Farewell Iceland!
July 30, 2025
We just said goodbye to our amazing crew, and wow-it was hard to watch them go. These last few days have been jam-packed with adventure, laughs, and a lot of love between everyone.
Right after soaking in a warm hot spring, we went to the opposite extreme and jumped into freezing glacier water at Silfra to snorkel between tectonic plates! Jack duck-dived like a pro in his dry suit, and Cici was fearless getting in. That afternoon we hung at the campsite and played soccer surrounded by mountains, Ruthie showed off some serious footwork out there!
Later that evening, a few of the kids took a leisurely walk down to the shore where our campsite met the arctic ocean. Reagan, William, and Lee stayed up to soak in the peaceful, golden light definitely one of those quiet, unforgettable moments.
That night, our farm camp surprised us with baby animals! We got to bottle-feed lambs and hang with horses as well! Ruthie and Jonathon were total naturals with the lambs, while one sheep decided Mikey was its new best friend wouldn’t leave him alone!!
The next morning, we were up early for a big day, exploring a glacial tunnel and then horseback riding. Henry and Anderson couldn’t resist sliding around the icy floor like kids on a snow day, so fun!
Then we headed off to a horse farm warmed by geothermal heat, where we got to ride the famous Icelandic horses and learn about their special gait, the “flying pace.” Finn, Steele and Campbell’s horses were curious and full of energy while Reagan’s horse kept stopping for grass breaks, not that she minded, with the views all around.
What a send-off for an unforgettable group. We’ll miss every single one of them.
Lava Tunnels + Dance Parties-- Iceland in Full Swing
July 28, 2025
Hello again from the beautiful country of Iceland!
ICE 3B has continued to grow closer as each day passes, and with the last 2 days on the horizon, the group has begun to reminisce over this incredible trip. Since our last check-in, we spent an afternoon relaxing in a local pool, jumping from hot tub to cold tub and back. Our laughter filled the air as we rested our tired muscles in the water.
That night, the group was in for a little surprise as we drove up to our “campsite” to surprise the kids with a beautiful cabin with a hot shower and beds!!! Our incredible guide Svenni cooked up ribs and corn as we chowed down with some nice relaxing classical music on in the background (we had to lean into how fancy the cabin was).
After we finished dinner, we quickly switched up the music vibe as Steele, Reagan, and Campbell started an incredible dance party. Finn and Jonathan quickly jumped in to show off their dance moves, and the whole group danced and sang away for what felt like hours. After a heartfelt Moonup, we all entered our beds for a cozy night’s sleep.
The next day, we braved the freezing cold water (and pouring rain) on our white water rafting trip, the group full of energy and a desire for tomfoolery. Our two boats quickly turned into battle ships as we chased each other down the river, trying to push each other into the water. After a few failed attempts from within the boats, Anderson and Will embarked on a mission of their own, jumping into the icy river, swimming to the other boat to pull their unsuspecting victims into the water with them. Jack quickly found himself in the water with the other two boys, which was the turning point as everyone started pushing each other off the boat before practicing pulling a swimmer back into the raft.
The next day, we had another great surprise for the group. A Red Bull-sponsored white water kayaking competition was taking place just a 20-minute walk from our campsite, so we walked down to the river for free hot dogs, soda, and of course, to watch some incredible athletes compete on the river. Cici and Ruthie found a great seat and camped out there for the entire competition, cheering on the competitors as they effortlessly traversed the rapids.
Later that afternoon, we played a massive game of duck, duck, goose with 5 other kids from the campsite. Lee and Henry were especially good at including the young kids who joined, consistently picking them as the goose, then running slowly to allow the kids to tag them. The group may not have realized it, but seeing all the smiles on these little kids’ faces showed just how inclusive they were being and truly created an amazing experience for these other kids.
Lastly, today we entered the caves on our lava tunnel tour, which Mikey recorded all of on his GoPro. Looking at the geological evidence of an old lava flow was a remarkable experience, but the highlight for the group was when our tour guide turned off the lights and we all got to experience true darkness for the first time. There was no difference between having eyes open and closed with the lights off! Finally, to end the day, we hiked a few miles up to a geothermal river to bask in all the beauty and unique landscapes that Iceland has to offer. Where else in the world can you bathe in a river that’s the same temperature as a hot tub?
As we settle in for our second-to-last night camping, we all know the end is in sight, but no one’s attitudes have changed. We are all just as excited for each day as we were when the plane landed in Reykjavik.
Until next time, ICE 3B
Reagan
Thank you mom and dad for giving me this amazing opportunity! I have had the best time with new friends and was able to become more independent. I am so grateful to have such an unforgettable experience!
Campbell
Thank you Mom and Dad for giving me this opportunity to push my comfort zone and try new things. This was an amazing experience where I did so many fun things and made lots of new friends and I’m so thankful for it.
Steele
Thank you so much for sending me to Iceland! I’ve had so much fun and can’t wait to see y’all soon.
Cici
Momma and Dada, Thank you so much for sending me off to a new country. I am so grateful for this opportunity. I have met amazing people and seen amazing things.
Love you, miss you, mean it.
Ruthie
Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity and pushing me far outside of my comfort zone. It was so worth it, and I enjoyed every minute! I loved getting to explore and see a new country and culture. Cannot wait to see you soon. Love you most.
