Laughter, Lessons, and the Last Moonup
July 19, 2025
And it begins… our trek up Mount Toubkal. We started our first full day in Morocco with a traditional breakfast including Moroccan pancakes, a big hit with the kids! We had a big day ahead of us, and our LODs, Cora and Witt, gave us a wonderful pep talk before starting our hike. The kids crushed the hikes in Spain, so we knew they were going to conquer the next few days of hiking. The day went smoothly and steadily, with lots of water and snack breaks to combat the harsh heat. Without a doubt, there was always a game, song, or deep conversation happening. The hours and miles flew by with this crew and there’s never a dull moment. Yes, people were tired, but everyone had an unbelievable amount of grit. We repeated the inspirational words Leslie shared the night before: “Do not stop when you are tired, stop when you are done!” This quickly became our motto. We saw everyone dig in and embrace their time with each other and the world around them.
We got to basecamp in record time or at least it felt like it. This group was cruising. Once we could see the Basecamp Mountain Refuge tucked away in the Atlas Mountains, there was no stopping these kids. We arrived with big smiles, feeling accomplished from the long day. We indulged in our afternoon snack of popcorn and traditional Moroccan mint tea. Everyone was filled with joy and laughter. You could hardly tell we’d been hiking all day. The energy this group carries is contagious. Once our tea and popcorn ended, the kids started to wind down to get some shut-eye. All sharing a room, we decided it was a good idea to recharge and it was officially nap time. After our well-deserved snooze, we couldn’t go a day without playing Salty Fries, of course led by our one and only Miller, a.k.a. Master Caine. We were blessed with a lovely afternoon(not too hot and not too cold) and were able to soak up time outside, chilling on the balcony that overlooks the trail we hiked. It weaves down through the valley. Herds of sheep wandered throughout, and mules rested after carrying our bags. On the other side, we could see where we would begin our summit ascent of Mount Toubkal. Over dinner, a feeling of gratitude filled the air. We could tell the kids were truly soaking in every moment. We ended the night like always with Moonup. Reality hit that we only had a few nights left and were about to reach the hardest part of the trip. Witt and Cora put so much thought into creating a meaningful Moonup. At the end, Witt played a song close to his heart. With eyes closed and hands held, we listened together. In that moment, we all felt it. We’re doing something special. We wrapped up the night and got our beauty sleep for the big day ahead.
Summit day!!! Excitement filled the refuge. We rolled out of bed, laced up our boots, filled our bellies, and put our game faces on. Our LODs, Reid and Sarah, gracefully took on the challenge and got everyone ready. Packs on, trekking poles in hand, we circled up to hear their inspirational words. Maybe a little nervous, definitely excited, and buzzing with curiosity, we set off as the morning mist cleared and the sun rose.
Slow and steady was the name of the game. At first, it was quiet and peaceful as everyone settled into the rhythm of the hike. By halfway, you could feel the confidence grow, these kids knew they could do this. Conversation returned, and each step felt lighter. Everyone was constantly rooting for each other. It was beautiful to see them truly work as a team. Once we reached the point where we could see the top, a wave of accomplishment and relief washed over us. We took a break, munching on dates and peanuts. Many didn’t even want the rest, they sang songs to keep the energy up. When we couldn’t wait any longer, we made the final push. And finally, the moment the kids had begged for all hike: MUSIC! We busted out the speaker and jammed to a couple of songs. Singing “American Pie,” smiles stretched ear to ear. This moment will forever be ingrained in our minds.
WE MADE IT! Together, this squad reached the summit. And we celebrated the only way we know how: dance party! A shoutout to our Spanish guide Irene, we had to play “Unwritten.” As a group, we danced and belted out the lyrics, soaking in the moment. Emotions ran high as we stood together on the tallest mountain in North Africa.
After taking in the views, eating our summit Snickers, and snapping photos, it was time to head down. The steep descent made for some slips and slides. Still, meaningful conversation was a constant. With this group, you can strike up a chat with anyone and leave with a deeper understanding of them, yourself, and the world. Pretty incredible.
We arrived back at basecamp around lunchtime and wow, were we ready to grub. Our well-deserved meal did not disappoint. Once our stomachs were full, nap time came quickly. While most rested, Ben, Witt, Beau, Cora, and Miller couldn’t resist exploring. They wandered around the refuge, soaking in every moment of being in a new place. The rest of the day was spent chilling, chatting, playing games, and enjoying each other’s company.
