Sunsets, S'mores, and So Longs
June 21, 2025
We woke up to the sound of rain pitter-pattering on our tents. In efforts to stay as dry as possible, we had to pack up camp at record speed – safe to say the team delivered. After eating some bagels with cream cheese and peanut butter we walked down Mackenzie Beach to meet our amazing paddleboarding and surfing guides for our second day of paddleboarding and surfing!!! With some practice from the day before we felt more comfortable. To warm up in our wetsuits before paddling out to the kelp forest we did a relay race! Team 1 was Hilton, Elizabeth, CC, Mac, Graham and Foard and Team 2 was Meredith, Anne Slater, Marlin, Henry, John, Logan, and Maggie. This time sabotaging the opposite team started within seconds. Mac and Hilton rocked Marlin and Logan off their paddle board allowing CC and Elizabeth to take the early lead! We never will know the true team that won but it ended in a splash battle from both sides!!! It was time to make our venture to our favorite spot – the kelp forest. John and Henry created their own harvest of kelp to carry on their boards to sabotage Marlin. Graham made it his personal mission to flip anyone in his path! He even managed to get Foard in! On the contrary, one of our guides Avery started to teach the group some calming yoga poses. Logan and CC showed off their headstand skills! We paddled back towards shore, ditched our paddles then held our boards alongside each other to do an over-under race. Maggie and Graham got the crowd fired up with their neck-to-neck tie. Soon after, Marlin and Anne Slater also came out with a tie! Coolest brain freezes ever. To warm up we decided to have a picnic for lunch. After fueling up we drove over to a new beach called Long Beach to surf! The waves were a little bigger today and our guides complimented our group’s bravery! Minutes in, John pulled out a new trick called riding the bus! He made it even more fancy by sitting on the board backwards!!! We were all so impressed. Henry, Mac, and Hilton were popping up just about every wave and Elizabeth and CC were surfing like professionals! After drying off we drove to our next campsite. Our site was tucked between goat pastures that were sprinkled with dandelions and daffodils. Meredith and Anne Slater explored the pastures while Henry and John built a roaring fire. The others found the nearby beach! We decided to make personal pita pizzas for dinner. Using her fabulous organizational skills, Lauren helped lay out an assembly line for the pizza prepping station! Mac figured out a trick to get the pan to steam up and melt the cheese super well. He was a wizard on the Coleman stove! We set out to find the best sticks for s’mores and one of our leaders of the day Elizabeth showed everyone how to make the marshmallows perfectly golden brown. We enjoyed those while we did moonup. The skies looked clear and we decided to line up our sleeping bags and sleep under the stars! Cowboy camping for the win!
We woke up just after the sun rose to catch the ferry to ride back over to the mainland! We jammed out in the car to wake us up and get excited for our last ferry ride together. This time we explored the windy upper deck! Once again, the ice cream machine was definitely a highlight of the ride. Then we drove off the ferry to our hotel. After checking in we knew the time had come to clean the van…she needed it bad! We had all hands on deck for this job. We rotated between being vacuumers, window wipers, and trash collectors. It was impressive how efficiently we worked. To celebrate we headed to a thrift shop to buy a special outfit for our banquet night. We chose to dress tacky country as our group theme. After taking a lovely shower at the hotel we threw on our new country clothes and accessories and headed to our Hibachi dinner! Might I say this was the best Hibachi I have ever had: onion ring volcanoes, cowboy hats, ice cream for dessert, and many laughs recounting our favorite moments from the trip. With extra full bellies, we hobbled to the van and headed back to the hotel for our final moonup. This moonup was very special because we shared what we would miss the most about the trip. The leaders shared that this group has a natural authenticity and zest for life and new challenges. This is so inspirational to us and it has been an absolute joy and gift to have spent the last 14 days together. We are saying our goodbyes at the airport holding back tears as we are so grateful to have had the experience of a lifetime with you Henry, CC, Meredith, Hilton, Graham, Maggie, Logan, Mac, John, Elizabeth, Anne Banks, and Lauren. We believe in you and know that you are capable of anything you put your mind to. Thank you for being the best first group we could have asked for!!!
