Final Update from Belize!
July 21, 2025
Final hello from Belize!!
These last few days in the Belizean rainforest have been incredible, and we can’t believe how quickly these two weeks flew by. From riverboat adventures to jungle hikes, chocolate-making to Olympic showdowns, these kids have shown up with endless energy and lots of love for each other. We are so proud of how tight-knit this group has become. Our spirits have been high as we close out an unforgettable journey together.
We kicked off the final leg of the trip with a peaceful boat tour down the Sittee River, where the boys chatted with our local guide, and we all enjoyed freshly picked mangoes! Ryan had a blast picking the mangoes straight from the trees and reminded us how sweet the little things can be.
We made a quick stop at a local gift shop before heading back for lunch, and then went on a waterfall hike where the crew cooled off with a swim and had a spontaneous dance party with our awesome guide Wilson!
The next day was for water. The entire group blew us away with their courage and strength as we climbed up to rappel down a 200-foot waterfall. Before the rappel, we swam in a gorgeous waterfall swimming hole, and Wynn, Ethan, Mac Smith, and Mac Abernathy turned it into their mini expedition, exploring six waterfalls above the pool. That afternoon, we zipped through the canopy of the rainforest! London mastered the GoPro while cannonballing through the treetops like a pro.
We slowed things down a bit the following day with a visit to a local cocoa farm followed by a chocolate-making class. Mac Smith especially loved this experience and flexed his chocolate trivia knowledge while everyone tasted the chocolate through each step. We finished the day with ice cream by the beach, a game of soccer, and swinging with local kids. Sally had them spinning on the swings in fits of giggles, while Lucy and Louise got their hair braided and carried kids on their shoulders! Natalie, as always, kept the group united and happy, making sure everyone felt included and connected- like one big family.
On our final full day, we started with hide and seek tag in the rain with London and Wynn diving into their roles as seekers with full commitment. After lunch, we jumped into our Moondance Olympic Games. The whole group split into teams for an afternoon of awesome, messy, and unforgettable competition. Louise introduced a new fan-favorite event: seeing who could stick the most Cheetos to a teammate’s shaving-cream-covered head! Mac Abernathy’s shaving cream & Cheeto puff-covered head on the red team dominated! Ben and Natalie led the blue team to a strong win in the watermelon-eating contest! Of course, Wynn brought unmatched energy, rallying everyone and having the most team spirit of the group! Ethan went full force in our intense game of capture the flag, while Brody stood guard by the tree with a stash of water balloons, ready to defend the red team’s flag with everything he had. Banks rappelled like a seasoned pro earlier in the week and brought that same confidence to leading group games during our final celebration.
After volleyball, more Cheetos, water balloons, and one final chaotic shaving cream war, we capped off our adventure with a banquet dinner fit for champions. The night rolled into a cozy bonfire where we made s’mores, shared stories, and laughed until our stomachs hurt. Our final moonup was packed with gratitude and joy as we looked back on the past two weeks and all the memories we’ve made together.
This group brought the magic every step of the way; from the coral reefs to the canopy, from sunrise swims to late-night hammock functions. Their energy, courage, and laughter filled every space we entered, and we’re walking away with full hearts and friendships that will stretch far beyond Belize.
Signing off,
Kate & Robert
In The Jungle AND Feeling Epic!
July 16, 2025
Hello from the jungle!
We’ve officially left island time behind and are now soaking in the sounds, sights, and smells of the Belizean rainforest! We had a great 6 days on the island, and it’s hard to believe how quickly time has flown by. Our group has made the most of every day and each activity.
We spent our days rotating between scuba diving, kayaking, snorkeling, spear fishing, and paddle boarding, and each one of our kids found their stride in different ways. Brody, one of our previously certified divers, was enthusiastic to jump right into the ocean, diving 50 feet down. Ethan impressed all the dive instructors with how quickly he mastered every skill; he moved through the certification process like a pro. Lucy, who always seemed to surface with the most air left in her tank, made diving look easy and peaceful. Her calm energy was a gift throughout the week.
While some were learning to dive, others took to the sea in kayaks. Sally, our kayaking legend, mastered the art of kayak sailing. We think she was born to be on the water! Meanwhile, Ryan showed off some seriously impressive free diving skills during our snorkel sessions, diving the deepest and looking at ease while doing so! On one particularly cool snorkel, we got to feed a lionfish to a moray eel, which is an experience none of us will forget!
In between scuba lessons and reef explorations, we filled our time with beach volleyball (even a few games under the stars), hammock hangouts, and group dinners filled with laughter. Ben kept spirits high with his humor, and he was also an impressive kayaker. He loved the massive schools of tarpon circling the dock at night, often found watching them while the moon rose over the ocean.
Mac A. and Brody led the charge in spear fishing, landing the group’s first two lionfish like a seasoned pro. By the end of our time on the island, every single boy successfully speared a lionfish- such a huge accomplishment! That night, our guides grilled up the catch, including fresh lobster they had speared for us. It doesn’t get fresher than that!
