WHAT. A. SUMMER.
June 23, 2025
WOW. What a summer. WHAT. A. SUMMER.
Henry and I have tears in our eyes and so much pride. We could not have asked for a better first trip. Your kids mean the world to us and we cannot wait to watch them continue to conquer the world and bring love and laughter to the people around them like they have done for us. You’ve raised some spunky, persistent, giving, loving kids and we are SO lucky to have gotten to know them these past couple of weeks.
After rafting we spent the day driving through Idaho, listening to lots of country (our favorite of course being Courtesy of The Red White and Blue), and enjoying each others company for our final days. For breakfast Henry and I made the kids pancakes, and without asking, Everett took down everyone’s tent. Everyone needs an Everett in their group!!
For dinner we ate at a little place in Glenn’s Ferry Idaho called Beck’s Diner and huddled close for our second to last Moonup. We talked about our favorite funny moments of the trip and Greer and Mason got some mega shoutouts for always knowing exactly how to make us laugh.
Then all of a sudden, far too soon, our final Big Wild day was upon us. We finished the last length of our drive back to Jackson and packed up the duffles one last time. For dinner we had a Mexican feast at Picas and gave Mayes an early birthday celebration!! (Mayes if you are reading this on your birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY QUEEN WE LOVE YOU). After dinner we had some special guests come to visit- our founder Hayes and our new president, Chris! Ruthie, Chris and I had a great conversation, recounting all the things we loved about the trip, and Hayes treated us to some after-dinner ice cream at Moos. I know it meant a lot to the kids to be able to meet the man responsible for the trip we’ve all grown to love so dearly, and the company that has changed so many lives.
For our last Moonup we drove to an awesome sunset spot called The Wedding Tree. Alice had the great idea of having everyone write each other notes on a bandanna, a great keepsake and reminder of how well loved everyone is within our wild group of wanderers. Charlotte in particular wrote everyone long, thoughtful notes and we are all so fortunate to have a friend like Charlotte!
For Moonup we went around and talked about the lessons we were taking with us after the trip and Lucy gave a beautiful answer- Big Wild allowed her to live presently and confidently in the world around her. Everyone talked about how Lucy always kept the group positive and Henry and I couldn’t agree more.
And then the day we we all knew was coming- airport day. We all gathered around Joe in a group hug and watched tearfully as one by one our Big Wild family tucked into their airplanes and parted ways.
Before we sign off for the last time there are so many people Henry and I would like to thank.
First, we want to thank Hayes for creating trips that forge friendships like the ones we’ve found, trips that get us out of our comfort zones and into the world, and trips that change lives. Henry and I love this job and we have Hayes to thank for it.
Next, we’d like to thank you guys- the families! Thank you for trusting us with your favorite people. We are so glad that you all chose Moondance this summer and made it a priority for your kids to experience life in the outdoors. We believe in this company and the community and you guys will forever be a part of it!
Finally, to our sweet Big Wild buddies. We love you. We are SO proud of everything you have accomplished this summer and everything you will continue to accomplish in your exciting young lives. This summer was a challenge that you all helped each other through and I hope this trip has shown you that you are capable of anything you put your mind to. Henry and I will always be here if yall ever need a thing! Go be the awesome people we know you to be, you are all bound for great and incredible things.
LOVE YOU LITTLE BUDDIES
Thank you for everything
Ella (Chill luh) and Henry (Chill duh)
Howdy from Idaho!
June 22, 2025
Howdy from Idaho!
The kids are warm and dry in the van after an insane adventure on the Salmon and Snake river. We are all listening to A River Runs Through It (very on brand for our new group of fly fishers) and soaking up the last few days with our Big Wild family that we’ve all grown to love so dearly. I can’t believe how fast this has all flown by! These kids are full of life and laughter and I’m so grateful for the days we’ve all had, and the days we have ahead.
The morning after our trip to the Jackson Rodeo (which everyone LOVED) we had our first day of climbing school. We learned how to tie a figure eight knot, a knot we got to use in action during our big multi-pitch climb of the day. Greer, who climbed in front of me, faced her fears and pushed herself up the wall. Even though she was nervous about the height of the wall, Greer told me that the birds-eye view of Jenny Lake was her favorite view of the trip so far. It was so awesome to watch her reach out of her comfort zone. Charlotte and Everett raced up the climbs together and it was clear that both of them have a talent on the wall if they ever decide to climb again!
