Experiencing The Magic
July 1, 2025
“Find the people and places that make you feel at home. Find the ones who take care of your soul and make you feel like you can be completely yourself around them. Find the ones who light you up from the inside out and encourage you to be yourself. Find the places where you feel at peace, the places that you can spend forever exploring. Find the places that make you want to see more of the world and the ones that make you happy to be alive. And whenever you find one of these people or places, hold on to them so tight. Tell those people you love them. Visit those places as much as you can.” – Nikki Banas
Friends and family,
Greetings from Tissi, a very special Refugio perched on a mountaintop overlooking the Val Civetta. As we write, the sun is peeking out from behind the jagged rock faces that surround us, reflecting beautiful pink and orange hues on the mountains. The past several days have been extra special; our group is bonding more and more every day, forming long-lasting friendships, and having so much fun together. Let’s jump right in where we last left off!
On Friday morning, Day 7 of our adventure, we began our first of two days rock climbing. We climbed at Cinque Torri which means “five towers.” These rock faces are unlike any other-they stand alone, naturally occurring on top of the slopes of Falzagero Pass above Cortina d’Ampezzo. In the Cortina Dolomites, it is part of the larger Averau-Nuvolau group. These towers rise abruptly from alpine meadows and offer dramatic views of the surrounding area. We woke the kids up to Awaken by Big Wild, a great alarm sound to get pumped for the day ahead. They crawled out of bed and down to the breakfast buffet which fueled everyone up for a big day ahead of climbing! The Refugio we were staying at, Scoiattoli, has an especially delicious breakfast spread with tons of fresh fruit, eggs, meats, pastries, etc. We all loved staying here for the vibes and scenery, but the food brought it to a full five stars in our book! Our guide Michele met us with two other local guides, Filippo and Francesco, to walk over to the five towers and begin climbing. Michele set up four routes for us to use and taught the kids how to belay, although most of them already knew how from past experiences. We have some excellent climbers in this group and it was so awesome to see everyone crush all of our first routes. Once we were geared up, Robert jumped right in and was the first to climb. Not only that, but he started on a more challenging route and really showed off his skills! Pickett was especially helpful belaying and cheering everyone on while they climbed. Jackson and Robert quickly exhausted the warm-up climbs, so they followed Michele to complete a multi-pitch route on a taller rock face nearby. The rest of the group followed their lead and we moved to our second climbing location for the day. By now, the sun was shining intensely and felt great on our backs while we climbed. Jane, Megan, Naomi and Pickett went with Filipo and Francesco to complete the multi-pitch challenge as the rest of the group climbed on the new rock faces. Tyler completed all of the routes, helped belay too, and was great at pointing out handholds for the others while they climbed. Bebe was also cheering everyone on the whole time! Everyone really pushed new physical limits, especially Summit who has a big fear of heights. We are so proud of him for conquering his fear! After a fun morning on the rocks, we headed back to our Refugio for a yummy pasta lunch, a much appreciated break from our usual sandwiches. The afternoon was a lot of fun-we sat outside on the porch, played Code Names and took some well deserved naps, too. The boys played Hacky Sack for a bit, but they got antsy for an adventure. Led by the runners, Tyler, Jackson, Michael and Robert, they found a nearby cave. Summit, one of our great group photographers, documented the scene and showed us all the footage once they were back at the Refugio. We had a great family dinner with a lot of laughs. Moonup tonight was really special; we sat outside with 360 degree panoramic views of the mountains around us. Annie and Lucas asked excellent questions of the group, including advice we’d give to our younger selves. To close out Moonup, Annie shared a special quote (the one that we opened the update with) that really resonated with the group. It perfectly captured the experience we are sharing in the Dolomites.
On Day 8, Saturday, we had our second day of rock climbing. The sun was shining, it was a little breezy and felt crisp-a perfect morning. Our guides met us again at our Refugio to hike over to the climbing spot. It’s only about 10 minutes away from where we are staying, so before we knew it we were all roped in on the rock wall. We began at the same location as the day prior, this time with a multi-pitch route that led us to climb even taller rock faces. The first part of the climb was up a crack in the rocks. About 75% of the way up, we reached an overhang that presented a new challenge. Once climbing up and over the rock, there was a second climb with fewer hand holds. It was definitely a step up in difficulty from what we’ve been climbing. Everyone in the group absolutely crushed the route, their fears, and made it look easy! After a couple of hours, we hiked over to a new climbing destination on the opposite side of the rocks. This time we were at the tallest of the five towers. The climbs here were really hard, but so much fun. Robert and Tyler impressed us, yet again, with their climbing skills. Jane and Pickett also completed tough climbs with ease. We finished up at the rocks, headed back for a great lunch, and then had our routine afternoon rest hour. The master clue giver of the group, Summit, suggested starting a game of Code Names. We played for a while which was super fun, but the sun was shining and calling us to go on an adventure. Yesterday afternoon, the boys found a nearby cave that the rest of the group was eager to explore. Jackson and Robert led the group on an afternoon hike to their secret spot. Lucas was smart to bring a headlamp this time so they could better investigate the depths of the cave they’d found. We had a lot of fun listening to music and hanging out on the side of the mountain for over an hour. We headed back for an incredible dinner at Scoiattoli. They seriously have the best food. Three courses, as usual, with so many delicious options to chose from. Emily and Taylor love one of the common dishes in the Dolomites of eggs, speck and potatoes and order it at every opportunity. This group has become really fond of it, too, and Sciolatti has the best version. Dessert was fresh ice cream with berries. They love ice cream in Italy, and so do we!! The sunset was spectacular tonight, with so many colors as it slowly fell below the mountains. We could clearly see the stars during Moonup and took in the beauty of our surroundings. It was the perfect way to finish off the day and our time staying at Cinque Torri.
