Final Update!
July 10, 2025
Back again with our third and final trip update-we truly can’t believe this session is already over. There’s a MAD 2B-sized hole in our hearts after saying so many hard goodbyes this morning. By now, the kids are somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, and we’re still recovering from puffy eyes and one last round of hugs before sending them on their way.
The past 17 days have been packed with stories, laughter, challenges, and unforgettable moments we know they can’t wait to share with you. But before they walk you through every hilarious memory and inside joke, here’s a look at how we spent our final days together.
SundayWe kicked off the day with a hike at Ponta de São Lourenço, the easternmost point of Madeira. The trail winds along massive volcanic cliffs carved by the ocean over millions of years, with streaks of red rock formed by ancient lava and ash creating a dramatic backdrop. We stopped for lunch at a hidden cove tucked along the trail before heading back to explore Funchal.
In the city, we grabbed ice cream and wandered through a hillside park with a great view of the harbor. The group found a playground where they played a game called “Ground,” which kept them entertained until we all found a shady spot to relax, play cards, and listen to music. That night, we went out for a traditional Portuguese dinner-definitely out of some kids’ comfort zones-but everyone gave it a shot and seemed to enjoy it. Afterward, a quick stop at McDonald’s made sure no one went to bed hungry.
MondayWe started Monday at a local café with espresso and pastries before heading into the mountains for our first day of canyoning. After suiting up in wetsuits, boots, helmets, and harnesses, we hiked into the canyon and began a thrilling series of rappels, jumps, and slides. The mountain water was ice cold, but it kept us sharp and laughing the whole time. Everyone caught on quickly and encouraged one another through every obstacle.
After warming up in the sun with our picnic lunch, we headed back to Funchal for ice cream at the Ritz and some free time. The group split up for shopping-flip flops for the boys, bathing suits for the girls-and then we drove up the hillside for one of the most memorable meals of the trip: a traditional cooking class with a local Portuguese family. We made bolo do caco (Madeiran garlic bread), salad, fried maize, and espetada (grilled beef skewers) while music played and the sun set over Funchal. It was a truly special night and easily one of the group’s favorite meals. After dinner we went back to the ice cream place, of course and then headed back to the hostel.
TuesdayDay two of canyoning took us even deeper into Madeira’s mountains in an area known as the island’s plateau. The jumps were higher, the water colder, and the challenges tougher-but the kids were all in. They leapt from cliffs, laughed their way through freezing pools, and capped the day with a surprise zipline into the canyon below. Everyone brought their best one-liners as they zipped into the water, adding plenty of comedy to the adrenaline.
After another picnic lunch, we headed back to Funchal and got to work picking out outfits for banquet the following night. We headed to Zara and half the group emerged with some new Euro-summer fits to sport the next night. We got changed for dinner and all wore our Ronaldo jerseys. We took to the streets of Funchal getting plenty of looks from people walking by. We finished the evening with a heartfelt, extended Moonup by the water, where everyone had the space to reflect and share. It brought us all even closer, and we lingered in the moment as long as we could, ending the night talking on a ledge overlooking the sea.
Wednesday
We returned to Ponta de São Lourenço for one last adventure: rock climbing. The guides set up a range of routes that increased in difficulty, and the group tackled each one with focus and determination. The later climbs were no joke-physically demanding and technically tough-but every single student made it to the top. Some even took on routes our guide said he had never attempted. Their grit and encouragement for one another was amazing to witness.
After a celebratory swim in the crystal-clear water below the cliffs, we headed back to the hotel to clean up and change for banquet. Dressed to the nines (an upgrade from the usual beachwear), the group looked incredible. We walked around the city, then gathered in a park to write letters to one another-something to read on the plane and take home as a memory.
Dinner was a feast-filets, lobster risotto, and everything in between-and the perfect final meal to celebrate the journey we’d shared. After dinner, we had a long, emotional final Moonup filled with gratitude, memories, and quite a few tears. None of us were ready to say goodbye, but we were all deeply thankful for every moment we had together.
