Goodbye, Girlies!
July 9, 2026
Wow! So much to catch up on!! Greece surpassed every expectation possible, and we are heartbroken to be leaving this stunning location, and more importantly, each other.
After our first day in Greece, which also happened to be a magical Fourth of July, we were happy but exhausted! We woke up bright and early the next morning to test out our skills in the kitchen by making breakfast and packing lunches for the day. Rosemary and Lauren scrambled up some eggs for us, and we had an abundance of cereals, yogurt, and more from the store that our amazing grocery shoppers, Parker, Lauren, Caroline L., and Caroline W. picked out. A complete surprise came our way when, on the way to sea kayaking, we learned that it was cancelled because of the surf! While sad, we knew exactly what to do with our newfound free time. We crawled right back into bed for a long, much-needed nap before heading down to the beach! We made sure to bring down the tubes and floaties we had gotten the day before, and Tena got us some umbrellas and paddle boats! With all our silly girls piled into a boat, laughter was a given. The game wavelength was also a big hit, especially with Blythe! Creative juices were flowing into each question being asked to uncover the number. Additionally, our beach time was filled with beautiful sunny skies and cool water to refresh us! I can still picture Lexi and Lucy floating out there on inflatable donuts in the bluest water, surrounded by beautiful rocky cliffs that engulfed our cove beach. Meanwhile, Anne Hardy had the right idea by zooming through her book! Then, Lauren and Margaret got everyone into a big game of Spoons – with a twist because we had to collect rocks from the beach to be our spoons. It was soon decided that switching to Tongues, the same game but sticking your tongue out instead of racing to grab rocks, was probably safer! People were eliminated one by one as the competitive
spirit turned up, and ultimately Lucy and Caroline L. tied, opting out of performing a Veggie Off on the beach. Our stomachs started to grumble, so it was time to head back to our favorite place, Supermarket Kathy, where we had befriended the owner, to gather more supplies for dinner. Once back at home, Kaitlyn and Haley prepared the salad, and Anne Hardy, Blythe, Rosemary, and Caroline W. were on pasta duty. We’ve felt quite blessed with meals this trip, and to finally get to try our own hand in the kitchen together was a treat, while also reminding us how much we’ve enjoyed all the meals prepared for us by amazing chefs 😉 Moonup was long and lovely, put on by Haddy and Caroline L., with many Taylor Swift quotes and songs incorporated. No one appreciated this more than Lucy! And to top it all off, we got a musical performance from Haddy and Lucy to the Wicked soundtrack! Full of giggles, we were ready to head to bed and rest up for rock climbing the next day!
We woke up the next morning in Corfu to a sunny sky, cats on our patio, and a mission to go rock climbing. After Haddy and Caroline L. lovingly scrambled some eggs for the group, we packed into our climbing guides’ groovy vans and went on our way. Caroline W., Anne Hardy, Blythe, Caroline L., Parker, and MC jammed out to Ventura Highway in our guide Pablo’s car with pink, purple, and orange flowers, raw honeycomb, and pine cones on the dashboard. As we drove the windy roads upward, we passed through the most beautiful, quaint Greek town and experienced our first 7.5-minute stoplight, despite being one of the only cars around – it reminded us to slow down, buying us more time with each other and some tunes. Upon arrival at our climbing site, a rock wall overlooking the most glorious ocean scene, we got geared up and ready to go. Rosemary jumped in first, skillfully scaling the wall. You would never know it was her first time climbing! Blythe tried the hardest route her first go round, making the rest of the morning’s activities light work. Lexi channelled her future Boulder self, trying out every route multiple times with increasing speed. Caroline L.’s experience with gymnastics bars translated to the wall, and she looked like a pro! She and Kaitlyn proved to be incredible cheerleaders, guiding Mary Claire through the route. While our guides cut fresh watermelon, Haddy shuffled the cards and explained the rules of ERS, Egyptian Rat Slap. We gathered around in our crazy creeks to play, and legend has it that Haddy and Lauren are still battling for the last hand. When the last call came, Lauren made sure to tackle the difficult route somehow with her camera handy! Every single girl gave rock climbing their all, and it made it one of our favorite mornings yet. In the afternoon, we gladly found ourselves back at the beach. Together with Margaret, the girls swam to a cave; Haley proudly adorned our donut floatie the entire time. Everyone went into the cave and climbed onto the rocks, pretending to be the mermaids from H2O. Afterwards, they swam to the other side of the beach and went cliff jumping! On shore, Anne Hardy relaxed on the beach with a book in hand. For dinner, the girls cheffed up pasta (thank you, Caroline W., for perfecting the gluten-free batch!), chicken nuggets, and meatballs in time for us to journey to a monastery where you can watch the sunset over the sea. Once we hiked to the lookout spot, Mary Claire and Margaret introduced the girls to the greatest game of all… the tortilla challenge. With mouths full of water, they smacked each other in the face with tortillas, determined to be the last to laugh. As soon as each girl received a tortilla of their own, the group broke out into a full-blown tortilla challenge. As the sunset over the rocks, tortillas were sent flying, water sprayed everywhere, and laughter constantly erupted. Followed by a round of Oreos, it was the perfect introduction to Moonup, led by legendary LOD’s Blythe and Lexi, who inspired a conversation surrounding things we could let go of. Naturally, we felt lighter on our walk home. It wouldn’t be a normal day in Corfu without stopping at our favorite market at least five times, so we made sure to stop by and grab some more treats before going to sleep!