On Sunday, day 9 of the trip, we woke up in the morning, ate a hearty breakfast and packed up for the day. It was strange to be packing up after 3 nights in the same Rifugio. LOD Jane helped make sure the group was proficiently sunscreened up. After breakfast we said a bittersweet goodbye to Rifugio Scoiattoli and set off for the day on foot straight from our Rifugio, following Michele and Antonio. The beginning of the day was pretty steeply uphill. Per usual the group prevailed and crushed it. The trail led over the Forcella Giau with plenty of ups and downs; here the views of the Tofana and Lastoi de Formin are inspiring, not to mention the mountains on display to the south: Monte Fromin, Cernera, Pelmo and the upswept flank of Monte Mondeval. The views were spectacular and we were once again reminded of how lucky we were to be in Italy. We hiked over lush alpine meadows, and even spotted some wild edelweiss. We hiked through an uphill stretch, then all of a sudden, the Pelmo was incredibly close. We could now easily understand why it was dubbed ‘Throne of the Gods’. We talked about good movies we had seen as we walked. Emily, Annie, and Pickett had a good talk while hiking and even ran into a Moondance Alumni on the trail who had done PNW as a kid! We broke for lunch and all traded different chocolate bars, trying each flavor to decide which one was the best. The group consensus was dark chocolate and hazelnut. After lunch, we walked down into a sweet little meadow full of cows. It was an awesome moment and it was crazy how up close and personal the cows got as we walked by. Jane in particular expressed how cool the cows were and how she had never seen anything like it! Bebe, Jane, Megan, and Emily had a great conversation about future college decisions. Each kid in the group has a bright future ahead of them and we can’t wait to see where they might end up! For the last part of the day we hiked below Pelmo’s North Face to our comfortable little mountain Rifugio at Passo Staulanza, our home for the night. The hiking in total was 8.3 miles and took around 5 hours. At the Rifugio, we were reunited (at last!) with our personal duffels and it felt great to have all of our belongings back in one spot for the night. It felt like Christmas Day as we went through the goodies in our bags that we had forgotten about. After re-examining our belongings, we went downstairs to sit outside and play some card games. We started with a round of Code Names led by Summit and Pickett followed by code givers Michael and Naomi. After “codenames” got old, we changed to Go Fish. Robert absolutely crushed at it and beat us every time! After some Hacky Sack, it was time for dinner. We were joined by our guide Antonio. He even joined in on our nightly dinner routine of sharing our Rose, Bud, and thorn of the day. Afterwards, Lucas and Jane led us in Moonup, led on the Rifugio side patio. We were joined by the Rifugio golden retriever, Lola! She was so sweet and came and sat down in our circle and even helped to pass the pulse as our opener. It was a perfect way to end another great day in Italy.
