Will Sargeant, 22, just graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where he studied Environmental Science and specialized in Quantitative Energy Systems. During his time in college, "Sarge" worked as a senior counselor and climbing staff member at the YMCA Camp Cheerio for four summers. He also has spent time working as a research analyst and research assistant. We are thrilled to have Will work as a leader on both our Olympics and British Columbia trips this summer!
Lucy Hughes Parrish, 23, grew up in the small town known as Carrollton, Georgia before heading to Athens to pursue a degree in Fashion Merchandising. As a recent graduate from the University of Georgia, Lucy Hughes is headed to the Big Apple to pursue a career as a Buyer’s Assistant for Ross the department store. Lucy Hughes’s favorite thing about the fashion realm is the creativity that comes along with it. Lucy Hughes truly believes through fashion, art, or overall creativity one has the opportunity to express themselves truly in all regards. Lucy Hughes is so excited to instill this sentiment in her students this summer: expressing oneself in their truest form. Lucy Hughes felt that this sentiment was shared on her Chamonix trip as a student and can’t wait to create this type of environment once more through the trip leader position! We are so excited to have Lucy Hughes on board this summer!
July 11, 2022
Good morning from the San Juan islands!
We have had an exciting couple of days exploring the San Juan islands by both land and sea (sea being way more fun).We took the ferry on July 5th from Anacortes to Friday Harbor, where we arrived later that afternoon and enjoyed a town day! Maya got an awesome new Star Wars T-shirt, Liam got a frisbee, and the entire group got a well-deserved ice cream treat. We then woke up early on Wednesday the 6th to meet up with San Juan Outfitters & begin our overnight sea kayaking adventure. Lu hu got everyone excited seeing as kayaking was her favorite activity last session, and we set off into the great blue water. Everyone was a champion kayaker, especially Brooks and Anna who led the pack the whole way to the island. We stopped a couple of times along the way for a snack and water before we got to our big channel crossing. We tightened our spray skirts and got into sandwich formation with Gia and Mary Sellers volunteering to be the mustard. Though we had a couple of pickles fall out along the way, and lots of giggles thanks to Flynn’s ability to keep all members of team BCO 2C laughing, we eventually made it across the channel and were greeted by a pod of porpoise and a massive sea lion. After a great paddle, we eventually landed on our island and set up lunch and camp. The spirits of the group were high, and everyone was proud of a sea kayaking job well done. Sophie even managed to kayak without injury, but as soon as we set up for lunch she immediately spilled ketchup and mustard on her new Friday harbor merch. We had a pretty relaxed afternoon full of laughter and games. Charlie and Peter took to the shoreline to practice their rock skipping skills as Eli tossed the frisbee with everyone. Later that night we had dinner and made s’mores with our new friends from San Juan outfitters, Paul, and Johnny, and as always we as leaders were impressed by Chandler’s contagious expression of thankfulness for the meal and sweet treat. As leaders, we cannot thank all the parents at home enough for letting us take part in your kid’s exciting Canadian adventures. The opportunity to play a small role in your children’s life stories is not one we take lightly, and the growth had by every member of the BCO 2C team was nothing short of inspiring to watch.
We cannot wait to remain a part of your kids’ lives well after our time spent together, and to hear about all the incredible experiences life has waiting for them.
With sincere gratitude,
Will Sargeant and Lucy Hughes Parrish
July 3, 2022
Hi all,
We are currently in the midst of our Canadian adventure, and wanted to give you an update on all things happening in the land of maple syrup.
We arrived in Tofino on the evening of the 29th, eager to hit the beach. After a good nights rest we grabbed our wet suits and surf boards and headed for beach. After some introduction to the basics of surfing we decided to test our skills in the water. With her prior experience handy Gia showed everyone how it was done. After a couple valiant attempts Charlie, and Peter were surfing like pros. After a brief intermission for lunch we headed to the bay for some paddle boarding. Mary Sellers and Sophie popped right up on their paddle boards as the rest of the group took a couple minutes to get their sea legs. We paddled out to some offshore rocks to enjoy some time in the kelp forest before a couple races.
Later that night we started up some group games on the beach, with capture the flag being the highlight. Lu Hu and Sarg reffed while Liam stole the show with his stealth like abilities to steal the opposing teams flag.
The next day we threw on our wetsuits on once more and hit the beach with our surfboards. Everyone was standing up on their boards with ease. Eli and Flynn were even doing some sick tricks on the board, and our friends at pacific surf school were more than impressed with our groups abilities.
After surfing, we made a picnic lunch before heading to paddle boarding with swell Tofino. Maya, Anna and chandler seemed to “falloff” the second they got on their paddle boards, constantly jumping into the ocean with smiles as wide as the horizon, as if they were breaching orca whales themselves.
Here are updates from your Canadian travelers themselves!
Anna : Hi! I am having so much fun in British Columbia! We have been doing so many fun activities and Lucy and Sarge are so sweet and fun. Miss y’all!
Chandler: Hi mom dad and Maddie I’m having so much fun in BC! We did so many fun activities I did almost die in rock climbing but I’m still having so much fun love you guys see you soon!
