Final Update from AMG 3C!
July 27, 2026
Hello friends and family! Writing to you from the Athens airport in absolute awe of our group and the joys we shared. Here is a glimpse of our final few days together!
Our first full day in Corfu was off to a delicious start with all the girls pitching in to make a breakfast spread. Hadley and Harper expertly whipped up eggs while the others grabbed granola, fruit, and much more. Savannah was ecstatic to finally eat bagels, and Bay made a beeline for the cottage cheese. Unfortunately, that beeline became all too real as bees swarmed the table. The girls bravely continued with their meal, not letting the threat of being stung keep them from the delicacies that are bagels and cottage cheese. Breakfast devoured and bees fought up, everyone threw on their swimsuits to get ready for tubing! The walk to the beach was filled with eager chatter about who had gone tubing and who hadn’t, and comparing lake tubing to ocean tubing. Savannah, Cate, Saylor, Claire, and Lowman were the first group to get on the tube. Saylor had quite the gnarly ride as she flew in the air, somehow managing to still hold on. Meanwhile, Lowman let go multiple times, but ultimately stayed on the tube. Next, Lara, Harper, Bay, Vanessa, and Maddie hopped on. Vanessa in particular flopped around the tube. Lastly, Harper, Izzy, Isabelle, Margaret, and Mary Claire tried their luck. Isabelle loved every second of the ride despite feeling like she was being waterboarded. Afterwards, the girls had a much deserved rest as they laid out on the beach and took photos with the picturesque water in the background. While some of the girls continued to soak up the sun, Hadley, Lowman, Vanessa, and Claire swam to a cave, taking the snorkels with them. They saw some cool multicolored fish, and it was Vanessa’s first time snorkeling! They then swapped with Savannah, Saylor, Harper, and Maddie as they donned their snorkels. They also saw lots of fish, and Savannah said the snorkel made her feel like an astronaut. Maddie found a way to climb inside the cave, and the girls had a great time exploring. Once everyone was sleepy from the day out on the water, everyone packed up and headed to the grocery store to grab food for dinner. The fun wasn’t over yet – Margaret and Mary Claire surprised the girls with ice cream at our favorite place in Corfu… Kathy’s Market! Saylor, Bay, and the LOD’s Vanessa, and Harper helped out with grocery shopping, which included pasta, meatballs, pizza, and salad. Everyone had a great time checking out the food options unique to the area. After a yummy, home cooked feast, it was time to gather for Moonup. Little did the group know they would be engaging in a full-fledged tortilla challenge at the start! Once the LOD’s reined in the fun, they encouraged everyone to share their dream days without geography, money, and time boundaries. As it turns out, we are an especially adventurous crew. If given the chance, Hadley would wake up for breakfast in the Bahamas and dine in Italy for dinner; Lara would find herself bathing elephants around lunchtime and exploring the pyramids by sunset. The LOD’s then challenged everyone to think about the kind of message they want to send with their life. It was an incredibly thought-provoking and inspiring conversation where it became even more all-the-evident how loving, curious, intentional, passionate, and kind-hearted each of the girls are.
The next day in Corfu took us to new heights as we went rock climbing above an unforgettable view of the sparkling-blue Grecian sea. On the way to the climbing spot, the girls got to experience their first 7.5 minute stoplight. It bought everyone more time to practice LITMOing (living in the moment!) and jamming out to our playlist classics like Lingering Love. No one was more excited for the day’s activity than the climbing-pro herself, Maddie! She gracefully tackled the most difficult route on her first go-around, giving our guides the chance to set up more routes for everyone to try. Izzy, Lara, Vanessa, Savannah, Hadley, and Saylor followed Maddie’s lead and tried rock-climbing for the very first time! They absolutely crushed it, overcoming fears of heights and learning to trust the ropes. Lowman picked up the speaker and the vibes of the group with it. Good music seemed to characterize the day – Free Bird, Take it Easy, and Baby I Love Your Way pumped everyone up, whether they were scaling up the rocks or cheering one another on from down below. Cate and our Kentucky natives Savannah, Lara, and Hadley played their favorite Tyler Childers songs while the girls challenged themselves across the various climbing routes. After a lot of fun and fresh watermelon thanks to our lovely guides, we headed home for a nap, giving the sky a chance to clear up. Once the sun was shining, we