Final goodbyes from Madeira!
July 10, 2025
Final goodbyes from Madeira!
This trip has been absolutely incredible, and it is all thanks to each and every single person in this group.
Our last week spent trekking and canyoneering was amazing, and though sometimes getting the kids to do the dishes was a struggle, it didn’t matter because we were either surrounded by cows, giant windmills, glorious mountain ranges, and sitting above the clouds together. For our first day of trekking, the group hiked a loop around the mountains that surrounded the small town of Porto Moniz with stunning views of the bay and the natural salt pools we had swam in the day before. This trek took everyone through the farms and mountains that lined the hills and was just a small introduction into the next 4 days where we would begin camping and stay at Sam and I’s favorite mountain hostel. The next day, we woke up at the hostel and drove to the trailhead to begin the hike to our first campsite! This hike began through the ancient mossy trees and hills, and a final uphill before lunch on an open mountain top, looking over the valley where we had done our canyoneering activity, and then down the trail that allows you to arrive at our campsite, surrounded by the hills filled with cows. We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging at our campsite, petting the gentle cows, and admiring the view of the windmills that lied in the distant horizon, and through which we would hike the next day. For our dinner, we cooked some delicious chicken and pesto pasta, eating before sundown and snacking on Madeiran candy bars. This campsite had one of the most beautiful views of the trip, and after a small hike up the hills lying behind us we got the chance to watch the sunset light up the rolling clouds that drifted over the mountains below us, and the glint of windmills in the other direction. We hung out on the watchtower that gave a view of where we had just come from, and then laid under the stars listening to music and appreciating how with every second of growing darkness, new stars winked into view.
The next morning, we began our trek that would take us through and past, up close and personal, the windmills we had seen the day before. These giant machines power much of the island and it was incredible to see them up close. They were almost enough to distract us from the mountains. This trek brought everyone even closer as we hiked and shared more stories, especially enjoying conversations with our incredible guides Ruth and Edgar. After this hike, we took a taxi to the best hostel in the world, one that lay close to the peak of Madeira and one that served us a delicious dinner. Here, me, Sam, Elias, and Sanders got the chance to watch the sunset from the edge of one of the many nearby cliffs, literally sitting above the clouds with a view of the ocean as far as the eye could see, to the end of the horizon, clouds flowing over hills and fog drifting through our hair, appreciating the silence and noise of the wind.
The next day, we had the hike through the ecological park that surrounded our hostel and would soon lead to the highest peak of Madeira! This is one of the most technical treks, and the kids ducked under and stepped over the signature trees, climbing their way up the most beautiful route to finally arrive at the peak! At the peak, you can see almost the entirety of the island, the unique yet familiar cliffs, and almost everywhere we had hiked from the beginning of our trekking section. The windmills sat far to our right, the trek through the canals a little to the left, our hostel behind us, and the sea all around. The cliffs showed evidence of the recent fire in some places, but mostly they were dappled with the yellow flowers we all have come to know and love and there is nothing like this view in the world. Charlotte even took a little nap at the top after everyone was done taking pictures. The boys all sat in silence taking everything in, while the girls talked to all of the fellow hikers and got some of the most amazing pictures. After this, we hiked back down and took the taxi to our next campsite, one that again sat above the clouds and was full of wheat fields that reminded Ben of some of his favorite spots at home. Once we arrived, we got started on our delicious fajita dinner where the kids took over and made our most delicious meal yet. Katie and Sally and Frances and Foster and Peter headed up the cooking, Elias and Hollis and I worked on our guitar skills with one of our guides Sid, Andrew, Ben, Penn, and Sanders kicked around the soccer ball and played hacky sack, and we all enjoyed the late afternoon together. Once taking in more of the beautiful surroundings, we pushed moonup until long after dark so that we could all explore the surrounding area. This was many of the kids favorite moments of the trip. We all explored until congregating in one place to sit and watch the sunset over Funchal and the yellow dappled mountains. All of the kids sat together looking over Funchal while I laid quietly in the wheat field behind them, surprising them when they all got up to return to camp and I popped up out of nowhere. Sanders and Sam had been off exploring the mountain biking trail together, Sanders loving imagining racing in one of the best places for mountain biking in the world. Then we had a beautiful moonup under the stars, laying together with foster, Katie, and Peter talking about outer space and how we all got here before hanging out and going to bed.
After waking up the next morning, we all trekked out, a beautiful mainly downhill trek along canals and through the mountains down into Funchal, where we got to take the toboggan sleds (ranked by CNN as one of the world’s top 7 commutes) down to a local merchandise store where everyone bought some much needed snacks and Madeira themed things before checking into our last hostel, exploring the amazing city of Funchal and all of the great shops and restaurants that lie near the marina, and then having a great dinner at a local restaurant, walking around town to find the best ice cream shop, and admiring the hanging plastic flowers that decorated the streets. Then we had a great moonup before bed.