Jonathan
Thank you so much for this opportunity to explore a new country! Iceland is so fun! Can’t wait to see you soon!
William
Thank you so much for sending me here. I love being able to explore Iceland and spend time with new friends. See you soon!
Henry
Thank you so much for this trip. This is one of the best things I have ever done! Thank you and love y’all!
Jack
Thank you so much for this trip. I have had so much fun.
Finn
Thanks ma for the Moondance trip it was really fun.
Anderson
Thank you so much mom and dad for sending me to Moondance. It was awesome to make new friends while abroad and I hope I can go again.
Mikey
Thank you so much mom and dad for sending me to Iceland. I am so grateful for this opportunity and experience. Hope I can take you guys!
Lee
Thank you so much mom and dad for the experience Iceland. We should come back and play golf here.
From Highlands to Hotdogs
July 24, 2025
After five unforgettable days of trekking together, this tired yet energized crew truly feels like a family. We’ve tackled long, challenging hikes, soaked up stunning views, and grown stronger together with every mile and we couldn’t be prouder of everyone’s spirit and positivity along the way. Over our five day trek we covered 76km, roughly 43 miles through lush hillsides, between towering snowy peaks, and across desolate black sand deserts.
We kicked off our trekking section with an epic campsite right next to a river, where Jack and Reagan wowed the group with their fearless jumping skills, leaping from bank to bank while we waited for our trailer to arrive. That evening set the tone for the week: full of fun and connection. Steele and Campbell taught us a hilarious rapping game that had everyone laughing, and after digging into an Icelandic twist on hotdog pasta, we crawled into our tents for our first night of camping.
The next few days were filled with views of Iceland’s dramatic highland mountains, sheep dotting the hillsides, and trails that tested our endurance. To keep things lively on the move, Cici introduced us to a game called Wrench or Rabbit that had us all cracking up on the longer stretches, a much needed mental break during our longest 22km day. Anderson and Henry kept our minds sharp with clever riddles they shared during the hikes, giving us plenty to think and laugh about as we moved through the landscape.
Mealtime has been a highlight thanks to our incredible guide Svenni, who’s cooked up everything from lamb legs to bolognese, hearty soups, and chicken wraps, we’ve been eating well! As we settle into our one night indoors in the cabin, the thoughts of ribs, fries, and corn excites us all. Ruthie continues to blow us away with her fast pace and incredible positivity, charging up the trails with contagious enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Jonathan has made it a personal tradition to sprint the final leg of each hike once the campsite is in sight scouting out our home for the night while the rest of us hustle to catch up. There’s no easier way to truly understand the scale of the landscape then watching Jonathan take off ahead and run for 20 minutes before reaching the campsite that looks only a few hundred feet away.
Our final campsite brought even more magic. We spent the evening playing a long, laughter-filled soccer match with local Icelandic kids. We got schooled by them, but spirits were high. William and Finn were especially popular, two local kids wouldn’t leave their sides, quickly becoming friends.
Throughout the trek, Lee has had us all in stitches with his constant jokes and upbeat energy, keeping morale high through every hill and valley. And Mikey has wowed us daily with his dance moves entertaining everyone with style and skill, marking the perfect start and end to every hike.
As we wrap up this section of the trip, we’re feeling so grateful for the memories, the friendships, and the adventure. Iceland has tested and inspired us, and this group continues to impress with their resilience, humor, and heart. With some more relaxing days on the horizon we look forward to resting up before hitting the icy river on our white water rafting adventure.
Cici: Hey Momma and Papa! I’m having so much fun. We just finished up 5 days of trekking. Tell Dee happy birthday for me and that I love him so much!!! Love you miss you mean it!
Mikey: Dear mother and father, I’m really grateful for this trip. I’m having an amazing time with having litmo experiences. Can’t wait for my Birthday. I’ve never laughed this much in my life! Miss y’all!
Lee:Dear family I miss y’all a lot, I’m having a lot of fun meeting new people. Thank you for sending me here I love y’all!
Anderson: Dearest Father and Mother, I am not dead. Iceland is very radical.
William: Dear Mom and Dad, Having A fantastic time here. Iceland is very pretty and fun. The food tastes good. Love you and miss you.
Henry: Hey Mom and Dad, This is awesome! I wish y’all could be here to see Iceland. I am having an amazing time here and have made amazing memories. Love y’all.
Jonathan: What’s up family! Iceland is awesome! I’m having so much fun! Love you guys and see you soon!
Ruthie :Hey everyone! Iceland is so cool. I wish you guys were with me. I miss y’all so much, and I cannot wait to see you in a few days. Love y’all!
Reagan: Hi mom and dad! I am having the best time and love the people here! I can’t wait to see you guys and tell you all about it! Tell Holt and Hunter I said hi! Love you and miss you so much!
Campbell:Hi mom and dad! We just finished trekking it was challenging but fun. Everyone in my group is so funny and nice. Love you and miss you guys so much!
Steele: Hey guys I’m having so much fun! It’s very cold but great views! Miss y’all.
Jack: I’m having a lot of fun. Iceland is very cool
Finn: Hey ma, having tons of fun. Love you ma see you soon.
Safe Arrival in Iceland!
July 18, 2025
Hello Iceland Families!
We heard from our leaders that the group has landed safely! 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