Our last day in Corfu gave us the boat moment we had all been waiting for! After collaboratively cooking and cleaning up our home for the past few days, we practically skipped to the dock in the sparkling blue sea. Mama Mia and Buy Me a Boat were the first two songs on our queue, and everything felt right. When we reached our first snorkeling spot, Anne Hardy, Lauren, and Rosemary eagerly dove into the crystal blue water filled with wonders waiting to be found. Blythe swam to the bottom and picked up a beautiful blueish-purple shell. Margaret pointed out a massive crab and its starfish sidekicks. Haley and Mary Claire basked in the sun, fully living in the moment. Once we docked at our next stop, the girls played a creative game where one person described a member of the group based on what they would be across different categories. Everyone agreed that if Kaitlyn were a day, she would certainly be noon during springtime, and if Caroline L. were an animal, she’d undoubtedly be a baby lion. We all remarked that we were remarkably content, between the beaming sun and the crisp water to jump in. Too soon, we headed back to shore and decided that an ice cream stop was just too irresistible. With our bronzed skin and salty hair, we boarded the van and headed to Old Town, the most picturesque place ever, with its old pastel buildings and cobblestone streets. Swapping our hiking clothes for dresses, we set out to explore, and Parker remarked that it was exactly how she imagined Europe to be. At a local jewelry store, 7 of the girls got colorful fish (“fih”) necklaces to commemorate one of our very first dinners together! After collecting all kinds of souvenirs, we gathered around a long table on the street for dinner. Caroline L., Rosemary, and Anne Hardy fell in love with baked feta served with tomato, bell pepper, and bread. Margaret, Lexi, Haley, and Blythe loved an alternative honey and sesame feta. Already forgetting our afternoon ice cream stop, we stumbled upon the best gelato place ever. Lauren was filled with so much joy from a night of adventures with her new best friends that she wanted to start skipping down the cobblestone streets. To close out an extraordinary day, LOD’s Rosemary and Parker led us into the most creative Moonup ever. After opening the nug jug with a game of Shake and Pop, they led us in an exquisite discussion about our mermaid selves, diving into what our hair and tails would look like, what our names would be, which sea pets we’d have, and what powers we’d possess. Afterwards, we reflected on how we wanted to be remembered; it was a Moonup we’ll never forget!
