June 9, 2025
Greetings from a beautiful caye in Belize!
The last four days have been nothing short of amazing! From exploring ancient caves and Mayan ruins to diving into the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean, this group has embraced every moment of this journey.
We kicked off our trip with Jace and Bea as our first Leaders of the Day (LODs), setting the tone with great energy and leadership. Bea kept everyone smiling (and on our toes!) with her endless pop culture references and impressive lingo. After landing, our first stop was a delicious local lunch at a favorite spot called Amigos that hit the spot after a long morning of travel. Once our stomachs were full and spirits high, we made our way to our first lodging and settled in for the days ahead. That evening, Lila helped us find and set up our very first Moonup spot, and the trip officially began under the stars.
The next morning brought our first big adventure: a visit to the Belize Zoo! We saw jaguars, parrots, spider monkeys, and howler monkeys-but it was the tapirs that really fascinated the group. Oliver, our riddle master, kept us entertained after lunch with brain teasers and puzzles that got everyone thinking.
We were thrilled to welcome Henry to the group just in time for our cave tubing adventure-and he was a perfect addition! Together with Charlie, the two led the charge into cliff jumping as we explored the ancient caves, floating along underground rivers and soaking in the natural beauty. Hibbs was never far behind, capturing the day with his GoPro on an extending rod and capturing some amazing shots of all the action. We wrapped up the day with a relaxing (and well-earned) pizza dinner by the pool.
Day three brought a deep dive into Belize’s rich history as we visited the incredible Mayan ruins of Xunantunich. Our guide Wilson shared amazing insights about the Mayan culture. A special shoutout goes to Ella and Lila, who faced their fear of heights and made it all the way to the top of the tallest ruin-what a proud moment! After exploring, we grabbed lunch and made a quick stop at a local Belizean market where students browsed handmade trinkets and soaked in the local culture. Back at the hotel, we cooled off with multiple pool games. Walker impressed everyone with his water polo skills, and the boys could have stayed in there all day. We also played several rounds of Mafia, with the sneaky Powell ultimately taking the title of the best Mafia member! Our LODs, Oliver and Powell, capped off the evening with an energetic Moonup, complete with dance moves that had everyone laughing and clapping.
The next day, we packed up and headed for the coast. Spirits were high as we boarded a boat and made our way to a breathtaking island. After arriving, we enjoyed a traditional Belizean lunch before splitting up for afternoon activities. Some kayaked, others paddle boarded, and our first scuba diving group got suited up and dove in! Ansley was all in on our paddleboard “Pirates” game, while Izzy and Bea proved to be kayaking queens, confidently navigating the waves and reefs. Jace and Leslie were natural divers, taking on the scuba challenge with ease. Once back on the island, Charlie, Hibbs and Henry harvested and cracked coconuts for everyone.
We ended the afternoon with a sunset dinner, followed by a geography lesson from Wilson. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we were lucky enough to spot a magnificent eagle ray gliding through the water. With the full moon rising overhead, Henry and Leslie led a peaceful Moonup on the dock, bringing a perfect close to an incredible day.
These past four days have been filled with adventure, laughter, and new friendships. We’ve explored, learned, played endless games of “family” that Leslie taught us, solved riddles on the bus, and made memories that will last a lifetime. We’re having an incredible time here in Belize and can’t wait to see what the rest of our journey holds!
Until the next update-sending sunshine from Belize!
Thanks,
Robert and Kate
June 5, 2025
Hello Belize Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has landed safely in Belize! We are looking forward to Henry joining the group tomorrow, 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