Yesterday, Monday morning on day 10, we woke up early to the sounds of Michael Jackson music! After a quick dance party, we packed up and said goodbye to our beloved personal duffles once again. Downstairs, breakfast greeted us. Pickett helped facilitate the group to grab their packed lunch and got the crew ready to go for the day. We set off with Michele and Antonio, on foot again, and the daily hike began at 7:30 AM sharp! This day’s hike anchored one end of the famous Monte Civetta, one of the most impressive Dolomite formations. Shaped like an enormous trident and likened to a set of organ pipes, it rises majestically between the deep-cut Cordevole river valley and the smiling pasture of Val Zoldana. It was a push to conquer the steep uphill so early in the morning, however, with no surprise, the kids attacked the challenge. We took a quick break at the beautiful Lago Coldai. It was a joy to get to swim around in the stunning lake. We all had so much fun splashing around. Lago Coldai was a stunning ombré from blue to green and felt amazing as we cooled off in the icy water. Megan and Jane waded in while Tyler and Jackson skipped rocks. Taylor took the boys out swimming to the middle and back. Both Summit and Robert announced after that this was one of their absolute highs of the trip. After breaking we continued on to the Col Negro di Coldai that looks over at the towering west face of Monte Civetta. This “wall of walls” extends for over 4 miles! We stopped for a well deserved snack break in the valley between the steep rock face and the mountain leading up to our rifugio. We munched on bars and fresh fruit and Megan even took a little cat nap in the sun. About midway past this wall, we climbed steeply to Rifugio Tissi, perched on a mountaintop looking out at the Val Civetta, down the Alleghe Valley and west to the Marmolada Glacier. It was a beautiful reward to pull out our packed lunches and enjoy the fruits of our labor with the mesmerizing view as we ate. Robert opted to eat his lunch on the nearby swing set. Jackson, Lucas, Tyler, and Michael ate their lunch all carefully balanced on a seesaw. This overnight stop was super memorable. The day’s hike was around 6.8 miles, 5.5 hours of hiking. Megan and Naomi dried off from the lake in the sun on a warm rock. The rain set in soon after forcing our crew inside and the whole group of kids took a much needed nap. They slept anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours. The early risers came down to join Emily and Taylor for some journaling, afternoon snacks, and cards. We can always count on sweet Annie to journal with us. Bebe ordered her daily dose of caffeine and told the group her cappuccino was amazing, prompting the rest of the group to order one of their own. Michael and Jackson joined us yawning, and we played a game of Uno with some tunes in the background. While we were playing, the rain suddenly turned into hail. Before dinner, the boys played a game of Solo, an Italian version of Uno. Despite the modified rules, the kids made it work and had a great time playing. Emily’s table started off dinner with a game of poker, while Taylor laughed while quoting funny videos. We refueled on pasta and eggs. Turns out Italians only eat eggs for lunch and dinner, something we’re all still getting used to but really enjoying. We bundled up to Moonup outside and made a quick climb behind our Rifugio to a spot that overlooked the steep cliff and the valley below. The view from up top was incredible! The rain drove us back inside for Moonup and we talked about our dream concert lineup. Summit and Pickett led us as we went around sharing a personal character trait about ourselves that is important to us. It was a very memorable Moonup and LOD duties were passed to Naomi and Tyler for the following day. Exhausted but content, we quickly hit the hay for an early bedtime.
We’re about to depart for our final day of trekking. We feel bittersweet, but excited for the final days we have together. We adore all of your kids and feel so appreciative for the two weeks we have together. Thank you so much for sharing them with us.
Love,
Emily and Taylor
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SHOUTOUTS:
Annie: Hi fam! Thank you so much for everything you do for me. I’m so grateful to have been able to be a part of this trip. I have made some friendships that will last a lifetime thanks to y’all! I have grown as a person and I’m so thankful for that! I have experienced once in a lifetime moments that I would’ve never thought about doing! This is the most challenging thing I’ve ever done and I feel so rewarded! Also thank you to McLaine for pushing me out of my comfort zone, and reassuring me that everything was going to work out! I don’t think I would’ve been able to go on the trip alone without you! There isn’t a day that goes by without me thinking about you! I love all of y’all so much! I could never show my gratitude to y’all enough! I love and miss y’all and can’t wait to tell y’all everything! See you soon❤️ – Annie
Naomi: Hi Mom, Jude and Dad! thank you guys so so much for the opportunity to do this I have met such amazing people and done so many new things outside of what I’m usually comfortable with. I miss you guys so much but don’t want to leave this amazing place! I’m so lucky to be able to experience this and I would never be able to do this without you guys. I love y’all so much and I hope you guys are having so much fun in charlotte, I’ll see you guys before you know it! Miss and love you guys so much and can’t wait for the rest of the trip and coming home! Love, Naomi ❤️❤️
Bebe: Hi mom and dad! Thank you guys so so much for allowing me to go to such an amazing camp again this year. I’ve experienced and saw the coolest things that I would never be able to do/see without coming here! I’ve made so many amazing memories and friendships with people that I hope last a life time! This is genuinely one of the coolest things I’ve done and I’m so extremely grateful to have the opportunity to do this! I’m so excited to see you guys when I get home but at the same time I don’t want to leave! I miss you guys and I love you both so much! See you in three days! 😘😘🤡 Love, Bebe
Megan: Hi mom and dad!! I actually miss you both so much and can’t wait to see you in a just a couple days!! Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to go on this trip it is such an amazing experience and has truly shaped my view on the world. This trip has been amazing, I love my group so much and feel like we have gotten really close! I obviously miss you guys so much but I really really don’t want to go home in 4 days. I have never seen anywhere prettier than the Italian Dolomites’s! Thank you lots for allowing me to have this experience!! Love y’all both so much!! Love, Megan❤️❤️
Jane: Hii Mom and Dad!!! I love you both sooooo much and I wanted to thank you for giving me this opportunity to go on this amazing trip! This trip has been a once in a lifetime opportunity and I have made so many life long friendships and memories. I miss you both so much, yet I don’t want to go home 😂. The views and hikes continue to be beautiful, and I have had opportunities to climb higher than I have ever expected! Thanks so much for letting me go to the Italian Dolomites, and see y’all in three days! Love y’all 😘! Love, Jane
Pickett: What is up Faam!! Kinda crazy I’m about to see y’all, kinda sad, kinda never want to leave here🤪😁. I’m having the actual best time ever, I’m so happy here getting to spend time with all of my new friends in this insanely cool place. Thank y’all so so so much for sending me on Moondance, this is the most amazing experience ever, I love it, best two weeks of the year! I can’t begin to tell y’all how much fun I am having and how grateful I am for having the opportunity to go on this trip. Shoutout to all 4 of y’all for being the best family ever, I love y’all and I’m so excited to tell y’all allll about the Italian adventures, get ready because I have some awesome stories! And something about me being able to find guitars in random places🤷♀️ Love yall and please don’t make me leave here💛💛 Love P🦗
Summit: Hey Mom and Dad I am having a great time! We are going canyoneering tomorrow which I am hype for and we got to go swimming in snow melt water yesterday, which felt great. I am so excited to see you guys again and to go to the lake. I am so thankful you sent me on this trip love you a lot.