raced to the beach, only stopping for some successful souvenir shopping. Afterwards, Margaret took Maddie, Hadley, Lara, Harper, Vanessa, Bay, and Lowman cliff jumping! Due to winds, the water was particularly cold, but the girls positively claimed it made them feel alive. Back on the beach, the group discussed love languages and the different simple truths we recognize like “you get in what you get out” and the healing power of time. With bronzed, sandy skin and salty hair, we headed back home. Izzy, Lowman, and LOD’s Isabelle and Cate joined Mary Claire for grocery shopping at Kathy’s Market, and they said a heartfelt goodbye to the kind man that runs the store named after his wife. He was always happy to see us chaotically enter his storefront and would happily throw in some free treats for us, making Corfu even more welcoming. Dinner consisted of an impressive stack of grilled cheeses, chicken nuggets, pasta, and salad. Savannah discovered her new favorite food combination, tzatziki and chicken nuggets, and Claire approved of the strawberry-cheesecake Oreos on behalf of the group. After everyone pitched in with cooking and cleaning, we raced against time to watch the sunset. Singing to Pitch Perfect made the hills a little easier, and we made it to the viewpoint just in time to witness the most spectacular sunset. We ran into one of the other Moondance groups and shared the joys of watching the sun disappear below the horizon while the winds made beautiful waves, and the birds did their night-time feeding. When the crowd dissipated, we circled up for Moonup with Oreos in hand at arguably the best spot ever. LOD’s Isabelle and Cate continued the day’s theme of music with their silly question about songs we’d listen to forever. The deeper question was about advice we’d give to both our younger and future selves, and we found ourselves overwhelmingly inspired and connected to one another. At the end of Moonup, the girls were surprised to learn it was their last night in their little apartments as they’d be staying in Old Town the following day!
We woke up bright and early on our third day of Corfu to cook breakfast and pack up our things, officially pros at moving around. The arrival of the long-awaited boat day had everyone in high spirits, and the shining sun seemed to join us. After a short walk to a dock, we boarded two boats and set sail on the shimmering turquoise sea. At our first snorkel stop, Vanessa and Claire eagerly dove in, with the rest of the girls following suit. They swam to an underwater cave, and Bay conquered her fear of them! The second snorkel stop was across a beach with the most vibrant greenery; it looked like an oasis. With Jack Johnson and a lineup of old-school song requests on the queue, the girls rested and tanned, many drifting off to sleep. Izzy, Margaret, and Lowman had some of the best naps ever. We would’ve stayed forever if we could, but the time came for us to sail back home. While they waited for the van to arrive, Bay, Harper, Lara, Izzy, Maddie, Savannah, Margaret, and MC played “signs,” a fast-paced game that could be described as a cross between monkey-in-the-middle and the dance game, Calabria. Once in Old Town, the girls were delighted to see we were staying in a hotel! They swapped their swimsuits and hiking clothes for summer dresses and hit the cobblestone streets and nearby Starbucks running. We visited our favorite jewelry store and bought heaps of beautiful rings, necklaces, and bracelets. The lady in charge of the store bid us farewell and wished us a life of happiness and success. It felt like there was magic in the air under the clear blue sky. Claire, Maddie, Saylor, Savannah, MC, and Margaret all found new dresses. Vanessa and Harper got earrings! Hadley, Lowman, and Lara all got the cutest, dainty 5 euro necklaces. Lowman even found a capybara stuffed animal with a Mcdonald’s backpack- talk about a dream come true. After wandering the alleyways between the charming, yellow European buildings, we found our dinner table reserved for 16 people. It was our last meal with our beloved guide, Tena, and we had a feast to celebrate. We tried a delicious salad with arugula and pomegranate seeds. Margaret hooked all the girls on baked feta with honey and sesame. To top it all off, we stopped at the best gelato store in Old Town! Our second-to-last Moonup took place in a grassy park across from our hotel. LOD’s Savannah and Lara quote a trip-favorite song, “Someday We Will Dream About Today.” We laughed throughout the night, discussing superpowers with unique caveats before going into the deeper question about moments we knew we belonged on the trip. We walked back to the hotel with full hearts and an incredible sense of camaraderie, in complete disbelief that we were nearing the end of our time together.
