We believe that new experiences have the power to change the way we think about, interact with, and understand our place in the world. They wake us up. They tune us in. They get us out of our routines and open up the spaces and places around us. They tickle our brain, hug our hearts, and stoke the fire within us.

Hayes Hitchens hails from Charlotte, NC. Hayes founded Moondance as a way to share outdoor adventures with young people. Many of his thirty years in organized camping were spent at Camp Deerhorn in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, a camp founded by his grandfather in 1930. A graduate of the University of Alabama, Hayes served The Lovett School in Atlanta for twelve years as the Dean of Students and the Director of Summer Programs. He has participated in outdoor programs with the North Carolina Outward Bound School, the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC). Hayes looks forward to another summer spent traveling the continental US meeting Moondance students on their many adventures. He lives with his wife, Michael, and their daughter Hunter in Nashville, TN, where he coordinates all of Moondance Adventures.

A native of Atlanta, GA, Liza McLain discovered her love for the outdoors at a very young age, spending ample time in the North Georgia mountains. As a teenager, Liza went on the Pacific Northwest trip which solidified her passion for teen adventure travel. After earning a degree from the University of Georgia, Liza managed logistics for an event company in California before moving to Nashville to work full time for Moondance HQ. For six years, she played a crucial role on Moondance’s Operations team, overseeing Domestic and International Operations, along with spearheading new technology initiatives. In 2023, Liza pursued further education and graduated from a Software Engineering program at Flatiron School, adding a new layer to her skill set. Excited to blend her Moondance expertise with newfound technical skills, she looks forward to continuing her journey with Moondance, inspiring and empowering teens through transformative travel experiences.

Born and raised in Richmond, VA, Sam Whitehurst studied Finance at Virginia Tech. While in college, Sam led the California trip for Moondance. That transformative summer forever changed the trajectory of Sam's life. He later joined Moondance HQ in the Operations department where he worked for 4 seasons. During that time he had the opportunity to lead the Machu Picchu trip, the South Africa + Mozambique trip, and the final Mountains to Sea trip! Sam attributes his love for working with teens and sharing his passion for experiential travel to his early time at Moondance. Following the pandemic, Sam pursued his other passion for supporting teens' mental health by working in a hospital on a pediatric and adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit. Sam returned to Moondance in January of 2024 and is excited to bring his life and professional experiences back to Moondance, a company and community he loves!

Suzanne Hollis graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Environmental Science Quantitative Energy Systems and a minor in Physics. During her four years at UNC, Suzanne pursued involvement in many ways including directing an annual science camp for young girls interested in STEM, leading outings for the Carolina Outing Club, and worked as a porter at the Morehead House. Additionally, she worked for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy to promote policy change in support of clean energy and clean equity and worked with the Sun Valley Institute to assess the area's food security and the food industry's environmental impact. As a student, Suzanne attended Moondance on our California Discovery, Cataract Canyon, South Africa, and Thailand trips. As a trip leader, she led Yellowstone in 2021, Kilimanjaro in 2022, and Big Wild in 2023. Suzanne started in HQ in 2023 and is thrilled to continue experiencing Moondance, this time as the Senior Director of Staffing.

Mary Kathryn graduated from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill with a degree in History and the University of Colorado – Boulder with a Master’s degree in Education. While at UNC, MK served as a campus tour guide for two years, held a leadership position in Chi Omega sorority as well as in her campus ministry group. During her summers she worked as an intern at National Geographic, completed a Colorado Outward Bound course in Utah, a NOLS course in Australia, and studied abroad in England. Her love for travel and adventure took her to Alaska for a year where she served as a youth group leader, teen center director, and substitute teacher through the Young Adult Volunteer Program. MK joined Moondance in its nascent years as a leader for Alaska, Washington, and Colorado trips and also had a stint in HQ before launching her career as a middle school and high school teacher. She currently lives in Boulder, Colorado with her husband and three teenagers–the newest members of the Moondance family–where they love to explore Colorado on foot and on skis. MK is excited to jump back into HQ as Marketing Director.

