Last Moments Together!
July 11, 2022
Aloha families!
For our tenth afternoon, we headed over to Maui Prep to play in the Olympics after much planning and preparation! Every student had spent the past 2 weeks preparing to win a certain sport, and with all of us combined we were ready to take home the gold!
Henry and Spencer King’s Spikeball team won every single game they played, and Lee and Jack helped carry the Spikeball name. With lots of hard spikes and trick shots, these boys were able to have an almost perfect record! Cam, Clara, and Spencer Thorne perfected their egg toss skills, and while the boys played Spikeball these three were making sure to crack no eggs. Cassie and Quinn were incredible soccer players, and their passing skills allowed us to have a swift victory! Margaret, Sara, and Mary C held it down as soccer substitution players, and when it was time for them to play, they came onto the field with great enthusiasm!
For our eleventh morning, we headed over to stand up paddle boarding with Aloha Outfitters for some great fun! Henry and Spencer King took lots and lots of GoPro videos and vlogs to look back on some great memories, and the girls embarked on lots of tanning. The group was absolutely shocked by how many turtles they saw that they decided to start naming them!
For our last full day of Moondance, we headed over to Kihei for the group’s favorite activity thus far — Redline Rafting! We hopped in the bright red boat and sailed out to Molokini, the untouched marine reserve that Maui boasts as some of the most jaw-dropping snorkeling in the world. Margaret, Cassie, and Sara took some excellent underwater photos, while Quinn and Mary C swam with a floatie to soak up the sun! Jack showed off some excellent swimming skills, as he could touch the sand with ease. At the end of our snorkel tour, a jumping dolphin found our group and we cheered as it spun in the air around our boat! What a sight for our last day!
After a great breakfast and lunch on the boat, we headed over to Safeway to buy some ingredients for Iron Chef! We were split up into 3 teams, which each leader as a team captain. Each group picked either appetizer, entree, or dessert, and we all started cooking to see who would win! In the end, Sky’s dessert team, with Jack, Henry, Quinn, and Cassie, took the win with their chocolate chip Oreo pancakes. MMGs team made some delicious French fries, but sadly dropped them on the floor before they could take the win. With smiles on our faces and full tummies, we continued our awesome, jam-packed day by heading over to Haleakala, Maui’s highest point, so that we could watch the sunset as a group. It was beautiful, and it was the best end to an incredible day.
On the morning of airport day, we headed over to Paia Fish Market to enjoy some local cuisine for our group’s banquet before heading to the airport. We laughed and shared jokes over lots of Mahi sandwiches and shrimp tacos, and we got lots of compliments on the silly banquet outfits we purchased the night before from Goodwill! Cassie, Sara, Margaret, and Mary C all purchased prom-like dresses, and they couldn’t stop giggling as they walked into the restaurant!
In the afternoon, we said goodbye to Sara, Cassie, and Clara as they headed home. The rest of our group had a flight delay and would end up staying another night, so we turned this into the best night possible! We went out for some delicious pizza in Paia before coming back to camp for one final Moonup and sleepover.
Mary C told us that she kept wishing for “just one more day” in Maui, and she was so happy that her wish came true!
Aloha nui loa,
Sky, MMG, and Griffin
Surf's Up Maui!
July 8, 2022
Happy (belated) Fourth of July!
For our eighth day of the trip, we headed over to Makena Landing Park for an excellent morning of sea kayaking with our guide Griff! He took us out to see some amazing sea turtles, fish, and coral. We even got some awesome pictures on the GoPro of our American Flags underwater. We spent the morning kayaking and snorkeling, and then we headed back to camp for some Spikeball and games before Fourth of July night fun. Griffin led us in an incredible game of “Zoo,” which has become our favorite game to play together! We can always count on Jack to pick an animal that makes us crack up. Quinn’s favorite animal to play has become the cow. Spencer King and Henry have both made it to the last round each time we play! For dinner, we went to Lahaina to watch the fireworks and eat some burgers and hotdogs. We absolutely loved the fireworks show! Lee, Cam, and Spencer Thorne took to playing some Spikeball, and Margaret, Sara, and Mary C took some beautiful photos of the sunset. Cassie inspired the girls to get a picture together, and then we snapped some pictures of the whole group having a ball! Clara and Sky jammed out on Sky’s ukulele to some great tunes. After the incredible fireworks show, we headed back to camp to rest for the next fun-filled day!