Jackson: Hey Mom and Dad I am so thankful that you let me go on this trip. I have been having a great time and met a lot of really cool people. Love you and hope to see you soon.
Michael: Mom and Dad, thank you so much for sending me on this trip! I hope you guys have been having fun while I’ve been here. I have been having so much fun! See you guys soon!
Lucas: Hi Mom and Dad, I’m excited to see you guys again! I’m having so much fun on the trip, thank you so much for sending me on this trip! The views are crazy and I’ve met a lot of cool people. We’re heading gradually to Venice now, see you soon!
Tyler: Mom and Dad I am having a lot of fun and having a great trip. I hope you’re having a great summer and am excited to meet you in Venice and go to Switzerland. I miss you, love you!
Robert: Hey mom and dad, I’m kinda excited to see yall soon! I really love it here and this time I really mean it when I say I want to live out here! I’m so grateful to yall for sending me on this trip because I know it costs a lot but it means the world to me that yall are sacrificing so much for me to have fun! See you guys soon! Love you!
Taylor: Yo Yo Yo Fam! I hope y’all are having a blast at the beach. Happy Fourth of July! I really miss yall and our South Carolina beaches. Give Max a belly rub for me. Almost done with the second session, time flies! The kids are loving it and I am too. I am thankful for y’all always and so lucky to have such amazing parents. Talk soon -T 💙
Emily: Hi Mom and Dad and Miles! I can’t believe it’s already July, this summer is seriously going by so quickly. The trekking this session has been incredible and I’m constantly in awe of how beautiful it all is. The kids are so awesome, fun to be around, and have the best attitudes. I’m so appreciative of you guys and miss y’all! Sending so much love. Xoxo. Ems ❤️❤️❤️
Ciao from Italia!
June 27, 2025
Hello from the beautiful Dolomite mountains!
The past six days have been absolutely incredible, full of laughs and gratitude for the experience we get to share with one another. The spectacular limestone peaks and dramatic sweeping views make the Italian Dolomites unlike anywhere else. In fact, the Dolomites were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009 for their geological uniqueness and striking natural beauty. We can attest that it lives up to the hype, and we cannot wait to tell you all about the amazing adventure we are on!
All of the kids arrived at the airport on Sunday morning, and we hopped in the car to embark on our Italian adventure. The drive was beautiful as we left the floating city of Venice and headed towards Corvara quaint mountain town filled with outdoor adventure enthusiasts like us. Before reaching the alpine towns, we passed through the Veneto plains, which are full of small farming productions. The low-rise stucco homes and Renaissance-era churches made us immediately fall in love with the beautiful country where we get to spend the next two weeks together. We listened to some music, took much-needed naps, and before we knew it, we’d arrived in Alta Badia. We were all so excited to explore the town, so Emily and Taylor took the whole group on an afternoon adventure into Corvara. Off the bat, we were blown away by the stunning mountainous landscape that includes the Stella Group and Sassongher Mountains. In town, we had our first of many ice cream treats and popped into several of the boutique sports stores. Still in airplane mode, Jackson and Robert decided to buy Biscoff cookies, which started a trend in the group! We ate Biscoff-filled ice cream cones and even found Biscoff butter at the grocery store, too, which everyone was eager to try! It was a sunny, warm afternoon, perfect for exploring the town. On the hike back up to our hotel, we learned about everyone’s hometowns, high schools, and past camp experiences. Dinner was waiting for us at the top 5 courses of incredible Italian food! We all went around and said our Rose, Thorns, and Buds from the day. Everyone shared that they are excited for the activities tomorrow. This group has such an adventurous spirit! To finish off the day, we had our first Moonup.