We woke up before the sun to kick-off our last full day of adventures together. While we waited in the back of a very long bag-check line, instead of complaining, the girls entertained themselves and decided which instrument everyone would be. It’s truly incredible how, no matter the circumstance, our group always manages to have fun and travels so well together. After a short flight to Athens, we dropped our bags off at our hostel and raced to Tylixto for the best gyro wraps in Greece. While our orders were being prepared, we passed the time playing Signs and Calabria, proving yet again that we can always create our own fun. After the best lunch yet, we spent the next few hours shopping. With the Parthenon in our sights, we chugged redbulls and got to work. Izzy and Lowman found the perfect gifts for their loved ones, and Hadley and Savannah bargained for the coolest leather purses. Zara proved to be a jackpot – at least five of us walked out with the same yellow shirt. Once Cate found the perfect athleisure, we’d officially all had a successful shopping day. With time getting away from us, we raced back home to get ready for our Banquet, our final dinner together. Over half of us opted for burgers instead of Greek food, and we weren’t disappointed. After a wonderful meal, we had a sunset to catch. In our dresses and sandals, we dashed across the streets of Athens, convincing some curious onlookers that we were late for a wedding. As we raced up the cobblestone streets, we were reminded of our hikes together in Bosnia and Albania. They had prepared us for this moment! As the sun disappeared below the horizon, we made it to the top of Aereopagus Hill next to the Acropolis. Determined to remember every moment together, we took pictures upon pictures. Before it got too dark, we made a spontaneous dance circle, playing Calabria one last time as we overlooked the entire city of Athens. Filled with Moondance magic, we journeyed home together for one last gelato stop. LOD’s Izzy and Lowman created the most memorable last Moonup back at the hostel. Together, we reminisced about all the random characters we’d encountered, from the rafting guides and unforgettable dogs of Bosnia (Shoutout Aimee and Gobby) to Gran Nono and Gran Nona, caretakers of our Corfu apartments. We reflected on the growth and joys of our 17 days adventuring together, sharing what we would take away from the trip – including 14 new best friends.
This morning, we had a bitter-sweet van ride to the airport, listening to our favorite songs like Wild Horses and I Knew It, I Knew You. We cherished our final moments together until we hugged goodbye with tears in our eyes. It was evident that across the 5 countries we encountered together and the challenges we overcame, the unlimited stories we shared, and the unprecedented growth we all experienced, the 15 of us had become a family.
Your girls are some of the most grateful, open-minded, kind, strong, creative, silly, smart, and hilarious individuals we’ve ever encountered. AMG 3C was beyond everything we could have hoped and dreamed of, and we are eternally thankful. Thank you for allowing us to have the trip of a lifetime together!
P.S. Remember the signs!
All the best,
Mary Claire and Margaret
Tzatziki, Trails & Turquoise Waters
July 22, 2026
Hello!!!
The past few days together have been incredibly special for our group, and we can’t wait for you to hear all about it!
7/17
Our first day in the magical land of Theth was one we shall never forget thanks to our 12.4 mile journey to Valbona Pass. Together, we hiked nine hours through sunny, flowery meadows and rocky, sloped forests to one of the most beautiful views our eyes have ever graced. The day started with a blue sky and a hearty breakfast where we each shared something we were grateful for and something we could do to make the day great. Our legendary LOD’s Hadley and Vanessa, instilled courage and motivation across the group, preparing us to seize the challenges ahead of us with gratitude. After stretching, we left our lodge by foot to find the base of the trail. Our neighbors, the cow and pony in the field next door, wished us luck. Bay and Lara ensured we would never forget the day by starting a vlog, which they would check back in with every few miles. We passed the time sharing stories, and Harper told us how writing an essay about her dream mermaid tail color got her into her dream school. Lara shared about her Moondance experience in Tanzania last year and the many wonderful ways it changed her life. The hike to Valbona Pass was riddled with fellow travelers from all over the world, and we had a blast trying to decipher the accents passing through. Along the way, we became friends with two kind ladies from Belgium who continually cheered us on. Savannah was surprised to find out that they did not in fact like waffles. As the uphill started to feel steeper and the sun felt more and more apparent, we inspired each other to dig deep and remember all the people we were hiking for. Margaret loves to say “little by little makes a lot,” and this became clear by our step count the further we appeared from the town we left behind below. Alas, with gratitude and grit, we made it all the way and were met with a wondrous panoramic view of the Albanian Alps! We happily celebrated with our packed lunches and surprise gummy worms, taking in the serene surroundings. As we were finishing up lunch, a British hiker said, “Mary, is that you? There’s no way…” His name was Olly, and he and Mary Claire had become friends at a surf camp in Indonesia a few months ago. Somehow, someway, they ended up on the same Albanian mountain at the same time, and it was an absolutely serendipitous scene. It was such a beautiful reminder of how, even when the world feels big, travel connects us. After taking pictures to remember our rewarding hike, we began the journey home. Lowman ignited the group’s energy, dancing down the mountain and leading us in song. We tried our hand at acapella, with more breath to spare this time around, and at one point a pony tried to harmonize with Vanessa. It seriously neighed on beat. When our legs felt especially tired and we wanted to fast/forward to the bottom, Bay encouraged us to live in the moment, and it made all the difference. We started playing a favorite game where one person chose a member of the group, and the rest of us had to figure out who it was based on categorical questions like which flower or sea creature they would be. That group agreed that Isabelle would totally be a lily flower and a sea horse. When we finally reached the bottom, we had a surprise ice cream stop at our favorite store called “Cheap Market.” Chicken, fries, and tzatziki had never tasted as good as they did when we got home! At Moonup, we reveled in everything we achieved together, so proud of our ability to do hard things and grateful that the mountains reward effort. Harper showed us her splendid Irish jig before we went off to a much-needed sleep.
