Final Update from Iceland!
July 30, 2025
We have had so much fun with this group and it is truly the perfect group to bring our incredible experience in Iceland to a close. We are so proud of how they all handled the trekking section. It’s not easy, yet they made it look so.
We began the trekking section in high spirits. It was an easy day and so beautiful. Daisy marveled at the beautiful yet unforgiving landscape of twisted black lava rock covered in near-neon green moss. Charles Feirn kept the group entertained with many funny stories and jokes, as always. Emerson stayed up front the whole time and I am so proud of her for pushing through and still taking in the beauty of it all. When we arrived to our campsite, we set up camp and Charles Jackson was so helpful as usual, being the first to unload the trailer and set up the kitchen tent.
After everything was set up, we took the group on a walk to a beautiful hidden waterfall lagoon where we had Moonup. On the way back Daniel and I rolled down a steep hill, laughing all the way. When I asked him why he wanted to roll, he said, “I just feel like I have to.” That’s Daniel. We had an amazing dinner of burritos with the toppings beautifully prepped by Emerson.
The next day was the longest, we were up early and got going. We passed the time by sharing riddles and Claire guessed both of them on the spot! So sharp. We walked for what felt like an eternity but spirits were high- I loved how excited they all remained despite the elements. Angus did a great job of keeping the groups energy up by being an easy to talk to person on the trail and always bringing a smile.
When we got to our second campsite, Georgia hosted an epic hacky sack match- Eloise and Hutton were voted most improved! Hollis played the guitar and sang for everyone which was very special, he is so talented! Stella was a huge helping hand at this campsite, and always brought her perseverance, sense of humor and lightness to the group. Georgia also braided all the boys’ hair (including mine) which was so fun.
The next day Georgia and Coleman cruised in the caboose, covering all topics under the sun including old disney channel shows and his bread baking abilities! Hopefully we will get to try some in the future. Charlotte entertained us all with great dance moves whenever our speaker was turned up on the trail and at camp! We kept moving and smashed all of the local guide’s records!! Overall, trekking is a tough but incredibly rewarding part of the trip and we were honored to be able to experience with this strong but light-hearted group.
We wish them the best of luck for the next school year and are so happy to have been able to have had the experience of a lifetime together!
With love through fire and ice,
Moss and Georgia
Update from Iceland!
July 29, 2025
Hey, so sorry! I had one written and the phone cut out of service as it was sending. Here’s an updated one. Sorry again!
Hello again from Iceland 3A
We apologize for the late update, but we are happy to report that everyone is happy and well and we are headed out of the backcountry! We had so much fun white water rafting right before our trekking section. While we did not have the warmest of weather, we embraced the elements by imitating Viking warships and sieging each other’s boats as well as taking on a cliff jump mid-river feet first! Hollis and Charles Jackson led the charge from the boys boat and quickly defeated the girls who put up a solid effort to defend their matriarch, Georgia who ended up in the river as well. Daniel was our brave soul to jump first, leading the group where everyone showed their bravery and completed the jump! Angus enjoyed the sauna after getting out of the cold water, as well as a nice soak in the hot tub before a wonderful meal of burgers and fries. Daisy and Eloise dominate our favorite card game KEMPS, due to their cousin connection and telepathy. Charlotte took on every role in our other favorite group game, one night ultimate werewolf, with wit and cleverness and always kept her cool no matter how lively the discussion got. Emerson taught many of us how to play rummy, which there is always time for during a rainy day hanging out in the kitchen tent, which Charles Jackson, Daniel, and Hollis are always the first to help set up. Claire always brought her competitive yet positive attitude to every activity we took on or game we played, and led an especially moving Moonup where we talked about influential moments in our lives. Coleman and Charles Feirn were always making the group laugh with their colorful jokes and comments during long treks and group games and dinner table conversations.
We cannot wait to see everyone so soon! We have had the best two weeks here and are leaving as a big happy family!
With TLC,
Georgia and Moss
Thank you’s
Thanks mom and dad, I’ve had such a great time with all the people and activities. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow! -Emerson
Stella
Hi fam!! Thank you so much Mom and Dad for giving me the opportunity to go adventure in Iceland this summer! I had the best time with such amazing people. This trip has been such a transformative experience, I have gained so many friends who have helped me learn more about myself and inspired me. Love y’all so much and can’t wait to see y’all again!! ❤️
Claire
Hey fam! Thank you so much for allowing me to come on this trip! It has really changed my mindset about so many things, and the people I have met will continue to have such an influence in my life. Love yall so much and so excited to see you tmrw!
