Goodbye!
July 8, 2025
We kicked off the day with avocado toast and parfaits before heading out for one of our most unforgettable adventures yet, Island Life Expeditions. Split between two boats, we cruised through calm waters and were lucky enough to spot two humpback whales, a moment that stunned everyone into silence. We couldn’t believe how massive they were, and yet they moved with such calm. It was one of those moments when time felt like it stood still.
Once we landed, the group split up. The girls set off kayaking, gliding past sea lions and seals that swam alongside us like we were part of the ocean too. Meanwhile, the boys explored the island’s rugged terrain, learning about the eagles, goats, and crows that call this place home. Then we swapped, boys into kayaks, girls on the trails, each group soaking in a different piece of the island’s wild beauty.
We made it back to camp just in time for a Fourth of July celebration. In classic fashion, we kept things fun but mellow with what we call our Low American Profile, playing tunes in the car and keeping the energy just right. May and Desmond took the lead on mac and cheese while Tilley Gray and Caroline manned the grill. We wrapped up the night with red, white, and blue Blow Pops, a glow party, and live music at the campground. It was a celebration built on simple things: laughter, music, and a shared meal, and somehow, that made it feel perfect.
The next morning, we woke up ready for a full day of climbing. After a short hike, we arrived at a stretch of rock that looked like it had been made for us. There were four different routes to try, and before we started, we learned how to tie the Double Fisherman’s Knot, a small but essential detail in something much bigger: trust. We belayed each other, cheered for each summit, and watched as every single person gave everything they had. William, Matthew, Owen, Hayes, and Kaya climbed like they’d done it a hundred times, but the real magic came in watching the group come together, encouraging and supporting one another. Everyone made it to the top!!!
That afternoon, we celebrated with ice cream from Loves, a local favorite that tasted even sweeter after a day on the wall. Back at camp, we prepped dinner: fresh salmon caught during our kayaking trip, served with spaghetti. Laughter filled the air as we cooked and played rounds of hacky sack, slowly winding down a day that had stretched and challenged us in all the right ways. During Moonup, we each shared something we loved about the person to our left and right. Just over a week ago, many of us hadn’t known each other’s names.
The next morning, a light sprinkle of rain hastened our departure from camp. English muffins, oatmeal, and yogurt parfaits fueled us for the day ahead, our second round of climbing. Our LODs, Kaya and Davis, led a morning huddle, rallying the group for what was arguably one of our biggest challenges, Devil’s Ladder.
We had scouted this climbing site on Day 10, so the trail felt familiar. But today, the sun finally cut through the clouds, revealing the lake’s glacial turquoise glow. Devil’s Ladder is both beautiful and intimidating, a 100-foot rappel down, followed by a vertical climb back up the same sheer face. Mary-Hardin and Davis were the first to descend, their determination unwavering. They climbed with quiet strength, then turned their focus outward, encouraging the rest of us with the calm confidence of those who had just done something hard and meaningful. One by one, we each faced the climb, each of us changed by it. The challenge was not just physical, but mental. Trusting the rope. Trusting each other. Trusting ourselves.
By late afternoon, we packed up and headed to our new campground. In honor of our first shared meal, we recreated it : stir fry!! May, Desmond, Caroline chopped veggies while Tilley Gray, Thomas, and Hayes cooked over the stove. Just as things were coming together, Marlin and Anne Slater unleashed an unexpected water-gun ambush, erupting into a full-blown campsite water war. The cooking zone became a designated “safe space,” laughter echoing across the tents. Somehow, amid the chaos, dinner still got made. We ate hungrily, knowing we had earned it. And as the stars began to show, we gathered for Moonup and opted to cowboy camp, sleeping under the open sky.
Our last full day arrived faster than expected. We packed up and boarded the ferry back to Vancouver Island, where our schedule was full but our pace unhurried. We deep-cleaned the van, then headed to a local thrift store for banquet night prep. The theme? Clothing swap!! We paired up at random, took absurdly wonderful photos, and leaned into the hilarity of it all. Later, over enchiladas and burritos at a local Mexican restaurant, we shared stories, inside jokes, and a few too many chips. Our final evening was spent playing volleyball at the campground, one last burst of energy before the stillness of goodbye.
No one wanted to sleep. We lingered in the dark, not ready to let go. Early the next morning, we made our way to the airport in the quiet hours before dawn. Day 14 is always the hardest. You count down the minutes not with eagerness but with dread, because you know what’s coming. You look at the people beside you, people who were strangers not long ago, and you realize just how much they’ve come to mean. No one wanted their phones back. Not yet. We wanted to hold onto the presence, the connection, the now.