Love,
Anne Slater, Marlin, and Foard
Seals, Surf, and Surprise Guests
June 20, 2025
We’re back and reporting live from the adventure of a lifetime!!!
We woke up at our beautiful campsite at We Wai Kai to the sound of waves and the quiet hum of the morning. The view was unreal. Mountains stood tall behind us and the ocean stretched out in front. Breakfast was our usual packed meals of Nutella, peanut butter, and jelly, which by now feels like our fuel for adventure. After we ate, we jumped in the vans for a short five-minute drive, music blasting, to Quadra Island Kayaks.
Once there, we were paired up at random. Meredith and Hilton, Marlin and CC, Henry and Maggie, Anne Slater and Elizabeth, Anne Banks and John, Graham and Lauren, Logan and Mac, and Foard kayaking solo. The group was all smiles as we pushed off the shore and paddled across calm, glassy water. Our guides led us to a big rock covered in seals. One by one, the seals slid into the water and started swimming around us. Their little heads popped up out of nowhere and slowly got closer, watching us with curiosity. We held starfish and crabs, and CC managed to hold at least fifteen at once. We even had a backwards paddle race, which was just as chaotic and fun as it sounds.
Later that evening, we returned to camp and started prepping dinner. Burgers were on the menu. Just as the grill was heating up, a car pulled into our campsite. Two familiar faces stepped out. To our complete surprise, it was Hays Hitchens and Chris Sherrill. The group lit up. Everyone rushed over to say hi and catch up. Hays remembered where each person was from and at least ten fun facts about everyone, while Chris jumped into a game of hacky sack like he’d never left. They stayed for over an hour and brought so much joy and energy to the group. After they left, we headed to the beach for Moonup, and later had our nightly toothbrush party. Henry once again claimed the title of best late-night dancer.
We got to sleep in the next morning before waking up to pancakes. CC and Hilton were our LODs and helped lead the group as we packed up camp. We took the ferry over to Vancouver Island and headed to our new site near Comox Lake. Once we arrived, we made buffalo chicken quesadillas and cut up watermelon before heading out for a walk around the lake. Along the way, we saw nearly every dog breed imaginable and pointed out each one with excitement.
Back at camp, we played Mafia, and Meredith kept everyone on the edge of their seats with her storytelling. Dinner that night was hot dogs and mac and cheese, made by Mac and John, and it was exactly what we needed.
The next morning we started our rock climbing adventure. Logan and John were our LODs. We met our guides in the parking lot and were immediately greeted with jokes and high energy. One favorite? What’s Whitney Houston’s favorite coordination?!?? Hand-eyeeeeeeee. We hiked ten minutes to the climbing site, geared up, and got started. Our Yosemite-trained climbers , Mac, CC, and Anne Banks, made it look effortless. Everyone pushed themselves, even when it got challenging. There was a quiet confidence in the group. We did one rappel to practice for the big descent planned for the next day. That night, we made stir fry again, which continues to be a favorite around here. This camp is a hit. People are loving the sleep-ins and the chance to shower, even if it means trading dollars for loonies to get four minutes of hot water.
The second day of climbing brought new challenges. We all felt a little more confident as we geared up. The routes were tougher today but the group was ready. Maggie crushed the hardest one like it was no big deal. Later, we hiked up to the top of the rappel. The view was incredible. One by one, we lowered ourselves down. It was a moment of nerves for some, but everyone who stepped up finished strong. After lunch and some final climbs, we loaded into the vans and headed to Tofino.
We woke up the next day at our new campsite on the beach. The ocean was steps away. After a breakfast of burritos, we made our way down the beach to meet the team from Swell Tofino. We split into two groups and started with a relay race that had everything from wheelbarrow sprints to partner paddle boarding. Then we started our paddle boarding adventure. We found a kelp forest and ended up lying across the floating leaves, completely relaxed. Then our guide told us we could eat them, so naturally we all tried it. Who needs goldfish when you’ve got kelp.