Moonup is a time when we all come together at the end of the day to reflect and learn more about each other. The structure goes as follows: opening, quote, nug jug, silly and serious questions, passing of the Leader of the Day (LOD) responsibilities, and closing. We give “nugs” to parts of the day that stand out as memorable and special. For example, tonight we gave nugs to the beautiful views, to Biscoff cookies, and to Corvara. We also talked about the goals we have for the trip. Many mentioned that they are excited to get out of their comfort zone and make long-lasting friendships. Emily and Taylor selected the first LODs-Pickett and Summit. They both jumped right in, asked excellent questions of the group, made fast friends, and we know they will be amazing as our first Leaders of the Day!
Monday, our first official day of activities, began with a delicious breakfast buffet of anything we could dream of. Eggs, yogurt, pancakes, croissants-you name it, and it was there! Our guide, Michele, met us at our hotel to gear up for our hike and Via Ferrata climb. Michele is incredible and stays with us throughout our two weeks together, guiding us through trekking and climbing adventures. He has 30+ years of experience, so we are in great hands! To reach the Via Ferrata, we hiked up a pretty steep ascent. It was nothing we couldn’t handle, though! This group is full of athletes; nearly everyone runs cross country, track, or plays lacrosse. The Via Ferrata we climbed today is named after the local farmers who historically used this route to climb up to the high pastures at Rifugio Gardenaccia. It was inaugurated in June 2019 and runs along the old path called ‘les cordes’ (‘the ropes’ in Latin). We all got geared up, split into two groups with the guides, and began climbing. Via Ferratas are a super unique mix of hiking and rock climbing with a cable that runs alongside the mountain and rock faces. Robert, Jane, and Annie absolutely crushed it. We reached the top where we ate lunch overlooking the spectacular town, La Villa, and the mountainous landscape. LOD Pickett whipped out her camera to capture the beauty, we had a little photo shoot, and then hiked back down the mountain. It was such a fun first activity! Back at our hotel, everyone headed straight to the pool for some afternoon swim time to cool off. We spent the afternoon playing cards, journaling, and enjoying each other’s company. Emily and Taylor introduced the group to Code Names, a group card game that has become a favorite. Michael and Naomi were excellent clue givers, leading their team to success multiple times. Megan, Bebe, Naomi, and Emily also ordered delicious cappuccinos, which has become an afternoon routine. Sometimes they even double-dip for a second one because it’s just that good! We continued playing games until dinner, shared another great meal, and then did Moonup outside. It was the most picturesque landscape as the sun set behind the mountains. LODs Summit and Pickett led an excellent Moonup where we talked about the people whom we look up to most. It is so evident how much the group admires all of you, as they shared about the qualities and traits they look up to most. We finished off Moonup with a game of telephone and headed to bed to rest up for our big trek tomorrow!
Day 4 of the trip, Tuesday, is when we began our multi-day trek from hut to hut in the Dolomites! We did a duffel shuffle to pack up our belongings before heading out for the day. It was another beautiful day! We began at Campolongo Pass, where we hiked up to the Pralongià Plateau. In the distance, we could see the Marmolada, also known as the Queen of the Dolomites, the highest peak in the Dolomites. The climb began gently, winding through the forest and then opening up to rolling alpine pastures. Tyler, Jackson, Robert, and Michael were at the front of the group, pushing a fast pace up the mountain. They never even seem to break a sweat and continue to amaze us with their athleticism! Suddenly, the landscape completely transformed into a 360-degree view of stunning peaks. Along the hike, we spotted some edelweiss flowers, iconic in the Dolomites. These small, silvery-white flowers only grow in high-altitude alpine meadows and rocky limestone slopes. In fact, they are protected in many places and considered a symbol of bravery and love. Taylor pointed these out to the kids and explained their significance. He has all sorts of fun facts and often impresses us with his knowledge of the area! We had a great trial conversation where Emily asked the group what their “best day ever” would entail. You must include where you’d be and who you’d be with-the more details the better! Megan told the group all about how much she loves to spend time in Maine, and others shared about places that are really special in their lives. The hike continued, and the terrain shifted again-more rocky and a little steeper as we hit the limestone mountains at a higher elevation. We played some rounds of 20 questions, had a quick lunch break to refuel, and reached our home for the next two nights: Refugio Valparola. As much as we loved the first place we stayed, there is something so special about being in the mountains, removed from civilization. It feels incredibly rewarding to have hiked so far-nearly 10 miles-to our Refugio. We dropped our packs and all gathered to play cards on the deck. It was a hot afternoon, and it felt great to rest our legs and sit in the sun. We started with Poker, which morphed into many other card games, including BS and Presidents. Megan, Bebe, and Emily all had their usual afternoon coffees, and the group enjoyed some other treats, including Powerade (which is apparently different and better here) as well as Fanta. There is a spectacular lake just below the Refugio-Lago de Valparaiso. Taylor and Emily took the group down to play some games. We played Birdie on a Perch, Ships and Sailors (led by Megan), and a round of Poison Sack (Hacky Sack with a twist!). The lake is surrounded by lush green meadows. It’s hard to fully describe just how stunning everything in the Dolomites is! Back at the Refugio, we enjoyed a delicious dinner where the highlight was spaghetti. The family who owns it is so hospitable and accommodating. The primary owner is named Carmen. She is no taller than 4’10 and as cute as can be. We are all obsessed with the Refugio and feel so at home! After dinner, we had another incredible Moonup led by Naomi and Michael. The sunset was spectacular tonight. There are few things better than Moonup as the sun is setting, and we all feel beyond grateful to be in such a serene destination!