We finished the day with an epic sunset-wiffle ball game with an overwhelming view of the Tetons behind us. We gathered in a circle for Moonup and it is still one of my favorite Moonup spots we’ve visited so far. Ruthie and Everett, our Leaders of the Day, led the group in a meaningful and hilarious discussion where we all talked about our lives and laughed until the sun was set behind the mountains.
The next day we broke up into two groups to take on some more technical climbs. At the very top of the mountain, safely roped in and sitting on a rock ledge, Greer, Ruthie, Lucy, Mayes and I took in the view and ate the sandwiches we packed. We called ourselves the “Ledge Ladies” which I still think would be the perfect band name if we ever needed one. After climbing it was time for a Moondance classic- Master Chef! The kids were broken into three teams- appetizer, main course, dessert and were each given a budget to go buy the necessary ingredients in the grocery store. Henry and I, the Master Chef judges, were SO impressed with the three course meal. But, Joe, Charlotte and Alice (Chef Moe, Chef Melody, and Chef Malice) were the 2025 Moondance Master Chef champions and their chicken tacos were an immediate hit. After our three course meal we drove over to the Moulton Barn for a Moonup. Henry (who is crazy on the guitar) played and sang for the kids and everyone’s jaw was on the floor. We are SO LUCKY to have such a celebrity in our midst!!
Then it was time for our Whitewater Rafting section, the activity I know was many of our favorites. After our first day on the river we all agreed that the long drive from Jackson to Ponderosa State Park in Idaho was more than worth it. Mason kept everyone entertained on the raft, and Lily, the raft guide trip leader, and I discovered that Mason has a secret talent for story telling. He made us laugh in between the wild rapids on the Salmon River, made even more wild by the early-summer high waters rushing fast on the wide river.
The days that followed were filled with water wars, cliff jumps, frisbee tournaments, good food, great friends and vast canyons. Mayes was always the first to want to “ride the bull” and sit at the very front of the raft during the white water waves. Her thirst for adventure is ever-present! Every night Lucy and Ruthie, the diligent and thoughtful young women that they are, would help the raft guides make dinner. Matt, one of our guides, told them that he was so grateful for their help and that hanging out with them in the beach kitchen was some of the most fun he’d had cooking in a long time!
We are a couple hours from our campsite and some much needed showers. We are all going to work hard to savor our last few days together out West. What an incredible and awesome and fulfilling trip it has been. Henry and I love all these kids so much!!!! Each one of them is a crucial member of our family and I’m so glad we have some days left because we aren’t ready to say goodbye.
Thank you for raising such hilarious and thoughtful and wild adventurers,
Ella and Henry And the Big Wild Buddies
Here are some well-deserved thank-yous for yall!!!
Lucy- thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity! See you soon!
Ruthie- thank yall so much for sending me! Can’t wait to see yall!
Greer- thank yall for sending me! See yall soon!
Everett- Hello mother and father. Henry and Ella have really changed my perspective in general and the best way. Thank you for sending me, I love you guys
Joe- hi mom and dad! I’m having a great time. Henry and Ella are the best. Thank you for sending me, love you guys.
Mason- seasons greetings from Idaho Mother and Father. Henry and Ella are DA DOMB. I am having an amazing radical time and I love you guys. MA DAWG OUT.
Mayes- Hi mom! I miss you so much! Thank you so much for sending me, I have made a lot of new friends and our group leaders are great. I can’t wait to tell you more when I get home. Love you!!!
Alice- hi mom and dad! Thank you for sending me! My group leaders are the best! Love you!
Charlotte- hi mom dad and Lily! Thank you for sending me! I had fun! Can’t wait to come home and see you guys! Love you!
Hello from Big Wild!
June 15, 2025
As I write this the kids are singing along to some Tyler Childers, happy to be sitting in the van and resting their feet after they all absolutely crushed our backpacking trip.
