So long Cham
July 2, 2025
For the last time, Bonjour! It hasn’t been long since we last updated y’all but boy have we done a lot. After finishing up our final trek in the Pyrenees, we made our way to Paris! With only 1 full day to spend exploring the city, and savoring our last moments all together as a group, we made sure to make the most of It!
Our arrival in Paris was met with the most wonderful surprise… Ansley’s return to the group! The group, led by Piper, despite not knowing exactly when she would show up, waited for her in the lobby of the hostel and greeted Ansley with the biggest hugs and promises to fill her in on literally everything from the past few days. Once our group was all together, we feasted on a traditional Parisian dinner, at a cafe filled with some of the biggest teddy bears we had ever seen! The night ended with one of my favorite moonups of the session where we played a game of hearts and ate lots of sour spaghetti gummies, happy to be all together again!The next day was jam packed! We started the day off by splitting into 2 groups to explore the city with a short run or walk to get the day started. We returned to the hostel for none other than coffee and croissants waiting for us! Next on the itinerary was shopping- a thrift store, Zara (of course!), … we did them all. Afterwards we stopped for a quick lunch of pizza and made our way to the Shakespeare Book Company, which may have been Lyla’s heaven. We saw some of the most beautiful rooms lined top to bottom with shelves on shelves of books and no shortage of history between those walls. If you have never been to Paris, I would definitely recommend a visit! Then, in true Moondance fashion, no town day would be complete without some gelato!The girls did some last final shopping, while Corley and Henry slipped away to look for Henry’s perfect beret but instead found a street with not one, not two, but probably 10 different outdoor stores! We topped off the night with a final banquet dinner where for the last time, Marie amazed us with her ability to speak in French with the waiter! After \ some of the best food we have eaten this trip, we set out for one final stop- the Eiffel tower! On the way there, Mary kept spirits high with her singing and Carter dropped some free style bars that never failed to make us laugh. We closed the day with moonup under the Eiffel tower and watched it shimmer under the night sky! We reminisced on the trip, talked about what parts of ourself we hope to take back to our lives back home, and closed the moonup by wrapping ourselves in bubble wrap to signify what a crazy past 3 weeks we have had! I am sure our students will tell you all about what the bubble wrap meant to our group! We raced back to make the final metro of the night and to pack our bags before the early flights the next morning. I cannot put into words how special these past three weeks have been! Our group is truly one of a kind and our bonds have only grown stronger through each section of this trip. We will sure miss all the hacky sack sessions, trail talk, and more than anything living each moment to the fullest with this group. While it may be goodbye for now, it is just a see you later until our group runs the Charleston half marathon dressed as the rainbow later this year! Au revoir!
Caroline and Corley
Chamonix Shoutouts!
June 29, 2025
Ansley- thank you so much for letting me go on this trip and thank you mom and Harper for flying out to stay with me until I got to meet back up with our group. I miss you dad and can’t wait to see you soon!! Love Ansley
Piper – thank you so much for this trip of a lifetime! I have had such an amazing time and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. I miss you but can’t wait to see you soon!!! Love you more
Mary- Thank you so much for letting me go on trip number four! I love the Moondance community and all the friends I make from these trips!!! I can’t wait to see y’all and tell you all about it!
Henry – Thank you so much for letting me go on this trip. It has definitely been one to remember! I have made so many new friends and had so many awesome memories! Can’t wait to see you guys back in boulder!
Lyla – I just wanted to say thank you for letting me have this incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience. I have met people on this trip that I would not have even thought to talk to otherwise, and seen sights that defy even the grandest imagination. As much as I miss you, I know you would be proud of the ways I have grown in my absence, in this strange, wonderful world.
Marie- Thank you for everything! I miss all of you so much. Mom and dad, thank you for making this trip of a lifetime possible. I love you all so much and can’t wait to see you in a few days!
Carter- Thank you so much for this incredible trip and experience, Mom and Dad!! I had the most amazing time and so much fun going to the most beautiful places ever with the best people. I love you so much and can’t wait to see you so soon!
Mountain Memories
June 29, 2025
Our 7-day trek has truly been one for the books, and we couldn’t be more proud of this tight-knit, adventurous group. Traversing lush valleys, climbing high mountain passes, and taking polar plunges into glacier-fed tributaries have made this section of the trip an unforgettable blend of challenge and awe.
We kicked things off with a huge first day, tackling a massive incline that led us up to a breathtaking mountain pass. At the top, the ridge line rewarded us with sweeping views that made every step worth it. Piper captured some incredible photos, immortalizing the moment for all of us to remember. Our hostel for the night, Espeguettes, was one of the most incredible structures we have ever seen — perched perfectly among the peaks, with a friendly mule as a neighbor who wandered over to greet us (and was warmly welcomed by Lyla in the doorway, of course).