Charlotte
Thank you so much for sending me on this trip! I’ve gained a new perspective on so many things that I’m sure will help me in the future. I’ve met the most amazing people and have had so much fun. I miss y’all so much and can’t wait to see you tomorrow!!
Eloise
Hey mom and dad! Thank you so much for letting me go on this trip! I’ve had the best time and met the most amazing people. This trip really helped me go outside my comfort zone and try new things! Miss y’all! See you tomorrow!
Daisy
Hi mom and dad!! I had the best time on this trip and made so many friends! We did so many activities and reached a ton of goals/summits. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow!!
Hutton
How mom and dad this trip has been an amazing experience from swimming to trekking for 50 miles. Thank you for sending me to this amazing place. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow
Hollis
Mom, Dad this trip was 100% a 10/10. I can’t even tell you how much fun I’ve had on this trip. I’ve gained so many new friends and Moss and Georgia are the best. I miss y’all so much and I can’t wait to see y’all. I also have so much to tell y’all. Oh and Jack was there a kid on your trip named Edward cause that’s Danny’s brother.
Charles Feirn
Hi Mom and Dad this trip has been a blast we just got done trekking we trekked fifty two miles across five days. I can’t wait to come home I miss y’all so much.
Charles Jackson
Hey guys! Trekking was fun. Charles didn’t feel great on the last day but still pushed through and finished 15 km. We broke our guides record. Thank you for this opportunity miss y’all.
Angus “McRib” Newcomb
Hey family! Trekking was so much fun! Thank you guys so much this trip has been so fun much. Love you guys so much!
Daniel “Danny” Hardie
What’s up family. Trip has been a super good experience for me. I’ve really enjoyed everything it has brought. Moss and Georgia are such great counselors. I will tell you more about it when I get home.
See you in a day!
Guy Coleman Oswalt IV
Hey mom and dad!! Tomorrow we go home which is really sad but this has been such an awesome trip! We just finished our trekking and did like 40 miles or something crazy. Moss and Georgia have been awesome leaders! Can’t wait to see y’all in a day!
Shout Outs!
July 22, 2025
Emerson
Hey family, love y’all, miss y’all, I’m having so much fun and can’t wait to see it all with you. Miss the pups but it’s so beautiful. -Emerson
Stella
Hi fam!!! I miss y’all so much but I’m having a blast! We have done so many awesome activities and I can’t wait to tell y’all all about it! Hi Charlotte and Anna Kate I miss y’all and can’t wait to see y’all again! Everything is so incredibly beautiful here. I have taken so many photos and made lots of vlogs! My group is so much fun. I love everyone and the leaders are amazing!! Love all of y’all! ❤️❤️
Сlaire
Hey fam! Thanks for sending me on this trip – it’s so fun! Everything we have done has been amazing! Can’t wait to talk to y’all about it!! Hi Anya and Josie – miss y’all!! Love you! 🫰
Charlotte
Hi fam I miss y’all! This trip has been so much fun and all the activities were amazing! I can’t wait to see you again. Hi Anya and Ainsley I love y’all and miss you! See you soon!
Daisy
Hi familia I am having so much fun and the activities have been sooo cool like horse back riding and hot springs. I can’t wait to see you but I am having so much fun with my friends and Eloise who is right here (hi-Eloise) ok love you bye!!!
Eloise
Hey mom and dad! I’m having so much fun with everyone! Will you tell Cammie and Eliza that I can’t wait to see them when I get back? We are doing so many fun activities, horse back riding was so much fun and before we went inside a glacier! daisy says hi to everyone! Love you so much! Bye!
Hutton
Hi mom and dad. I have had a great time on this trip from going into a lagoon with a sauna rainfall room and more. The tunnels have been great from lava to snow. We also had a great time snorkeling in dry suits and seeing waterfalls. I think you would love it here. This trip makes me want to camp even more. And can’t wait for the rest of the trip and to see you.
Charles F
Hi Mom and Dad, I have had such a fun time in Iceland. We have gone in a bunch of hot springs, we went snorkeling and went horse back riding. Thank you so much for sending me on this trip and I miss y’all and can not wait to see y’all.
Hollis Dobbs
Hey y’all. Thank you so much for sending me out here, I’m having so much fun. I’m also chillin out here with my guy McRib and Danny boy. I can’t wait to see y’all. I have so much to tell y’all. Moss and Georgie are the best leaders ever. Figure out someway to tell jack what’s up from me or sum like that. Tell the fam that I miss them too. Also can y’all try and LMK how auntie syl is doing. Thank you again. Love y’all. Miss y’all.