The next day, we headed down Toubkal! Our tired legs had one last challenge. Our motivation? Mohamed’s pool! It was a long day, but this group crushed it again. We enjoyed lunch by a river, exhausted from all the downhill trekking. Then it was into the van and off to Mohamed’s guesthouse. Within thirty seconds of arriving, Taylor, Cora, and Dylan were in the pool, wasting no time! Rightfully so, it was 109°F! We spent the afternoon relaxing, playing pool games, and exploring Mohamed’s beautiful home. That night, we had a thought-provoking Moonup that left us all feeling closer. It’s become a tradition to play a game after Moonup, so we played Witt’s favorite, Family. Once again, it had us buckled over laughing. Then we headed to bed to rest up for our big day at the Marrakesh Markets.
Thankfully, we got to sleep in a little, much needed! We ate breakfast while Mohamed gave us expert bargaining tips. Ellis was buzzing with excitement, she was ready! No surprise, she was a killer negotiator, tough but fair. Everyone loved getting lost in the chaos of the shops, bargaining with sellers, and diving into the culture. We split up boys and girls, and when we reunited, the boys showed off all the soccer jerseys they scored! The markets were a hit but also very hot. We headed back to Mohamed’s for everyone’s favorite meal yet (Leslie practically manifested it): chicken kabobs! The kids couldn’t get enough of Moroccan cuisine and were especially excited for our cooking class later that day. Everyone joined in chopping veggies, preparing meatballs, and kneading dough for the beloved Moroccan pancakes. It was a true team effort. We also learned how to make Morocco’s national drink, green tea! Once the food was prepared and tea enjoyed, we waited patiently to share our feast together. As always, conversation bounced around the room, with lots of comments about recreating Moroccan pancakes and tea at home!
Ellie and Dylan, our trusted LODs, closed the day with Moonup. They chose Taylor and Miller to lead us through our last day and final Moonup. We had a big last day ahead and needed sleep, so we skipped the usual game but of course stayed up talking. The girls dragged enough mattresses into one room for a slumber party. We stayed up chatting, truly making every minute count. It’s been amazing to see these girls grow through this trip. Their bond is strong, I know it will lasts a long time. And of course, the boys got into some chaos. I swear they never stop laughing. Finally, heads hit pillows, and our last day arrived.
Last day 🙁
A not-so-happy day, but we tried not to get too sad just yet. We packed up and headed for the airport to spend our final day in Madrid! Once we landed, we rushed to our accommodations, dropped our bags, and hit the town. Everyone was amazed by Madrid and we’re definitely planning a reunion trip back! We spent our last hours together dancing, singing, and soaking in each other’s presence.
Taylor and Miller blew us away leading our final Moonup, held in Parque El Retiro. We circled up in the beautiful French gardens, peaceful and perfect. We spent our final moments talking, laughing, crying, and simply being together.
Matthew and I cannot express how much we’ve enjoyed these last two weeks. We are forever grateful for these kids and the chance to be part of their journey. We learned so much from each and every one of them. We’re heartbroken that our time is over, but we wouldn’t change a single moment.
“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” -Winnie the Pooh
With love,
Scarlet & Matthew
Thank You from 3A!
July 15, 2025
Some thank yous from the crew!
Cora- Hey mom and dad! Thank you so much for this opportunity. Genuinely this is the coolest place I have ever been. I love my group so much! I am so thankful to get to see the world and do it with some new amazing friends! I got so lucky with wonderful leaders!! I miss y’all so much and I really want you guys to know that this is the best trip I have ever been on. I can’t wait to show you all the pictures and tell y’all all about it! I love you so much! ❤️
Witt – Hey Mom and Dad I miss y’all so much and I’m so thankful you have given me the experience of my lifetime and the opportunity to checked out places I have never been to. I’m have met so many new friends because y’all give me opportunities like this. I can’t thank y’all enough for what y’all have done for me and like I truly have the best parents. As I said earlier I can’t thank y’all enough and words can’t show how thankful I am to have y’all and give me experiences that night not be given to me again. I miss y’all so much and I hope Charlie is having fun at Clemson along with Buddy and Emory not missing us to much. Again thank you so much for this opportunity I love y’all so much and I’ll see y’all soon. ✌️😁
Reid – Hey Mom and Dad! Thank you for sending me on the trip! Love you!