Day 16 of our adventure is best described as bittersweet. The thought of separating merely the next morning was terrifying, but we knew we had an amazing last day in Athens to look forward to. We had a nice little practice run for airport day tomorrow because today we flew from Corfu to Athens! We learned that we handle airports together as a beautifully harmonious team, which was no surprise because every single day and activity has felt smooth with our AMG 2C family. Once we touched down in Athens, we hit the ground running by dropping our bags and heading to Tylixtos for the best gyros in Greece! It was a hot and sunny day, but fear not, there was no shortage of shops for us to take refuge in. From Oysho, a newly discovered favorite athleisure brand of ours, to local souvenir shops where we all stocked up on the same perfect fih tote bag, we were quite content with our haul and headed back home to get ready for the banquet dinner. Dinner exceeded all expectations. There seemed to be the perfect dish for everyone. Parker and Lauren were so happy to finally get their buttered pasta. Lexi tried shrimp pasta, Haley had truffle pasta, and so on. Following a scrumptious dinner and a complimentary dessert from the sweetest waiter, we walked on over to a lookout point to see the Acropolis from above at sunset. The view of Athens from above is breathtaking and shows how sprawling the city really is. With everyone dressed up, it was the perfect opportunity to get pictures, aka evidence of the last 17 days together, and the new lifelong friendships formed. The walk back to our hostel was magical, filled with singing, dancing, accents, and a million uncontrollable laughs- Kaitlyn and Margaret were laughing so hard they were struggling to keep up. And what walk home would be complete without a gelato stop? We were dragging our feet home because we did not want this day, or trip, to ever end. But alas, it was time for one last Moonup, where we gave nugs to our entire trip; named each other as songs, animals, and fun drinks; and reflected on things from this trip that we will take with us when we go home. We were so elated to hear the girls share how much they have learned about their strengths and how growth often occurs in unexpected situations. The chosen quote read by Haddy: “There’s a future version of you telling the most incredible story of how all this came together,” brought solace to all. Although Mary Claire’s and my bedtime wish was that we could have another 17 days with these girls, we knew that it was time for them to return home and carry with them all that they had learned.
Our final morning was bright and early, as we had flights to catch! Rosemary continued her playful spirit all the way to the end of the trip by doing the worm as soon as we woke her up. Who knew waking up before 6 am could be so fun?! Our last van ride was perfectly wrapped up with Mary Claire back on aux playing our quintessential songs from our trip, such as: Traveling Soldier, Blackbird, Lingering Love, Beautiful Boy, Where the Skies are Blue, and of course some Mt. Joy. As Beautiful Boy (and our former LODs) said it best, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” To these girls, that is a core pillar of LITMO (living in the moment). They are adaptable, vivacious, grateful, and driven. The one plan we do know for sure is that we must get a reunion on the books. We will be counting down the days until then.
With SO much love,
Margaret and Mary Claire
An Awesome Time in Albania!
July 5, 2026
Our first full day in Albania brought us face-to-face with our greatest challenge yet: the magnificent Maja e Zorzit hike. After spending the night physically preparing through hydration and mentally preparing through an especially inspiring Moonup, we woke up more than ready to carpe diem and conquer the way upwards. Maja e Zorzit is a breathtaking mountain peak that reserves its splendor for only those willing to undertake a multi-mile, directly uphill climb through dense woods and rocky terrain. By foot, we reached the base of the mountain and began our ascent. Throughout the journey, LOD’s Caroline L. and Kaitlyn rallied the group, showering us with encouragement, gratitude, and motivation. Every member of the group dedicated the hike to someone in their life, and we continually encouraged one another to remember who we were hiking for. When the going got tough, we leaned on hydration breaks, blister bandages, Skittles, music, and, most importantly, each other to carry on. Rosemary, Caroline W., and Lauren were happily surprised by how much they enjoyed the rocky portions of the climb! Anne Hardy and Lucy found inspiration in the things they were grateful for. Lexi, Lauren, Parker, and our guide, Tena, discussed conspiracy theories.
As we got closer to the top, we also got close to a few edges. Haddy courageously faced her fear of heights while simultaneously suffering from multiple blisters, and a butterfly landed on her back to cheer her up for the climb. Our legs grew tired, but we grew closer and closer to our goal. Every single girl decided to dig deep and continue even when they thought they couldn’t any longer. Through pure grit and gratitude for the chance to do hard things, we reached the peak! We were greeted by a massive cross, surrounded by the most serene mountains on every side. Our group was a serendipitous, emotional scene full of so much pride and joy. After a refueling lunch of Nutella sandwiches, the best Nature Valley oat bar Lexi’s ever tasted, more water anyone thought they would ever drink, and gummy bears, we began our descent. Haley, Anne Hardy, Haddy, Margaret, and Mary Claire clung proudly to their newfound walking sticks. The way down proved to be a bit longer than the way up! Luckily, it was much easier to hold a conversation. Kaitlyn, Haley, and Margaret talked about their first memories before rapping one of their favorite songs. Mary Claire shared a few travel stories from Australia and Bali with Lucy, Blythe, Caroline L., Caroline W., and Anne Hardy. Tena pointed out the cutest little wild strawberries that were safe for the group to eat, and Parker and Lauren couldn’t get enough of them. On the downhill, a few people slipped, but Rosemary managed to pick all of us up! We knew we were almost home when we passed through an open, wildflower filled meadow; Parker decorated Blythe’s braids with the flowers. After a very long but insanely beautiful journey, we found ourselves at the dinner table devouring plates upon plates of fries, pasta, and taziki, our personal favorite. To celebrate one of the most difficult and rewarding days to date, we got ice cream and heaps of Trolli’s to make a candy salad. Caroline L. tried the recommended ice cream flavor, Lulushyte, and never looked back. The rest of the group particularly enjoyed the snickers flavor. Our wonderful LOD’s Kaitlyn and Caroline L. led us into a joy-filled, reflective Moonup to end a powerful and unforgettable day where each of us learned we are far more capable than we thought.