Our story begins bright and early in the Jackson airport, where Henry and I eagerly awaited everyone’s arrival. Lucy was our first student and acted as our third leader for the day, welcoming students with her awesome Lucy smile and helping everyone figure out where to put their bags. Lucy is always ready to jump in and help out, and it’s something Henry and I are so grateful for and impressed by.
After chowing down on some pizza and salad from Handfire Pizza, we had our first of many Moonups- a Moondance tradition where the kids go around answering one silly question, and one question that is more serious and thought provoking. The kids all took turns talking about what they hoped to get out of the trip and Henry and I knew that we had a special group on our hands. Ruthie talking about how she was excited to make new friends and get outside, and Alice talked about how she was ready to turn off her phone for two weeks and enjoy the beauty around her.
The next morning the kids were eager to get on the river and start our first activity- fly fishing! Lucy and Joe were our first leaders of the day and set a great tone for the group. Our awesome guides, Colby and Jack, taught the kids how to rig the fly rods and “match the hatch”, where the kids were able to compare the bugs in the river to the flies that were meant to resemble them. Charlotte, being the risk taker she is, quickly jumped in the water with a screening net and kicked up dirt to catch the bugs. Joe used his previous knowledge of ocean fishing and quickly caught on to the fly fishing technique. Henry, a fly fisherman himself, says that Joe has a knack for fly fishing and it’s been so cool watching Joe get better at fly fishing over the past couple of days.
From fly fishing, we drove to our campsite near the Kinky Creek trailhead, where we would begin our trek the next day. The group kept their sprits high while we waited out our first thunderstorm. Luckily, we kept safe in our van, which the kids have lovingly named “chill-va”. The group spent the afternoon bonding and prepping their backpacking packs for the days ahead.
For dinner, we made some hearty burrito bowls and after, Joe and Everett stepped up to the plate to dig a hole and clean the group’s dishes. Both Joe and Everett have been great examples of good “exhibition behavior”, whether it’s helping bring duffels to our U-Haul or helping the others set up their tents. They’re both natural born leaders and Henry and I are so happy they’re on this trip!
We began our first day of backpacking with the sunrise and I am so immensely impressed with everyone’s perseverance. The group kept up a great morale and really spent the hike getting to know one another. I know that this was Mayes’ first time backpacking but she absolutely dominated the hike. She kept the group talking by asking everyone questions about their life and once we made it to our campsite, she taught us some of her cheer routine. She’s such a firecracker!
The next day, after everyone caught up on some much needed sleep, we all walked to the Gross Ventre river for a chill day on the water. Ruthie and Lucy took charge and continued to work on their new fly fishing skills. While some fished, some of the group and I played cards on some warm mountain rocks. While we were walking over, we spotted a little animal that stared right back at us. When we asked the guides about it later, they told us we had spotted a Pine Marten and that they were incredibly rare to see!
While we were playing cards, sweet Greer and I bonded over our Atlanta childhoods. The group had a great conversation about how it feels like we’ve all know each other way longer than a couple of days!! That night chef Mason began his grilled tortilla empire and we enjoyed a delish “Thanksgiving” meal in the backcountry with some cranberry sauce, stuffing, and mashed potatoes.
Tonight, we are heading to the rodeo!!! The kids are out-of-their-minds excited!
These kids are each impressive and vibrant in their own ways, and Henry and I feel incredibly lucky to have each of these kids on our trip with us!! We could not have asked for a better first group of the summer.
Singing off for now-
Big Wild Buddies
Ella and Henry
Shout outs!
Lucy- Happy Father’s Day, love yall so much! I am having so much fun!
Ruthie- Happy Father’s Day! I love yall!
Mayes- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! Have the best best birthday ever! I am having a blast and making so many new friends!
Charlotte- Hi mom dad and Lily! I love you so much, happy Father’s Day!!
Everett- I am having a legitness time, Happy Father’s Day
Joe- radical broski, happy Father’s Day dad!
Mason- happy Father’s Day dad! Love you mom! Give Willis a lot of love for me!
Alice- love you! Happy Father’s Day! I’m having fun!
Greer- I’m having a great time! Happy Father’s Day!
Safe Arrival in Jackson Hole!
June 10, 2025
Hello Big Wild Families!
We heard from our leaders that the group has landed safely in Jackson Hole! The trip is off to a great start, and we are so excited to hear more stories as they begin 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