Our last day of the session was spent doing one of our favorite activities, canyoneering! This activity again took everyone jumping, sliding, and repelling down waterfalls through an open canyon with a view of the beautiful mountains, before eating lunch and heading back to Funchal to continue to get to know the city. Our last meal was Sam and I’s favorite activity, the cooking class! We got the chance to go to a beautiful house located in the perfect place to look over the entirety of Funchal and made some steak kebabs, delicious and addicting bolo de caco, and corn puffs, hanging with the owner’s two adorable dogs and eating the best meal yet together. Our last night we had a hilarious and reflective final moonup, reminiscing on all of the best memories of the trip and having a nug jug that lasted at least half an hour, laughing over our funniest memories and wishing we could go back to some of the best moments.
Overall, this group has been one of the most uniquely funny, determined, and deep groups. We have all been so lucky to have such an amazing, inclusive, and kind group of kids this session and Sam and I already miss them so much it hurts. Each kid left an immeasurable impact on our lives and especially on each other. Their commitment to growing, getting to know each other, and then building each other up has been beautiful to witness and we hope one day to all be together again and share in all of the amazing memories we made together.
WE MISS ALL OF YOU.
With so much love,
Anna and Sam
Plenty of Fun in Porto Santo!
July 5, 2025
Ola from Madeira!
The past few days spent in Porto Santo have been heaven on earth. We woke up before sunrise, prepped and ready with iced coffees in the fridge, on Penn’s birthday to spend what would be (as she put it) the best birthday she has ever had! Having been chosen the night earlier, Penn was the Leader of the Day for her birthday along with Foster! Throughout the day, the entire group would burst into singing Happy Birthday, making sure we sang it exactly 17 times before the end of the day at random moments, usually initiated by the group’s best hype girl Frances, with Penn’s favorite time being on the Ferry, and often to the amusement of the tourists and locals watching on. We had a delicious lunch by the pool of our hotel, nestled right next to the city center where the Sao Joao festival was taking place, and then drove to the beach to wait to begin our sea kayaking activity. We hung out on the beach for a few hours, soaking in the sun, snorkeling, and climbing the rock formations that lined the beach next to where we would soon kayak. Our kayaking guide enjoyed using his whistle to remind us when and where to go during the voyage, and we explored the many caves down the coast of Porto Santo, listening to the deep echoes of the waves crashing within and admiring the lava-streaked cliffs before arriving to another rock beach with a rock towel in the middle of the bay, so we got the amazing chance to do some epic cliff jumping and swimming. The kayaking journey was filled with awe, laughter, and splash fights, and everyone arrived safely back at the beach soaked from the water wars. The boys could constantly be seen remarking that the girls weren’t paddling, but from everything Sam and I saw, the girls did all the heavy lifting while the boys chit-chatted and took in the sun, splashing each other with the paddles.
After this, we explored the town as they set up for the festival, shopping around and walking the cobblestone streets before our dinner, eating more than we could handle, and enjoying Penn’s birthday cake and some ice cream. Penn, Frances, Sally, Katie, Charlotte, Hollis, and I all had so much fun buying jewelry together from my favorite local woman who owns two stands, one where she makes jewelry and the other where she crochets beautiful baby clothes and takes breaks to help us try on as much jewelry as we can. I especially loved helping each of the girls pick out the gifts they bought for friends and family, each one was full of ideas on what to get for the people they love the most, taking a little over an hour to make the right choices and I loved every single minute of it. This group of girls all together is unbelievably thoughtful, and also full of good style. Frances and Katie will always pull me to the side to either update me on the group or pull me into whatever conversation they are having. Sally will always be thoughtfully present for every conversation, especially during this shopping trip when she put more thought into buying presents for her family than anyone. Hollis will be there for a one-on-one conversation anytime and use the chance to laugh, connect, and be a good friend. Hanging back from the group and talking with Penn is being a part of a conversation you don’t want to leave as we did on the hike to canyoneering later, and her genuine goal of becoming and discovering herself is inquisitive and authentic, and she will lead her life with humble awareness of who she is and where she wants to be and I can’t wait to see all that lies ahead of her. Charlotte is always there for a hug, a caregiver at her core, and someone who will never fail to see you and be there for you. She is who I turn around and see smiling, see listening, and see caring not only for herself but always for others in every way possible. We got the chance to moon up on the end of the long decorated pier, surrounded by the sound of crashing waves and the salty air filling our lungs. After Moonup, we got to witness one of the traditional dances in full costume and hear some of the old music of this tiny island culture, wishing we could join in, Hollis snapping pictures with her camera as always and the girls telling her the best shots to get, while Foster commented as well given his amazing photography skills.
The next day, we had our coastal adventure, aka coasteering, where we got to walk the length of the black, rocky volcanic coastline in the cool air, navigating carefully and jumping in the many natural salt pools filled by the huge waves that would soon come. This was one of the most beautiful activities, and it was so much fun to mess around in these natural pools!