7/18
The next day, we had the wonderful opportunity to sleep in before gathering around for a refueling breakfast. Izzy got herself a cup of free coffee and remembered that it’s really the little things that count. Armed with crazy creeks and notebooks, we marched to the nearby church where we circled up under the shade of a magnificent tree for guided journaling. The stunning mountains encompassed us. We journaled about our challenging hike the day before, our present surroundings, the person we’d like to be in a year, and the concept of signs in our lives. Maddie taught Margaret, Lara, Izzy, and Harper how to play the card game “golf.” We shared stories and so many Pringles before heading back home for lunch. Hadley, Maddie, Isabelle, and Izzy all shared their dream hometown tours, and it had Mary Claire decide that she would be moving to Lexington, Raleigh, Austin, AND Charlotte. Our next activity was ziplining, and Claire made sure to get all the good footage on the GoPro! Inspired by all the people we zip-lined over swimming in the river, we decided to give it a go ourselves. After dinner, we went back to the water for a sunset swim which proved to be absolutely freezing and even more awesome. Lowman, Mary Claire, Bay, and Lara engaged in a weird-off, which proved to be a great way to warm back up. Between the icy-blue water, the golden sunset pouring over the mountains, and the two puppies playing with us, it was a magical evening. Moonup led by LOD’s Izzy and Claire had us discussing death-row meals and the people we might not know well but look up to a lot. All-around, it was the perfect day for rest, reflection, and spontaneous fun.
7/19
Our third day in Theth brought us to our third and final hike to Blue Eye, a stunning natural spring in the middle of the Alps. It was the hottest day yet, so our journey there was filled with water breaks and the constant search for shade. Saylor kept us entertained by talking about her caddying job back at home. Vanessa came up with a new life goal to visit all of the Blue Zones, and Izzy told us about her love for photography. Despite the challenges of the heat and the steadily-increasing incline, Cate decided early on that it was her favorite route yet! When we spotted a sparkling, crystal-blue water spot with a picturesque wooden bridge across it, we knew we’d made it! We found a shady spot for lunch, but the girls wasted no time getting in the water as soon as they could. It was absolutely freezing, but that didn’t stop anyone. Hadley and Saylor warmed up on a rock in the sunlight looking like mermaids. We moved on to another, more secluded location with a waterfall, and it felt like we were living in a Barbie fairytopia dream. It was one of those places that could heal you just by looking at it. Afterwards, Claire and Cate led the way in laying down their towels in a grassy patch to sunbathe. Once we soaked up enough sun, we headed home – luckily taking a taxi van for most of the way. Back at the lodge, we hung out, sharing stories and reading in the shade before one last Theth dinner. It wouldn’t have been a proper last night without a final stop back at “Cheap Market” where we stocked up on sweets and snacks for our big road trip the following day. On the way home, we stopped at the church to do Moonup under the stars. LOD’s Isabelle and Savannah inspired us to describe our dream kingdoms before challenging us to face our future fears. Seeing a shooting star across the sky made everything feel all-the-more right. It was a lovely last day in Theth.
7/20
The next morning, we opened our curtains one last time to the breathtaking mountains and went on our way to roadtrip across Albania! All in all, our journey took around 11 hours. We started off listening to calming, good-for-the-soul tunes like Blackbird and Gild the Lily, one of Lara’s favorite’s. After dozing off for a while, we woke up around lunch time to discover we needed to switch vans due to a tire issue. Despite the temporary setback, the girls maintained a high morale, and the unexpected stop afforded an extra pizza stop! When we hit the road again, our sweet driver got us fresh pears. We spent the afternoon listening to a podcast about the incredible story of Molly Bloom before switching to Taylor Swift classics and Olivia Rodrigo. The green hills of Saranda looked even cooler with Silver Springs playing in the background. Despite the long day, we had so much fun singing together and bonding over a shared love of music. On the theme of the pizza lunch, we had burgers for dinner, and Moonup came shortly after. LOD’s Harper and Hadley had us pondering our favorite weird food combinations and our future goals. Going to sleep with AC that night was something none of us took for granted!