Taylor – Hi Dad and Mom! I miss you both so so much! I love you insane amounts and hope your trip was fun, you both deserve it. Thank you so much for giving me this experience of a lifetime, I’m so grateful. I cannot believe that I have been able to see and experience the views and just be in these incredible places with incredible people. I’m so grateful for Matthew and Scarlet they are the most amazing leaders and our group is such an amazing group of people that I’m so grateful to have met. I cannot wait to see you both and Audrey, Christopher, Nahla, Brian, and Tora soon! I love you both!!
Ellis – Hey mom and dad!! I miss y’all both but I’m having the best time! Right now we are hiking Toubkal. This trip has been the coolest experience of my life. I genuinely can not wait to tell yall all about what we did and the people I have met! Tell Louise and Hattie that I love them and can’t wait to see them. We have 4 full days left and it has gone by so fast. There is a boy called Ben who goes to Myers Park and we have so many mutual friends. Thank y’all so much for sending me on this trip! It has changed my perspective of a lot of things! Hope y’all are all doing well please don’t worry about me I’m having a blast!! I love y’all!!💕👍
Sarah – Hi mom and dad!! I’m having the best time of my life! My group is amazing and so fun!! Thank y’all so much for letting me go on this trip!! We have done so many cool things-surfing , canyoneering, hiking, and lots of fun games!! We made it to the base camp of mount Toubkal and we are submitting tomorrow! Say hi to Anna and Thomas for me!! Love y’all so much!! 💗💗💗💗
Beau – Hi mom and dad thank you guys so much for signing me up for this trip and giving me this amazing opportunity. I am having the time of my life and I have such an amazing group with the best leaders too. We’re all having so much fun and I’ve made such great friends. I can’t wait to see you guys when I’m back!
Dylan – Hi Mom and Dad, Thank you so much for providing me with the opportunity to come here. I am actually having so much fun and am making so many amazing new friends. I had such a great time in Spain and we got to do so many cool things like the surfing was so pretty and the canyoneering was sooooo much fun. The girls and the boys have gotten so close and I am so excited to tell you everything about this incredible experience. We are going to summit tomorrow I love you guys so much and can’t wait to talk to you soon❤️Love you!!!
Ben – Hi Parents, this is so much fun thank you for sending me on it. I am so close with everyone I know someone from WB who is friends with Willy mull and ned he’s my guy, and I know girl from charlotte catholic and she knows like Lucas and stuff. We’re climbing Toubkal tomorrow hyped. Miss y’all Ike jakc bird. This trip has made me realize how great my life is like idk. There’s this girl here who plays basketball with her Brother and it’s just like me and jack it’s so funny. Don’t really want to leave tbh. See y’all soon
Miller – Hi Mom and Dad!!! Thank y’all so much for sending me to Moondance I am having the best time and have made the best friends! I can’t wait to see y’all! I love and miss y’all!
Leslie – Hey mom and dad!! Thank y’all so much for sending me on this trip I’m having the best time ever!! My group and leaders are so amazing and I’ve gotten really close with all of them! This has made me realize how great full I am for the opportunities y’all set up for me to succeed in life and grow as a person! We have done so much cool stuff and played a ton of games and are summiting mount Toubkal tomorrow which I’m hype for!! I love y’all so much thanks!!!
Surfin' Waves and Stampin' Passports!
July 13, 2025
Checking in again from Spain! 3A traded mountains for the beautiful north coast of Spain, with miles of beautiful beaches along the Cantabrian Sea. Before hitting the beach, however, we made a quick stop to try a new activity: canyoneering! Canyoneering involves using natural slides and pools in the river to have a great time, and despite the cold spring water, everyone had a great time. We then stopped for lunch to try some traditional Spanish dishes, tapas style, including a northern favorite, pulpo a la gallega (otherwise known as grilled octopus). Big shoutout to Ellis for stepping out of her comfort zone to try this with Matthew. After lunch, we headed to a beautiful beach featuring cliffs and soft sand alongside the Camino de Santiago, the famous pilgrimage route, for our first day of surfing!
