From Tahoe to the Bay: Wrapping Up an Epic California Journey
June 21, 2025
Day 10: Kayaking on Lake Tahoe & Surprise Visitors! (June 17, 2025)
Our day began with a chilly but delicious breakfast of muffins and yogurt at our campsite. After a morning huddle led by Lola and Christian, we were off to Lake Tahoe for a kayaking adventure! We packed our dry bags with lunch and hit the calm water, paddling along the shore for about an hour to a beautiful beach. We saw many people enjoying various water activities and swimming. The lake was perfectly still, making for an easy and enjoyable paddle. We refueled with lunch and GORP, and Christian, CJ, and William even practiced skipping rocks. After kayaking, we headed back to the guide hut, stored our kayaks, and enjoyed some sun before returning to camp.
Everyone got to shower, and then we played the “Rock game” – Madelyn and Louise proved to be sneakily good at getting people’s rocks off! Next, we announced we were going to “the park,” which was actually a surprise local food stop! We headed to Bridgetender Tavern and Grill for dinner, where everyone enjoyed delicious meals. Back at the campsite, we had an even bigger surprise: Moondance CEO Hayes Hitchens and President Chris Sherrill dropped by for a visit! The kids excitedly shared stories of their adventures, and the staff also got a chance to check in. It was a truly wonderful visit. We ended the night with more rounds of the “Rock game,” indulging in Biscoff cookie butter and pretzels, and a final Moonup. It was an amazing day, and we can’t believe how fast the days are going!
Day 11: Paddle Boarding Fun & Exploring South Lake Tahoe (June 18, 2025)
After our morning huddle, we returned to Lake Tahoe for a fantastic paddle boarding session! It was a beautiful morning with incredibly still water, perfect for playing games like knockout and relay races. William even beat Ellie in a race to the buoy and back! Grady, Ellie, and Tommy playfully surprised Grace, Louise, and Lola who were tanning, quickly getting them into the lake. We enjoyed some time tanning on the boards ourselves and had lunch in the sun before heading back to camp to change for our trip into town.
We explored South Lake Tahoe, Browse outdoor stores, visiting a fun candy shop, and picking up some Tahoe merchandise. Maggie, Madelyn, Virginia, and Gabby all found some cute souvenirs! Back at camp, we cooked our favorite meal: Pita Pizzas, complemented by Ellie’s homemade buffalo chicken dip. After dinner, we changed into our bathing suits and headed to Common Beach for a breathtaking sunset swim, accompanied by two friendly ducks. Upon returning to our campsite, we were surprised with a cozy campfire and s’mores! We shared laughter around the fire before closing out with Moonup. We can’t believe there are only two nights left!
Day 12: Road Trip to Portola Redwoods (June 19, 2025)
Today we woke up to the smell of breakfast sandwiches! After packing up camp, we hopped in the van for our drive to Portola Redwoods State Park. It was a mellow car ride with beautiful views, and we made a classic stop at In-N-Out for lunch. Everyone enjoyed a burger, fries, and milkshake, and looked great in their fun hats! Back in the van, we were surprised by Ellie’s finished drawings of our trip, which were fantastic – Gabby especially loved the Golden Gate Bridge drawing.
Next door, we visited a thrift store to find our banquet outfits! Everyone had a blast finding funny and unique clothes, building excitement for our banquet dinner. We continued our drive with fun music and plenty of laughter, following the windy road all the way to Portola Redwoods. Upon arriving at our campsite, we were excited to run into some friends from Cal 1C! Dinner was delicious grilled paninis and more buffalo chicken dip, with Nutella and cookie butter pitas for dessert. Maggie and Grace even got their hair braided by Piper from Cal 1C. We cleaned up and enjoyed a great Moonup with our LODs, Grace and Louise, discussing our goals for our final day of the trip.
Day 13: Sailing in San Francisco and Banquet Night (June 20, 2025)
Today we woke up to muffins, bagels, and yogurt for breakfast. As always, Ellie, Grady, and Tommy never fail to wake us up with their cheerful “Good Morning” songs! After a good breakfast, we cleaned up and layered up for our sailing adventure. We hit the road for our drive into San Francisco! Our first stop was the famous Full House House, where it was fun to imagine the show being filmed there. Then, it was off to the Golden Gate Bridge! We drove across and stopped at a lookout point on the North side, taking plenty of pictures and enjoying the breathtaking view.
