Final Update from British Columbia!
July 7, 2024
“The perfect mind employs itself as a mirror, it grasps nothing and refuses nothing. It receives but does not keep. To have no hang up, that is to say to be able to drift like a cloud and flow like water. Seeing that all life is a magnificent illusion. A playing of energy. And there is absolutely nothing fundamentally to be afraid of…” – AW
Family and friends,
I write this final trip update to you with a sad, but full heart. We just dropped off all of your wonderful children and we already feel their absence. Although we feel this absence deeply, we know that it is just love in a heavy coat. These past two weeks have flown by but our souls are filled with love and fullness. Our group in a short span of time went from complete strangers to family. It is truly special to be a part of a group that connects so deeply. These past three days have been full of adventure, connection, and love.
Last we left off, we had just finished up climbing in Cumberland. After our unforgettable time at comox valley, the gang headed to the most magical destination of all; Tofino. Blue skies, sun rays and waves crashing as we fell asleep, Tofino couldn’t have been a more perfect destination to end our journey. We were taken aback by the beauty inside this town the second we arrived and we knew we had to soak up every moment. As we fell into our deep sleep that first night, us leaders realized many of our kiddos had no idea the following day was the 4th of July! We woke them with America swag, little did we know Claire came prepared with more to share. She won the most spirited award for sure. After a delicious pancake breakfast and USA tunes, Henry H and Harrision showed us to the way to the waves. They were practically drawn to them. Even our newest surfers, Anneliese and Ellen, performed like Olympic surfers after that first session. We were blown away by their determination and success riding the Tofino waves all the way to shore. We continued to celebrate the holiday that night with a beautiful beach fire, led by Hibbs of course! But this was not just any fire, this fire bled many colors; greens, pinks, blues. It was mesmorizing. We stayed up by the fire listening to Frankie play guitar as Hazel and Shay fascinated over the plethora of shooting stars. We stared at the Milky Way until our eyes fell heavy and went to sleep.
The next morning we headed back out to the swell. Henry C and Graeme were determined to get back on those waves. We actually had to drag them out of the water as the insistences “just one more wave” for the fifth time. Us leaders were blown away as we saw Hazel, Claire and Anneliese riding the same wave all the way to shore. Talk about a party wave. In similar fashion, Harrison went out past the break and road one all the way home right next to Frankie! It was quite a show. After a relaxing lunch on the beach, we were rejuvenated by our stand up paddle boarding session. We headed straight for a kelp forest where Albert collected moon jellies galore. Hibbs discovered a big crab that shared his paddle board for a little while. Mary Walton defended her name as the chicken champion as she fended off Ellen and Hazel from her board. There were fierce battles out there on the water, all out of love <3 Sad to depart, we said our salty goodbyes to Tofino and headed back towards home. We left proud of what we accomplished on the water with grand memories in mind.
We soaked up the sun on the ferry and painted our nails for a fancy banquet dinner at Emerald city Fish n Chips. It only made sense to try some fish and chips while in Seattle. The kids loved it so much they ate every last crumb. From there we treated the group to ice cream and played games at the park placed perfectly by the water. It felt special to sit and soak in the remaining hours we had together. We didn’t want to waste a second. Moon up was a huge reflection of our trip. It was about the memories we made and the skills and lessons we would take home with us. Everyone glowed with growth. We really did become a family. We spent every last second together leading up to each kid waving goodbye as they lined up in security. We’d remember this trip for a long time.
Something about Moondance always leaves you wanting more. It’s a taste that never satisfies. An itch that you can’t quite scratch away. If we could do it forever we would. Without a thought we would. We also understand that it wouldn’t be the same if it was a constant in our lives. We understand that because it is fleeting and because it in fact has an end. It is more beautiful. It’s very nature, forces you to feel everything and to hold on to nothing. It allows you to inhabit a space that gives you permission to be yourself. To be a part of everything that is around. To be a true citizen of the moment. That is why we do what we do. For the people around us. For the environment that we find ourselves in. For the moment. Most importantly it teaches us to be grateful. Grateful for it all. Grateful to be a part of the great unfolding, and to do it together. This group has become one. We are a unit. A team. A family. We thank you all from the bottom of our heart and cannot wait to see you all soon. One last time, we send our love and gratitude. Be well.
BIG LOVE,
Frankie + Kate + Sophie
Update from British Columbia!