Our next day was full of so much needed rest and rejuvenation! After breakfast in our pj’s, we collected our crazy creeks and took a nice one minute walk to the nearby church where we took cover under the shade of a large tree. It was officially time to learn the most important game of all, signs! The girls caught on quickly, and it became Parker’s favorite game yet. The next game up was Dude Don’t Touch My Rock, but the group quickly resorted back to signs as it required less standing. After the activities from the day before, we were happy to sit forever. Mary Claire and Margaret brought out colorful beads, and we passed the time telling stories and making bracelets. Lunch consisted of sandwiches, the ratio of bread being much larger than anything else, and crisp apples. Rosemary led the group in card games before it was time for us to go ziplining! Lauren and Haddy were the first up to go, racing to the bottom. On our way home, the grey clouds broke into a thunderstorm, so we gladly took cover at a restaurant. Once the storm passed, we danced across the puddles on our way home to find a cow and several sheep in our front yard!! While Lexi broke out into tears of joy- cows are her favorite animal- Parker practiced herding the sheep. It was one of those moments we really felt like we were in a movie with the backdrop of the Albanian mountains. At dinner, they served rainy day soup approved by Haley and Kaitlyn. After a magically restful day, our legendary LOD’s Lauren and Haddy led us into an intentional Moonup, allowing us to get to know each other on a deeper level.
Our last full day in Albania began with an easy and fun hike to a picturesque waterfall! Parker, Lexi, and Lauren made it their mission to greet everyone they passed using all the letters of the alphabet- they had to get pretty creative. Caroline L. and Lucy flexed their literary skills and said hello to people in different languages! Once we reached our destination, Rosemary, Margaret, Blythe, Caroline L., Parker, and Lucy wasted no time jumping in and swimming underneath the waterfall. On the way home, the girls passed a shepherd herding sheep while we blasted Lizzy McAlpine; it felt like a first. Once we got home, we circled up in a meadow to play signs before lunch. While we ate, Caroline L., Parker, and Lucy played with the lodge’s adorable kitten named Baby Bed Bug (BBB).
Afterwards, we kicked out some improv games like 3 People on a Couch and then a new one called Expert. Blythe, Rosemary, and Kaitlyn proved they can be very convincing about topics they actually know nothing about! Before we could believe it, our laundry was ready for us to take back to our rooms. Inspired by clean clothes, we proceeded to clean our rooms while making bracelets and telling stories. Okay productive! Rain started to sprinkle while the sun continued to beam over the mountains, and the girls played Shake and Pop, our favorite dance game, in front of an extraordinarily majestic view. It came time for our final dinner in Theth, and we savored our cold water, hot fries, tzatziki, and chicken on our quintessential red and white checkered table cloth one last time. Because of the rain, we snuggled up inside for Moonup led by our kind, silly, and wise LOD’s, Rosemary and Anne Hardy.
The following morning included saying our goodbyes to our lovely guesthouse in Theth (& BBB the kitten), so that we could head south to Sarandë! With a long drive ahead, we fueled up on even more Nutella crepes and treats. The drive was passed with quite a range of activities. From bracelet making, to reading, to riddles, to podcasts, there was no shortage of opportunities to pass the time. Lauren found herself especially intrigued by the riddles, and by getting everyone involved, she was solving them in record time! Definitely ask them to share some with you when they return! After a long drive, we arrived in the southern coast of Albania, and scurried to an amazing burger and chicken sandwich dinner. It was the perfect pick-me-up and reminder of home to rejuvenate us. After dinner, we went for a stroll on the beach and Rosemary, Caroline Lowe, and Parker decided to hop in the ocean in their clothes! We love their spontaneity and how each of them have embraced the Moondance through and through. The joy and friendship between the twelve amazing young girls in our group radiates everywhere we go, and fills us with pride. Excited for a farm day in Sarande the next day, we headed to bed.