After this, we headed to our sailing location and enjoyed lunch. We met Captain Rod and boarded our sailboat. Bundled up in layers, we embraced the wind as we sailed under the bridge, spotting many people windsurfing. Gabby and Tommy got caught in the splash zone on the bow of the boat, leading to some great laughs! After our sailing excursion, we made our way to our banquet dinner at Cantina, a fantastic Mexican restaurant. We enjoyed a wonderful meal together with perfect weather. After the Banquet, we headed back to camp, singing “Something in the Orange” by Zach Bryan as we drove with the sunset. At camp, we all showered and packed up before our final Moonup, where we did superlatives and shared stories, enjoying plenty of laughter.
Day 14: Final Goodbyes (June 21, 2025)
Today, we woke up and headed to the airport. Grady, Tommy, and Ellie made us delicious GORP for the road. It was fun to gather with all of the California groups one last time, sharing final stories and laughs before saying our goodbyes. What an incredible adventure it’s been!
We’re incredibly proud of how the students embraced every challenge and formed strong bonds. This trip has been an unforgettable journey of growth, discovery, and adventure! We hope everyone has a great rest of their summer. Remember to keep living in the moment and spreading the Moondance Magic!
– Ellie, Grady, and Tommy
Climbing, Rafting, and Tahoe Bound!
June 18, 2025
Day 5: Rock Climbing and June Lake (June 12, 2025)
What a start to our Yosemite adventures! After a hearty breakfast, we hit the road for Tuolumne Meadows to meet our rock climbing guides. The drive was beautiful, and soon we were geared up and hiking to Puppy Rock. Here, the team quickly learned the ropes, mastering knot-tying, climbing techniques, and the crucial skills of belaying and being a backup belayer. It was incredibly cool to watch everyone belay each other, building trust and confidence! We kept our energy up with extra GORP and finished the session with an exhilarating rappelling experience. William was the MVP of the day, conquering all four climbing areas and showing off his rappelling prowess!
Post-climbing, a well-deserved treat awaited us at Local Scoop by June Lake, where CJ finally got his peach milkshake! We savored our ice cream before heading back to camp for a refreshing swim in the scenic lake. A few rounds of “Shake and Pop” added to the fun, and Maggie and Madelyn bravely took a cold plunge before we returned to camp. We ended the night with delicious Pizza Pita dinners cooked together, accompanied by good music and a quick game of soccer before our final Moonup.
Day 6: More Climbing and Town Explorations (June 13, 2025)
Our second day of rock climbing brought new challenges and a new location! We met our awesome new guides, Josh and Drew, and dove into more technical climbs with crevices that tested our skills. The students continued to impress with their belaying, ensuring everyone felt secure. William once again proved his climbing might, ascending all three spots with ease. Madelyn, Lola, and Virginia also demonstrated incredible perseverance on the tougher routes. A highlight was definitely when some of the students took turns belaying the leaders – a fun role reversal! We enjoyed a beautiful lunch with a stunning view before heading into the charming town by June Lake.
At the general store, the students enjoyed browsing stickers, t-shirts, and snacks, picking up mementos of our adventures. CJ couldn’t resist another peach milkshake, while Christian and Gabby opted for a savory grilled cheese from the local deli. We then returned to June Lake for more swimming and relaxation. Ellie even got to enjoy some peaceful watercolor painting on the beach with the help of Madelyn and Maggie. After getting clean with showers, we feasted on a delicious spaghetti dinner prepared by Grady and Tommy. The evening wrapped up with a lively game of manhunt and jamming out to music while watching the sunset. It was a great last Moonup at Oh Ridge campground!
Day 7: Lakeside Hikes & New Campsites (June 14, 2025)
A relaxed start to the day with a delicious breakfast of pancakes and eggs cooked by Lola and Ellie! After packing up camp with everyone’s super helpful contributions to setting up tents and gear, we headed to the Dog Lake Trail. The hike was beautiful, and we enjoyed lunch by the serene lake, where we even found patches of snow! CJ, William, and Christian had a blast playing in the snow.
Post-hike, we began our scenic drive through Yosemite towards Camp Lotus. We grabbed some snacks along the way and enjoyed a lively game of “Snaps.” Everyone had a great time on the ride, and upon arriving at Camp Lotus, we had a fun surprise: running into the Cal A group! Dinner was delicious quesadillas, and we’re all buzzing with excitement for tomorrow’s rafting adventure!