After this and a yummy picnic lunch, we headed back to the town to again take the afternoon to shop and explore, loving talking to locals and seeing all of the school children leave for the day and fill the streets. The boys have a knack for finding Red Bull and Monster energy drinks literally wherever we go. For dinner, we went to the delicious pizza restaurant, where everyone thoroughly stuffed themselves to the brim.
The next day, we had the Porto Santo trek, a new route and one that took us climbing above the scattered piles of volcanic ash, past the marina, and up to the top of the rocky island to look over the entire place, where we could see the wheat farming stacking the hills and the desalination plants down by the bay, in love with this little self-sustaining community and seeing some of the most amazing views at many different places. We began this trek by exploring the natural sand canyon, full of scribbles from vandals in love carving their initials into the walls, but decorating it with a human presence as well that the kids loved to see. While here, Sanders could be found standing off to the side, taking in the view, while Ben dumped sand out of his shoes, Foster took stunning photos of the view, Elias tried to ground and dig his toes into the sand, Andrew making everyone laugh, and Peter adding in and the girls cracking up. After this, we said goodbye to our favorite place and took the ferry back to Madeira, arriving after dark at Sam and I’s favorite hostel, one nestled in the mountains and a breakfast view of the towering mountains that you would not believe lay on this island, and beginning almost every kid’s favorite activity of canyoneering! On this activity, we got the chance to repel and jump from the many beautiful waterfalls along the river through a stunning canyon, decorated by the signature yellow flowers and white daisies, even at one point zip lining from the top of a waterfall and dropping into the clear blue lagoon at the bottom. This activity tired us out as we hiked from jump to jump, repel to repel, suited up fully head to toe in wetsuits, and felt like cold water bandits. This activity exhausted everyone, and we spent the rest of the afternoon napping and walking around our new home base in Porto Moniz, where the incredible natural salt pools lie. We are excited to visit them tomorrow and begin our first day of trekking!
-Sam + Anna
Shoutouts to home:
Elias- Dear mombom im having fun in Madeira with sanders. When I get home things are going to be wild.
Elias continues to have an endlessly positive impact on the group, leading with his unending kindness and humor. Under the surface lies so much wisdom, and every one of us can be found in deep contemplation after conversations with him and his humble and open outlook on life. Elias continues to teach me and others in this group how to play guitar, and his skill have given this group music at all times when we need it, and we are especially excited to be serenaded during our nights camping. Elias has this bright smile, and it always comes with support for his friends. Though getting him to wear shoes is still a challenge sometimes, the challenge is only in good humor now since he leads this group with responsibility and integrity, always setting a good example not only in his behavior towards others but also in his attitude, his outlook on life, and his authenticity.
Katie – Hi Fam! So very excited to start trekking tomorrow and celebrate the 4th of July with my friends. Love you guys and can’t wait to update y’all!
Katie is always a leader in this group, and it has been especially amazing for Sam and I to step back from leading in small ways as she heads up things like cooking, and activities, and is always leading with strength and authenticity. She lives every day as a new day and takes it as a day to make a positive impact in whatever way she can. Katie is such a wise presence, having a conversation with her feels like having a conversation with an adult sometimes since not only is she crazy smart, but she also embodies living with an open mind, and is always as curious to pick my brain about psychology and philosophy as I am to hear her opinions on my school notes as we read through them together and discuss what we think and how we think it applies not only to life and who we are to others, but also within ourselves. Katie strives every day to be a good friend and a good person, and it is incredibly beautiful to watch. Every day I can see her taking in everything deeper, looking to be the best version of herself, and taking all opportunities to steer the trip in the best direction through building up her friends actively and intentionally whenever she sees the chance.
Sally – Heyyyy fam! Miss u guys lots! I am having a fun time in Maderia and have been trying/doing lots of new things 😁. I cannot wait to see yall and tell yall everything! Love yall to the moon&back!!!!!!!!!🕺❤️
Sally’s beaming positivity never fails to lift the group’s spirits in the seemingly boring times. She takes living in the moment and being unplugged with such excitement and there can never be a dull moment around her, nor a moment where you do not feel understood. She can relate to anyone and build you up with humble appreciation. When sally is chosen as the leader of the day, everyone is excited and relaxed because they know they are in trusted hands and that Sally will be an active leader, making sure to get the most fun out of the day, the most depth, the most joyous authenticity in our appreciation of that day. She even led her first Moonup with Elias by doing a coke and mentos volcano, the first active moonup we had and then the last until her next day on the 4th of July, where the moonup plan was even more fun as we all answered great questions, listened to her beautifully chosen quote, and sang the national anthem to Chris Stapleton’s version and saluted the flag she had drawn on a little sheet of notebook paper and taped above her and Foster. Sally is such an active leader and takes every opportunity she can to push herself and others.
Frances- hey family miss yall and love yall so much we are having the best time ever and exploring and seeing the coolest and prettiest things ever. Love yall and cant wait to see yall!