Anna Brugh grew up in Richmond, VA, first experiencing Moondance as a student on Northern Lights. This trip fueled her love for adventure leading her to all her future endeavors including service in Cuba, a study exchange trip to China, studying abroad in Italy and more! She graduated from the University of South Carolina studying Retail Management and Marketing. At USC she worked for the University's Outdoor Recreation Department as Marketing Coordinator and Trip Leader. Eager for another Moondance summer she spent the summer after college leading our Pacific Northwest trip. Knowing she wanted to lead another summer, Anna went to the Outer Banks of North Carolina working for a retail store and volunteering with Jockey's Ridge State Park before coming back to lead the Slovenia trip. Loving the excitement of an adventure and sharing those moments with kids, Anna is thrilled to be joining HQ as the Senior Director of Domestic Operations.

Native to Tennessee, Ben graduated from the University of the South in Sewanee, class of 2021,where he majored in International & Global Studies. With the Sewanee Outing Program, Ben spent his first spring break canoeing and camping on the Rio Grande between Texas and Mexico, his first border-crossing experience which inspired him to major in International and Global Studies. Complementing his major, as a Bonner Leader Ben partnered with local non-profits to pursue communal well being on the South Cumberland Plateau. Along with a passion for civic engagement, Ben loves to explore the wilderness and spent many hours climbing, caving, canoeing, and cycling on Sewanee’s domain. Catering to his passion for service and outdoor exploration, Ben is thrilled to continue creating the Moondance Magic as the Director of International Operations.

Banks Church is from Dothan, Alabama and completed her Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and Master of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Alabama. During school, Banks was able to discover her love for graphic design, branding, marketing, communications and advertising. She also discovered her desire for travel when she studied in Innsbruck, Austria and traveled across Europe in the summer of 2019. Banks has had many more travel experiences that have shown her the importance of understanding and respecting various cultures and the connection between different peoples. Banks is thrilled to be the newest Brand Director and hopes to expand her horizons through experiencing Moondance.

Originally from Marietta, Ohio, Noah moved to Nashville in 2017 to attend Lipscomb University where he majored in Accounting. After earning his degree, Noah explored his interest in real estate and also worked in public accounting before joining the team at Moondance Adventures. As the Assistant Director of Finance for Moondance, Noah is excited to combine his accounting and finance experience with his love for the outdoors and his passion for connecting with and investing in people. Noah’s love for nature and outdoor adventure was shaped by his childhood summers spent at church camp in Maine. Those summers had a great impact on his life and inspired him to stay connected to the outdoors and adventure travel. During college, Noah spent three months abroad in Chile hiking, camping, and adventuring. He has also worked in the outdoor retail industry developing his outdoor gear product knowledge. Noah is excited to continue growing in his career alongside the amazing people at Moondance!

Ella Slade is from St. Simons Island, Georgia and graduated from Sewanee: The University of the South in 2022 where she studied International and Global Studies. Ella spent her summers at Camp Wayfarer as a camp counselor and kayaking instructor. During her four years at Sewanee, she was the Station Manager at the Sewanee Radio Station as well as the Intramural League Chair and a New Member Educator for her sorority. In addition, she was involved with the Sewanee Outing Program, participating in several of their offered trips, one including a nine-day canoeing trip on the Rio Grande. After graduating, Ella moved across the country, spending a year in Montana working in a fly shop as a fly-casting instructor. Combining her love for outdoor activity and searching for new experiences, Ella is the Moondance HQ as the Assistant Director of Domestic Operations.

Hannah Wilson is from Ariton, Alabama and a recent graduate of Auburn University where she studied Communication. Hannah spent a summer studying abroad in Greece and another as an International Intern for LeadAbroad in South Africa. She is no stranger to adventure with two Table Mountain hikes and three bungee jumps under her belt. She is thrilled to connect others to their own life-changing experiences as she joins us as Assistant Director of Admissions.