Tears were shed. Hugs lasted longer than usual. But in that sadness was also something beautiful, a testament to what we’d built. A reminder that when people come together, without distraction, without pretense, something extraordinary happens. Presence becomes power. And presence is what we’ll carry home.
Thank you,
Marlin, Foard, and Anne Slater
Cold Water, Warm People + the Best Kind of Tired
July 4, 2025
We started the morning slow and steady: bagels, yogurt parfaits, a quiet kind of routine that grounded us before the day took off. The walk down the beach felt familiar by now. Paddleboards waited on the shore, and our guides Avery, Oli, and Becca were already smiling, ready. We kicked things off with a wetsuit relay, Team Moose versus Team Cat. Marlin, Anne Slater, Desmond, and Mary Hardin gave it their all for Moose, but Team Cat edged them out.
We paddled out toward the kelp forest, weaving through cold Pacific water. Some kids searched for crabs hidden in the kelp, others floated silently. Then we played last man standing, wobbling and laughing until Caroline was the final one upright , calm, focused, steady.
Back at camp, we made sandwiches, ate quickly, and loaded up for surfing at Cox Bay. The sky was gray, the wind strong, but no one complained. Everyone just went. Tilley-Gray and Kaya were locked in, catching nearly everything. Mary Hardin and Davis found another gear doubling the waves they caught yesterday. It felt earned.
To celebrate the day, and Canada Day, we wandered into town. Some of us explored surf shops. Others went straight for snacks. We regrouped at camp where Hayes and Davis picked up their guitars and played as Caroline and May sang beside them. Dinner was tacos. Simple. Gone in minutes. Then we headed to the beach for s’mores, fireworks, and a full sprint into the freezing ocean. No one hesitated. That’s how our last night in Tofino ended. Cold water, full lungs, fireworks overhead. LODs: Tilley-Gray and William.
The next morning started with work. We packed up tents, rolled sleeping bags, and moved through the motions like we knew what we were doing. A Moondance group passed along a second stove, and with both running, Thomas and Mary Hardin turned into pancake machines, cooking non-stop while the rest of the group rallied around them.
We left the U-Haul behind and spent the morning downtown. The pace shifted. The group spread out: bookstores, coffee shops, surf stores. The boys played 3-on-3 with locals at the park. It was the kind of unscheduled time that ends up sticking with you.
Lunch was outside a local pizza spot. No one rushed. It felt good to just sit. Before we hit the road, we spun the wheel for NBA-style van seat drafts. People cheered, laughed, argued, and then promptly fell asleep. At one point, Owen, Kaya, Matthew, and William were all passed out in the back row.
When we arrived at Comox Lake, the group moved fast. Tents went up, gear was unpacked. Dinner was grilled cheese and tomato soup , familiar, easy. We ended the night with Moonup by the lake. There were no dares, no water jumps, just quiet reflection. LODs: Desmond and Mary Hardin.
The next day started differently. It was William’s birthday, and the group didn’t miss it. They woke him with silly string, balloons, and Buffalo Soldier playing from the speaker. There was time to sleep in, and breakfast was calm : parfaits and bagels, toasted and topped however people liked.
We hiked to Devil’s Ladder that morning. The trail was shaded, still. LODs Caroline and Thomas took the front and back of the line, checking in quietly, keeping pace. When we reached the top, the lake stretched out in a 180-degree view. We sat together in silence for five full minutes. No one fidgeted. No one talked. Just quiet, uninterrupted stillness.
Back at camp we made buffalo chicken quesadillas, and then played “What Are the Odds.” A few people lost and had to buy donuts at Tim Hortons, which, of course, we did immediately after. Then we drove back and jumped in the lake.
The afternoon was slow in the best way. Some people read, some showered, others just sat together without needing to say much. Tilley-Gray had the idea to make chicken, rice, and bean bowls for dinner. Mary Hardin and Marlin took over the cooking, and crushed it.
To end the day, we surprised William with a cake that read “BCO 2C <3s William.” We time-lapsed the group devouring it. It disappeared in seconds.
Time is moving fast now. But no one here is rushing. Everyone feels it. And we’re holding onto each day with both hands.
We also make it a point to pause and recognize the people who made this possible. This group values the chance to say thank you, and we always take time to talk about the people back home who helped get us here.
THANK YOU!!!!
Dear mom and dad,
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to go on this trip. Over the course of the past days I have made so many life long memories and connections. My favorite part so far was swimming in the lake at our campsite and playing on the floating dock in the water. I hope you are safe at home and I am forever grateful that you’ve given me a chance to explore British Columbia. I love you!