Each of these incredible kids brought something uniquely special to our group:
Abby, with her unwavering kindness that never went unnoticed.
Eli, always ready to lend a hand without being asked.
Mary Alice, who constantly challenged herself and inspired others to do the same.
Maggie, whose bright and uplifting spirit lit up every moment.
Hatcher, radiating positivity that lifted everyone around him.
Cooper, steady and reliable-someone we could all count on.
Graham, always keeping us laughing with his perfect timing and humor.
Baylor, whose enormous heart was felt by everyone.
Margaret, bringing warmth and sincerity into every space she entered.
Tyler, who impressed us with his honesty and openness from day one.
Libby, always friendly and quick to make others feel included.
And Will, wise beyond his years and a calm, grounding presence throughout the trip.
We are endlessly grateful for all of the amazing memories we made with this group over the last 17 days. They are truly such a special bunch. Not a minute went by without them keeping us entertained. We know that they created lifelong friendships with each other and with us over the course of the trip. They seized every opportunity and put it all out there. We could not have asked for anything more than what they gave us. They all opened up in ways we never expected and it brought the group so close together. We are forever grateful for the opportunity to have gotten to know them and can’t wait to be their biggest cheerleaders as they continue through life after Moondance. Thank you again for sharing them with us.
Signing off,
Hayden and Nelson
Fun in the Sun!
July 5, 2025
Checking back in with another trip update! After an incredible start to the trip, we’re happy to report that the second half has somehow gotten even better. The group continues to get closer by the minute and we’re genuinely having the time of our lives over here in Madeira. Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to this past week!
Tuesday:
We started Tuesday morning with some free time, so the group headed to town to do laundry and grab snacks. Baylor managed to hunt down an açaí bowl, and the boys all picked out LEGO sets. They all bought different race cars they planned to build and race later that night. After finishing up our errands, we headed back to the hotel to change for our first surf lesson.
We drove to Porto do Cruz, where the waves were massive. The forecast called for four-foot surf, but some of the sets looked more like five feet to us. Despite the challenging conditions, the group handled it with enthusiasm. Cooper and Mary Alice, both first-time surfers, managed to stand up and ride their very first waves. Baylor and Maggie stood out as naturals, catching the longest rides of the day.
After a full afternoon of getting tossed around by the ocean, we made a quick stop at the market to restock snacks and then headed back to the hotel for some downtime. Everyone took a well-deserved break before dinner. Later that evening, we walked to get ice cream, then gathered on the rooftop deck to watch the sunset and have Moonup under the painted sky.
Wednesday:
Wednesday started bright and early-we had to be at the ferry terminal before the sun was up to catch our boat to Porto Santo. The kids were half-asleep when we arrived at the dock, but once we boarded, they discovered a movie theater on board and all made a beeline for the dark, comfy recliners to take naps.
By the time they woke up, the white sand beaches of Porto Santo were on the horizon. We dropped our bags at the hotel and made our way to the beach, where we set up games, played music, and pulled out the snorkels. Will and Libby beat Nelson and me in a heated spike ball match-which they haven’t let us forget. Meanwhile, Hatcher and Tyler invented a version of cornhole using rocks, and Eli swam out in search of fish. Unfortunately, the wind and waves made visibility tricky, but the warm blue water was still fun to swim in. The whole group swam past the waves and floated together in a huge circle.
Later that afternoon, we walked to the point for sea kayaking. Graham and Libby provided endless laughs by getting stuck on a rock. The group was in hysterics watching them navigate their way back with big smiles.
That evening, we changed and headed up the street to a cozy restaurant in the town square. After dinner, we stopped for more ice cream and then walked back to the hotel for Moonup by the pool.
Thursday:
We took a van to one of the highest peaks on the island on Thursday morning and were treated to sweeping views of Porto Santo’s volcanic mountains and coastline. The hike down to the beach was easy and full of conversation. Margaret and Hatcher even debuted their new handshake, which became a favorite of ours.