July 4, 2024
“Nature loves courage. You make the commitment and nature will respond to that commitment by removing impossible obstacles. Dream the impossible dream and the world will not grind you under, it will lift you up. This is the trick. This is what all these teachers and philosophers who really counted, who really touched the alchemical gold, this is what they understood. This is the shamanic dance in the waterfall. This is how magic is done. By hurling yourself into the abyss only to find that it is a feather bed” – TM
Family and friends,
All we have to say is wow. These past couple days have been even better than the ones before. At the time we did not think it was even possible. Yet here we are. This group has truly hit its stride. We are movin’ and groovin’. We look out for each other like siblings, laugh like childhood friends, and love like family. Our BC adventure is coming to an end and it’s hard to believe. What a couple days it has been. Writing this will prove difficult, being that there are few words if any to describe the past couple days. Yes, we can give you a day by day description of activities or events, but to feel how we feel now, to be here in this moment. I fear only we will understand. Nevertheless we will try our best to relay these sentiments and are so excited to share where we have been.
We last left off heading into the magical island of Quadra. It’s amazing how much the group and grow in the blink of an eye. Sea kayaking was just the start! The group paired up into 6 dream teams and kayaked through the most serene ocean waters. Speaking of dream team, Albert and Claire practically dusted the kayak guides. Paddling faster and harder than we thought possible. After hiding from us for days, the beloved sunshine made a grand appearance. We basked alongside the seals with some much needed vitamin d. Our lunch spot was unbeatable, a private luscious island with 360 degree views of crystal clear seas. Harrison and Hibbs made sure to explore every inch of the island. Together we jumped and swam in the blue waters and climbed on rocks covered in starfish. After a bit of exploring Shay spotted the perfect jumping spot for everyone. Graeme and Henry C made sure to get up there and make a splash. It was nothing short of perfect.
That afternoon was the relaxing beach moment we all needed. We were too impressed with our beachside campsite. The boys couldn’t get enough of all the crabs and oysters surrounding us, especially Henry H. One second we were lying in the sun, next second Mary Walton and Claire were spontaneously galloping into the water like mermaids. Annelise, Hazel and Shay quickly ran after, some still in their clothes but it didn’t matter. Ellen was too busy cheffing up delicious pasta with her co LOD Harrison, who has dubbed himself the pasta chef and does not disappoint.
After a restful sleep listening to the ocean, we slowly woke up to the sweetest sunshine. We decided the group needed to soak up the sun with a slow morning on the beach. Our leaders of the day, Graeme and Annelise, shocked us all with their pancake flipping skills. After a finger licking good breakfast, we headed to the ferry with sooooooo much hype. We just had to have a quick dance party in the van. Albert and Harrison impressed us all with their moves. Harrison was the lead singer while the girls were his back up vocals. It had the whole group laughing. After a quick ferry ride back to the mainland and some caesar salad wraps to fill our tummies we were ready for the next adventure. The group traveled to Nymph Falls, a ethereal waterfall hike. Swimming, hiking, the park had it all. There was a natural waterfall that Harrison couldn’t get enough of. The girls sat on the side rating and cheered on each slide. We enjoyed more sunshine and water, the mood of the trip. If BCO 2C sees a body of water, we are in it. We are quite the aquatic squad some would say. Shay and Mary Walton are always convincing us to get in.
The following day began our two day climbing expedition. Walking through moss covered trails we found ourselves at the base of a variety of rock walls. These kids blew us away with their determination on the rock wall. Even the guides were impressed by the group’s natural climbing abilities. Henry H claimed the most ambitious belayer spot, making any climber feel safe way above the ground. Henry H, Shay, Henry C loved the wall so much that Kate stayed behind to help belay each of them up one last time to get their fill. It was thrilling to see their love for the sport. They were naturals.
Day two we explored new walls and then faced the Devil’s ladder. Ellen faced some fears, repelling down and climbing back up in lighting speed. Her bravery is inspiring. Hazel encouraged the group throughout the day keeping spirits high. Hibbs had the crowd laughing with his spider man moves on the high rock wall. Our drive down to Tofino tonight was so much fun. We jammed out to everything from bob marley, to Coldplay, even the lion king soundtrack. Hands were in the air, knees were being slapped and voices were heard from every corner. The van has become our little home. Our sanctuary. We sit here now warm in our tents beachside, listening to the waves. Our eyes are heavy and tomorrow awaits. little do the kids know it’s the Fourth of July. We can’t wait to surprise them with USA gear. Stay tuned for the rest of our journey.