For our ninth morning, we headed over to Kalama State Park for surfing! Our guides were amazing, and we learned so much about our technique! One of the most impressive feats of the day was Cassie’s headstand on the board! For lunch, we came back to camp to cook before engaging in service work in the afternoon. Evan, the owner of Pono Grown Farms, tasked us with mulching his plants, work that was rewarded with a trip down the slip-n-slide and in his pond! We even had surprise Ice Pops to cool us off on the sunny day. For dinner, we had delicious chicken Caesar wraps, and we ended the day with a beautiful Moonup under the stars.
For our tenth morning, our leaders of the day Sara and Spencer Thorne prepared bagels, apples, sun butter, and bananas before another great morning of surfing. Lee and Cam prepared for tonight’s Olympics with an early morning Spikeball game, and Spencer King gave us some motivation to get into game mode before the exciting night. We then headed over to surfing for another great day of shredding the waves! We have been busy here on the island but know we are having an absolute blast. We cannot wait to share every story, picture and joke with you so soon.
Aloha nui loa,
Sky, MMG, and Griffin
From the kiddos:
Spencer King- Thank you Mom and Dad for supporting me and sending me on this trip! Thanks Moondance for the trip of a lifetime, and thanks counselors for being awesome!
Spencer Thorne- Thanks Mom and Dad for sending me on this trip! I love you!
Sara- Thanks Mom and Dad for sending me here! I miss y’all so much. Can’t wait to see you so soon!
Clara- Thanks Mom and Dad for sending me here!
Cam- Thanks Mom and Dad for sending me to Maui! Love you guys so much Can’t wait to see you!
Mary C- Thanks Mom and Dad for sending me on this trip! I love you!
Margaret- Thanks Mom and Dad for sending me here! I love and miss you.
Henry- Thanks Mom and Dad for sending me here! And thanks Moondance and my counselors for the best trip!
Jack- Thanks Papabear and Jinjen for sending me on this trip! And thank you Mom and Dad! Love you all.
Lee- Thanks Mom and Dad for sending me on this amazing trip!
Cassie- Thank you Mom and Dad for sending me here! I miss you and will see you soon!
Quinn- Thanks Mom and Dad for allowing me to have this once in a lifetime opportunity!
Making Memories in Maui!
July 5, 2022
Aloha from Maui B!
For our sixth day, we headed over to Wailea Beach to try out the traditional Hawaiian sport of canoeing! We split up into three outrigger canoes and set sail for the gorgeous reefs to spit turtles, sharks, and fish. The canoe with Margaret, Mary C, Clara, Sara, and Quinn took to singing some songs, the guides even joined in for their rendition of Olivia Rodrigo. Margaret and Quinn also took a moment to lay down and soak up the rays above the gorgeous water. The canoe with MMG, Griffin, Spencer Thorne, Jack, and Lee had a splash battle! While the casualties included wet clothing and hair, a smile beamed from each face. At the end, we had a race, and Spencer King, Henry, Sky, Cassie, and Cam won! They cheered loudly as they paddled into shore, and even had a winners-only photo taken – bragging rights included. Because Wailea Beach is such a gorgeous sight in Maui, we decided to stay into the afternoon to swim and check out the sea. For lunch, we headed back to camp for some delicious pasta and ramen, and we hopped back in the car to go practice our soccer moves. We ended the day with a Moonup about gratitude, and finished our day with smiles on our faces.