On Wednesday, day 5 of our Italian expedition, we woke up to the clouds rising above the mountains. It was a peaceful and quiet morning at our Refugio, which felt so relaxing. Today we geared up for our second Via Ferrata climb. From the ‘Forte Tre Sassi’ WW1 Museum, we hiked along the Goiginger gallery – once an active military post with artillery directly aimed at the opposite ‘Cengia Martini’ (Martini ledge). The trail was well marked and our guides, Michele and Felipo, roped us in to climb along the Via Ferrata. We climbed for about an hour to reach the trenches above. Annie and Naomi crushed the route and exclaimed that it was their favorite activity so far! The Via Ferrata ended beneath a summit. If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that Michele, our awesome guide, loves a summit. If there’s a nearby mountain to climb, we’re hiking to the top! We made it to the Sass de Stria summit for lunch. We joked that finally our catchphrase “Summit on a summit” was coming to fruition. Along the way, we got to climb up some ladders that are built into the mountains. It’s so interesting how well preserved the history is here, and especially amazing that we get to experience it. At lunch, we shared riddles, and Taylor stumped the group with an especially difficult one. Michael was the first to crack the code! Pickett then pulled out an even greater, perplexing word puzzle about a water gun. Emily and Taylor still can’t figure it out! Vibes were high for our group picture at the summit, and then we headed back down towards our Refugio. The way back was steep, but the kids all crushed it and helped lend a hand to each other as needed. Along the way down, we came across some snow, untouched by the summer sun in the cool shade of the mountain trenches. Summit had his first-ever snowball fight, and it was a cool moment to be a part of! While chilling back at the Refugio, Naomi and Jane put together a game of King Mao with the girls. The card game has been a staple for our group. Emily and Taylor took the group to explore and hike to a nearby summit. The boys were still somehow full of energy and quickly bounded up the mountain. We saw some grazing cows along the way, and Summit even got one to eat some grass from his hand! On top of the summit, there were gorgeous views, and we commemorated the breathtaking beauty of the area with 5 minutes of silence. Robert later said that the reflective moment was one of the highs of his day! We played some cards, journaled, and spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out and laughing. We shared our Rose, Thorn, and Bud of the day at a lovely dinner before Moonup out in front of our sweet Refugio home. Jane and Tyler headed a great Moonup that was momentarily interrupted by an epic sports car drive-by! We ended the night with a game of Frogger and some stunning sunset photos. Summit and Pickett’s cameras sure have come in handy. Exhausted but content, we hit the hay early to rest up for our next day of adventures!
We cannot believe we are already on day 6 of this session! The time has flown by! On Thursday, June 26th, we yawned and stretched and packed up our belongings for another amazing day in the Dolomites. At breakfast, we chowed down on bread, yogurt, and a meat platter laid out all buffet style. After, LOD Lucas helped facilitate sunscreen throughout the group while Bebe kept things efficient, monitoring the time and her peers from running late as she donned the LOD watch. We were sad to leave Valparola and all the good times there, but, as always, we were ready to embrace the new adventure ahead! After reuniting with our amazing guides Michele and Felipo, we had a quick hike from the Rifugio during which Megan, Bebe, and Taylor talked history of the World Wars as we passed the ‘Forte Tre Sassi’ WW1 Museum on the side of the mountain. Eagle-eyed Naomi spotted a snake along the road, ensuring that our crew safely avoided it. We took a huge cable car up to Rifugio Lagazuoi, and the scenery along the way got us pumped to see the views from up top at Lagazuoi. Emily and Taylor had been majorly hyping up the epic Rifugio, and their tales from last session proved true as the mesmerizing panorama lived up to everyone’s expectations. The boys hung by the railing, taking in the sights as the girls enjoyed the view while giving each other back massages. DOL 2B soaked up the sun and our last few minutes chilling on the Lagazuoi porch before getting moving again. With headlamps and helmets on our heads, we made our way down the Galleria del Lagazuoi, a fascinating open-air WWI museum carved into the mountains. Jane expressed how cool it was to be in the same tunnels as the soldiers of the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies that dug out the mountain shelters from the rock, transforming them into an impenetrable 20th-century fortress of tunnels, trenches, and machine gun posts. Pickett noted how hard it would be to maneuver through the tunnels during war. Numerous routes took us on a behind-the-scenes tour of dramatic, high-altitude battles that are unique in the history of mankind. We emerged, blinking, back out into the daylight on the other side of the tunnel. We then hiked down on foot the rest of the way. Summitt kept us entertained with a funny round of 20 questions, a game that Michael proved to be the master of. Even Taylor’s attempt to stump him failed! We reached the main road that goes from Cortina to Passo Falzarego, crossed it, and climbed through forests to the fascinating, renowned Cinque Torri area. The hike there was a challenging one, a challenge that the group took on headfirst and embraced. They are becoming quite the little hikers! The views along the way were spectacular, per usual, and the beauty of the surrounding Cinque Torri area helped quiet the ache in our legs. Megan expressed how much she really enjoyed the end of the hike and said that she would like to come back and ski the area in the winter. We made it to Rifugio Scoiattoli, our home for the next three nights. The Rifugio perfectly frames the Cinque Torri behind, meaning “Five Towers”, a group of towers that lie on the south slopes of Falzarego Pass above Cortina d’Ampezzo. It is part of the larger Averau-Nuvolau group in the Cortina Dolomites. Following lunch on the wildflower-covered meadow next to Scoiattoli, we relaxed on the porch with cards, code names, journaling, and writing postcards back home to y’all! Jackson and Tyler led the boys on a quick adventure exploring the area and a game of Hacky Sack on the helipad landing zone! Robert has perfected his Hacky Sack form. A delicious dinner followed by Bebe and Lucas’s excellently led Moonup was the perfect way to end day 6!