Then came the paddle board battle. It was a last-person-standing competition. Graham knocked people off left and right. Logan used friendly conversation to distract before making a move. Everyone was laughing, splashing, and fully in the moment. After lunch, we put on wetsuits and grabbed surfboards. The waves were perfect for learning. Lauren stood up first, calm and balanced. Henry and John were spinning in circles by the end. On the other side of the break, Mama Mar, Mac, and Hilton caught a party wave together, all riding it in at once.
It was one of those days no one wanted to end. There was joy in every moment, whether it was paddling through kelp or standing up on a board for the first time. As the sun started to set, we gathered on the beach for Moonup. It was a quiet and thoughtful end to an unforgettable day. Hugs were passed around and we all took a little more time to be together. This group knows the time is flying and every moment feels more special now.
Hacky Sacks and High Fives
June 14, 2025
Let the adventure begin!!!
The trip we have all been waiting for has finally begun. From the moment we stepped into the airport, the energy was electric. Everyone was smiling, chatting, and playing hacky sack, starting to build the friendships that would soon define our experience. We were ready to be present, grounded in the moment, and open to whatever adventure lay ahead.
Once we arrived at our first campsite, we jumped right into the rhythm of Moondance. We learned how to pitch our tents and settled in with a delicious dinner of cheese and pepperoni pizza. That night, we had our very first Moonup. For those who are new to Moondance, Moonup is the heart and soul of each day. We gather as a group to reflect and connect. We begin by sharing a quote of the day, then pass around the Nug Jug to celebrate the highlights, ask two thoughtful questions, one light and one deeper, and finally announce the next day’s Leaders of the Day.
The next day we took on The Chief hike, a challenge that pushed all of us physically and mentally. The trail was essentially a long staircase up the mountain and it was far from easy. There were moments that tested our strength and determination, but we stayed together and encouraged one another the entire way. Reaching the top felt like a true accomplishment and the view made every step worth it. It reminded us of what we can achieve when we support each other. The descent was much easier and afterward we drove to Alice lake for a quick swim to cool off. The cold water felt incredible and was the perfect way to celebrate everything we had just accomplished.
With our second night under the stars behind us, we woke up eager for the adventures ahead. Rafting was on the agenda, and excitement filled the air. After a hearty breakfast of yogurt parfaits and oatmeal, we packed up Klahanie Campground with care, leaving it better than we found it by practicing our Leave No Trace principles. On our way to Canadian Outback, we made a quick gas station stop. The LODs ran inside and surprised everyone with a round of pick-me-up sodas, from Dr. Pepper to Sprite, lifting the group’s spirits even more.
We arrived, changed into wetsuits, wetsuit jackets, booties, helmets, and life jackets, and loaded onto a classic cheddar-yellow school bus that bumped down a long road to the river. Our guides, Keaton and Mela, brought the energy and expertise. Keaton led CC, Henry, Maggie, Mac, Anne Banks, Anne Slater, and Marlin. Mela guided Graham, Elizabeth, John, Hilton, Logan, Meredith, Lauren, and Foard.
On the river, we tackled class four rapids with legendary names like Mike Tyson, 50/50, Cheeseballs, and Devil’s Elbow. Henry and CC sat up front and took wave after wave full in the face, never flinching. We played a game called Riding the Bull, where someone sits at the very front of the raft and holds on through the wild ride. Mac made it look effortless, staying strong through every splash. Hilton gave it his all but took a hilarious spill, flipping backward into the raft with just his legs visible in the air, sending the whole group into fits of laughter.
Midway through the float, we all got a chance to jump into the icy water and drift alongside the raft, holding on as we floated downriver. It was the perfect moment to take a deep breath and absorb the experience.
By evening, we landed at the island where we would camp for the night. Dinner was a dream: Caesar salad, steak kebabs, mashed potatoes, and a sweet finish of date pie with ice cream. That night’s Moonup was led by Meredith and Mac. We shared stories about our role models and imagined what time period we would visit if we could go back. We stayed up around the fire a little later than planned, sharing stories and laughter, before crawling into our tents for a well-earned rest.