Charles Jackson
Hey guys. Iceland’s rlly fun. It’s a lot of rain and rlly humid. Anyways it’s still been rlly nice and fun. Thank you for the opportunity and I miss you.
Coleman Oswalt
Hey mom and dad. Iceland has been awesome it’s such a unique country! It’s a very cloudy country because of all the ash from volcanos but the sun comes out sometimes. Hopefully I get to buy some souvineers. Everyone in my group is really nice! Thank y’all for the amazing opportunity and sending me on this awesome trip! Love y’all!
Angus “McRib” Newcomb
Hey family! Thank you mom and dad for sending me on this trip, I’ve had an absolute blast on this trip and am so grateful for you guys. We’ve done so many cool things and have explored so much of Iceland. I’ve met many new friends that I will remember and my two closest friends are Hollis from Atlanta and Danny from Virginia. Both of them are so funny and we have had a blast together. Tell Maddie I say hi and hope that she’s having fun being a single child. Love you guys so much and can’t wait to talk to you guys when I get back.
Daniel “Danny” Hardie
What’s up Mom and Dad! Iceland is so much fun. I am on the same trip with my boy Hollis who I met in BC and also have met McRib. The place is so cool. There are so many mountains and things like natural hot springs. I’m having a great time and I will see y’all when I get back.
Hello From the Land of Fire and Ice
July 22, 2025
Hello from Iceland 3A!
Georgia and I have had a blast getting to know these kids and adventuring with them-it’s flying by! We have accomplished a lot, and there is even more to come. To start, we enjoyed a leisurely spa day at Sky Lagoon. It is the perfect way to remedy the red eye flight by relaxing in the crystal clear lagoon, and enjoying a 7 step ancient Viking spa ritual. Daniel was a cold plunge superstar, spending an incredible amount of time in total zen mode in the freezing pool. Once we returned to the hostel, Hollis led the group in song by playing the guitar and hosting sing alongs that everyone enjoyed.
The next day we loaded up in the van and drove to Reykjadular and completed a day hike that led to a geothermal river! I used the mineral-rich mud to give Stella and Emerson face masks and soon everyone followed suit and was covered in cool designs. We relaxed in the hot spring for a while and then hiked back down to take a lunch break before heading to the lava tunnel tour.
Next up was the beautiful drive to our first campsite, Bjarteyjarsandur, a family-owned farm with horses, goats, sheep, and sheep dogs running wild. A natural petting zoo! We ate traditional Icelandic lasagna which was a huge hit.
We had a packed day next: glacier tunnel and horseback riding! We started the morning driving to the glacier and the kids were mesmerized by the contrasting colors of rich greens, black lava sands, and white snow patches. Once we reached the glacier, an epic snowball fight ensued with Charles Jackson leading the frontal assault and emerging victorious. Charlotte drank from the deliciously pure glacier melts and was amazed at the crisp water. Everyone learned how to read the weather lines on glacier walls! Next up was horseback riding where Eloise and Hutton forged incredible bonds with their horses and rode like champions through the wildflower fields. Daisy enjoyed the buttery rye bread provided after the ride which is baked in a geothermal spring.
After the ride we headed to our next campsite, Skjol, where all the kids enjoyed the giant trampoline and played an intense game of football (thanks to Hollis for bringing the pigskin!) Charles Feirn was a superstar, scoring touchdown after touchdown. Claire surprised us all with her competitive spirit and perseverance during the game, hyping up her team and playing for keeps.
The next day was an incredible adventure: snorkeling between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates at Thingvellir national park. Despite the cold temperatures, everyone suited up and braved the crystal clear waters and gave the activity a 10/10! We were so proud of them for embracing the slight discomfort for the joy of the experience. Coleman was awestruck by the incredible visibility and the stark colors of the glacial waters, and was very excited to be one of the few people to swim between tectonic plates. Once back at camp, Angus was the first on scene to help unload the trailer, carry duffels to tents for others, and to help set up the kitchen tent, we really appreciated his helpfulness!
Georgia and I couldn’t have asked for a better group to end our summer in Iceland. While we are only in the early stages of this trip, the kids are all shining with positivity, inclusivity, friendliness and gratitude. This group truly feels like a family.
All Together!
July 20, 2025
Hello Iceland Families!
We have received word from Georgia and Moss that our last two teens have arrived, and the group is together as one! More updates to come. Stay tuned!
-Moondance HQ
Safe Arrival!
July 18, 2025
Hello Iceland Families!
We heard from our leaders that the group has landed safely! Two students were rerouted but are scheduled to land in Iceland tomorrow. The group is so excited to start their adventure together!
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