Maya: I’m having the time of my life and I’m sos
sad for the trip to be over, but I’m really excited to see you 🙂 also can you please put some money on my card since I had to spend most of it on new cloths
Goggin: Hey mom and dad, giving y’all a mid trip check in to tell you guys I’m having the best time in BC and I can’t what to see you guys and sleep in a bed. The views and experiences are life changing and wish you could be here with me to breath in the fresh air. Carpe Diem. I am seizing the day.
Brooks: Hello Mother and Father I am having a lot of fun can’t wait to see you in Atlanta
Peter: Hi Mom and Dad! I am having so much fun at camp and can’t wait to see you at home and celebrate my birthday. Tell Maisie, Fiona, and William I say hi.
Eli: hi guys I really miss you and can’t wait to see you, hopefully Ava is having a fun time being the leader and the camp. See you guys in a week love you.
Flynn: Hi mom and dad I miss you guys so much! I’m having a wonderful time in British Columbia, everything is so beautiful here. I hope you had fun in Colorado with Andrew and Grant. Can’t wait to see you guys and the dogs!
Liam: Hi mom and dad I am having so much fun. I am very excited too see you and Lola I have so many stories too tell. So far I have rock climbed, surfed and paddle boarded we are on the way to white water rafting. Can’t wait too see you again.
Gia: Hi Mom and Dad I am having so much fun on this awesome experience. I can’t wait to see you guys and sleep in a bed.
Sophie: hey fam i miss y’all so much. I can’t wait to see y’all again. This trip is so fun! Repelling was the scariest thing ever and now my knuckles are bleeding but I’m ok! Also I stepped on a stake and cut my foot pretty badly but I’m having so much fun! Love y’all so much.
mary sellers-hey guys i miss y’all so much! i’m having sooo much fun! surfing was awesome. have an awesome time in norway jojo! tell mills ev and the dogs that I say hi! happy fourth! love y’all!
We are now headed to Squamish for another adventure, an overnight white water rafting trip! It is a rainy morning here in British Columbia, which will undoubtedly make our third activity that much more memorable. Thank you again to all of our cheerleaders at home for giving us the opportunity to have the experience of a lifetime! We will touch base again soon!
With love and sincere gratitude,
Will Sargent and Lucy Hughes Parrish
June 30, 2022
We have just finished our second day of rock climbing and rappelling at Commox lake, Canada! Between the serene views and Mary Sellers spider man like rock climbing abilities, you could say there was a bit of fun had by all members of the crew. Chandler and Maya conquered their fear of heights with just a touch of shrieking while repelling the Devil’s ladder, & a huge smile full of pride when their feet hit the ground. Charlie has been nothing but short on jokes all trip, and throughout rock climbing, he took on the role of BCO 2C stand-up comedian. Whether he was in the air or cheering on another, the consistent one liner jokes kept all the members of the group laughing, including us leaders. We are now on the way to beautiful Tofino, belting the song Starships (per Eli’s request), where we cannot wait to transform from mountain men and women to surfer dudes and dudettes.
The adventurers of BCO 2C have begun to be quite the lovers of group games, with hacky sack becoming the favorite campsite activity for Peter & Brooks. Every evening at Cumberland Lake Park, Will has taken some brave members of the group to the beach below our camp, where they never fail to come out of the chilly water with radiating smiles and chattering teeth. As leaders, we love the excitement that our group has for a cool crew, and we are discovering we have some future Michelin star chefs on our hands. Gia never ceases to ask how she can help cook and clean, and Anna helped LuHu last night make a post rock-climbing charcuterie board that “slapped.”
Another big highlight of the trip has been the ferry ride from Tsawwassen to the town of Nanaimo on day 2 of our 14-day Canadian adventure. As leaders, it brought smiles to our faces to watch as conversations shifted from personal introductions to the beginning of friendships that Moondance gives the foundation to last a lifetime.
We already have so much love for our 12 travelers and cannot wait to see what the rest of our Canadian journey will bring. Between Liam’s giving spirit, and Sophie and Flynn’s smiles that are nothing short of contagious, you could say we feel pretty lucky as leaders to become a part of each of our kid’s lives.
We cannot thank our cheerleaders at home enough for allowing us to live outside of our comfort zone, we cannot wait to continue surprising ourselves with what we are capable of each and every day.
Everyone sends their love and sincere gratitude to our friends and family at home. We are about to get busy with some Canadian water sports, talk soon,
Sincerely,
Will Sargent and Lucy Hughes Parrish
June 26, 2022
Hello British Columbia Families!
We just heard from our leaders that the group has landed safely in Seattle. The trip is off to a great start and headed to their first campsite, and we cannot wait to hear more stories from their adventures.
Please remember our leaders and students will be unplugged during their trips but we will be posting up to three trip updates throughout the next couple of weeks! This will allow you to follow along with the trip and the students will also give a special shout out mid-way through! You can also follow us on Instagram, @moondanceadventures, to see more of what we are up to this summer!
-Moondance HQ