Frances is constantly making everyone laugh, and her genuine humor and kindness help to create such a positive environment on this trip. She is a friend to everyone in this group, and anyone who has the privilege of calling her is lucky to have such a reliable, honest, compassionate, and wonderful person in their lives. Frances can always be found asking questions, lifting up her friends literally whenever she can in a conversation, and having the most fun possible. Frances’ authenticity inspires everyone here to be more themselves every day. She is fearless in the face of life and challenges. She is easy to go to for support, she sees everyone for who they are and makes the choice to bring them out of their shell just by being herself. Frances will ask you to come sit with her, she is actively inclusive and sets an example of supporting your friends through thick and thin effortlessly.
Penn- hiiiiii!!!!!! We are having so much fun in Madeira and doing super cool stuff. Smile count:100000000000 ! Love ya 💕😄
You would never know that Penn is not a Moondance veteran given the way that she embodies the kindness, excitement for pushing herself out of her comfort zone, and openness to challenge, all the while maintaining her humble and bubbly attitude and giving amazing song suggestions. Penn is not only endlessly curious about this place and all it has to offer, but also about life and learning, not only the most about herself that she can while here, but also about how to make the most of her future, and hearing her talk about herself and her life and all that lies ahead will immediately show you the good head she has on her shoulders and the passion she has for becoming her most authentic and amazing self. Penn will chime in on any conversation with her down-to-earth and hilarious humor, she creates such a loving environment and one that may not be here as strongly without her. She is observant and open-minded towards her friends and herself, showing how all in all she is the friend you can go to who will never judge you as I have seen her do in this group on many occasions.
Andrew: Hey Mom and Dad, I bet Martha is having a great time in Iceland, miss you guys tons but Madeira is so amazing. This is the day before we hike and both my leaders are great. We have had some pretty great food but no seafood..(yet) and can’t wait to see you. P.S (sorry for the bad grammar im trying to make it short)
Andrew will never fail to make you laugh with his quick wit and sense of humor. He is always one second away from making you laugh with his genuine attitude and kindness, coupled with his intelligence and care for others, means that he will be kind and funny at the same time and ready to make sure that you feel a part of whatever he is doing. Andrew can tell you a story about anything and relate to anyone. He can empathize with everyone, he knows himself well, he can talk to anyone, and he can bring anyone out of a rut. Andrew is here to take in every moment of this trip, appreciate every person and moment to the fullest as he has learned to do through being on a Moondance trip, and have his friend’s backs. Hearing how much he appreciates not only being here but becoming more himself every day through the new friends he has made and all the ways he challenges himself here that you can only have on a trip like this has taught the new moondancers the same gratitude and excitement for every day despite the challenging schedule. Andrew can walk up and talk to anyone and effortlessly carry the conversation, sometimes on purpose to lift the spirits of those who are quiet. He will notice everything and keep it to himself, knowing that later if he is needed he will be there.
Ben-Hey mom and dad, I hope y’all are having a good time at home. We have been pretty busy these last couple days, especially doing a lot of hiking on this different island called Porto Santo. Hope y’all are doing well and will see y’all soon!
Ben is one of the wisest, most curious, kindest, and helpful kids on this trip. He is always the last to leave a situation where he feels he might be needed, the first to offer a helping hand when he thinks no one is looking, and always willing to go the extra mile for every single person here, including Sam and I. His leadership is the quiet kind that you need to make sure to notice. He inspires every single person who sees it to not only do better but to be more like him, and his leadership is the kind that a trip cannot thrive without. Ben will be there with a genuine attitude and such humble curiosity. Ben looks for opportunities to grow in every moment possible. He is always making the best faces, and looking at him at any moment can make you laugh, especially if I ask him to smile for a picture and instead one eyebrow raises to the sky and the other drops low and suddenly he is suspicious. He is learning the guitar well and putting in practice every day, and this attitude of trying and committing to new things has inspired everyone in the group.
Peter- Hey mom and dad, I hope y’all have been having a great time at Cimmaron. I am sad that I am missing it again but I will be back there soon. Madeira has been absolutely beautiful. We have been surfing, kayaking, canyoneering and a bunch of other fun activities. I hope y’all are doing well and I’ll see you soon!
Peter is always curious, always learning, always there for the laughter and the jokes, looking to put smiles on faces. He is fully present for every activity and every one of his friends, and even spends every day like so many of the kids here working on his guitar skills and giving his all to this group and trip. Peter will talk your ear off about soccer for as long as you let him, and I Sam and I are grateful to have learned so much about Christiano Ronaldo in his birthplace from someone who might know more than the people who live here. He will always offer a helping hand, always give his all to every activity, always make sure to leave nothing on the field. Peter takes time every night to journal, to give a quick and witty synopsis of the day and we enjoy hearing at the end of the long days when we need a laugh, or want to look back at an activity.