-Hayes
Hey mom and dad,
Thank you so much for sending me on this trip. I am having such a blast!! I love my leaders and all of the campers!! I am so thankful that you give me these opportunities to explore the world!!! I have learned so much!! I love yall so much and I can’t wait to tell you all about my trip!
Love Caroline! 💗
Hey, this adventure is so fun, thanks for letting me go on this trip.Cya
-Desmond
Hey mom and dad! Thank yall so much for sending me on this trip!! I have had so much fun and can’t wait to see you when I get home! Love yall!
Xoxo- May
Hey thanks for letting me on this trip I am having fun👍👌
-Kaya
Thank you so much for sending me on this trip and I love you guys so much!
Love Matthew
Hey! Thank you so much for sending me on this trip! My experiences in BCOC2 has been awesome! I I hope to do it again in the future! XOXO Mary-Hardin
Hey mom and dad, I’ve had one of the best times of my life here and made a lot of friends with the councilors and other people in our group. The activities we’ve done are so sick and fun. Thank you so much for sending me here and i really miss y’all a lot!!
-Thomas
Hey guys! Thank you so much for sending me on Moondance. I’ve had so much fun and met some amazing people. We’ve cooked a lot of good food and done a lot of fun activities. I miss you guys so much! Have so much fun in Greece!
-Tilley-Gay
Hey mom and dad, hope your doing well. I’m having a great time at Moondance thanks for sending me, it is truly an unforgettable experience. This trip is so fun can’t wait to see you.
-Owen
Dear Mom and Dad I hope y’all are having a great time in NC I can’t wait to see the house! I miss y’all but am having the best time, thank you so much for sending me on this trip it’s been so fun. I can’t believe I’m almost home. Can’t wait to see y’all. Also can we have some steak and Mac and cheese the night I get back.
Love and miss you.
-William
Dear Mom and Dad,
I am having so much fun on Moondance, and I wanted to thank yall for sending me here. I am so grateful for all the new experiences and memories I get to make here in BC. I hope you are doing well at home and I miss you guys so much!
Love Davis
Sun, Smiles and Surfing SOON
June 30, 2025
The day began with excitement in the air as we picked up the kids from the airport, ready to embark on an unforgettable journey. Right away, we began connecting with the incredible people around us, each interaction already hinting at the friendships to come. We made our way to Klahanie Campground, our home for the night, where we settled in and took our first steps into the rhythm of the trip.
It was here that we first learned how to pitch our tents, some with the precision of seasoned travelers, others with trial, error, and a lot of laughter. But that’s how it starts: not with ease, but with effort and the willingness to try. Dinner was a hot, cheesy pizza from Pizzalicious Donair Shop, and after a full day of travel, it was exactly what we needed.
If Moondance has a soul, this is it. Moonup, our nightly circle, is where the heart of this journey lives. It’s not just tradition, it’s transformation in miniature. Each night, we gather to reflect, connect, and wind down. We begin with a quote meant to stretch our thinking, then pass the Nug Jug, a celebration of the day’s quiet wins and the people behind them. Two questions follow, one lighthearted, one more introspective, inviting us to open up and listen deeply. At the end, we name the next day’s Leaders of the Day, handing over the torch with intention and trust. That first Moonup, led by seven returning alumni, was striking in its grounded simplicity. Their leadership wasn’t loud, it was rooted and assured. You could feel it, this isn’t just a group. It’s becoming a community.
Our first morning started with the smell of breakfast and the sound of Tilley Gray on bacon duty. Breakfast burritos gave us the fuel we needed for a full day on the river. After packing up camp, we made our way to Canadian Outback Rafting and changed into wetsuits, ready to face the cold water. We rafted the Squamish River, charging through rapids with names like Cheeseballs and Devil’s Elbow. Owen and Desmond took on the bull-riding challenge, holding on at the front of the raft as we crashed through the waves. Everyone got soaked. That night, we pulled our rafts onto the shore and set up camp just steps from the river. With dinner by the fire and stars overhead, Desmond and Caroline led our Moonup. The fire crackled, the river whispered, and each voice added something new to the circle.
The next day began with pots and pans clanging, Rocky’s signature wake-up call. He and the guide team had been up early preparing breakfast: French toast, yogurt, fruit salad, and bacon. It was the kind of meal that reminded us we were being looked after. We packed up and hit the river one last time, enjoying a slower, peaceful float. By mid-morning, we were back on the school bus, loading gear and heading to our next challenge: The Chief hike.
