Whether you’re a complete beginner or already have some experience, our leaders and outfitters provide all the guidance, training, and support your teen will need along the way. The challenge level of different trips varies, and we’re here to help you choose the trip that’s right for your teen. The only requirements for a successful Moondance adventure are a positive attitude, physical condition that meets the program requirements listed in the trip-specific medical form, and willingness to collaborate as a member of a small group.

We continuously work through our waitlist throughout the year and see movement up until mid-March. If you have gotten off a waitlist, we will send you an email and give you a call with a waitlist spot offer. 

We see the most movement in February, after full tuition is due and non-refundable.

The Good Decisions Agreement at Moondance is a set of guidelines and expectations designed to ensure a safe and positive experience for all participants. It emphasizes responsibility, respect, and adherence to rules throughout the program. Participants are expected to make good decisions, communicate effectively, and follow all policies outlined by Moondance. Any violation, including but not limited to possession of alcohol or drugs, disrespectful behavior, or unauthorized use/possession of electronics, may result in immediate dismissal from the program at the parents’ expense, without refund. These rules are enforced from the beginning of the trip until return home, including travel days. It is important for both students and parents to thoroughly review and understand these expectations before departure. The full document will be included in your teen’s paperwork in Clustdoc. 

International trips: May 1st

Domestic trips:

1. • 1st session: May 1st 
   • 2nd + 3rd sessions: Up to two weeks prior to departure, pending collection of full payment, all paperwork, and teacher references. 

A great resource to check out to help you gain a better understanding of our trips is to visit our Vimeo Page to watch the incredible experiences from previous summers. You can also spend some time reading our Trip Guides which are located at the bottom of every trip page, as well as reading previous summer’s Trip Updates! Our team at Moondance HQ is always happy to help you decide on what trip may be the best fit for you as well, so feel free to give us a call!

At the time of enrollment, you will only be required to fill out the enrollment request, TripMate Travel Protection form, and sign the terms of agreement. Summer paperwork will be launched after enrollment. 

We enroll students based on the current grade the student is in for the Fall-Spring school year. For example, if your teen is in the 8th grade for this school year, then they are eligible for our 8th grade summer trips.

Creating a community is perhaps the highlight for many on their Moondance trip. One of the greatest elements of a Moondance trip is meeting new people and being yourself in an entirely new group. We encourage your teen to partake in that valuable experience, and we love what happens when a group of strangers comes together to form a team. That being said, sometimes teens request a friend. Friend requests are not guaranteed. Your teen should be willing to travel with Moondance without a friend.  We also limit our groups to no more than two students from the same school and three from the same hometown. 

How to Request a Friend:

• During enrollment, you will fill out your teen’s friend request. Your friend request must also include your teen’s name and request them. 
• If it is after enrollment, you should email admissions@moondanceadventures.com with the request, as should the friend.
• We are unable to confirm whether friend requests are granted.

If you see limited on our website this will mean a trip is full for a gender, hometown, or school. If we don’t have any availability for you because of any of those limitations,  we will add your teen to the waitlist and discuss other options with you.

Our trips fill on a rolling basis. If your first choice is full, we will reach out to go over other options. We will hold a spot on one session for your teen for 24 hours if you need to discuss it with them, before charging any deposit. We will also put your teen on the waitlist for their top choices that are full, and any other waitlists you are interested in. 

Moondance requires all students to have a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis} shot within 10 years of their trip. Moondance suggests that families follow CDC guidelines for vaccinations and immunizations. Depending on your trip, you may need special immunizations. This can change from year to year, and we operate under the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control. 

For specific trips, see the enrolled trip information page. Additionally, we ask that you discuss immunizations and any pre-existing conditions with your family doctor or local travel clinic. Moondance will provide a detailed map of where the group will be traveling for you to take with you to the travel clinic. Please visit the CDC homepage for more information.

We will work our best with you and your family to find the correct trip for you based on your restrictions. Not all trips can accommodate all food allergy/ dietary restrictions so please call us if you have any questions! Specifically, if your teen has a peanut/tree nut allergy or has celiac disease, please call the office before enrollment to discuss accommodations.