After a lesson by our surfing instructors on the very basics of the sport, we hit the waves. Beau showed us his experience by making it look super easy- but don’t worry, for the rest of us, we had to practice a little bit more! Over our days surfing, everyone managed to get the hang of it, but we were especially impressed with Miller and Ben, who both caught on very quickly. After we dried off for the day, we headed to our lodging for the night for a special surprise: a taco barbecue! It was one of our favorite moments of this trip. Our Leaders of the Day, Witt and Dylan, split everybody into teams to share duties and oversaw that everything ran smoothly. We’d like to give special Kudos to Taylor, who took the guacamole team under her wing and made sure we had some incredible guac. Everyone had to take cover from the incoming rain, but our intrepid grillmaster, Sarah, toughed it out to make sure the chicken was finished. Thanks to Scarlet for holding the umbrella, too. After dinner, Witt and Dylan led a lovely Moonup and finished it off with the game Family, which involves guessing what famous person’s name every person put into a hat. It had all of us in stitches! We went to bed that night ready for another day of surfing!
The next day we returned to the same beach, where at low tide was even prettier than the day before! We hit the waves again with scenery that could’ve been a MacBook wallpaper. We were very impressed with 3A’s overall surfing ability, with every single person standing up today!! Getting action shots of everybody surfing (and wiping out) was Cora, who has been our trusty videographer for the entire trip. Thanks for all the help collecting trip memories!!! We returned to our lodging for a quick lunch of burgers. Then, we hopped into our trusty vans for a drive all the way back to Madrid, where tomorrow we’d be catching a flight to Marrakesh, Morocco, to begin the next leg of our journey. Over the course of the drive, we alternated between napping, singing along to tunes, and listening to Reid do impressions. We arrived at our hotel in Madrid in due time, where we ate pizza in a park. Taylor and Miller led us in a touching Moonup, which brought the group closer in a way that will be important for the next challenging leg of our trip.
The next morning, we headed to the Madrid airport to catch our flight to Morocco. Our Leaders of the Day, Ben and Leslie, helped us navigate the airport, and after we added another stamp to our passports! We also treated ourselves to a taste of home in the form of Starbucks. We boarded our flight, and in no time at all, we arrived on our second continent of the trip, and many people’s first time in Africa! We stamped our passports one more time, exchanged some money into the local currency of dirham, and headed out of the airport to meet our guides and experience a country that, while geographically so close to Spain, was culturally very different. That night we stayed at a beautiful Riad (a Moroccan guesthouse) and ate a delicious dinner with a view where we tried tajine, the signature dish of Morocco. We capped off the evening with an amazing Moonup on the roof led by Ben and Leslie. We all turned in early to prepare for a big few days of hiking!
We are having so much fun leading this group, who are a truly special bunch. They’ve bonded so well and we’re so excited to see what heights they reach next (probably 13,671 feet, which is the summit of Toubkal, but we mean metaphorically!)
Thanks,
Matthew + Scarlet
¡Hola Hola!
July 10, 2025
GREETINGS from España!
Everyone made it safe and sound, and we hit the ground running straight to the breathtaking Picos de Europa, the second national park ever established in the world! This group clicked instantly, bonding effortlessly over games, music, and strategic napping to fend off the jet lag. It didn’t take long for strangers to become fast friends, and soon the van was full of “ooohs” and “ahhhs” as we wound through the twisty mountain roads, surrounded by stunning limestone peaks.
We arrived at our cozy hostel tucked into a mountain village, where we shared the first of many delicious dinners together. We wrapped up the night with Moonup, reflecting on the day and soaking in the fresh mountain air. After a long day of travel and new faces, everyone was more than ready to hit the hay.
We kicked off our first hiking day with big energy and even bigger smiles. Cora and Reid took the reins as our LODs (Leaders of the Day), and they set the tone with their contagious goofiness, positive energy, and endless laughter. The trail was filled with “get to know you” chats and belly laughs, and by the end of the hike, it felt like we’d known each other for ages.
Our day ended at what might be the most remote and charming hostel of the trip; nestled deep in the mountains, buzzing with life from international hikers, free-roaming farm animals, and unbeatable views. Taylor, our horse whisperer, boldly approached a group of giant horses and started petting them, and naturally, everyone followed her lead.
Dinner was served family-style with delicious Spanish dishes. Everyone got out of their comfort zone and tried everything! Afterward, Cora and Reid led us to the perfect Moonup spot, which was just a short walk away, surrounded by thick fog that made the place feel like it was made just for us. We ended with a spirited group howl that echoed through the mist. But we couldn’t call it a night just yet. Ben introduced us to a game called Signs, which instantly became a group favorite and kept us laughing all the way to lights-out, and we called it a day.