7/21
The next day we caught up with some nice beauty sleep and then wandered down to our breakfast buffet to see that they have crepes here too! We just can’t get enough! We had a scrumptious breakfast, and then piled in a nice man named Kyle’s van to head to a farm for the day! Kyle and his wife Shawn started their farm a few years back to escape the hustle and bustle of Hollywood, and encourage real connections between people. They love Moondance’s mission too, and our time there is so joyous and interesting. We began by making Byrek, a traditional pastry which we filled with farm grown zucchini, carrots, and fennel seeds. Izzy knew how to work with the filo dough, having recently taken a cooking class involving it. She and Harper were quickly moved to the artistic corner to cut out shapes in their dough, which the rest of us kept using the different rolling pin sizes to spread out our dough as thin as possible. Maddie was quite the professional, and our Albanian chef Lola complimented her work! Vanessa and Savannah worked hard getting the water contents out of the vegetable filling mix so that it would not become soggy during cooking, and they did great!! After watching the pieces come together and sending it off to the oven, we headed down to meet the farm’s goats! They have all sorts of names, from Pan and Skillet the twin brothers, to Hensley (one with quite the wild backstory), to Crazy Horse! Claire had a wild moment as one of them put its leg on her head while standing on a slide next to her. They were scrambling every which way while racing to get corn from our hands, but Isabelle did a great job at staying calm and feeding them. After they were full, it was time to head to the barn to milk two goats, Babs and Jenny! Everyone took a turn, learning about the specific ways to move your hands to get the milk out. Izzy faced her fears and did it and we were so proud of her! It was then time to rest and await the magnificent lunch that was to come. We sprawled out by the natural pool, with Saylor and Cate reading on beach chairs, Lara, Bay, Vanessa, and Lowman on the dock, and Maddie tanning on the pool ledge, we all had our own little spot. Before long we were quite toasted and needed a dip, so Claire, Harper, Lara, Bay, and Margaret got going in a game of Star in the pool. Harper had us all stumped when describing Shrek. Soon Kyle came out and rang the lunch bell, signaling us to gather around the long picturesque table under the natural pergola with a view overlooking the Albanian countryside. This meal was arguably the best thing we’ve ever had! Some were even say they’d want it as their final meal one day! We had watermelon with mint and goat cheese (from the farm’s goats), our Byrek, falafel and hummus, roasted chicken, veggies in a yogurt sauce, mussels, lemon cake, fresh juices, and probably five more things we can’t recall right now. It was truly DIVINE!! With full bellies and silly moods after playing the game Wavelength for hours at the table, we were ready to head back to town and rest up before hitting the beach! Once a bit more cooled off, we headed to do our next surprise…BUMPER CARS!! Savannah and Lowman especially loved this, zooming left and right around the rink like F1 drivers. Then it was finally time to get in the ocean, or should we say Ionian Sea. Half the group got on an obstacle course in the water, where Maddie was showing them how to rock climb up the sides of it, and the rest of us were playing cards on the shore. Isabelle showed us her competitive edge in a game of ERS! Then, tired from their water adventures, Hadley, Lowman, Bay, Vanessa, Savannah, Lara, and Claire got some predinner ice cream. We were all sad for her when Lowman accidentally dropped hers on the board walk. Dinner was a feast of chicken, rice, roasted veggies, and another form of tzatziki. It’s amazing just how much tzatziki our group can clear from a table in record time! A wonderful day was wrapped up with a fabulous Moonup, where our guide Tena joined us. We had Oreos, watched a storm occurring outside our windows, shared what three drinks we would want to shoot out of our fingers if we could, and shared things we value about ourselves. Cate, like many of us, wants ice coffee on tap! Vanessa was right behind her, wanting hot water so she can always make Mac and Cheese. Bedtime rapidly approached and we needed our rest before heading to Greece tomorrow!!
7/22
Our day began with a quick breakfast and ride to our ferry that would take us to Corfu. Fun fact…we’re the only Moondance trip to ferry to a new country! Once in Corfu, we dropped our bags and headed to a traditional Greek lunch before going to claim our spot on the beach and splash around in the most clear water we’ve ever seen. Greece is such a perfect reward after all the hard work these girls put in during hiking. We’ll save the rest of the stories for next time, got to go explore Greece some more!! Everyone has a little message they’d like to share first though!
With gratitude,
Mary Claire and Margaret
MC and Marg: Thank you so much for sending us your 13 awesome daughters for an amazing trip! And thanks Moondance for everything! And thank you a million to our parents for believing in us (if you’re reading this hehe)!
Savannah: Hi yall! Just got to Corfu and it’s everything I wanted and more, so grateful for such an awesome opportunity. I have been having so much fun, thank you guys for sending me on the trip of a lifetime. I have learned so much and met so many amazing people! Love yall more than anything and tell bean and my friends on DNO I said hi and that I can’t wait for Drakes when I get home! Love you and see you soon!