As we head to our last activity, we’re reminded of the opportunity to soak up every moment with each other. There’s this thing about Moondance which is paradoxical. Yes we strive to live in the moment, but we are human after all. Our minds wander. We think of home and days to come. We think of you. Sometimes to be grateful you must remove yourself from the moment. Reflecting on time gone by and the mysteries that lie ahead. Although they are nice thoughts, we are where our feet are and we are grateful for it. Grateful for all of you. This all would not be the same without your love and we send it back to you from across the country. Eager to see your faces yet saddened at the thought of saying goodbye to the ones in front of us. We have just a few more days. We will check back in one last time. Until then, be well.
BIG LOVE,
Frankie, Kate, Sophie
Update from British Columbia!
July 1, 2024
“I have heard many theories about why we are here on this planet, but I think my favorite is that we are simply the universe wanting to experience itself. We’ve made life so complicated and stressful but maybe we are just the stars curious about the earth. A little piece of the galaxy wanting to feel the dirt beneath its feet. Wanting to fall in love and feel it’s heart beat. Maybe our purpose here is to simply be and enjoy what unfolds” – Unknown
FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Greetings from Canada!!! We are currently sitting on a ferry headed towards Quadra island. The past couple days have been nothing short of spectacular. This group, this place, these activities have been absolutely incredible. We are all in full swing. We are about halfway through our grand BC adventure and we could not be more happy. This group is practically family. We are completely blown away. Watching them come together and work as a team these past few days has been so rewarding as leaders. Watching friendships, memories, and happiness unfold in real time, the rest of the world melts away. When we say we are in the “people” business this is what we mean. It’s not about the destination, or even the journey, but the company. That being said, British Columbia is not a bad place to spend two weeks getting to know each other. Summer at its finest. It is insanely beautiful here. Even the rainy days are mystical and magical. It’s almost day seven now and what a week it has been. The start of this trip is a perfect balance of relaxation/adjusting and a sneak peak of the things to come. We are truly performing and it’s so cool to watch. We are beyond excited to continue this incredible summer with such an amazing group of people. We also can’t wait to share it with all of you as well. So buckle up, this one is going to be special.
After picking up our kiddos we headed to our first campsite overlooking the bay. To the south, Mt. Rainier towered over all of Seattle. The water was still as we ate pizza looking out at the San Juan Islands. We learned we had some brave souls when the kids went running into the ocean water that was nowhere near warm. After a quick dip we dried off and headed back to our site. We set up tents for the first time and talked about Leave No Trace. It’s so important to keep our parks and nature areas clean and trash free. We share our world with beautiful creatures and beautiful things and we should strive to keep it that way. After putting up camp in record time we headed back down to the water for our first moon up. Moonup is a debrief of the day and briefing of the next day. It is our group’s time to share music and poems, get to know each other better, and laugh a lot. It is also a time to reflect inward and learn more about ourselves. Every Moondance trip has Moonup every night and we believe it is one of the most important things we do. It is also a nice thought that all around the world, in the future, in the past, across oceans and continents, in different cities and countries, all summer, people are connecting through this practice. Since it was our first Moonup, the three of us kicked off the festivities, but after this evening the students will take full control of this space. We chose the leaders of the day, or LODs, for tomorrow which were Hazel and Henry C. They impressed us with their maturity and eagerness to dive right in, helping to form a beautiful group dynamic that has lasted ever since. They will be in charge of encouraging the group the next day, keeping up the energy, and leading our next moonup. Once moonup was over everyone was exhausted after a long day of travel so we headed off to bed.
The next day we traveled to Squamish. Squamish is a traditional territory, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. It extends north along the height of the land to the Elaho River headwaters, covering all of the islands in Howe Sound, the entire Squamish Valley, and Howe Sound drainages. We traveled on the famous sea to sky highway with wild views of the surrounding peaks. On the way we took a stop to check out Mamquam falls. The snow melt fed waters were light blue and ice cold. Shayna and Annelise bravely led us into the magical water, with the rest of the girls following we became mermaids in the falls. Henry C and Harrison would also brave the waters after a little convincing. Refreshed from our polar plunge, we headed to an all star campsite. It was surrounded by mountains. In clear view we could see the Stawamus Chief, a huge granite monolith. It had a perfect view of Shannon Falls, a towering waterfall cascading down a series of cliffs. One of the biggest waterfalls any of us has ever seen. Hibbs helped flame a fire for smores that led us into moonup. Henry and Hazel set the bar high with our first student-led moonup, under a canopy of trees listening to Shannon falls. A perfect ending to a perfect first day.