By the time we reached the bottom, everyone had worked up an appetite-but luckily, lunch was waiting for us right on the beach. One of the group’s ongoing trip traditions has become filming food reviews anytime we try something new. They call it Brother and Sister Vlogs, and they take their critiques very seriously. A few new snacks at lunch prompted us to take out the cameras for a round of reviews.
After lunch, we jumped into the natural saltwater pools. Strong ocean swells filled the pools with fluffy sea foam, making it feel like one giant bubble bath. Baylor and Abby discovered some perfectly shaped rocks that resembled recliners, and before long, everyone was lying back like lizards soaking up the sun.
Once the tide dropped, we followed the coastline in search of other pools. Bright blue water shimmered along the rocky shore, creating some of the most scenic views we’ve seen so far. We stopped at a particularly deep and clear pool, protected from the crashing waves by a wall of rock. Every so often, a wave would spill over the top, creating a gentle waterfall into the pool-it felt like something out of a postcard.
In the late afternoon, we walked into town to browse a few shops before dinner. We ate outside at a big table by the water, then strolled down to the beach for sunset and Moonup, where we told our favorite childhood stories and ended with an energetic game of Duck, Duck, Goose. Graham was probably the closest to catching anyone, diving on the sand and just missing me as I made it to safety.
Friday:
Friday was our last day on Porto Santo, and it happened to be the Fourth of July-so the group pulled out all the red, white, and blue they had. After breakfast, we set off on a longer hike that crossed the island from north to south. We started at a cluster of massive sand caves carved into the cliffs and then climbed to one of the island’s highest points, where some rock scrambling was required.
Thanks to all their trekking experience, the group handled the terrain like pros. Along the trail, we blasted our favorite patriotic songs and spent hours naming our favorite American things- everything from SEC football to hot dogs to historical icons like George Washington. While celebrating the Fourth Abroad felt a little different, we still made it our own and had a blast doing it.
When we arrived at the other side of the island, we rewarded ourselves with ice cream and beach time. The smaller waves made for perfect body-surfing conditions, and Hatcher taught several people how to catch the perfect ride. Half the group stayed in the water for hours while the rest napped in the sun.
As the afternoon cooled off, we pulled out the football and spike ball sets for one last beach session before getting cleaned up for dinner. That evening, the entire group dressed in their Ronaldo jerseys and Madeiran hats, fully embracing the local flair for our farewell to Porto Santo dinner.
After we ate, Maggie and Margaret visited a local jewelry stand and bought matching rings to remember their time in Porto Santo. Then we boarded the ferry back to Madeira just as the sun was setting. Abby and Tyler led us to the top deck, where we held Moonup under the sunset in one of the most special spots yet. Everyone fell asleep on the ferry ride home, which was much needed since we didn’t arrive at our next destination until late into the night.
Saturday:
On Saturday morning, we woke the kids up for a quick breakfast. After seeing how tired they were from the past week, we told them to head back to bed for some extra rest, and they gladly took us up on it. Thankfully, our surf lesson wasn’t until the afternoon, so they finally had the chance to catch up on some much-needed sleep.
When we got them up for the lesson, they looked more refreshed than we’d seen them in days. We headed to the beach for our second surf session, and the conditions were much calmer than last time. The smaller, more relaxed waves made a big difference-everyone paddled out confidently and really focused on improving their technique.
Will stood out by catching nearly every wave he went for and even started learning how to do some turns. It was incredible to see how much progress everyone had made since the first lesson. The whole group was having fun, laughing, and cheering each other on between sets.
After surfing, we went out for gelato, except for Abby and Baylor, who somehow found another açaí bowl stand and insisted I come along. They told me that sitting by the beach in Portugal with an açaí bowl after a surf session is pretty much their version of paradise, and I was happy we could help them live it out.
Later, we spent some time back at the beach playing spike ball, relaxing, and soaking up the sun before dinner. That evening, we made our way up to the rooftop deck for sunset photos, group games, and another golden hour together in this special place.
We can’t believe we’re already entering the final stretch of the trip, time has truly flown by. Looking back, we’re so grateful for every moment we’ve had with this crew. They’ve made each day fun, meaningful, and full of laughter. It’s been such a joy to spend time with a group that is not only adventurous and kind but also incredibly supportive of one another.