Lara: Hi everyone! We just arrived in Greece and am having the time of my life! Thank you guys so much for an experience I’ll never forget! I’ve learned so much about myself, the world, and my 14 new best friends. Love you guys so so so much and cannot wait to see you! See ya’ll soon!
Claire: Hi guys. Today we arrived in Corfu and went straight to the beach (my favorite place) and it was so much fun. Thank you again for sending me here, this is the best trip of my life. I miss and love you so much.
Bay: Hiiiii yall! We made it to Greece & I am so so happy! I love my new friends and I miss yall so much! Thank you again for this amazing opportunity, I am so grateful!!! See yall so soon and cannot wait to give yall hugs! I love you Thomas! Blueberries!!!!
Lowman: Hi people!! We just got to Greece and the water is so pretty. It feels great and the place we are staying is cool. Thank you so much for sending me here and I’m so happy, I love my leaders and I’ve made so many friends. Love you guys so much and miss you. Tahlehmeh!
Maddie: Hey guys!! I miss you all so much! We just got to Corfu today and it is absolutely stunning. I hope mom and Harper had just as much fun here. Thank you for giving me this experience. It has been so much fun and I love all of the girls and my leaders!! LOVE YOU
Isabelle: Hi y’all! We just got to Corfu and I love it; it reminds me a lot of Capri. I’m excited to see y’all soon, but I also can’t imagine leaving this place and these people. I can’t believe we’re already over half way done. I’m so grateful to y’all for sending me here. Tell Asher, Sophie, Boonk, and Bella I say hi!
Harper: Hi Mom and Dad! I’m truly having the time of my life here. I can’t wait to fill you in on pics and stories!! I am SO grateful to be here and I love my friends and leaders so much. Love you!
Izzy: Hi!! We just got to GREECE and we are blasting momma mia music!! I miss you guys so much, tell lui and khali hi! I am very grateful for everything. Shout out Mary Claire and Margaret!! Love you guys and I’ll see you guys soon!!
Cate: Thank you so much for sending me on this trip!! We just got to Greece and the beach is so pretty. Y’all would love it here, can’t wait to see you! Tell Cooper I miss him and I say hi! Love and miss you guys!
Hadley: Hi Mom, Dad, Avery and Dalaynie, Lara and I miss you! We made it to Corfu and it is so beautiful you all would love it here. I am having so much fun and tell Carson that I miss and love him so much! Thank you so much for encouraging me to go on this trip! I can’t wait to show you guys all my pictures, XOXO Hadley!!
Vanessa: Thank you so much for sending me on the best trip of my life! Tell Jax and Bronwyn I miss them! I’m excited to tell you all about it when I get home. Miss you guys, see you soon!
SAYLOR; Hey guys, just got to Greece, it’s awesome here. We need to sail here soon. I can’t wait to see yall sunday and tell you all about it. I love you mom and dad see ya soooooon.
Rafting, Hiking, and Laughing through Bosnia + Montenegro!
July 18, 2026
Hello from Albania! Since picking up our thirteen new best friends, we’ve already had the most amazing adventures together and can’t wait to fill you in!
Starting off strong, airport day was full of excitement. After landing, the girls journeyed on, quickly trading Croatia for Bosnia and Montenegro. The first day of any Moondance trip would be incomplete without a pizza stop, so we made sure to find some for lunch! After learning each other’s names and which pet we’d like to have on our shoulders, we napped in the van ride to our lovely lodge nestled in the green Bosnian mountains. After filling up on a yummy dinner of bread, potatoes, salad, and sausage, we met by the hammocks to play “Where a Cold Wind Blows.” The premise of the game is to trade places with someone you share something in common with, whether it’s a favorite color or a love for Taco Bell. We danced to Megan Maroney and Lorde as we ran around and started to build connections with one another. Afterwards, we had our very first Moonup!! Moonup is the most important part of our days. It’s a chance for us to circle under the sky and grow through funny and thoughtful reflection. Each night, the Leaders of the Day (LOD’s) facilitate Moonup by selecting a quote, a gratitude prompt (the Nug Jug), a silly question, and a more serious question. Our quotes for the night were “Often, we experience the most growth in uncomfortable situations” and “When your problems feel big, go where you feel small.” The silly question was about our B+ superpowers, meaning something creative or convenient that would change our lives but not the world. Isabelle shared about her love for reading and explained that her B+ superpower would be to have her bookshelf magically rearrange itself- genius. Our deeper question was about our goals for the trip such as practicing living in the moment (LITMO)! To close out our first Moonup, Bay suggested that we play 3 people on a couch, our favorite game involving odd stories and excellent storytelling. Thanks to Izzy’s improv expertise, we somehow believed she chipped her tooth on a shopping cart handle because she thought it was a cookie. I’m not sure how we got there, but I’m sure we’ve never laughed harder! All in all, it was the sweetest and silliest first day together before we wandered off to sleep in our perfect little cabins.