As we write this, we are sitting at our beautiful Rifugio next to the five towers. It’s so picturesque. We’re about to head out for our first of two days rock climbing. We can’t wait and know the kids will crush it! We are SO excited for all that is still to come and feel incredibly grateful to be here. Thank you for sharing all twelve of your incredible kids with us. We love them all so much!!!
Love,
Emily and Taylor💙💙
SHOUTOUTS!!
Bebe: Hi mom and dad! I’m having so much fun at camp and have seen the prettiest views ever while hiking! Today we rock climbed and it was so fun! Everyone in my group is amazing and I’m so excited to see you guys when I get back! I’m having the best time! The pasta and cappuccinos I’ve had here are amazing! I love you both and tell Hunter I say hi and that we’ll watch outer banks when I get back! Give Zeus and Roman hugs for me! I love you mom! I love you doof ❤️
Pickett: Hey Fam!! I’m having the best time ever in Italy! My group is so awesome and so are my leaders. We have been hiking lots and playing so many card games. I found a guitar again and I’ve been having the best time playing and singing with my friends!!! Hope everything is good in the gump, every thing is awesome here! I’m so happy to be here, thank y’all so much! I have so many new awesome friends and we’ve made so many awesome mems! I love y’all and I’m having a lit experience! Love P 💯👏
Jane: Hi mom, dad, and Sloan! Italy is so pretty and the views are amazing! We have gone on so many hikes and they are so fun. I love everyone in my group and have made some awesome friends! We went climbing today and even though it was scary it was super fun! The food is amazing and we have huge meals every night! We also play games everyday and they are so fun! I hope y’all are a lot of fun and I love you soooooo much! Good luck at nationals Sloan, I know you will crush it! Also tell Monkey and Suki I love them!😘
Naomi: Hi mom dad Jude and Berkeley! Miss you guys so so much and I’m so excited to see you when I get back but I’m having so much fun here! It’s a lot of hiking and it’s so beautiful and fun you guys would love it here. The people in my group are amazing and soso sweet I love my friends here. My leaders are also so fun and I really really like them. We are on our seventh day today and it’s going by so fast. I will see you guys before you know it! I hope you guys are having fun and I love you guys so much! ❤️❤️ Love, Naomi
Megan: Hey mom and dad!! Love y’all so much and miss you! This is actually the most beautiful place ever and the hiking here is so much fun and very very pretty. We’ve played lots of hiking games and seen incredible views and even though some of the hikes are a little steep and long they are so worth it. I love my group so much, we have gotten so so close so far! My leaders are also actually SO amazing I love them both so much!! I can’t believe it’s already the 7th day this trip is going by extremely fast. I never want to leave but I can’t wait to see you guys on the 4th!! Also the food here is delicious especially the chocolate and the Refugio’s we are staying at are SUPER nice! Love, Megan❤️
Annie: Hi Fam!! I miss y’all so much but I know y’all are having so much fun exploring too! I hope y’all are having the time of y’all’s life! We have done lots of hiking and via ferrataing. This is has been the most amazing trip of my life! We did some rock climbing today and we are doing more tomorrow! We have been staying in the coolest Refugio’s ever! My group is absolutely amazing! My leaders are also the coolest people ever! They are so sweet! I can’t believe I’m half way through my trip! I’m not ready to go home but I’m exited to see Italy with y’all! Hey McLaine and Arianna!! I miss y’all more than words describe and I have lots to tell y’all… Okay well thank you for everything! I’m beyond grateful that I was able to come on this trip! Love and miss y’all sooo much! See y’all in 7 days!❤️❤️ Love, Annie
Robert: Hey guys! I’m having a lot of fun with Michael! I’ve met a ton of new people on this trip and it’s been a lot of fun! There are two guys from Raleigh that are going to cross country camp at the same session as me! I’ve eaten a lot of good food!! I really miss Roxy and Churro and I wish I was hiking with them. Tell Thomas that I’m excited for Mexico and I’ve been playing a lot of Hackeysack which is kinda like juggling! Also make sure to visit Bey and tell her I said hi! I really miss her and I’m excited to see her when I get back. I don’t know if Lizzie will get this before she leaves so you can forward this to her at camp. There is this other guy from Maui that’s really funny and he’s been really nice. The other guy is also pretty cool and he rows, so it’s cool to talk to him about it. Love you guys a lot! Love, Robert