Throughout each day, Mac S. kept the music going. With his impressive knowledge of Jimmy Buffett and Kenny Chesney, he quickly became our group DJ and vibe curator. Whether we were playing volleyball or rinsing scuba gear, Mac made sure we had a soundtrack.
Natalie brought the group together by organizing peaceful reading sessions before dinner, which were some of the most relaxing times on the island. She was also one of the first to jump into the water during our sunrise swim!!
One afternoon, London, always up for a challenge, showed off her diving skills off the paddle board, diving into the ocean with grace. Additionally, Banks is our talented volleyball player who orchestrates all of our nighttime and sunset games!
That final morning was one for the books. Before we said goodbye to the island, the girls gathered for a sunrise swim, and Louise was the first in the water.
Throughout the whole trip, Wynn has been buzzing with excitement for every activity and is especially stoked to dive into our next chapter in the rainforest. His energy is contagious, and we’re so glad to have his spirit in our group.
The biggest highlight of all: Every single student officially earned their Open Water SCUBA certification!! This is a huge accomplishment, and we celebrated together under the stars, surrounded by tarpon, eagle rays, and the rising full moon.
We’ll miss the joys of island life: the salt on our skin, volleyball at sunset, and Moonup on the dock. But we’re also thrilled to embark on this next adventure deep in the rainforest. The journey continues, and we’re just getting started!!
With love from Belize,
Kate & Robert 🌿🌊🌞🐠
Thank yous:
3D Thank Yous
Wynn- hey guys! Thank you so much for this once in a lifetime opportunity and such an incredible experience! Scuba diving is so cool and we’ve seen so many cool sea creatures. I’m so excited for more to come and I can’t wait to see you guys! Thank you so much for sending me to Belize! Love you guys!!!
Mac S- Howdy Yall 🤠 nothings really changed here in group 3D but that’s besides the point thank Ya’ll for sending me on this trip🔫💪🫠🫡🦶🏿#itsfiveoclocksomewhere
Ethan- hey guys, thank you for sending me on this trip I’m having a great time and I can’t wait to be home to see you guys and raven
Mac A- hey guys! Thank you for sending me on this trip. It has been so much fun. Can’t wait to see yall.
Ben- thanks for sending me on the trip #iponderedonitonceortwicenomorenoless
Natalie- Hey Mom and Dad, thank you so much for sending me on this amazing trip. It’s nothing short than perfect! I am having so fun. I am scuba certified and now in the rainforest. I hope all is well. Tell everyone I say hi! Have the best time Madeline! Love you guys. 💕
London- hey yall! I’m having so much fun on this trip and wanted to say thank you for sending me to Belize. My group and I are having so much fun, we just left tobacco caye island and are now in the rainforest. I hope yall are doing well and see you soon!
Sally – Hi mom and dad! Thank you so much for sending me here because I am having the best time. Right now, we just left tobacco caye and are now in the rainforest. I love yalll and can’t wait to see yall soon!
Brody- Hi mom and dad. I am having a great time here, thank you for sending me here. We just left the island and now we are in the jungle about to go on a boat tour. Love you see you soon.
Ryan- hey mom and dad. I have been having fun. I have went on a lot of dives and seen a lot of cool stuff underwater. Can’t wait to see you
Banks- Hey mom and dad I have no words to express how thankful I am for being able to go on this trip. My group is amazing and the memories I’m making are priceless. Yall are the best and I miss you to death, love you and see you soon!
Lucy-Hiii mom and dad I’m actually having the best time ever! This trip is so cool and fun, and I can’t wait to see yall but I don’t want to leave! I’m so grateful for yall sending me on this trip because it’s definitely one I’ll never forget!! Miss and love y’all, and tell Maggie and all my friends I say hi!
Louise- hi mom and dad!! I have been having two of the best weeks of my life!! I have had amazing experiences these past few days including, getting scuba certified, cave tubing, kayaking, snorkeling, and much much more! Thank you so so much for sending me on this trip and I am so grateful for you guys!! I hope everyone is doing well in Nola! I’m so sad that the trip is slowly starting to end and I miss yall so so much!! Love Louise!!
Having a Blast in Belize
July 12, 2025
The past four days have been incredible. From ancient caves and Mayan ruins to crystal clear waters and star-filled skies, this lively crew has embraced every moment of our journey with endless energy. We are proud to be leading these awesome kids in this incredible country.
We began our trip with an enthusiastic welcome at the airport, where the whole group came together to greet Brody and Ryan with handmade signs and cheers; thanks to Louise for organizing such a fun and thoughtful welcome! That energy set the tone for what has already become a tight-knit and joyful group. Natalie kept everyone entertained with airport card games like UNO and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza!
Our first full day started with a visit to the Belize Zoo, where we saw many amazing animals such as including tapirs, jaguars, pumas, owls, toucans, and monkeys. Wynn and Ethan showed off their impressive animal impersonations that kept the group laughing. Later that afternoon, we headed off for our cave tubing adventure. London made the float even more fun with her creative shadow puppets dancing along the cave walls!