Sanders- Hey mom and dad. Today we all went canyoneering and it was super cool and i definitely learn a few things over the trip. This place also reminds me of Utah because the mountains are huge and awesome here. I’ve been missing my bike but this place is awesome. I also hope the everyone did good a snowshoe.
Sanders will never fail to make people smile with his genuine humor and positive attitude. His steady strength of character and kindness lifts spirits in every moment that he can tell he is needed. Sanders, though he may wish his mountain bike was here, you could never tell. We all especially love his PJ sets! During our activities and even just walking around town, Sanders can always be found standing somewhere, stoically, alone, taking in the view and fully appreciating everything that lies before him. The kids often say that he is “aura farming”, trying to get me to take his picture with the beautiful views, but really we all know that the piece that lives within all of us, that always wants to stop and silently take in everything around us and fully appreciate the moment and the place we are in, lives strong in him and inspires all of us to do the same.
Hollis – Hey fammmm!! Wow. I’m obsessed with Madeira and my awesome group!! I could go on and on about all the fun adventures I’ve had so far, but I’ll wait to tell y’all when I get back. I’ve learned so much about Madeira and loved watching their unique culture. Today we got to go canyoneering and it was SO fun!!!! I hope everything is going well back at home and that if y’all did decide to take a family trip that y’all are staying safe and didn’t go anywhere too cool without me. Also, I’m so glad I bought my camera because these pictures are insane and I can’t wait to show y’all every single one. Tell my friends I love and miss them!!! 😊😊😘😘😁😁💕💕💕💕💕🕺🕺🕺🌕🌕🌕🌕
Hollis is one of the brightest, most down-to-earth, and kindest girls. She is effortlessly herself, smart and funny, and a central part of this group. She can always be found doing small things for other people and making them laugh at the same time. Her leadership is steady and reliable without a doubt. Hollis will always, without complaint, put in the extra time to make sure that everything that we ask of her and more is done, and at the same time through her action bring others to do the same. Hollis is someone you can talk to for hours and by the end, know that you have touched the realest and most authentic feelings and felt supported. Her trustworthiness, integrity, and motivation lead this group every day. Hollis is the type of friend that would go to bat for you against anything. She leads us with responsibility, humility, and awareness. Talking with her leaves you feeling like you opened your heart to someone you could trust, not because we all have not known her long, but because through speaking with her you can tell you are in the presence of someone wise, honest, and understanding.
Charlotte – Heyyyy fam! I keep growing closer and closer to everyone in my group and I’m so excited to be able to have these connections for life. This is such an amazing group and such an amazing trip. All of the activities are so much fun and just challenging enough to keep me entertained and excited for the next day. I’m so ready and hyped for trekking and to experience trekking in Madeira. I can’t wait to bring my experience and everything I’ve learned back home and talk about every challenge I faced. I’m so glad I get to face these challenges and experience this excitement with this group of people and grow even closer with them. I miss you all so much and I love you💕💕
Charlotte can literally always be seen with a smile on her face, and though Sam and I noticed this, we were delighted to hear this from our outfitters as well when in a conversation about the kids, he was complimenting her without knowing her name and all he said was, “you know, the smiley girl”, and we immediately knew who he meant. As I am sure Charlotte would say herself, she has grown incredibly on this trip, pushing herself not only physically with positivity and determination, but emotionally and socially as she takes up every opportunity to push herself out of her shell and has created incredible bonds with so many in this group. Her laughter is contagious, her humor is wonderful, and her support for her friends is endless and unconditional. Charlotte has genuine spirit and wisdom that many her age do not, and her openness and authenticity teach everyone in this group what true inner strength looks like. Charlotte takes every day as the chance to learn and grow with force and shows the other girls what it is like to be kind to your core.
Foster- Hey guys, I’m having lots of fun and all the activities are super cool. We are about to go trekking so I’m excited about that. We went canyoneering today which was pretty cool and the view before we hiked down was probably the coolest thing I have ever seen and I did get some pictures but we were in the clouds on a mountain next to windmills. I miss you guys a little but I’ll see you in a week so I’m excited to tell you all about Madeira.
Sam and I are endlessly grateful for Foster and his unbelievably kind, goofy, and genuine presence every single day. Foster is who you want to talk to on the trail, who you want to find you in your quiet and introspective moments and not only see you, but with impressive empathy make you feel understood and then lifted quicker than you believed possible. Sam and I have witnessed him be the kindest friend, every day finding the one person who feels a little withdrawn and pulling them under his wing, bringing ruckus laughter from his quiet jokes. His quiet, humble, and steady leadership has made him one of the most central pillars of this group. When you don’t know what to do or how to better support your friends, simply look to Foster because by being himself he will lead the way with kindness and respect. Seeing his smile makes it impossible to not smile yourself, and seeing him in quiet conversation with another kid means that kid is most likely receiving love and support.
Olá from Madeira!!