We’re endlessly proud of how they’ve embraced every challenge, from tough hikes to big waves, always with positive attitudes and open minds. As we head into our last few days together, the students wanted to send heartfelt thank you’s for making this all possible.
We’ll be in touch again soon with one last update before they make it home!
Goodbye for now,
Hayden and Nelson
Abby: “Thank you mom and dad so much for the opportunity to go on Moondance! I’m having soo much fun and I love it here and can’t wait to tell yall about it! Love you guys!!!”
Baylor: “thank you mom and dad for letting me come on Moondance this year! This year is even better than last year and I have met so many amazing people. Love and miss you guys!!
Margaret: “Thank you so much mom and dad for sending me on this amazing trip! I have gotten SUPER close with my group, and I am loving Madeira! I love and miss yall, and can’t wait for the beach!”
Maggie: “thank you guys so much for allowing me to go on these trips. They help me grow in so many ways. Yall will never understand how thankful I am that I have these opportunities. This has been the best trip ever and I can’t wait to tell yall all about it, but I am so sad to leave. How lucky am I to meet people that make saying goodbye so hard?! Roots and wings!”
Cooper: “Thank y’all so much for allowing me to go on this trip. Everyone has been amazing and I have formed many new friendships. I am so lucky to be able to go on these types of things because of yalls hardwork and I will always be grateful for that. This has been a great experience and can’t wait to take what I have learned back to Macon. Love yall!”
Graham: “mom and dad, thank yall so much for all of the sacrifices you made so that I could come on this amazing trip. I have made many new friendships and I’m having a lot of fun. Thanks for all the time you spent helping me pack, try on clothes and shopping. Love yall so much and can’t wait to see you soon!”
Mary Alice: “thank you mom and dad for being able to send me on this amazing tip and thank you to my leaders and group members for making it even better!”
Will: “Mom and Dad, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to go to Madeira. I am having the best time and don’t want it to be over.”
Tyler: “Thank you mom and dad for sending me here! I’m having so much fun!”
Eli: “thank you so much mom and dad for this awesome trip! The locals are cool and I really like my group. See yall soon, love you!”
Libby: “hi mom and dad!!! Thank you guys so much for giving me the opportunity to travel the world like this and meet new people. I’m having such a great time thanks to yall. Can’t wait to see you!”
Hatcher: “Thank you so much Mom and Dad for allowing me to go on this trip! I am so happy I ended up with this group! I’m sad we are already in the second half, but so happy with how close we have all become! Thank you again for allowing me the opportunity to explore the world. Tell Grammy and Grampa I say hi!”
Olá de Portugal!
July 1, 2025
We miss you all dearly and hope you’re doing well. It’s hard to believe the kids left home a whole week ago, time is truly flying. We’ve already accomplished so much, and we’re excited to share everything we’ve been up to. Starting the trip with trekking isn’t easy, but it’s brought this group together faster than we ever could have hoped. Their determination, resilience, and constant support for one another have been incredible to witness. It already feels like they’ve been friends for years. We feel so lucky to be leading such a special group, and we’re excited for everything still to come.
Wednesday: The group landed in Lisbon bright and early, where we met them at the airport. As we waited for our flight to Madeira, the kids began getting to know one another and quickly started to click. When we touched down on the island, we were greeted with warm sun and stunning views.
We loaded up the vans and made our way to the far side of the island, enjoying the scenic drive along the way. After settling into our hostel, we headed down to the natural pools for a swim. The waves crashed up over the ledges as the kids sat at the edge, laughing and taking it all in.
Back at the hostel, the boys pulled out a deck of cards and kicked off a game of “ratta-tat-tat,” which turned into a running tournament with an ongoing score that’s still going strong. That evening, a local pizza chef came to cook for us, making artisanal pies that were a crowd favorite. We ended the night with our first Moonup, where we passed out gifts to everyone and reflected on the start of this adventure.