Day 8: Whitewater on the American River (June 15, 2025)
Another morning, another delightful breakfast of pancakes and eggs, followed by some chill time before meeting our rafting guides, Devin and Sophia. They gave us a thorough safety talk, and soon we were in our boats, ready to tackle the South Fork of the American River! Grace and Virginia kept us entertained with her funny stories, and Christian and Louise proved to be excellent paddlers. We paused on the river for a fantastic lunch of delicious sandwiches prepared by our guides, topped off with Oreos and peanut butter – a perfect riverside meal!
Back on the water, we headed into the Gorge, where the excitement truly picked up as we navigated Class III rapids. Everyone loved “Hospital” and “Witch’s Cauldron”! CJ and Louise even tried to “take down” Devin during our swimming section, adding to the hilarity. After an exhilarating day on the river, we enjoyed hot showers back at camp. The evening was filled with delicious spinach and artichoke dip, card games, and music. We then indulged in a fantastic dinner of steak, chicken, pasta, and salad, finishing with brownies and milk. The night ended with some fun “raft school” games with the guides, including “Blaze O,” and a great Moonup.
Day 9: North Fork Rafting & Tahoe Bound!
Today started with packing up camp at Camp Lotus, and everyone continued to do a great job with the tents! We had a wonderful breakfast with our guides, enjoying hot chocolate and their incredible cooking. After finishing up camp, we made our way to All Outdoors, where we reunited with Devin and Sophia before hopping on the bus to raft the North Fork of the American River. This section kicked off with exhilarating Class III rapids, eventually mellowing out to Class II. Our favorite rapid was definitely “Troublemaker,” where we all got down inside the raft for a wild ride!
The day was filled with singing and sunshine on the river. We enjoyed another delicious lunch with the guides, complete with Oreos and peanut butter, before saying our goodbyes. We then loaded up the van and set our sights on Lake Tahoe! Upon arrival, we quickly set up camp and had another pleasant surprise: running into the Cal C group! Ellie outdid herself with an absolutely “FIRE” hibachi dinner! To top it off, we thought we were going to the “grocery store” but were delightfully surprised with ice cream! We all picked different flavors and savored every bite. We returned to camp just in time to watch a beautiful sunset before our evening Moonup. What a fantastic first evening in Tahoe!
Thank you’s!
Madelyn- Thank you Ellie, Grady, and Tommy for taking care of us. Thank you Ellie for helping me climb to the top. Thank you to my group for keeping me laughing and entertained. Thank you so much mom for always supporting me!
Gabby- Thank you Ellie, Grady, and Tommy for keeping the fun going (Ellie), helping us out when we need it and helping us try new things (Grady), and entertaining with good jokes (Tommy). Thank you to our guides for helping us do all of this amazing stuff. And lastly, thank you to my mom and dad for making this trip/experience possible also HAPPY FATHERS DAY DAD!!!!! I love you so much!
Maggie- Thank you Ellie, Grady, and Tommy for giving an experience that I will never forget. Thank you surfer Jeff for making surfing so much fun. Thank you group for always building each other up. Thank you for making activities easy and enjoyable. Finally Thank you Mom and Dad for making this trip possible and Dad for making this trip possible. Happy Fathers Day Dad!! I love you so much!
Christian- Thank you for all of our outfitters throughout the trip and especially the white water rafting outfitters for making us amazing food. Thank you Tommy, Grady, and Ellie for giving me an amazing trip experience. Thank you mom and dad for this trip!
William- Thank you Mom, Dad, and the outfitters, Grady, Tommy, Ellie and everyone on the trip for allowing me to be able to do this. I am having a great time. I am sad it is coming to an end but am happy to see you soon.
Grace- Thank you to all of the outfitters for making this not only fun but safe and thank you Ellie, Grady, and Tommy for taking care of him this past two weeks. Happy late Father’s Day and Happy early Birthday Evy I love you Mom, Dad, James and Evy I can’t wait to see you.
CJ- Thanks to all the guides throughout the trip you made it so much fun. Thank you Mom and Dad for this trip and for always supporting me. Happy Fathers Day Dad! Love you
Virginia- Thanks to all the Outfitters for making this trip special! Thanks to Ellie, Grady,and Tommy for making this one of the best trips ever!! Thanks Mom and Dad for sending me on this trip. Happy late Father’s Day Dad!! Thank you Rainey and Lilllie for Helping me Pack and Lillie for lending me her clothes. Missing yall and love you!!