Our first day of activities was lively and full of getting to know each other and the wonderful country that is Bosnia. We began by sleeping in a bit and then having a marvelous breakfast spread of eggs, bread, cheeses, meats, and so much more! Shortly after, we donned our wetsuits, water shoes, PFDs, and helmets, and we were ready to go after playing with the puppies on the property. We had two rafts, each with six or seven girls, and to our surprise there was one less paddle than girl in each boat. This meant someone got to ride princess seat! Sitting in the very front facing the rest of the group, the princess seat’s job was to tell stories and keep everyone entertained. Bay started us off, getting us laughing…and maybe a little too distracted for our rafting guide’s liking. Harper took over next, keeping the good vibes going. The rotation continued as we weaved through rapid after rapid on the stunning Tara River, which lies in the deepest canyon in Europe. Before long, we pulled over for an opportunity to go cliff jumping! Isabelle and Hadley bravely jumped right out of the boat and headed toward the adventure. Savannah got us started with an impressive leap, and soon the rest of the girls were showing off cannonballs, mid-air splits, and plenty of laughs before climbing back into the rafts. The fun didn’t stop there. Mary Claire’s raft became the home of riddles and riff-offs, with competitions centered around singing songs in different categories. Lowman proved to be a pro! Ask her to name a song about water or love, and she’s got it. After a breezy few hours, we floated past what we affectionately call the Thirsty Rock (one of the few rocks without moss or the hairy plants that cover the others) which meant home was just around the corner. We pulled our rafts from the water and scurried up the hill to an incredible lunch of soup and risotto before everyone enjoyed a well-earned afternoon rest. One of the things we are most grateful for in Bosnia is the opportunity to slow down and recharge, especially after traveling all the way from the United States. That evening we gathered for games, a delicious dinner, and another run through of what a typical Moonup looks like. Our silly question was to come up with an absurd “Would You Rather?” for the person to your right, and we were amazed by just how creative this group could be. We wrapped up the night excited for the adventure waiting for us the next day: hiking through the mountains.
We awoke a bit earlier to beat the heat for our hike, and Izzy sprang out of bed ready to seize the day. After another fueling breakfast, we piled into the vans, filling the drive to the trailhead with stories, laughter, and music; special thanks to Saylor and Savannah for the song suggestions! The hike began with beautiful views overlooking the valley below, and before long we crossed into Montenegro. The girls were shocked to realize there wasn’t even a traditional border crossing stop. Along the trail we spotted horses, and Vanessa made sure to capture the scenery with plenty of pictures. Our Leaders of the Day, Lara and Maddie, encouraged us every step of the way as we made our way to the breathtaking heart-shaped lake tucked among snow-capped mountain peaks. Once we arrived, we spread out along the shoreline for packed sandwiches, cokes, and a well-deserved rest. Saylor and Cate discovered an icy mountain spring that quickly became everyone’s favorite spot to cool off. Mary Claire and Margaret then surprised everyone with Skittles and gummy worms while sharing a few of their favorite quotes. Mary Claire also shared a paper from her improv class, which led Vanessa to tell a story about stretching outside of her comfort zone through public speaking. It was a wonderful reminder that some of our biggest moments of growth come from doing things that feel uncomfortable. After soaking in the scenery and taking plenty of pictures together, we began the trek back to the trailhead. Along the way, Lowman shared stories from her Grand Western Tour, and Saylor told us about spending months sailing with her family aboard their boat named Soulshine. By the time we reached the vans, everyone was thrilled to hear one final surprise: ICE CREAM! We stopped at a gas station on the way back for treats and snacks. It was the perfect reward after such a strenuous day on the trail. Back at camp, dinner was followed by more improv games, including Party Favors and Expert, where players had to answer any question as if they were an expert without ever saying “no” or “I don’t know.” Bay became an expert on lizards, Lara mastered toilet paper, Margaret somehow knew everything about Bosnia, Claire had everyone laughing by saying at one point during Party Favor, “I’ll show you what I got,” and the fun rolled straight into one of the silliest Moonups known to man. When asked what inanimate object she would eat if she could, Izzy confidently answered “a window,” which somehow had everyone agreeing because it sounded so oddly satisfying.