June 30, 2025
We have had the most incredible beginning to this trip, from the moment we met everyone in the airport to all of the fun times we have spent together since, this group has been special, and the possibility for more fun is endless especially with such a hilarious, kind, down to earth, appreciative, respectful, and leadership oriented group. Sam and I could not believe how from the beginning, every opportunity for getting to know each other was taken, the excitement to get rid of the phones was palpable, and the moment they were gone the kids could not stop talking or keep their eyes from the stunning, beautiful glory that is Madeira. Our taxi ride from the airport even gave us endless views of the red tile roofs, rocky mountainous coastline, local shops, and the uneven black and white cobblestone streets and sidewalks that also pave the streets of Lisbon. We went straight to our hostel, and Me (Anna), Sanders, Andrew, Elias, Foster, and Ben went for a walk around the small town of Machico, exploring and looking for a Monster drink and some Red Bulls to get them through the rest of the day, one of the most entertaining walks I have been on. The funny, wonderful, soulful dynamic of Elias and Sanders quickly became clear on this walk with their insightful questions, quick witted humor, and genuine interest in not only getting to know everything about the island but also about Sam and I. As we left the small grocery store, caffeine in hand, Peter, Sally, Hollis, and Penn found us and we all joined together to continue to explore and get comfortable in the town we would be in for the next two nights, even spotting our favorite fresh fruit stand and planning to return later with euros. Walking with this group it became clear the type of kids we have been lucky enough to have in this group. Sally’s warmth, curiosity, wonderful attitude and open heart, Penn’s amazing kindness and never ending musical knowledge to go with her great taste and bright presence, Hollis’s creative and wise heart and brilliant mind, Elias’s humor, curiosity about life and his depth, Fosters calm, fully aware and goofy mood, Peter’s endless jokes and insight, Andrew’s quick wit, character, and real presence, Sander’s silly attitude, endless curiosity, and tendency to wander with confidence, Ben’s deep heart and calming wise presence, Charlotte’s open heart, intelligence, and excitement for everything to come, Katies passion for life, learning, curiosity, and leadership, and Frances’ beautiful authenticity and genuine compassion that inspires. Conversations with this group seem endless, each kid is so determined to not only take up the leadership roles within the group but take it with total excitement. Our moonups have been full of wisdom from each kid, vulnerability, kindness, and most importantly silliness and humor.
For our first day of activities we went rock climbing and swimming in the deep blue bay that sits at the bottom of the very same rocky cliffs we all climbed. Every single kid climbed all of the routes, excited to see the views from the top, and while the rest of us waited at the bottom, we all bonded over looking through all of our shared music tastes and listening to the best of them all together, getting to know each other more and having fun. After this, everyone went swimming at the rocky beach below us, enjoying the crisp water and looking out at the fish farms full of thousands of fish that sat in the middle of the bay before us. For the rest of the afternoon, we hung out on the beach we would be surfing at the next day, exploring the beautiful little beach town, playing volleyball half terribly half professionally, improving our hacky sack skills, swimming out to the platform in the marina and talking and jumping off, and then jumping off the pier with some locals. Our first leaders of the day were chosen to be Andrew and Katie, two kids who exemplified the attitude of moondance in every way and leading the group in kindness, respect, learning, and taking everything we could from each day. We ended the day after moonup all sitting on the beach, Elias on the guitar as Ben and I sang together (thank goodness Ben was so eager to sing with me and WOW, we never knew John Mayor was going to join us), the beginning of the musical fever in this group catching on and our endless practice and singing together.
Our second day of surfing was full of bigger and more challenging waves which the kids took as if the day before had not been the first for a few of them, and the lessons had sunk in fully. Each kid was riding 1-2 meter waves, tumbling off in hilarious ways, and getting right back up again staying out until the last moment. We then had a picnic lunch with a box of delicious cherries and some sandwiches we made at a restaurant by the beach, and then enjoyed some ice cream as we prepared for the rest of the chill day and the move to our next hostel in Porto Cruz. Once we arrived there, we were amazed by the hostel, and the bunk rooms and upstairs slumber party that became clear once we saw the creative and fun bed setup with a porch perfect for looking over the town and ocean we were nestled between. Later this afternoon, Sam and I surprised them with a scavenger hunt through the town we have come to know so well, and the videos and pictures from this are perfectly encapsulating the humor in this group and the enthusiasm they have for the fun in every day. They spent the time after this hunt getting to know the locals, exploring more, and Peter even joined in the soccer game some of the locals were playing, scoring 3 goals as his team cheered him on loudly and proudly. That night, we got to have some of the most delicious pizzas made in front of us in a coal fired grill, and finished with a chocolate pizza that left us more than stuffed to the brim.