Louise- Thank you to all the great outfitters that have made our activities so fun. Thank you to Tommy, Grady, and Ellie for giving us the best trip ever. Thank you to my mom and dad for always being there for me. I miss y’all so much. Happy late Father’s Day dad! I love you guys so much!!
Lola- Thank you Mom and Dad for sending me on moondance. Thank you to Ellie, Tommy, and Grady for making this trip so special and fun! Happy Fathers day dad! I hope you had the best day ever. I love and miss you guys so much!
Ellie- Thank you Grady and Tommy for all the help this summer. Thank you to all of the wonderful guides we had this summer! Thank you mom and dad for always supporting me. I miss yall!
Grady- Thank you Ellie and Tommy so much for being awesome and helpful co-leaders! Thank you mom and dad for supporting me from afar. This trip has been great.
Tommy- Thank you to my amazing co-leaders, Ellie and Grady for making this trip amazing! Thank you Mom and Dad for supporting me in having the opportunity to have the best summer ever in California. I miss y’all!
Cool Days and California Ways
June 13, 2025
Day 1: Arriving in Half Moon Bay (June 8th)
We started the day with the arrival of all the students at SFO airport. Even while waiting, the group quickly bonded! Grace, Maggie, and Madelyn were already engaged in a lively hacky sack game, getting to know Tommy. Once everyone was together, we spent some time connecting before hopping into the U-Haul and van, heading straight for the beautiful Half Moon Bay – Francis Beach campsite.
Upon arrival, Tommy and Grady gave a fantastic lesson on how to set up a tent, and it was great to see each student working together to set up our three tents. We introduced them to the “Camping Triangle” and the essential “Leave No Trace” backcountry logic that guides our sleeping arrangements. After a thorough gear check and setting up our sleeping bags, CJ and Christian wasted no time setting up spikeball, and the group played enthusiastically until Tommy arrived with a surprise pizza dinner for “banquet night”! We all enjoyed our delicious meal at the picnic table, which provided the perfect transition to teach the students about dish cleaning and more Leave No Trace ethics.
As the sun began to set, we grabbed our crazy creeks and headed to the beach for our first “Moonup.” We reviewed crucial rules such as expedition behavior, clean-up and cooking crew rotations, “Leaders of the Day” (LODs), and our “Good Decisions Agreement.” The students were thrilled to receive their own Moondance journals and t-shirts! During Moonup, Maggie and Madelyn even spotted a seal in the ocean! It was a cool surprise for all of us. We wrapped up the night discussing our trip goals and electing the LODs for the next day, followed by music, more spikeball, and cozying up in our tents.
Day 2: Surfing at Pacifica Beach & Beach Baseball (June 9th)
June 9th kicked off with a delicious breakfast of pancakes and eggs, expertly cooked by our fantastic crew, Lola and Christian. After the meal, Madelyn and Grace, our LODs, led a morning huddle, and the cleaning crew did an excellent job tidying up camp. We were then off to Pacifica Beach for our first surfing session! We met our guides and even ran into another group, CAL C, on the way. The guides taught us surfing techniques and how to “pop up.” CJ was shredding the waves, making everyone excited to hit the water again tomorrow.
The drive back to camp was incredibly scenic, with sightings of whales and dolphins! Back at camp, we enjoyed some well-deserved downtime with spikeball, cards, and Gabby even found some quiet time to crack open her book. Tommy surprised us with a soccer ball, and Virginia quickly organized a small match. Dinner was a delightful pasta bar with many toppings. We ended the day with an epic baseball game on the beach, where William and Louise were hitting dingers left and right. In a thrilling finish, the “Saucy Nugs” beat the “Plain Dogs.” Our evening Moonup on the beach brought another seal sighting, marking a great first full day in California!
Day 3: Yosemite Bound! (June 10th)
On June 10th, we woke early to pack up camp at Half Moon Bay. After a delicious breakfast, we loaded the U-Haul for our second day of surfing. The morning was chilly, but our wetsuits kept us perfectly warm. Maggie and Louise continued to impress, catching some great waves! We honed our skills, learning how to paddle out to the line and read the waves. After thanking our guides, we made a fun stop at the famous Taco Bell Cantina right on the beach, where everyone enjoyed a refreshing Baja Blast.