Jackson: Hey Mom and Dad, I am having a great time on our trip so far and have met some cool people. This one kid named summit is from Maui. these kids named Robert and Michael also do cross country and Robert is going to the same camp we are going to. We have done some via feradas which have been fun and I am exited to do some with you guys. We have also done a lot of hikes and the Dolomites look really cool. We have also summited a couple Mountains and stayed at nice Refugio’s with good food. The other night we saw a car meet which was fun to see. Today we did some rock climbing and throughout the trip we have played a lot of hackysack. I am exited to see you guys in Venice and have a good week in Switzerland. Love you guys! -Jackson
Summit: Hi Mom and Dad I having the best time in Italy and I have eaten so much pasta but I have not gotten to eat pizza yet. I have still had some great food, I am so excited too see Luke and Jack at the lake. We just went rock climbing and I was terrified but I climbed a bunch of mountains and it was so much fun. I have been taking so many photos and they are all so great, I am excited to show you my photos. I miss Moku, Ula and Kiki. I also miss surfing so much I cant wait to get back in the water and go surf, I hope there is surf when I get back. I also am super excited to go fishing again and Papa I really hope you didn’t catch all the fish without me. I am super excited to check out Venice and eat gelato and pizza. I am excited to see you guys again and I am having the best time! -Summit
Tyler: Hi Mom and Dad, I am having a great time and it is a lot of fun. 2 of the other boys on the trip also run cross country and one of them named Robert is going to cross country camp next week. We have done a lot of hiking and have gone to a lot of cool Refugios. We have done two cool via fradas but got a few blisters. Rock climbing is really fun and I am excited for the canyoneering. This trip has been a lot more fun 🤩 then last time and I have having a great time. We also have been using a Hackysack and juggling with it every day which has been really fun. The food has also been very good and we have had a lot of pasta. I am excited to go to Vince and also have gelato and pizza there. I’m looking forward to doing more hiking and going to Switzerland afterward. I miss you guys and am excited to see you. Love you! -Tyler
Lucas: Hi mom and dad (and maybe R if he’s not playing with Liam), I think I’m halfway through the trip now and I’m having a lot of fun. We did 2 via ferratas (pretty high honestly) and a rock climbing day. The rock climbs were a little difficult but very fun, lots of small holds and flat surfaces. The people here are pretty chill. The refugios are all pretty nice to stay at. The boys play a lot of hackysack and we always go on small hikes after we get back from the activities. Tell R I said hi because I won’t be able to see him before he leaves for coffee camp. I also journaled a lot so you guys can know all about it, I’m having a great time, Love you! -Lucas
Michael: Hey Mom and Dad! Italy is awesome, and the mountains are beautiful. I also really love the food here; almost all of the refugioes have amazing food. I love the pasta especially. We have been hiking a lot every day, and it has been amazing. We did two via ferratas, and they were awesome. We rock climbed today and the Cinque Torre. It was some of the best climbing I have ever done. The rock was awesome, and it was a ton of fun. We have also been playing a lot of hackysack which is really fun. Thank you guys so much for sending me on this trip. Love, Michael
Emily: HI FAMILY! I love and miss y’all so much! I think about you guys every single day and just how much you’d love it here. I don’t think I could ever get used to these views it’s seriously so beautiful. Miles, keep having such a fun senior summer. I can’t wait to see where you go for Mystery!! It’s going to be incredible. Mom and Dad, I’m getting excited for some home time at the end of the summer in PC and can’t wait to hang out. I’m having the best time though and love this job so much. The kids are awesome and so fun to hang out with. Sending lots of love!!! Xoxo. Ems ❤️
Taylor: Hey fam! Hope everyone is gearing up for the big beach week in Litchfield! I am going to miss y’all on the fourth. Please send pictures of Maxy boy on the beach. This session is flying by and I cannot believe we are almost at the halfway point for the summer! The kids are crushing it and I’m having a blast! I’ll talk when I can, love y’all. -T 💙
The Journey Begins!
June 22, 2025
Hello Dolomites Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has landed safely in Venice! 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
