder invites the entire family “…to come out and have a week of outrageous fun, community, and connection.” UKANDU is striving to bring families “…a little bit of joy and a lot of community during a very challenging time in their life.” More than 60 volunteers helped put on the event.
“We are so excited to partner with the Tillamook 4-H community here at UKANDU Family Camp.” Robin Emerick, UKANDU program director, explained that they have been looking for a way to connect with the local farms and farm community. “Our clinical director used to be a 4-H kid himself.” She added, “He said, I think I can make this work.” The clinical director made the contact, and it quickly came together. “Our families have loved having this local touch this week.”
Emerick added that a group of doctors and families came together in 1986 to start UKANDU. “They said that we want our kids with childhood cancer to have normal childhood experiences.” They started with a small camp, and this has grown. All camps and activities are free to participants.
“We didn’t know how it would go,” Sage Palmer added. “We’ve never done anything like this before, and it turned out to be the most popular part of today.” It has been difficult to bring enrichment activities from Portland out to the coast, which is why they are so excited to partner with the local 4-H program. Palmer also explained that Camp Magruder is beautiful, and the camp team works very well with UKANDU.
UKANDU is an Oregon nonprofit. You can find out information on how to support the organization through volunteering or donation at UKANDU.ORG.
The Oregon State Extension Service website has information on how to support 4-H. “With more than 6 million members, 4-H is the largest out-of-school youth program in the United States. 4-H empowers young people with hands-on learning experiences to help them grow and thrive. By creating a safe and welcoming environment, young people develop the skills needed to make a positive impact on the world around them. Donations to Oregon 4-H Youth Development Programs are made through the Oregon 4-H Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. https://extension.oregonstate.edu/4h/tillamook