The Chief is no easy climb. It’s steep, rocky, and long. But the group handled it with patience and determination. Step by step, they supported one another, pausing to rest, sharing water, offering encouragement. When we reached the summit, the view made every part of the effort worth it. After hiking back down, we made a quick stop to exchange U.S. dollars for loonies and returned to Klahanie. A hot shower never felt so good. Dinner was chicken stir fry, Mary Hardin calmly prepping all the vegetables while Thomas stirred the pot, making sure nothing burned.
The following day brought a new kind of adventure: canyoning. Our Leaders of the Day, Thomas and Mary Hardin, kept the group moving with confidence and focus. One by one, everyone rappelled down waterfalls and jumped from ledges into cold, deep pools. The final rappel, over 100 feet, stood out the most. As each person reached the bottom, cheers echoed from below and above. The cold air, the spray from the falls, and the sense of finishing something hard came together in a way that everyone felt.
Afterward, we drove to our next campsite. This one had a sand volleyball court, which was all the group needed to launch into a full-blown tournament. Matthew served ace after ace, while Davis and May dove left and right to keep the ball in play. Dinner was chicken Alfredo, served under the early evening light. That night’s Moonup took place in the van, warm and cozy, with fogged-up windows and tired, happy faces.
Early the next morning, we boarded the ferry to Vancouver Island. The water was still, and the sky slowly brightened as we crossed over. From there, we drove to Tofino and arrived at our next stop: Bella Pacifica Campground. Everyone worked together to unload the U-Haul, set up tents, and head into town. First stop: Chocolate Tofino. Ice cream was well-earned and enjoyed in full. When we got back to camp, the beach was calling. We dropped our bags and ran straight into games on the sand. There’s something you begin to notice at this point in the trip, the group is no longer a group of strangers. People look out for each other. Laughter comes easier. The rhythm of the trip has taken hold.
The sky was glowing with soft pinks and oranges as the sun began to set. After we finished eating, we circled up for Moonup right on the beach, sitting in the sand as the waves rolled in. Just as we were getting settled, Marlin and Hayes looked out toward the water. “Wait… there’s something in the ocean,” one of them said, pointing. At first, no one knew what they meant. But then, two girls suddenly took off running toward the waves. They splashed into the cold water, laughing and chasing something. Moments later, they turned around, holding the Nug Jug high above their heads. Everyone started cheering and clapping. Thomas, who had agreed earlier that he’d jump in if someone else did, didn’t hesitate. He took off down the beach and dove straight into the water.
One thing is certain about this group, they know how to find joy in any moment. Laughter fills the air. Smiles never fade. We ended the night with burgers sizzling on the grill, bellies full and hearts wide open. Tomorrow, we paddle board and surf, but tonight, we rest under the stars, ready for whatever adventure comes next.
SHOUTOUTS
Hayes – Camp going good. Miss yall and trying to wear retainer. Bye <333 -Hayes
May – Hey Mom + Dad! I’m having tons of fun and miss y’all! See you soon! Love you! -May
Desmond – Yo wassup mom and dad. How’s your life going. Hope you are like really happy. Hope Peter got to camp safely. Cya! -Desmond
Matthew – Hi Mom, Dad, and Ava. I am having a lot of fun and I love you so much. Bye. -Matthew
Kaya – Hey, camp is good. Love ya!-Kaya
Tilley Gray – Hi mama and dada. I’m having so much fun! Everybody is really nice. I hope that Greece is fun! I’m excited to see you guys after camp but I don’t want to leave. I love you. -Tilley-Gray
Davis – Hey Mom and Dad! I’m having so much fun here! It is amazing. I survived white water rafting! Canyoneering was the best. Hope you are having fun at the family reunion haha! Love y’all! -Davis
Caroline – Hi mom and dad, I am having so much fun! The people on my trip are so sweet! I have a great group! I had so much fun canyoneering. I can’t wait to tell you all my stories! I miss you Copey! Also tell Bodie I said hi! I love yall so much! -Caroline
Mary Hardin – Hey fam! Hope all y’all are well. I am having such a good time and hope y’all are too! Sys! -Mary-Hardin
William – Dear Mom and Dad, I’m having a great time can’t wait to see y’all in NC. Love you guys! Love, William
Thomas – Dear Mom and Dad, I’m having so much fun and we’ve done a lot of adventurous things. But I do miss y’all and hope my irons have came. Have fun at Pinehurst. -Thomas
Owen – Dear Mom and Dad, I’m doing great and having so much fun. Hope you’re doing well. See you soon. -Owen
Let the Fun Begin!
June 25, 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 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