The next morning, we woke to the sound of pots and pans clanging together. It was Keaton’s wake-up call and it meant hot breakfast was waiting. We gathered around for parfaits, French toast, bacon, hot chocolate, and coffee, slowly shaking off the sleep and soaking in the quiet morning. We packed up camp again, stuffing everything into our dry bags, and set off on the river. This stretch was calm and peaceful, a chance to paddle in sync and enjoy the steady rhythm of the current. After about an hour, we arrived at our takeout point, hopped back on the school bus, and had lunch at the rafting base.
The rest of the day was filled with laughter and a surprise water party, where the cleaning crew ambushed everyone with water and turned the end of the day into a full-blown splash fest. Spirits were high and everyone leaned into the fun.
The following day brought a new challenge: canyoning. After waking up, we made our way to the canyoning site and suited up once again in full wetsuits. The water was cold but refreshing, and this group was fearless. We rappelled down
waterfalls, slid down rock chutes, and jumped from cliffs up to twenty-five feet high into deep pools of water. Our LODs Logan and Hilton lead the group through each unique repelling section. They kept spirits high by cheering on the group as we descended one by one. Our final repelling bit included a 100 foot descent! The energy was electric, and the sense of accomplishment was written on every face.
After the thrill of canyoning, we traveled by ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo, then drove two more hours to Campbell River Bay. From there, we crossed to Quadra Island and arrived at our breathtaking new campsite. Maggie and John, the LODs for the day, led us through arrival and set the tone with a steady calm. Our view was stunning, with towering mountains on one side and calm ocean waters on the other.
Dinner was comforting and warm: grilled cheese and tomato soup shared together by the water. Just as we were starting to wind down, a bald eagle soared overhead and dropped its catch right in front of us. Without hesitation, Hilton grabbed the fish and leapt into the water, giving us another unforgettable laugh. Nearby, curious seals surfaced and bobbed gently in the water as Lauren dove in to join. It was a surreal, magical moment.
As the sun set, we gathered by the fire for another Moonup. We paused to take it all in, the mountains, the ocean, the wildlife, the incredible people surrounding us. Tomorrow, Anne Banks and Lauren will take on the role of being our LODs for our full-day sea kayaking adventure! We are halfway through our trip now, filled with gratitude for how far we have come and full of excitement for all that lies ahead.
This group has already grown close in such a short time. The shared experiences, the laughter, the challenges overcome together, and the beautiful places we’ve seen are stitching us into something strong and unforgettable. There is so much more to come, and we are more than ready.
SHOUTOUTS!!!
This trip is awesome! Hope you had a good time in Yellowstone. Love you. – Mac
Hey guys! Having so much fun, thanks for sending me here! Tell Man, Pop, and Dad happy Father’s Day! Love y’all tons – Love, Mere (please make me sandwhiches when I come home)
Hi Mom and Dad! I’m having so much fun here! Happy happy Father’s Day Dad! Love and miss you so much. – Maggie
Hi! I hope y’all are having fun! I’m having a really good time! Happy Father’s Day! Love,
Logan
Miss y’all so so much. Hope y’all are having fun on y’all’s trips. I’m having so much fun and happy Father’s Day! Love you so much. – Anne Banks
Hi Mom and Dad I miss y’all so much! I’m having so much fun sorry I missing Father’s Day! I love y’all so much and I will call you when I get my phone – Leeds
P.S. tell coco and cans that I love them too! By the way, my counselor is wearing my clothes just kidding! Love y’all!
Hi mom and dad! I am having a blast here happy early Father’s Day dad!! I hope y’all are having fun in Haly! I miss y’all and love y’all so much!! -CC
Hi Mom and Dad, having fun! Happy Father’s Day! love y’all! – Lauren
Hi mom and dad I am having a great time! Also, the credit card doesn’t work. It says “only valid in the United States “also I can’t find a towel. Did you pack it? Happy Father’s Day! -Graham
Hi mom and dad, having a great time! I still have all my belongings. Happy Father’s Day! – John
Yo- Hilton (fire emoji) – Peace
Hi mom and dad I’m having a great time. Happy Father’s Day! I miss you so much. Love you –Henry
Safe Arrival in Vancouver!
June 8, 2025
Hello British Columbia Families!
We heard from our leaders that the group has landed safely in Vancouver! 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