Our adventure to a farm in the countryside for cooking, goat-milking, homemade juice sipping, lounging by a natural pool, and more, was nothing short of magical. Kyle and Shawn, the lovely couple who own the farm, filled us with knowledge about local culture and cuisine, and also showed us the ropes of feeding and milking goats! Haley overcame her hesitations and got in there milking Jenny, while the other group got to milk Babs. After all of this activity, it was time to relax by the pool while lunch finished cooking. Lexi told us about her time on class council, and Blythe shared some crazy stories about her childhood dogs! With just enough sun and water time completed, we were summoned to lunch by Kyle ringing his trusty cowbell. Once sitting around the lengthy table under a natural made pergola that overlooks the mountains surrounding the farm, the girls began to comment on how insane this experience was and how lucky they felt to experience it. We couldn’t agree more, especially after the food started coming out. We delighted in everything, including but not limited to: our homemade Byrek (a traditional Albanian puff pastry), mussels, hummus, falafel, chicken, potatoes, vegetables, sweet tea, and lemon cake. Every item tastes exponentially better knowing that they grew or constructed the ingredients themselves out there. With full bellies and sun tanned faces, we were ready to head back to town to explore the beach more. Somehow by the time we made it down there, some were ready for dessert again, and no shortage of ice cream and cokes were had. Ice cream is most definitely our kryptonite. We spent more time frolicking in the waves and reading our books, and then went back to enjoy a last dinner and Moonup in Albania, as the following morning would include our long-anticipated ferry to Greece. The only Moondance trip to ferry to a new country!
Our ferry ride went quite smoothly, and we decided our perfect first move in Corfu would be a traditional Greek restaurant, where we had some of the biggest gyros you have ever seen! We then set out for the beach, where we rested and recharged by napping, playing in the ocean on our new floaties, playing card games, reading, and more! It was then time for an ice cream break and the true Fourth of July celebrations such as some Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue, beads, and glowsticks. We could not have spent the day in a more picturesque place, but rest assured knowing that the girls miss you all and have something they want to say below!!
TTYL,
Margaret & Mary Claire
Lexi: Hi mom and dad! Thank you so much for allowing me to have this great opportunity! Can’t wait to catch up soon! Love and miss you ❤️ love Lexi
Lucy: hey fam! Thanks so much for sending me on this trip! I’m so up right now. I’m having the best time! I am so sad to leave Greece because it’s so pretty, but I can’t wait to see y’all!
Parker: Hello! I am having the best time! Thank you sooooo much. I miss y’all so much & can’t wait to see you. We just got to Corfu and it’s so awesome. I love you Mom, Dad, & Lew. Have the best 4OJ! Shoutout Aubrey miss you boo. Shoutout my whole Mclester/Woody fam.
Rosemary: Hi Mom & Dad! Thank you so much for sending me on this trip! I am so grateful and I’ve had the best few weeks ever!! Love you!
Caroline Wright: hi mom and dad! This trip has been the best so far! Thank you so, so much for letting me have this opportunity. So grateful! Love y’all and miss y’all so much!
Kaitlyn: hi everyone, I miss y’all so much! I’m having a lot of fun and am super sad to leave here but also happy to see y’all! Greece is amazing!! Love y’all and see ya soon! ❤️ I hope y’all have a fun 4th of July… I’m sad, tell keegs I miss her!
Haley: Hello everyone!! I miss you bunches but don’t want to leave. Thank you for letting me come on this trip. I’m so grateful. Hope you’ve had fun in Knox! I love you all ❤️
Lauren: hi y’all!! We’re in Greece & I am sooo happy! I’m so beyond grateful for the opportunity to do something like this ❤️ I love and miss everyone so so so much and I hope y’all are having your own fun and the best 4OJ! I’m having so much fun and really miss y’all!! Love, lola 🙂
Haddy: Dear fam, first I would like to clarify that I said Liam, not fam, in the last shoutout. And now I just want to say thank you for sending me on this absolutely phenomenal trip & don’t worry I will have many stories to share! I can’t wait to see y’all! ❤️-Haddy ONE LOVE!