Today we had the day hike that we had glimpsed across the bay during rock climbing, an easy introduction into our trekking section full of stunning views and rock formations, great in depth conversations and silly moments, and a snorkel and lunch break. This group takes every single moment to get as much learning and appreciation out of every moment, and the more they decide to share with us about their lives, the more they unintentionally reveal their beautiful integrity and character, and Sam and I are amazed to have such a wise group of teens who came into this equally full of truth, open hearts, and the goal of becoming a better version of themselves by the end of this session, an idea Sam and I hoped to pass on to the kids in every group but one that they each brought with them from day one, making our jobs easy as they lead and learn from each other. For the rest of the day after, we napped from the exhaustion of the past few days, hung out at the beach, and then played guitar (so grateful that Elias is so talented and a great and patient teacher, Katie decided to join in with her beautiful raspy voice), and then prepared to take the ferry to Porto Santo tomorrow and begin the next section of this trip.
There are so many more things to say about each and every one of these kids, but as the trip continues the time for writing dwindles and so I hope that this trip update, and the next one can encapsulate what we’ve done so far and how each and one of these students constantly inspires, humbles, and teaches both Sam and I and each other, and how amazing it is to see each of them constantly with a smile on their face, laughing in this beautiful sunshine, and bringing a sense of magic with them everywhere we go.
Sanders : Sanders is more than just a leader, he is a leader, full of enthusiasm, for becoming whatever greatness lives in his future, as he challenges himself every day. His natural wit and humor, and ease and comfort, with himself inspiring and draws the rest of the boys in the group to be themselves.
Shoutout: Hey Mom and Dad, it’s Sanders. I’m alive and everyone is having lots of fun. Also hey Mrs. Rahbar, Elias and I are doing well.
Elias: Elias is so excited for every day, every moment, and every new opportunity that comes. The second he found out he had a guitar he knew he continuously says it’s impossible, and that he’s not good, can pick up any song at a moments notice and play beautifully. I have loved talking with them about philosophy, and or shared interesting books. He thought he says he can’t get it off the top of the head, embodies the attitude of someone who exists with more depth within and appreciates every second trying to make the most of it.
Shoutout: Hi mombom and baba. We are having fun doing lots of fun things. I love you. Have fun without me.
Ben: Ben has consistently said his plan for going home is to be more unplugged, to take the moondance philosophy of disconnecting from your phone so often and spending more time with yourself. Every day you can see appreciation and gratitude on his face. This attitude is not just him. It is across the group, but it stems from his vulnerability and sharing his goals with everyone and embodying them.
Shoutout: Hey mom and dad,I hope y’all enjoyed Olympia national park and we’re able to see some sun there. We have been doing lots of fun activities and have swam way more than I thought we would. I love y’all and hope y’all are having fun at home.
Andrew: Andrew is more than hilarious and kind hearted, he is so observational, and always making sure that every single person in the group feels seen and included. Aside from that, his motivation in life and drive inspire, and his obvious role as a big brother at home and one who is endlessly full of belief in his little sister is beautiful to see.
Shoutout: Hey Mom Dad and Martha , I miss you guys a ton. We are having a great time in Madeira. This place is amazing. All my new friends are really fun and funny to be with, we have swam a lot in some clear water it is great we are also hiking soon, I love and miss you guys a lot #tb P.S for Martha one of my friends said that Iceland is a lot of fun for Martha and be ready to sleep in tents she will have a lot of fun. Also went on our first hike today.
Sally: Sally can be seen laughing at any moment, with the biggest smile on her face, and if she’s not, she’s inquisitive, asking her new friends questions, or getting to know them better in a way that only she could, full of lies, kindness, and genuine interest. She has a way of making everybody feel seen and takes being a first time Moondancer as if it’s her third trip, she can be relied on and trusted by everyone in this group, and as a person, her character is outstanding, as she could not ever be heard speaking a bad word about anyone.
Shoutout: Hi momma and daddy ! I hope y’all are having fun at home& im excited to hear about what all y’all have been doing! Madeira is absolutely beautiful! We haven’t trekked yet but we’ve been swimming lots! The group is funny and we get along well. Apparently there is a Zara and mango store that we go shopping at soon so I’m sorry 🙃 MISS YALL SO MUCH AND LOVE U TO THE MOON! Read to wynne and lovett too XOXOXO ❤️❤️❤️💋💋💋💋
Frances: Frances is compassionate, her honesty can be found woven into any story she tells, even the silly ones. But what strikes me most about Frances is her authenticity and her comfort in being herself, she knows exactly who she is, and, it leads other kids in this group, struggling to find their own authenticity down a bright path, and she will hold their hand down as they walk, laughing all the way and building you up.
Shoutout: Yo. I miss y’all soooooo much we have the best group ever everyone is so fun and nice. I have a girl in my group from California and I will be visiting so fyi. I’m going shopping so I’m very hype to spend money at ZARAAAAAAAAAAAA hype! Love y’all bunches and miss y’all. Hope everything is good with the house and can’t wait to see what happened with it. Byeeeeee💕💕💕💕💕💕🌕🕺
Katie: Katie was first leader of the day, one because she immediately approached this trip with confidence, curiosity, and the desire for destined meaning, in all of her moments. Even the first moon up, she led was full of quiet ease, and vulnerability, and it has consistently let everybody else in this group to match her as she opens her heart and her self awareness encourages everybody else to take a more active role. Katie will sit down and have a conversation with anyone and everyone she feels, and she will make sure that you have someone to talk to you at dinner, and that your conversation is full of laughter and depth.