The next day we headed back out to raft on the Gatorade-blue water of the Tara River. One raft kept the laughter going with another round of Experts, where Claire informed us all about aliens, Lowman became the resident Care Bears expert, and Savannah somehow knew everything there was to know about snaggle teeth. Once everyone had recovered from laughing so hard, we switched topics and shared our dream days. We learned Hadley would love to attend the Met Gala someday, while Savannah’s perfect day included meeting a panda. After splashing through countless exciting rapids, we stopped for a snack break. Margaret and Harper became fascinated with a few tiny snakes nearby, while Lara and Bay entertained everyone by tossing apples at each other’s helmets. Lunch back at camp featured delicious chicken, soup, and vegetables, giving everyone a chance to refuel after another exciting morning on the water. Afterwards, we circled up for guided journal time under a big ‘ole tree. Cate loved the chance to read through the incredible quotes listed throughout the Moondance journal, and everyone starred their favorite quotes to share later at Moonup! Next, we played Fishbowl, a creative group game, and we learned that Harper is a wonderful person to have on your team. At dinner, Lara challenged Mary Claire to laugh without showing her teeth, and before long everyone’s stomachs hurt from laughing so hard. Then it was time to pack up our belongings and head to bed as we would be saying goodbye to our Bosnian paradise (and its endless supply of cats and dogs) the next morning.
After another restful night, we packed up and set off for Albania. Within the first ten minutes of the drive, nearly everyone had fallen asleep. At our first stop, the girls stocked up on cookies, chips, and fun new drinks to enjoy during the rest of the journey. When we arrived in Theth, everyone settled into camp and Lowman generously shared her favorite Albanian snacks with the rest of the group. After an incredible dinner filled with tzatziki, fries, lamb, fried vegetables, and so much more, we watched the sun slowly set over the surrounding mountains. Between the breathtaking scenery, a giant cow, and the adorable baby pony wandering nearby, it was the perfect ending to another unforgettable day. We gotta go rest up now for our big hike tomorrow, but before we go, the girls have a few words they’d like to share!
Best,
Margaret and Mary Claire!!
Hadley: Hi mom and dad! Thank you so much for sending me here! It is so so fun! Tell Avery and Carson I miss them!
Claire: Hi mom and dad! Miss you guys so much. Bosnia was so much fun. We went rafting and hiking. I love my group and my leaders so much. Thank you for sending me here. Love y’all. Hi Ray, I miss you!
Isabella: Hi! I miss y’all so much!! Everything looks so beautiful here with the mountains and rivers! Rafting, hiking, and hangout is so much fun!! Thank y’all and love you so much!!
Lowman: Hi Mom and Dad I miss you guys. Everything has been really fun. I love my leaders and the people here and we’ve done lots of hiking and white water rafting.
Harper: Hi Mom and Dad! I’m having the best time ever. Thank you SO much for sending me here! I love my group and our leaders. Love you and thank you so much again ps say hi to Catherine for me!
Lara: Hi everyone! I am having the BEST time here- everyone is amazing. Thank you for this opportunity Mom and Dad! I love you both so much. Miss y’all❤️
Bay: Hey y’all! I miss y’all so much! I am having a blast. Thank you so much for the opportunity of coming! Much love! XOXO, Blueberries! I love you Thomas!
Saylor-Rae: Hey, I miss you guys, I’m having so much fun! I can’t wait to tell you all about it. I love you guys, thank you so much for letting me do this, I love y’all. Say hi to brayden!
Savannah: Hello! I miss y’all so much, I hope you’re having so much fun in Gulf Shores! I’m having the BEST time ever, my leaders are so awesome. Tell bean and my friends on DNO I said hi, love you guys so much! 💗
Cate: Hey! I miss y’all so much, I am having so much fun! Thank you for this opportunity. I hope y’all have the best time on your trip also I figured out the ATM situation!
Isabelle: Hi, I miss y’all!! Thank you for being so encouraging about this trip, and I’m so glad I decided to go. Everyone is great and I really like our leaders. Tell Asher I say hi!
Maddie: Hey! I’m having sooo much fun, Bosnia is actually insanely beautiful! So glad I made it there and so grateful for you guys. Love you guys!!
Vanessa: Hi! Thank you for sending me on this trip! Tell Jax I miss him. I’m taking photos for y’all! I’m having so much fun with my 15 new best friends!!
Safe Arrival: Part 2
July 12, 2026
Hello AMG Families!
Margaret has picked up the final student, and they are en route to meet up with the rest of the group.
-Moondance HQ
Safe Arrival!
July 12, 2026
Hello AMG Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the majority of the group has landed safely! Margaret is waiting for a student who experienced travel delays and will rejoin later tonight. 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