Our next big adventure was Yosemite, so we hopped in the car and began our trek. The drive was filled with games, funny stories, and jamming out to music. We made a quick stop at a gas station, where CJ and Christian made a beeline for the sunflower seeds! It was a beautiful drive, building our excitement for the wonders of Yosemite. We set up our tents and bundled up, ready for a good night’s rest.
Day 4: Nevada Falls & Yosemite Exploration (June 11th)
We started bright and early with a journey to the Nevada Falls trail. Our scenic drive through Yosemite treated us to sightings of several deer and other wildlife. We prepared some delicious GORP (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts) for our hike, along with our pack-out lunches. We drove into the valley and found our way to the Nevada Hike via the iconic Mist Trail. Virginia led the pack as we hiked up to Clark Point, where Grady, Madelyn, Maggie, and Virginia spontaneously broke into a dance break.
From there, we ascended to Nevada Falls, where we were met with a breathtaking view. We sat at the top, enjoying our GORP, and then came the polar plunge. William was the first to dive in, and the rest of the group quickly followed-it was the perfect way to cool down after the hike. We then descended to Vernal Falls, experiencing its refreshing mist and marveling at the lush surroundings with a beautiful rainbow arching across the waterfall. We ended the hike feeling accomplished and proud. Back at Yosemite, we celebrated with an extravagant taco spread for dinner, closed out our day with Moonup, and got some well-deserved rest, excited for what tomorrow holds!
We’re incredibly proud of how the students are embracing every challenge and forming strong bonds. Stay tuned for more updates as our California adventure continues!
Shoutouts:
Lola- “Hey Mom and Dad! The views at Nevada falls were beautiful. I miss you and can’t wait to see you. The lake was so fun today. I love you so much!”
Louise- “I really enjoyed laying at the top of Nevada Falls. I can’t wait to see you! We had fun at June Lake today. I miss you so much!”
Virginia- “Dear mom and day, I miss y’all and love y’all so much! We have done so much cool stuff in California which I cant wait to tell you. Tell all the dogs and dats I love them. Tell Rainey I love her and hope Lillies has a blast. I am making so many fun memories and can’t wait to see y’all in 8 days!!”
Gabby- “Dear Mom, Dad, Dylan, Holland, Bella and Wilson. I miss y’all so much and I love y’all so much. I can’t wait to see you soon. But I am having so much fun fleeting new people, trying new things, and having new food. I also miss the dogs and Holland and can’t wait to see you guys! Yosemite is so pretty and the counselors are so nice! Give the dogs a pet for me and tell Holland I love her!”
Maggie- “I miss y’all so much! California is so pretty. We did a hike with an awesome view. We are just getting started and I can’t wait to tell yall the rest. I can’t wait to see y’all in 8 days and tell Lucy, Dilly, and Clyde I say hey! This is such an awesome experience. Love yall!”
Madelyn- Mom, Avery, Charlie, and Pinky, I miss y’all so much and I am having so much fun in California. My favorite thing so far has been rock climbing and repelling. I love y’all so much! I have such a fun group and such good leaders!!! I miss y’all but I am having so much fun. The views in Yosemite are the prettiest thing I have ever seen. I Love you!”
Grace- “Mom and Dad, I miss you so much and love you. I am excited to tell you about all my adventures. Give all the dogs, especially Masy and all my horses, especially Cally. I love you so much and will see you in 8 days!”
Christian- “Dear Mom and Dad, This Trip is so fun. My favorite so far was rock climbing in Yosemite and surfing was fun too but cold. The other boys are chill and fun.”
CJ- “Dear Mom and Dad, This trip is very fun and the activities are awesome. My favorite activities are rock climbing, surfing, and swimming. Thank you so much for this awesome experience. Miss and love y’all a lot!”
William- “Hey Mom, Dad, and siblings. I am having a great time. We started out by the beach where we surfed, the water was cold but we were in wet suits that made it warmer. We are now at the second campsite in Yosemite and hiked to the waterfall. The views are amazing. We went rock climbing and repelled down like Tom cruise. I hope you are having a great time there. I love you and see you soon.”
Safe Arrival!
June 8, 2025
Hello California Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has landed safely in San Francisco! 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