Anne Hardy: Mom + Dad, I cannot thank y’all enough for always providing everything I’ve ever needed to chase my dreams. Specifically this trip. Once again, Moondance has changed my life in so many ways, and I cannot thank you even a smidge of how much I owe to y’all for sending me on this trip. Love y’all and see you soon!!
Blythe: Hi! Happy 4th (written on 4OJ) Tell Hampy I said Happy Birthday! I miss y’all so much and can’t wait to see y’all in Greece! Please bring my running shoes & Hamps! The big hike we did was hard, but I made it to the top and got lit photos! Albania (Theth) was fun and magical! We are finally in Greece! Anyway, see y’all soon!
Caroline Lowe: hi mom & dad! I am having the best time! thank you soo much for sending me on this trip! I am so grateful! I cannot wait to see y’all soon! Love you all! ❤️
Bye Bye Bosnia! Albania Here We Come!
June 28, 2026
Hey!! We are so excited to check in with y’all from our latest stop, Albania! Your girls make a truly incredible group, and we’ve already had heaps of fun together. Let’s play catch up and fill you in on everything we’ve been up to!
Airport day was a great combination of easy and fun. Despite the long journey over here, the girls showed up with high energy and excitement. We wasted no time packing into the van and leaving Croatia to get to our first home, Bosnia! Border crossings went smoothly; Lucy, Ann Hardy, Haddy, and Rosemary were especially happy to get their passports stamped! After an epic scenic route, we arrived at our favorite first campsite nestled around friendly green mountains, sitting just above the Tara River. The water running through the canyon looks just like glacier freeze Gatorade. Between the countless butterflies fluttering through the sky and rescued puppies running around the grass, the place looks like a scene out of Fairytopia. After unpacking into our Lincoln Log cabins, accurately named by Lexi, we circled up and began with a name game- having two Caroline’s in a group means one less name to learn! Margaret and Mary Claire continued the game trend, leading the girls in Where a Cold Wind Blows, Birdie on a Perch, and Shake and Pop. There wouldn’t be a Moondance game without a veggie-off, a creative duel between the last two standing competitors, Kaitlyn and Lexi! After an amazing family style dinner with a quintessential red and white checkered table cloth, we circled up for Oreos and our very first Moonup! Moonup is the most important part of our days; it’s a safe space for creative fun, reflection, appreciation, and insightful conversation guided by our LOD’s (Leaders of the Day). By the time the sun disappeared, we were off to bed, excited for all our adventures to come.
We woke up the next day to a picturesque blue sky and a fun agenda: rafting! After sipping mint tea and devouring the best Bosnian bread with an assortment of jams, charcuterie-style meats, and eggs, we got fitted into our gnarly wetsuits, helmets, life-jackets, and water shoes. It’s safe to say we looked really cool and were ready to carpe diem, as LOD Lexi would say! While we were getting ready, a golden puppy appeared on the property…The incredible lady who runs the lodge has a heart for animals and has turned it into a sanctuary for those needing a new home. When she brought the little pup over to us in her arms, the girls were elated. We had the sweet chance to name him Hayes in honor of the legendary Moondance founder and our daily inspiration, Hayes Hitchens. After that magical moment, we were ready to see what the rest of the day would hold. The rapids were a perfect balance between thrill and chill. Mary Claire shared her hand of riddles, but they were no match for Parker. When the opportunity came to jump into the water, Rosemary was first in line, with Lauren just behind her! After a successful day on the water, we headed back to camp for a nap before gathering together for a game. If you’ve never played Three People on a Couch before, you should look into it. Three people are called up to tell a story; the story is true about one of the storytellers, but the crowd doesn’t know which one. The premise of the game is to improvise and come up with a story believable enough that no one knows who is telling the truth. Caroline W. successfully managed to convince the group that she rescued a pigeon from the water and kept it as a pet for a month, when in fact it was Blythe! After dinner, we circled up for our first student-run Moonup led by LOD’s Anne Hardy and Lexi. Anne Hardy started us off with two incredible quotes about growth and the power of now. After a silly question about superpowers with a caveat, Lexi challenged us to share a new perspective we had all gained from the past year. Getting to laugh together and learn from one another was the best way to end the night.