On day two, Mary took the lead and guided us up to the famous Gavarnie Falls in the Cirque de Gavarnie. This towering 422-meter waterfall cascaded over ancient limestone, creating a cool misty breeze that turned into an unforgettable natural shower. The group stood in awe, taking in the sheer force and beauty of the falls — a moment that perfectly captured the spirit of adventure and connection with nature that has defined our trip.
After leaving France, we crossed into the Spanish side of the Pyrenees. The descent was steep — nearly 900 meters — but with Henry’s endless banter and uplifting energy, it felt more like a fun, shared journey than a difficult task. We arrived at our rustic stone-built hostel in Bujaruelo, tired but beaming with accomplishment and excitement for what lay ahead.
As the trek neared its end, we entered the stunning Ordesa Canyon National Park. We climbed almost 3,000 feet to reach the top of the canyon and began an unforgettable rim hike. During this section, we shared a meditative solo hike, giving everyone a chance to reflect in silence. Marie shared later that she was able to truly soak in the scenery and think deeply about the journey and friendships she’s formed — a beautiful moment of gratitude and presence.
The following two days were filled with hiking through wildflower-filled meadows and along valley streams that shimmered an unreal shade of blue. Many of us braved the icy water for quick swims that left us laughing and breathless, feeling more alive than ever. The climbs were tough but by this point, the group had become a strong, confident team, encouraging each other every step of the way.
Our final big push led us up a steep trail to the finish line of our trek. Spirits were high and each person powered up the climb, finishing stronger than they started. The pride and joy on everyone’s faces at the top said it all — a shared sense of achievement that will stay with us forever.
After saying goodbye to the mountains, we drove into Luz St. Sauveur, a charming mountain town where we treated ourselves to fresh lemonade, slices of pizza, and a celebratory round of bowling. Carter stole the show on the lanes, proudly taking home the win and giving everyone another reason to laugh and cheer together.
That evening, we shared a heartfelt Moonup, our final one in the mountains. We reflected on the growth we’ve seen in each other, the inside jokes that kept us going, and the small moments that turned into lifelong memories.
Now, as we head into Paris for our final days together, there’s a mix of excitement and bittersweet feelings in the air. We’re looking forward to exploring the city’s sights, tasting incredible food, and soaking up every last moment with this extraordinary group.
It’s hard to believe our time together is coming to a close, but the bonds that have formed — the deep friendships, the shared struggles and triumphs, and the countless laughs — are what make Moondance so special. For both the students and for Caroline and me, these past days have been more than a trip; they’ve been a life-changing adventure.
Fun + Sun in Spain!
June 22, 2025
Hola from Costa Brava, Spain!
Since the last time we updated y’all, we have traded in our hiking boots for flip flops and our trekking poles for paddles! Our “vacation” in Costa Brava has been nothing short of amazing.
Our first day in Spain was a much-needed rest day. With no plans, everyone was able to sleep in. However, while others were sleeping, Mary (still wearing her hiking boots!) and I went on a run, followed by an ocean plunge! Our group spent the day hanging out at the beach— playing hacky sack, swimming in the ocean, and tanning on the beach. Oh, and ice cream!
At the beach, we came up with an idea— girls vs. boys cook-off. For dinner this first night, it would be the girls’ turn. Ansley took on the challenge of being head chef. She gathered her team and cooked a three-course meal of chips and salsa + guacamole, tacos, and my personal favorite, “dirt”. To the girls’ surprise, Carter realized while making the guacamole that we had accidentally bought baking powder instead of salt… that explained why our eggs were so fluffy in the morning and why no matter how much “salt” she put in the guacamole, it never tasted quite right. After enjoying dinner, the LODs organized a group to fill up water bottles for the group. On the way to the water station, the group passed by a 60th birthday celebration. Without missing a beat, Henry hopped into the dance circle and immediately became the life of the party.
The next two days consisted of sea kayaking through the open waters, caves, and tunnels carved through the jagged rocks of Costa Brava. We had some of the most amazing views in the world, and had a blast exploring the coast in our kayaks. Once again, Lyla blew us away with her natural abilities in kayaking, but what was even more impressive was her constant reminders to look around! Marie even got to do some exploring underwater when she took out a snorkel. She and Corley even managed to find an octopus that squirted ink all over one of the kayaks when one of our guides tried to pick it up! At the same time, some of our guides tried to teach a couple of people in the group how to roll a sea kayak! When we weren’t in a kayak, we filled our days listening to lots of reggae music, skipping rocks, eating fruits on the rocky beaches, and LOTS of tanning! Piper’s tanning lotion was most definitely a hit, and probably one of the most used items on the trip so far!
In addition to sea kayaking, we also got to test out our cooking skills in a class at a local restaurant. We worked as a group to cook some traditional Catalonian food! Everyone expanded their taste buds as they tried new dishes, including Fideua and Pan con Tomate.