Sarah Collier hails from Memphis, Tennessee and is a two-time Moondance alum! Her experiences on the beaches of Fiji in 2016 and then on Mount Kilimanjaro in 2019 made a huge impact on her life. Sarah is a recent graduate of the University of Alabama where she majored in Marketing and was involved with a number of clubs and organizations like the Be the Match Campaign, Cryptocurrency Club, and the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She decided to live in Florence, Italy two summers ago to study abroad and immerse herself in European culture and then chose to lead Maui this summer. We are thrilled to have Sarah join us as Assistant Director of Admissions!

Cleo Smith is a recent graduate from Sewanee: The University of the South with a degree in Religious Studies and hails from Littleton, Colorado. Cleo grew up with outdoor adventures as a part of her education while attending Colorado Academy and picked up massive passion and skill for adventure. Cleo played varsity lacrosse at Sewanee for her four years at school and served as the captain of the team her senior season. Additionally, she was elected President of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, served on the Senior Leadership Board, acted as an Arcadian Ambassador, and gave campus tours through the University. After leading the Chamonix trip during the 2023 summer Cleo is thrilled to be joining HQ as Admissions Coordinator.

Coleman Speir, originally from Montgomery, Alabama, is a recent graduate from the University of Alabama with a degree in Public Relations. A dedicated two-time Moondance alum, Coleman’s adventures began with impactful trips to Kilimanjaro in 2018 and Chamonix in 2019, sparking her deep passion for travel and exploration. During college, she was involved in many organizations, like the Crossing Points program, the Girl Scouts, and Operation Smiles.

In the summer of 2023, Coleman gained valuable experience working as a summer intern at Moondance HQ, reigniting her love for Moondance. This past summer, she came back and led our Maui trip. Now, Coleman is thrilled to continue her Moondance journey as an Admissions Coordinator, where she looks forward to bringing her enthusiasm and dedication to her new role.

Kate is a recent graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Political Science and Communication Studies from Greensboro, North Carolina. Kate first joined the Moondance family as a student on our South Africa and Chamonix trips in 2018 and 2019. As a Trip Leader, she has led Maui (2022), Spain + Morocco (2023), Kilimanjaro (2024), and Big Wild (2024). During her college summers prior to leading for Moondance, Kate worked as a counselor at Camp Illahee in Brevard, NC. While at Clemson, she was involved in an array of organizations – ranging from the University Tour Guide Association, the Judicial Board, and the Panhellenic Association.  She is thrilled to be continuing her Moondance journey, this time in a full-time role as a Coordinator!

Caroline is a recent graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations and a minor in Entrepreneurship. During her time at UNC, Caroline joined the Women's Club Lacrosse Team, Panhellenic Association, and worked at a local bagel shop (where she actually met Hayes for the first time!). Caroline discovered her love for travel in 2022 during a summer internship in Barcelona, Spain where she had the opportunity to explore much more of Europe during her time there. In 2023, Caroline joined the Moondance family as a trip leader, when she led our Belize and Costa Rica trip. This past summer, Caroline traveled to South America to lead our Machu Picchu trip in Peru before arriving in Nashville to continue her time with Moondance. Caroline is so excited to join the full-time Moondance team as a Staffing Coordinator!

Jake is from Macon, Georgia, and graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering, along with minors in Supply Chain Management and Finance. At Auburn, Jake was actively involved on campus, participating in several campus organizations including Beat Bama Food Drive and War Eagle Girls and Plainsmen. Jake joined the Moondance family in the summer of 2023 when he led our South Africa + Mozambique trip. Jake returned in the summer of 2024 and led another successful trip to Albania, Montenegro + Greece. Now, he is thrilled to join Moondance as an Operations Coordinator, where he will bring his strong analytical skills and passion for adventure to the team!