For our seventh morning, we got up early and enjoyed a delicious breakfast of eggs, sausage and toast cooked by Spencer Thorne and Clara. Before a quick round of cards, we headed out in the van to a local restorative forest for community service. The group split into teams of four to cut down invasive trees, using an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. Jack led the way with the sheers, while Henry and Margaret perfected their planting abilities. Clara and Quinn worked together to clear the thickest roots, getting their hands dirty and mastering techniques with the shrub saws. After clearing the main road, we went back to refill our water and learn about the center’s composting methods. Our volunteer manager showed us her 3,000 worms and composting area, which has produced three inches of rich soil just in the last few weeks. The group loved working hard while also learning about conservation in Maui.
We then left to eat lunch and play a few rounds of pickup basketball. Spencer King and Henry took turns as point guard, and Jack continued to nail three-point shots. Clara, Sarah and Mary C took their sandwiches out to the grass and played Spikeball after lunch. We then went straight to our favorite beach yet: Cliff house. We hiked for 15 minutes across trails and behind cliffs before the beautiful beach cove was exposed. Everyone stopped for a few minutes to take in the view and then we headed down to the water. Lee, Clara and Griffin body surfed for almost an hour, while Cassie took out her book and Cam journaled. Time flew while we sat and talked, took beach walks, and played more Spikeball. As the afternoon went on, we decided to surprise the group with ice cream and head back to camp.
After a long day, Spencer and Clara cooked up a delicious Greek style buffet. We enjoyed chicken and veggie pitas with all the toppings and sauces. We ended our day with a hilarious game of “Zoo,” with Spencer King taking the win with his impression of a mermaid.
Aloha nui loa,
Sky, MMG, and Griffin
Windsurfing Galore!
July 1, 2022
Aloha!
For our fourth day, we headed out to Kanaha Beach Park for a great morning of windsurfing! Sara was an absolute natural, and she was the first to ride the waves. Jack and Mary C spent lots of time surfing laps along the jetty, and soon they could do tricks spinning their sails. Lee and Spencer Thorne spent lots of time perfecting their craft, and by the end they could stay on the board the longest. Quinn had an innate skill for windsurfing, and she was able to take some GoPro footage while on the board! Margaret spent lots of time practicing her “jive,” and by the end she was an expert at downwind turns. Clara spent some time practicing with her power hand and control hand, and she soon had the best technique of the group! Griffin and MMG raced out to sea, perfecting their switchbacks. They sailed so far out that they were able to give a quick wave over to Garrett and Mary App on the Hawaiian Islands! The guides said this was the most impressive windsurfing they’d ever seen.
After a great morning on the water, we headed back to camp to cook up some quesadillas for lunch. Cam and Sara helped flip the ‘dilas on the griddle. The kids told us it was “better than Moe’s”— the best compliment!
For the rest of the day, we headed to Kaanapali Beach to continue our ongoing spikeball tournament. While Spencer King and Henry have held up the lead in our spikeball bracket, Cassie and Quinn have won the title for “Most Improved.” Sara and Margaret have held their own with their spikeball skills, and Lee and Jack might soon take over! Sky and Clara attempted to face off with the professionals but realized they might need to play a few more games before they stand a chance against the best!
After a fun-filled day with lots of smiles, we headed back to camp for a delicious burger dinner. Cam and Sara, our leaders of the day, were a great help in cooking our dinner! Some of us even got fancy and put some eggs and sautéed onion on our burgers! Cam and Sara led an amazing Moonup, and we all got into bed, excited for another wonderful day.
For our fifth day, we woke up and had some delicious waffles and bagels in preparation for an athletic morning. We took to a local park to practice our spikeball and soccer in preparation for the Olympics, where all the Maui groups face off in various sports. We are dedicated to winning and have made sure to let the other groups know that we are the best!
