Volunteer Spotlight: Tahoe

Tahoe first heard about Ukandu this past year from a member of the Camp Ukandu Rainbow Connection Team who invited a number of her clinical psychology students to attend Ukandu Family Camp. After being inspired by her mom who works with cancer patients, Tahoe decided to give Ukandu Family Camp a try!

Tahoe took the leap to spend a week at Ukandu Family Camp and jumped right in! She joined our “Rainbow Connection” Team (aka our Mental Health Support Team) and spent the week doing everything from supporting campers through tough moments, celebrating wins, and even singing wacky camp songs and playing dress up!

“My time at camp was such a restorative, communal, and enthusiastic experience. Everyone at camp was so warm and welcoming, and it was so easy to feel like part of the community even from the first day. As part of the Rainbow Connection team, I was honored to walk alongside kids and their families, hear their stories, and support their well-being while at camp. While I expected to join and relate to these families, I did not anticipate that I would let a pair of seven-year-olds color my hair, teach spikeball to both 40-year-olds and 10-year-olds alike, and become a creative master with a glue gun. These moments, while totally unexpected, were also priceless. As a mental health provider, I believe in the healing power of relationships, joy, and fun, and Ukandu is a beautiful example of that kind of soul healing.”

In the time since camp, Tahoe has had the opportunity to work with members of the Rainbow Connection Team and Ukandu staff to conduct formal research on the impact of camping experiences for both adult and child campers. In just a short amount of time, Tahoe has cemented herself as an integral part of our community and we’re so grateful to have her as a part of our Ukandu Family! 

“Ukandu is such a kind and wonderful community! It has been such a joy of mine to imagine what the future of Ukandu looks like. In my life post-camp, I have worked alongside Ukandu's leadership and the Rainbow Connection team to conduct research about the impact of camp on kids and families. I am excited to continue to participate in the future of Ukandu!”

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