Back at our lodging, we cooled off with pool games! Mac A. and Ryan led the charge in “tips,” dominating with their skills and competitive spirit. Mac A. and Louise have already proven themselves to be natural leaders; they were our first Leaders of the Day (LODs), and they both set an awesome tone for the group with their initiative and encouragement.
The following day brought a look into Belize’s ancient history with a visit to Xunantunich, a famous Mayan ruin. Dressed in his full Hawaiian outfit, Wynn stepped up as our unofficial tour guide, sharing an impressive amount of knowledge about the Mayan civilization. After climbing to the top of the tallest ruin and taking in sweeping views of the Guatemala-Belize border, we made our way into San Ignacio to check out the local market.
The market was buzzing with energy, and our group jumped right in. Ethan grabbed a fresh bundle of mangoes and captured some great photos with his camera throughout the day! Louise and Lucy impressed us with their perfectly crafted fruit platter, and Ben became the group hero by purchasing the largest watermelon we’ve ever seen, which was later transformed into a stylish watermelon hat.
Yesterday, we packed up and made our way to the coast, where we boarded a boat and headed out to one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever seen. Our home for the next few days is paradise!
We jumped immediately into our island activities. Our first scuba diving session was a success; Ethan picked it up quickly and explored the underwater world like a natural. Meanwhile, our sea kayaking crew hit the water with Sally and Lucy leading the charge, showing off their impressive rolls and paddling skills. Brody and Ryan have also been impressing the group with their free diving skills on our snorkels!
Back on land, Banks has become a breakout star, as she has been braiding all the girls’ hair with incredible skill. And of course, Mac S. has been keeping the entire group laughing with his quick wit and enthusiasm for every activity we throw his way. Mac S. has also proven to be the king pirate of the paddle boards, as he was the last one standing in our pirate paddle board game!
It’s hard to believe we’ve only just started. This group has quickly bonded through shared challenges and countless laughs, and it’s already been so much fun!
Until the next update-sending sunshine from the island!
Robert & Kate
Louise- HEYYYYYY! I am having a fantastic time!! We are on an island right now called tabacco key which is actually amazing. We are like the only group on this small little island and we are on the water!! I have been scuba diving and went on my first real dive today!!!. I miss yall so much and hope yall are having fun!! Love Louise
Sally- Hi!!! How are y’all? I’m having such a good time. Right now we are on this really small island and it is soooo pretty. The water is like turquoise and we get to scuba dive. We were at this place called saint Ignacio and after we leave here we are going to the rainforest. I miss yall and can’t wait to see yall!!!! Love sally
Brody- Hi mom and dad. I am having a great time here. I think we are going to a rainforest and I am so excited. We spend a lot of time swimming and other water activity’s like snorkeling. I miss you. Love Brody.
BEN-yo what up. I’ve been diving.Scuba is lit 🔥 we chillin we lost our jerk bait to a barracuda. At night we see a bunch of tarpon and eagle rays. Almost certified. 👏🏿
Natalie: Hey fam, miss y’all so much. I hope all is good! I’m having the best time. My group and leaders are awesome. Shoutout to Lila and to my friend group. Can’t wait to see y’all soon. I am almost scuba certified. The water is gorgeous here and I don’t want to leave. love yall sooo much. Tell Madeline that I miss her and to have the best time on Moondance. Tell Mili I say hi! Love Nat
Banks- Hey, I miss you guys. I’m having the best time. My group and leaders are awesome! Scuba diving is the BEST. Shoutouts to Vivienne, Lila, Finley, Anna Blair, Ellie, eve, Riley, temma, byrdie,
Morgan, Sophie, Ireland, Kate, Cathrine, Mary drew love yall, okay bye.
Mac Smith- hey mom and dad I’m doing a ok and having a great time!
Lucy- Hey mom and dad and Maggie! I miss yall so so much and I’m having so much fun here! I went snorkeling today and had so much fun. All of the activities are so cool and I’m having the best experience!! Lucy Hart if you are reading this I hope you have the BEST bday everrr! Love yall! ✌️🤙
Wynn – hello family having a great time here. Best group of my entire life #ohyea
London- hey yall! having so much fun and seeing some cool things. doing great! Tell everyone I miss them and tell Salem sissy says hi. more to come- see you soon
Ethan- hi mom and dad I’m having a great time and I have made lots of friends. I miss you guys and I’ll see you soon
Mac- Hi mom and dad, it has been so fun and it is going by really fast, love you.
Ryan- Hi mom and dad. I have been having a blast I’m going to go scuba diving tomorrow. We are
on a private island that is super tiny and has tons of coconut trees.
Off to a Great Start!
July 8, 2025
Hello Belize Families!
We heard from our leaders that the group landed safely in Belize City and made it to their first destination! 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