While we are sad to end our time at Costa Brava, we could not be more excited for the adventure that lies ahead of us in the Pyrenees!
-Caroline & Corley
Some messages from the group!
Mary- Hey hey fam! i have really loved this trip!!! they are all such sweet people and the viewsare insane. Tour de Mont Blanc was amazing and sea kayaking was a perfect break between hiking. Can’t wait to see yall and love you so so much! PS: Tell the Lorences I said hi and can’t wait to come home!
Marie- Hi Mom, Dad, Anna, Nina and Frank’s! I love and miss you guys and i hope everything is going well in Athens! Mom and Dad I hope everything in Athens is going well and that you had a good week! Anna- I can’t wait to see you in August and tell Sam and Max I say hi! Nina- I hope the Camino is the best ever and tell Sierra I said hi! i can’t wait to see all the pictures! Franki- I hope the Princeton camp went well and that you are having fun with all of your summer basketball. We are starting our trek in the Pyrenees tomorrow and then head to Paris! can’t wait to see y’all in July!!
Carter- Hi Mom, Dad, Davis and Durland! I hope everything is going well at home and that you had the best trip, Dur, and that sports camp is going well, Davis! I can’t wait to hear all about it. Spain was so beautiful and sea kayaking was really fun. We’re headed to the Pyrenees for trekking and then going to Paris!! I love and miss yall so much and can’t wait to see you soon!
Lyla- Hey y’all, hope everyone’s hanging in there. We’re en route to the Pyrenees for our final trek, then we’ll try and look civilized for our day in Paris. This trip is truly once-in-a-lifetime and I’m excited to be humbled by the mountains once more. I love you all, I miss you, and I can’t wait to spend time with you. Give Bones a treat for me.
Henry- Hey Mom, Dad, and max! This trip has been so incredible so far, even with all of its upsand downs. Everyone I have met is so cool, and fun to be around. We just finished the seakayaking portion of the trip and had a blast! The water in spain is so blue it’s crazy. Now we are heading to the pyrenees to start our second trekking adventure. Love you, and can’t wait to seeall of you.
Ansley- hey guys!!! i hope these past two weeks have been filled with fun and exciting opportunities! harper i hope you got the news you wanted about soccer, and I know that wherever you go you’ll love it! we just finished sea kayaking and it was so so much fun; we gotto snorkel too! we are about to head to the Pyrenees and then to Paris! The tour to Mont Blanc was amazing and the views were great. see you guys in july!!
Piper- Hey guys!!! These past weeks have been so much fun and we have done so many amazing things. We finished the tour de mont blanc and then went to spain for sea kayaking. The water was incredible and now we’re getting ready for the pyrenees! I hope montana is funand i can’t wait to be out there with u all. I love u more!!!
Alpine Peaks and Mediterranean Dreams
June 17, 2025
Bonjour! We have just completed our section of the Tour Du Mont Blanc! 2 days exploring the town of Chamonix and 5 days of beautiful and breathtaking (literally) treks in the Italian, Swiss and French Alps. Everyone exhibited their inner mountain goat this past week as the climbs were long and steep. Ansley and Piper surprised us with their laughter the entire way up each climb. Conquering each of these difficult alpine climbs, have made the views even better and the feeling of reward even stronger. Of the pack, Lyla showed us what it means to be born to Trek, as she led the group everyday and showed no signs of exhaustion or negativity. The group was surely inspired by her attitude. Throughout our time in the Alps, the crew hacky sacked like it was an Olympic Sport. With a trainer like Henry, everyone has gained capabilities in the sack circle, not to mention the jaw dropping tricks. Carter, with her soccer expertise, was able to transfer the technique smoothly and keep the rallies going. With all of this said, where there are tricks, there are mistakes… On our last night of the trek, the hacky sack was kicked into a Swiss creek, not once but twice. This sparked a fire in the hacky sack “EMTs”, Marie and Sander. The group watched as they rushed down the banks of the creek and reached in to save the sack from the rapids ahead. It was the courage and the effort here that showed Caroline and I that we have a full functioning team here in Europe. The trails on the North side of the Tour Du Mont Blanc have had some of the best views the group has ever seen. Nearing sheer mountain cliffs and traversing valleys flooded with alpine Wildflowers, we have explored it all! Mary has kept the vibes high with her impeccable spirit chatting and leading trail songs and Andrew has kept the crew captivated with his animated storytelling and leading of games like Mafia. Chuck has showed us how to be humble on these epic mountains. Surprising us with his skills on the communal guitar we found in the hostel of Trient. At these hostels, Doug has been a stranger to nobody. He is able to create friendships with people from all over. Of the many things not mentioned, the food here has been immaculate. The bread, the cheese, the fondue and most importantly of all, the Juices. Tate has been a pioneer of all things fruit flavored. Thus giving us the recommendations of a lifetime in the world of Fruit juice such as the group favorite, Orangina.