Thursday: Will and Libby stepped into their roles as our first Leaders of the Day and cooked everyone breakfast. Their bacon and eggs were delicious and gave us the energy we needed for our first day of trekking. We tackled a challenging loop around Porto Moniz with some serious elevation gain, but the views were worth every step.
After the hike, we cooled off with ice cream and spent time exploring a few local shops. The boys proudly bought matching Ronaldo jerseys, fully embracing his Madeiran heritage. Later that evening, Tyler, Hatcher, Cooper, and Baylor made us tacos for dinner, and the group took on a spontaneous hot sauce challenge. Margaret and Mary Alice proved to be the bravest, earning respect from the whole group.
Friday: As we drove to the next section of the trek, everyone kept each other entertained telling an endless supply of jokes and funny stories. Will led the group on the trail and stayed strong through the toughest terrain we’ve seen so far. At one point, we stopped at a freezing waterfall, and the entire group jumped in without hesitation.
When we arrived at the campsite, Will, Maggie, Abby, and Eli cooked up a delicious pasta dinner. The dish crew, led by Graham, kept things lighthearted-especially when he tossed a pot towards Eli, who couldn’t stop laughing after. Later, Abby showed off her spike ball skills by defeating Hatcher and Eli in a fierce game. We ended the day with a sunset overlooking Pico Ruivo, the tallest peak on the island and a challenge we’ll be taking on very soon.
Saturday: We woke up to the sound of mooing because an entire family of cows had wandered into our campsite at sunrise. After a quick breakfast, we hit the trail again. Spirits were high as we hiked through stunning mountain scenery and made our way toward the island’s famous tunnels.
The air inside the tunnels was chilly and damp, but the group had fun turning on their headlamps and hearing their voices echo off the stone walls. After a long day on the trail, we rewarded ourselves with more ice cream and surprised the group with a stay at a cozy mountain refúgio. It was a welcome change from camping, complete with warm showers and a hearty dinner.
After the meal, Baylor, Hatcher, Abby, and Maggie went outside to play football with a local boy whose family runs the refúgio. It was such a sweet and thoughtful gesture, and his parents were incredibly appreciative. We watched another gorgeous sunset together and headed to bed, ready to take on Pico Ruivo the next morning.
Sunday: We woke up after a restful night in the refúgio and were greeted with an incredible breakfast spread-yogurt parfaits, bacon, sausage, eggs, croissants, fresh rolls, coffee, and fresh-squeezed orange juice. It was the perfect fuel for the big day ahead: summiting Pico Ruivo, the highest peak in Madeira.
The trail began deep in the Laurisilva forest, an ancient and enchanted landscape that felt like something out of a movie. As we weaved through the dense trees, the kids ducked under branches and climbed over moss-covered rocks, fully immersed in the natural beauty around them. Eventually, we reached the base of the final staircase to the summit.
With huge smiles and a contagious sense of accomplishment, every single person made it to the top. Libby and Will led the charge, but the rest of the group was close behind. Once we reached the summit, there were hugs, high fives, and a group lunch with sweeping panoramic views, it was a moment we’ll all remember for a long time.
After descending, we loaded into the vans and drove to our next campsite. Everyone was feeling the effects of a big day, so we pulled out bags of candy and cookies for a little pick-me-up before dinner. That evening, the group split into teams for a lively football game. Tyler and Cooper stepped up as quarterbacks, leading their teams through a game full of friendly competition and nonstop laughs.
Monday: When we went to wake up the group, we found them all outside, sound asleep in a giant circle under the stars. It was one of those little moments that showed just how close this group has already become.
We kicked off the day with pancakes, thanks to a special request from Mary Alice, and then hit the trail one last time to complete the final leg of our trek. The path led us all the way down to Funchal, where we capped off our trekking journey with a ride on Madeira’s famous carrieros basketlike wooden sleds that zoom down narrow streets for nearly two kilometers. The kids couldn’t stop laughing the whole way down.
Afterward, we made our way to a charming beach town nearby. Everyone took a much-deserved dip in the ocean to wash off the dust and sweat from our days on the trail. We wrapped up our beach afternoon with a stop for gelato and then headed out for a celebratory pizza dinner.