We woke to a rooster’s crow (yes, really!) and scrambled out of bed to wish our beloved guide, Irene, a very happy birthday! Our mission: summit Pico Jario. Beau and Sarah led the way as our LODs, setting a strong, steady pace, reminding us to hydrate, soak in the scenery, and, of course, throw in a little trail dancing.
The vibes were high all day, with endless conversation and laughter echoing down the trail. The boys, Beau, Witt, Reid, and Ben, kept spirits high and jokes flowing. Surrounded by towering peaks and blue skies, gratitude from the kids was everywhere. Every hiker in the group paused at some point just to take it all in.
After a long and fulfilling hike, Miller, Leslie, and Sarah taught us a new game, Salty Fries, which had everyone dying laughing. Reid and Cora lost a round and had to perform karaoke to “Love is an Open Door.” Safe to say, the performance left the group absolutely speechless (in the best way possible).
We weren’t done celebrating Irene just yet. At dinner, we surprised her with party hats and big smiles. We ended the day with Moonup at our most jaw-dropping spot yet and it was just a short walk from our hostel, with a view that’s hard to put into words.
Another bluebird day greeted us for our third trek. Ellis and Ben were our fearless LODs, kicking things off with a group stretch circle to soothe our hardworking legs. The hike felt lighter today, maybe because of the perfect weather, maybe because this crew just has fun everywhere they go.
Along the way, we met goats, cows, and endless laughter. Dylan brought her signature positive attitude and sparked some deeper trail conversations, and everyone kept the good vibes rolling. Once we reached the top, it was celebration time with high-fives, a few goat photobombs, and some very proud hikers.
What. A. Day.
We are so excited to continue exploring and adventuring with this crew of kids! There is never a dull moment. We’re retiring our hiking boots until Morocco and diving into some water activities! Stay tuned
Much love,
Matthew & Scarlet
Ellis – Hey parents! Doing great we have hiked and I have meet some great people. Miss y’all!!Hope Louise is ok, tell Hattie I miss her!! Hope yall are doing well but I love it here! I love yall so much!!
Leslie – Hey Mom and Dad! I’m having so much fun and love everyone so much! Hope everything is good thanks so much for this trip!!
Taylor – Hi Mom and Dad, I miss you both and hope you are enjoying your trip! I love you so much. We hiked today and it was beautiful and the people are great! Tell Audrey, Christopher, and Nahla I miss them tons! – Hi Sophia, I love you and miss you!
Cora – Hola!! Hope y’all are doing great!! I am having the time of my life!! I love everybody on my trip!! I have seen so many cool animals… like I have been hanging out with donkeys, horses, sheep, and cows! The views have been amazing!! Tell my friends I miss them!! Hiking has been amazing!! Tell Charlie to have fun at camp and I love him! Bye!
Beau – Hi mom and dad. I am having a ton of fun and this is such a cool trip. I’m am currently with raines friend and I decided that donkeys are my favorite animal cause I made friends with Burt and Gurt. Tell Wayland I said have fun at camp and tell Maggie I said have fun in Oregon and I love her. Bye buckington.
Ben – What’s up mom and dad, trips going great, everyone is chill.
Dylan – Hi Mom, Dad, Carter, and Kenzie! I’m having so much fun in Spain right now and the hikes are so much fun and have had such a great time so far. Love you and can’t wait to see you all soon! Love, Dylan
Sarah – Hi mom and dad!! I’m having the best time in Spain!! Love my group so much and the hikes are so gorgeous!! Hostels are also really cool and super nice! Love y’all!! Miss y’all!’
Miller – Hey Mom and Dad!! I am having so much fun , I love my leaders and group! I hope y’all are having fun at home, I miss y’all! So far we’ve been on really pretty hikes! I love y’all!!
Witt – Hey Mom and Dad. I’m having so much fun here, I love my leaders and group. I hope Charlie is having fun at Clemson and Emory doing whatever she does at home. I miss yall so much and hope y’all aren’t having to much fun without me same with buddy. See y’all soon.
Reid – Hey Mom and Dad! I’m having a lot of fun the views are so cool and the food is good. Hope you are having fun. Love you!
Safe Arrival!
July 7, 2025
Hello Spain + Morocco Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has landed safely in Spain! 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