The views, hikes, games, hostels, food and being unplugged are just a fraction of what we have been up to in the mountains of Europe. The bond of the group has been tight ever since they landed in Paris and that’s a blessing. Caroline and I have enjoyed every minute of the Tour Du Mont Blanc with these kiddos and we cannot wait to arrive in Spain to kayak the Mediterranean! We are having a blast and want to say thank you to the people back home who have given all of us this opportunity!
Tate: Thank you guys so much for allowing me to go on this trip! I’m having so much fun and have met so many cool people and done so many cool things I can’t wait to tell y’all about! I miss and love you guys so much and also happy Father’s Day dad!!!
Ansley: hiiii thank you so so much for letting me go on another moondance!! I’m having so much fun the views hikes and people are amazing and I’m so glad I have two more weeks with them! Ilove you guys so much and hope back home is going well! (P.s: I’ll pay you back for my purchases).
Piper: hi!!! Thank you so much for sending on on this trip. I am having so much fun and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. Everyone is so kind and the views are amazing. I love you guys so much and I can’t wait for the summer in MT. love you more!!! (P.s. I will pay you back for the bag don’t want you to think it was an irresponsible purchase as I’m on this expensive trip.)
Marie: Hi Mom, Dad, Anna, Nina and Franki!! I am having such an amazing trip!! My group is awesome! Also Corley and Caroline rock and are the best leaders! We just finished the Tour du Mont Blanc and the views were incredible. We are headed to Spain tomorrow!! I can’t wait to tell you all about it when I get back. Thank you for such an amazing experience! I love you all so much!
Mary Eleanor: Hi fam!!! This trip and group is absolutely amazing. Thank y’all so much for letting me have another year with Moondance! We just finished Tour du Mont Blanc and it was amazing with so many killer views. I love y’all so so much and can’t WAIT to share all the amazing stories!! Ps- tell the Lorences I said hi!
Lyla: Hi Mom, Dad, Maddie, Sienna and Colin! And Bones, of course. I miss you all immensely and wish you could be here with me to share in these amazing sights and stories. I don’t think you’d like the hiking as much, but I love it. We completed the northern half of Tour du Mont Blanc today, and Costa Brava awaits. You’ll be happy to know Corley and Caroline ensure I don’t get lost and eat regularly. I love you and I can’t wait to tell you all about this trip, for which I am deeply grateful. Kiss Bones for me 🙂
Doug: Hey mom and dad, the trip is going great so far. We just finished our first hike. I’m having a great time. Can’t wait to see y’all again.
Henry- waddup mom, dad and max, trip has been extremely fun so far. We just finished the tour du mount Blanc, it was incredible. I’ve made a bunch of dope new friends, and both of our leaders are super sick people. I miss you lots, and while the trip is incredible I can’t wait to get home. Also, happy late Father’s Day dad! Love Henry.
Sander: Hey Mama y Papa trip has been awesome so far, and we’re about to head out to sea kayaking. Both our leaders are so cool and there are lots of friends I’ve made. The trip is incredible so far but I definitely miss the puppies and y’all. Also tell Grady that he’s fat for me, and happy Father’s Day Paps.
Carter: Hi Mom, Dad, and Davis! I’ve had the most amazing trip so far. I absolutely love my group and my leaders and have made a lot of great friends! We just finished hiking Tour Du Mont Blanc and it was one of the coolest things ever and the views were so beautiful. I hope Dur is having the best time in Madeira and Davis is having a great time at sports camp. I’m so excited because we’re about to go to Costa Brava to sea kayak and it will be nice to take a break from hiking. I love and miss y’all and the pups so much and can’t wait to see you in a couple of weeks. Happy late Father’s Day, Dad!
Andrew: Hi!! It has been a super fun trip. We just finished the tour of mount Blanc and are going sea kayaking. Should be a great time. Hope y’all are having fun at home. Also, happy Father’s Day Love you
Chuck: Hey mom and dad miss you guys lots. I have been having the best time with the boys and we just finished the tour of Mont Blanc. Tomorrow is sea kayaking and I’m am so hyped. I hope everything is going well in Chicago and I can’t wait to see you soon and tell you all about it. I have been writing in my journal every day so I can keep track of all the stories to tell you guys. Also, happy Father’s Day dad we have to do some great hiking in New Hampshire to celebrate when I’m back. Love you all so much and can’t wait to see you. Tell my siblings I miss them, and am excited for New Hampshire. See you soon!
Safe Arrival in Paris!
June 12, 2025
Hello Chamonix Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has landed safely in Paris! The trip is off to a great start, and we cannot wait to hear more stories from their adventure as they prepare to begin their trekking section!
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