That night, we checked into our hotel for a well-earned evening of warm showers and cozy beds. It was the perfect end to a long, challenging, and incredibly rewarding stretch of the trip.
And that concludes this trip update! Thank you again for sharing your kids with us. We have had an absolute blast and can’t wait for everything that is to come. We look forward to checking back in soon!
Tchau!
Hayden and Nelson
Baylor: “hi mom, dad, Mason, Carter, and Tatum! Miss you guys and hope you’re having fun at the beach. I am having so so much fun and have made so many good memories. Our trekking was so pretty and such a good experience and I am definitely ready to hike with you dad. I hope you guys are well and I can’t wait to see you all when we get home! Tell the dogs I say hi!!”
Mary Alice: “Hi Mom and Dad and Carmella! Madeira is so pretty and I’m having so much fun with everyone here! The natural scenery is beautiful and I love my group and leaders so much. I miss you so much and can’t wait to tell you all about the trip when I get home. Say hi to Fifi for me.”
Libby: “hi Mom Dad and Mia!!!! Im having so much fun here in Madeira it’s one of the coolest places I’ve ever been. The ocean and the mountains are both gorgeous and my group is awesome. We just finished the trekking section of the trip which was super cool and now we’re at the beach. Miss yall!!!!”
Margaret: “Hey Mom, Dad and Wells!! I am having the absolute best time . This has been by far the best trip ever with the best group and leaders. I cannot wait to tell yall all about it!! We’ve finished trekking and are at the beach now! Tell Witt and all my friends that I miss all of them very much! I hope Wells is doing great too!”
Maggie: “hi everyone! I miss you guys but I’m having so much fun. I never want to leave. My group is so amazing and I’ve made some lifelong friends. Madeira is the prettiest place ever. I can’t wait to tell you all about it! Tell Micah I miss him so much and can’t wait to hangout with him when I get home. Happy birthday goggy and happy anniversary mom and dad!”
Abby: “Hi mom and dad!!!!! I’m having so so much fun on my trip and Madeira is amazing, everything here is so pretty. I love my group so much, and can’t wait to see y’all when I get home and tell you about it! Miss y’all!!!!!!”
Hatcher: “Hi Mom and Dad, it’s so much fun here! My group is amazing and I’m such good friends with everyone. All the views here are so beautiful, it’s stunning. I feel like every night I get to know everyone better! Trekking was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed the hiking. Tell Grammy and Grampa I miss them and can’t wait to talk to them about this trip! Have fun in Croatia!”
Cooper: ” Hey Mom and Dad, I’m having the best time out here. We just go done with trekking and it was so fun. The views here are unreal and my group is amazing. Can’t wait to see yall and talk about it, love yall!”
Eli: “Hey mom and dad, we just finished the trekking part of the trip. We’re about to go surfing so that should be awesome. I miss the dogs and you guys and I hope Sabrina and Viv are having fun without me. Love you and see you soon!”
Graham: “Hi Mom and Dad and Ellie, I’m having so much fun and Madeira but I miss yall so much. I hope yall have so much fun at the beach. I can’t wait to see yall when I get home. Love and miss yall!”
Will: “Hey Mom and Dad, Madeira is a blast and I can’t wait to get to the water section after finishing trekking. I can’t wait to tell y’all all about it and thanks for sending me on this trip! Love y’all!”
Tyler: “Hey mom and dad. I’m having so much fun in Madeira. We just finished our trekking part of the trip and we’re now in the city part of Madeira. So far I’ve bought 2 Ronaldo jerseys and a Madeira hat. I hope you guys have fun at the beach and I miss yall. I hope Sadie is beating Jackson a lot in ping pong too. I love yall so much!”
Safe Arrival!
June 25, 2025
Hello Madeira Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has landed safely on Madeira! The group is so excited to start their adventure together!
Please remember our leaders and students will be unplugged during their trips, but we will be posting trip updates throughout the next week! This will allow you to follow along with the trip. You can also follow us on Instagram, @moondanceadventures, to see more of what we are up to!
-Moondance HQ