Shoutout: Ola familia!! I am having so much fun here in Madeira even though I am missing you guys like crazy. I can’t wait to hear about your adventures in Morocco and tell you stories about what we’ve been up to when I get back. Today we went on a beautiful hike and I MADE SURE to enjoy all the rocks (especially for Papi) and snorkeled all day. I’ve been eating SO MANY pastels de nata (especially for Kiki) and practicing my Portuguese (especially for Mae) with all the locals. Say hi to Cherry for meee! Te amo e nos vemos pronto😘😘
Charlotte: I can always find Charlotte smiling right behind me, ready to talk about anything, and everything with the hundred questions that I wish I knew the answers to. She reminds me of the type of person you can talk endlessly with, or say nothing at all, and still feel connected to. She is courageous and every step she takes, and it shows, she pushes herself every day past what she thinks she can do, and everybody in the group can quietly watch on as she confidently faces every day.
Shoutout: Hi mom, dad, and sue sue!! I miss you all so much! I’m having so much fun and can’t wait to kayak, trek, and do all the other activities here in Madeira! Let toad, poppy, ramses, and olive know how much I miss them. I miss you, eliza, Virginia, sav, and everyone else so much. I can’t wait to be home and tell you about everything.
Hollis: Hollis is one of the wisest, kindest and smartest kids about the pleasure to know. Not only is she so clearly brilliant academically in school as so many of the kids in this group are, but her creativity and artistic skills have made this trip begin to have a personality on paper with her beautiful doodles and confidence. Hollis has a beautiful way of noticing everyone, kindly, speaking effortlessly, like mean words, don’t exist for her, and constantly brightening your day, with her bubbly smile and laughter.
Shoutout: Hi Mom and Dad!!! I am having an absolute blast! Seriously this trip has already been SO much fun and I love my group and leaders so much. We have stayed in the coolest places and I have already seen so many amazing things. Tell my friends I miss them!! I can’t wait to tell y’all all about it when I get back!! Be ready for the next family trip to be to Madeira because it is the coolest place ever!!! MISS AND LOVE YALLLLLL🕺🕺🕺🕺😘😘😘😁😁😁😁
Foster: Foster has a steady, calm and authentic presence, one I’m not sure even he realizes since he shared one of his goals is to find his authenticity here. Foster is always smiling, always listening, always steadily being himself and ready for great and real conversation at any time. He has an incredible eye for photography and curiosity to push himself to learn everything he can hear, including the guitar, which he has already picked up so quickly it’s amazing. He can already play two full songs by himself! Foster has wisdom beyond his years and genuine kindness, and every moment and anyone here is lucky to have him as a friend.
Shoutout: Hey guys I’m having a really good time at Madeira and the food is good. But we’ve surfed a ton and I wasn’t super good on the first day but on the second day I caught a ton of waves which was really fun. Tomorrow we are going to this island on a cruise ship which will be fun. My leaders are great and super nice and I hope all you guys are doing okay at home and I hope Tanner is having a good time with her campers see you guys in two weeks.(Sam also taught me songs on the guitar and I learned riptide on the uke)
Penn Davis: Pen is constantly surprising us with more and more about her. With every conversation she is constantly giving herself fully, present in every moment, easily able to access the deepest parts within her, and confidently and Kylie willing to share them when I asked. Even then, anytime she adds to a group conversation or discussion or story. It always has everybody turning to hear what she has to say.
Shoutout: Hiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!! I am having the best time in Madeira! We have eaten so much good food , done some super fun activities and laughed sooooo much!! My new besties are so fun and cool. Tonight we had burgers with fries and tomorrow we are going on a cruise (tmr is my bday and can’t wait to spend it in the coolest place with the coolest people {even though I miss y’all lots}). Tell everyone I miss them😎😎😎😎😁😁💕💕💋
Peter Pisano: Peter’s bubbly personality helps he will lift you with positivity, make you feel understood as he has been there before, and he is constantly ready for a whole-hearted conversation, and one that he has determined to make you leave laughing. Peter lives to make others happy and smile, for no other reason, then he loves to bring joy to others and in this group it has been a constant source of happiness for everyone.
Shoutout: I have had a super fun time so far in Madeira. Foster and the group have been great to catch up with and meet. I didn’t know how much fun surfing would be until this year. I loved it and may do it more. I am so excited to start trekking in a few days. Hope you’re having a good time in Colorado!
Let the Fun Begin!
June 25, 2025
Hello Madeira Families!
We heard from our leaders that the group has landed safely in Madeira! 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