The following morning we could barely contain our excitement as we packed bags for our two day rafting trip. Our incredible guides greeted us in Squamish and prepped us for the expedition ahead. Wetsuits and life jackets in hand, we hopped on the bus as we drove up the Elaho River. The rain never phased us. We were vibing. Our brave kiddos fought for the front of the boat, Harrison and Mary Walton won and led the team through epic rapids. Henry C finished one and gave Kate the biggest smile while claiming steamroller to be his favorite. We ate up the rapids one by one, all leading us to our private magical island. We explored the island for hours. Henry H and Graeme led the troops to a peninsula with breathtaking views of the valley. They made their mark writing in the sand and took in the view. Our tummies were blessed with delicious surf and turf that night, sending us to a deep sleep on the riverbank.
The following day we said a weepy farewell to our guides after a spectacular float down the river. We were a tad chilly from the float so we warmed up by the fire with yummy smores. The rain hit us hard but we hit back harder with 5 star chicken quesadillas at our next campsite. Sophie and Kate created the greatest quesadillas maybe ever. Nothing hits better than a warm cheesy chicken filled tort when it’s pouring rain. Hibbs and Ellen claimed it was the best thing they’ve ever had, which had them feeling more accomplished than ever. We had Moonup listening to the rain bounce off the tarp and fell into deep sleep.
After a long day of traveling the Nanaimo ferry was more thrilling than ever. About halfway through the transit we saw whales waving their fins at us from afar. Two humpbacks, probably a mother and her calf, slapped their tails and blew water sky high. From there we hit downtown Courtenay on the way to the next ferry. It was a cute little seaside town full of shops. Shayna showed us what thrifting is all about. We explored local shops and did some grocery shopping for the rest of the trip. It was the perfect rainy day activity. Our next ferry ride to Quadra island was a quick one and the drive to the next campsite even quicker. As we turned the corner we realized we just rolled up to our best campsite yet. Our new pad sports its own private beach and incredible view of the bay. Henry H and Albert especially loved it for its wildlife of oysters, crabs, and seals. While Graeme, Henry C, Harrision sat by the waters edge a seal swam right in front of them. We had to laugh when they screamed up to us that a manatee was swimming by. Annelise, Hazel and Mary Walton were quite good at finding sea glass, building up an impressive collection of greens and blues. Ellen and Claire loved to explore the driftwood forts that are built along our campsite. We like to think of it as our own little fairy houses. We can’t wait to see what Quadra island has in store for us.
This morning we’re heading to sea kayaking and we now find ourselves in the middle of something beautiful. Fearful of only one thing. Time. We know it’s running out. The ever looming thought that this too shall pass and our wonderful journey will come to end sits in the back of all our minds. We have come to love each other and can’t even imagine saying goodbye. With a sentimental beachside moon up last night led by Henry H and Ellen, It’s as if the past seven days have been seven years. Time is weird on Moondance. It stretches and it squeezes. It does not, however, go backwards. In life the only thing we will ever really take with us is memories. At the moment, we are in one of those memories. The ones that last a lifetime. As we all well know, we might forget who we met, or what we did, but we will never forget how we felt. We miss you all dearly. We will check back in soon. Until then, be well.
BIG LOVE,
Frankie + Sophie + Kate
Shoutouts:
Shay: thank you so much for sending me here. I love it so much. Tell Bronson I said happy birthday, dad I said happy birthday and Poppy Sam and I love you so much.
Claire: Hey mom and dad, I miss y’all so much but I’m having a great time. Tell everybody I say hi and I love you guys so much.
Annelise: Hey fam jam miss y’all but I’m having great time. Thanks so much for this lit experience!
Mary Walton: Hi mom and dad I miss y’all, but thank you for sending me to camp. Love yall!
Ellen: Hi mom and dad, tell Audrey I said hi. I’m having a great time and I miss you!
Hazel: Hey I’m having a lot of fun, hope y’all are having fun to. I love you!
Henry Hicks: Love and miss yall!!!
Harrison Parrish: hey I’m chillin
Graeme Arnold: hey guys, what’s up?
Hibbs Traylor: hey miss y’all so much, hope you’re having fun without me. Don’t let smith in my room!
Henry Coker: hey y’all miss yall
Albert Tate: hi having so much fun!!