In the afternoon, we headed over to Atlantis Submarines to check out all of the sea animals! We shared lots of laughs pointing out sharks, fish, and even a sunken ship! This was our favorite day by far! With smiles on our faces, we sat down for Moonup and shared the highlights of yet another incredible day!
Signed with great new tans and big smiling faces,
Sky, MMG, and Griffin
Clara- Hey Mom and Dad! Love y’all. See y’all soon!
Spencer Thorne- Hey y’all! Love and miss you so much.
Spencer King- Hey y’all! I’m having a great time and I’ll see you soon.
Henry- Hey everyone! I’m loving Maui, and I miss you so much.
Mary C- Hey y’all! Im having a great time and I love you so much.
Margaret- I’m having the best time! I love and miss y’all so much.
Cam- Miss you guys! Love you and can’t wait to see you.
Quinn- I miss y’all! Please buy the lemon yogurts for when I get home. Love you!
Cassie- I miss Bella! Can’t wait to see y’all. Missing you all so much. Grateful for you, Mom and Dad.
Sara- I miss y’all so much! I’m having a lot of fun in Maui. Can’t wait to see you.
Lee- Hey Guys! I am having so much fun in Maui, and I miss you guys a lot. Love you!
Jack- I miss and love y’all so much. Can’t wait to see you.
Aloha Friends and Family!
June 29, 2022
Aloha friends and families!
After a long day of travel, all our campers landed safely in Maui! As soon as we got our last camper, we headed to the beach to enjoy the waves and get a sneak peek for the beautiful two weeks ahead. Lee and Jack spent some time bodysurfing, while Margaret and Sara attempted some handstands in the water, with great success!
Once we finished floating in the water and soaking up the sun, we headed back camp with some pizza for dinner! In the car ride, Henry entertained us with some incredible card tricks, and we all watched with amazement in our eyes. Spencer King was so inspired by our group hanging and laughing together at the dinner table that he took his first of many disposable pictures of us!
We finished the night with a great first Moonup and the announcement of our first leaders of the day, Spencer King and Margaret!
For our first full day of activities, we headed to the Maui Garden of Eden for a canyon rappel. Clara got the van dancing with some amazing music recommendations.
Once we arrived, we walked up to our first rappel to practice our skills. Jack learned to recover after slipping, and he gained the confidence to do the harder rappelling! Henry and Cam came racing down the practice rappel course, and we had lots of faith that they would continue to succeed. Sara overcame her fears of the waterfall rappel, and Clara and Quinn loved the waterfall so much that they raced to the bottom to swim! Spencer Thorne absolutely loved the swimming, and he inspired the rest of the group to lay on the rocks.
After our rappelling activity, we happily welcomed Cassie to our group! We were so excited to see her after her travels, and to properly welcome her we took to the beach for a dip and Moonup under the stars. Margaret and Spencer King led us through an amazing Moonup, and then we headed home for some well-deserved rest.
For our third day, we had a delicious egg and sausage breakfast made by our Leaders of the Day, Jack and Mary C. After some fruit and toast, we hopped in the car and headed to Makena Landing for some great snorkeling. Lee, Jack, and Henry enjoyed some body surfing in the waves while Quinn, Sara, Clara, and Cassie played 20 questions! Mary C, Spencer King, Spencer Thorne, and Margaret took some turns taking pictures on the GoPro.
For lunch, we spread out on the beach and had a picnic, while Quinn, Clara, Sara, and Cassie showed the rest of the group how to play 20 questions. We had lots of belly laughs as the group tried to guess each character!
In the afternoon, we headed up Haleakala Mountain to our zip lining activity! With lots of shrieks of joy, our group all successfully made it to the bottom, and we enjoyed a beautiful drive home to go make some delicious dinner.
Mahalo for a great first few days!
Sky, MMG, and Griffin 🙂
Arrived in Maui!
June 28, 2022
Hello Maui Families!
We heard from our leaders last night that the group has landed safely in Maui, minus one student who will be joining the group today! 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 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