Our second day of activities was certainly one to be remembered! We began our day by singing happy birthday to LUCY!!! A Bosnian birthday was surely a first for all of us, and what better way to spend it than doing a beautiful hike with 13 new best friends! After a fueling breakfast, we were ready to hop in the vans and head to the trailhead. The van ride proved to be a bit long and bumpy, so we passed the time with lots of music and inspirational talks. Haddy was asking one car about their favorite movies!. Our car rides have given us ample time to get to know each other and mentally prepare for the activities ahead. Once we cleared the windy road that took us up the mountain, we had beautiful views of the valley below, and we began our hike to a magical heart-shaped lake. The sun was shining, vibes were up, we had amazing sandwiches and sodas packed up for lunch, and we were off! With LODs Lucy and Parker in the front and back of the pack, respectively, we had the perfect lineup for games, conversations, and words of encouragement. I especially enjoyed our rounds of two truths and a lie, where Blythe had us stumped by what truly has happened in her life! With plenty of conversations going, the hike zoomed by, and we were soon arriving at the jaw-dropping lake that sits between stunning snow decorated peaks. We plopped down, ready to dig into our sandwiches! Lucy dug into her coke, filling us in on stories from birthdays past. After some time, we decided to dip our toes in the water, and were shocked when little fish started nibbling on our feet! Hike turned spa day! After some well earned R+R, it was time to begin our hike back. Caroline L. kept us entertained with stories from school and friends, and even noted how shocked she was by how naturally opening up to everyone has come. We couldn’t agree more! This group has such a harmony to it and we feel lucky to be a part of the magic. Towards the end of our van ride back, we stopped for ice cream to celebrate everyone’s success on the hike! Hard work and perseverance had paid off, and it was time to reap the rewards by ransacking the gas station for snacks and candy! Although we were stuffed and happy from our snacks, it was time for dinner again, which culminated in everyone singing one last Happy Birthday to Lucy with an amazing layered cake brought out. What a perfect ending to a challenging day. Just when we thought the day couldn’t get any better, we learned we would be able to sleep in the following morning!
The following day included another rafting trip! After sleeping in and having a slow breakfast in our pjs, we moved on to some yoga led by our amazing outfitter Tena. We were feeling very at peace, with some of us fighting the urge to fall asleep, shoutout to Kaitlyn. To get our energy back up, we began some games such as Ships and Sailors and then guided journaling. We did it all this morning! Following this diverse morning of rest and rejuvenation, we had some free time leading up to lunch and then rafting. Lauren chose to spend her time trying to coax our new friend Hayes the dog out from under a car, but alas he was not feeling social at that point. Luckily, every other cat and dog on the property had seemed to take a liking to our group, much to Haddy’s dismay! After scarfing down our lunch, we were ready to hit the river once again, sadly for the last time! We switched up the boat groups, and Margaret’s group was surprised to learn that we had one more person than paddles, so we could take breaks! This was perfect, as different people took turns sitting in the princess seat, sharing stories to pass the time. Rosemary and Kaitlyn had us all cracking up with their tales. Haley also continuously had us laughing with her silly spirit. The time in the raft flew by, and before we knew it, our lodge was in sight. We hung up our wet suits for one last time, sad to think about leaving Bosnia the next day. It was an amazing place, filled with bonding and unreal memories, such as Amy, the dog that only walks on its front two legs… Our last dinner was just what the doctor ordered…burgers and chips! Who knew they had ketchup out here this whole time!?! Caroline L. surprised herself with how much she enjoyed their rendition of burgers. Cheers to trying new things! Evening finished up with another amazing and thought provoking Moonup led by LODs Haley and Blythe, where we played an intriguing game where you got to ask the person next to you a Would You Rather question. To give you a sneak peek into the creativity at play, Ann Hardy was asked to choose if she would rather travel to the moon and ride a tricycle around it like the man on the moon fishing, or if she would rather become a giant and stomp around the mountains circling our campsite. She chose the former, and it just makes sense! With Moonup, and Bosnia, wrapped up, and our new LODs Caroline W. and Rosemary elected, we headed to bed for one final sleep before heading to Albania!
Today we woke up extra bright and early to cross some borders. We had a nice long road trip, family style…aka all of our bags rolling around the aisles, snacks galore being passed around, and music blasting every step of the way. We got to drive on one of the most scenic roads in Europe as we entered Montenegro, and then we kept trucking on towards Theth. We had a rather productive grocery run where everyone stocked up on their favorite treats, and then we pushed through the final stretch toward the marvelous mountain that we descended down from into Theth. The views are unlike anything you have ever seen before! Hard to believe that we will be hiking in those very mountains the following day!
That’s all for now! TTYL 🩵
Margaret and Mary Claire
And now a word from the girls!!
Caroline W: Hi Mom and Dad! This trip has been so, so amazing, and I’ve met the best friends. Thank y’all so much, and can’t wait to see y’all soon!
Haley: Hi parents and loyal circle!! I miss y’all soo much. Can’t wait to be home. The mountains here are crazy and I’m excited for Greece. I love everyone and can’t wait to tell you about it ❤️
Kaitlyn: Hi family! I miss y’all tons! I’m having a super fun time here! The hikes are insane but I’m excited for Greece. I love y’all so much!! Also can mom please book me a massage. XOXO
Lexi: Hey friends and family! I miss you all so much and I can’t wait to reconnect! This trip has been transformational and I’m hype to share this experience with all you that I love! Miss you everyday ❤️
Rosemary: Hi! I miss everyone so so much and I hope y’all are having fun on your trip! I’m having so much fun and seeing amazing things! Make sure to tell Joseph to do my Duolingo and go see Mira! Pet Annie and Casey for me ❤️ Love you and see you soon❤️ P.S. Upgrade for my b-day?
Caroline L: Hi everyone! I miss y’all so much but I’m having the best time! It’s so pretty here. HBD daddy have the bestest day. Don’t forget about my tiktok🙂 anyways I love y’all and miss you lots! Thank you and see you soon! P.S. Upgrade me please ❤️❤️
Parker: Mom, Dad, Lew! I love and miss y’all soooo much. Thank you so much for this opportunity I’m having such a fun time. I can’t wait to tell y’all all about it! Have the best Fourth of July in Maine! Snuggle Cash and Maeby for me. I love y’all! Shoutout Aubrey my twin 4L. Meow
Haddy: Hey Mom, Dad, fam, and Jackson! I am having an amazing time with the best people! I have hiked, swam, rafted, and laughed a lot! I hope all things are going smoothly (even without the fav child)! Jackson, have the best bday and buy a lottery ticket aye! I love all of y’all and miss you guys dearly! MWAH! XOXO, Haddy
Lucy: Hi everyone! I miss y’all so much, but I’m having the best time! Bosnia was so fun and Montenegro was so pretty. I had the best 18th birthday ever, but I missed all of y’all so much! We have our biggest hike tomorrow- I’m scared but excited. I hope Stella is getting lots of love, and I can’t wait to see y’all soon. Thank you for sending me on the trip. Love y’all so much.❤️❤️
Blythe Brooker: Hi everyone! AMG+B is so fun! Bosnia rafting was fun! I can’t wait for Greece with Moondance and y’all! We are hiking tomorrow and I’m lowkey scared. Can’t wait to see y’all ❤️P.S. pack my makeup, degree deo, babe lash, and cute sandals! Love y’all! Also tell Hampy I say hi 😉
Ann Hardy: Mom and Dad, Hiii! I miss y’all so very much and cannot wait to see y’all and tell you all about this beautiful place. Tell Mae I love her and give her a big hug for me. Nolan, I miss you so much! I hope you’ve had a good week and continue to. Just know I’m thinking about you all the time & miss you & love you! Lulu, I am already picking out what to tell you and show you. Thanks for putting me on 🙂 I love all of you so much but am having so much fun! Don’t miss me too much lol.
Lauren: Hi fam!! I love and miss y’all so so much and can’t wait to see and hug y’all. It’s beautiful here but I can’t wait for Greece. The pics are gonna be fireee. We have a huge hike tomorrow Can’t wait to tell you all about it! Have the best 4OJ! Tell dragons I miss them! Wait also we went to Bosnia…? It was lit tho. I LOVE my group and this place is lowkey changing my life already. Anyways love you baiiii P.S. we need a spa day after this mom ❤️❤️❤️
Safe Arrival!
June 24, 2026
Hello AMG Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has landed safely! The trip is off to a great start, and we cannot wait to hear more stories from their adventure! Please remember our leaders and students will be unplugged during their trips, but we will be posting trip updates throughout the next week! This will allow you to follow along with the trip. You can also follow us on Instagram, @moondanceadventures, to see more of what we are up to!
-Moondance HQ
