So Long, Farewell!
July 8, 2026
HEEEELLLLOOOO BCO FAMS!!!
We have been super busy up here across the border, and we’ve had some absolutely unforgettable adventures! Here’s a recap of the last couple of days!
Day 9
After surfing some amazing waves in Tofino, our crew packed up and hit the road for Squamish! We woke up to some pretty dreary weather with lots of rain, but our group packed up in record time and dove into the nice, dry vans to escape the weather and head toward our next adventure.
Goodbye, Tofino… helllloooooo, Squamish!
Even though the drive was a long one, everyone stayed entertained by chatting, admiring the incredible scenery, and singing along to our ever-growing van playlist. Sofia was absolutely over the moon when she found out we’d be taking a ferry!
Additionally, while on the ferry, Blake, Liza, and Sofia each bought matching platypus stuffed animals and named them Harry, Benny, and Rajie after their three leaders (how sweet is that?).
Once we rolled off the ferry, we began one of the most beautiful drives of the trip through the mountains toward what many call the rock climbing and whitewater rafting capital of Canada. Liam quickly became our official van DJ, somehow managing to request hit after hit. Listening to 7 Summers by Morgan Wallen while driving alongside one of the most breathtaking lakes we’ve ever seen is a memory we’ll all hold onto for a very long time.
When we finally arrived at camp, we were greeted with an incredible view of Shannon Falls towering above us. The boys immediately got creative, inventing all kinds of lawn games and competitions while Harris and Ben got to work preparing dinner.
Tonight’s menu featured teriyaki chicken, broccoli, and rice, a meal everyone was more than happy to dig into after a long day of traveling.
As the sun began to set, we gathered around the campfire for another round of songs, led by our very own Raj. It was the perfect way to end another incredible day together.
Day 10
RAFTING DAY!!!!
Today was one of the days everyone had been looking forward to, so we made sure to start it off right with a true All-American breakfast. Ben cooked over 40 pieces of bacon while Harris whipped up cheesy scrambled eggs and plenty of toast. After a hearty breakfast to make sure everyone was full (and feeling patriotic before the Fourth of July!), we loaded into the vans and headed to our rafting outfitter.
The Canadian Outback Rafting base is located on a beautiful farm, so before we even touched the water, the kids got to meet emus, llamas, rabbits, and plenty of other farm animals. We also learned something none of us expected: Liza shared that she had owned a pet peacock for six years! Who knew peacocks could be found in South Carolina?
Then it was finally time… To hit the river!
The water was a stunning shade of blue-green, but it was also absolutely freezing. Despite the cold, every single student eagerly climbed into the rafts, ready to take on the rapids.
On Raft #1, Kane and Hunter volunteered for the front of the boat, fearlessly charging straight into every crashing wave. They took every icy splash like champions! Blake, Liza, and Ammie embraced the adventure by jumping in and swimming through one of the rapids, despite the frigid water.
We are so proud of every single student for continually stepping outside their comfort zones. These once-in-a-lifetime experiences often come with a few moments of discomfort, but everyone embraced the challenge with smiles on their faces.
After conquering the biggest rapids, our raft shifted gears and played a few fun challenge games. Ammie was tasked with standing on the very front of the raft while we spun the boat in circles. She balanced for an impressively long time before finally tumbling into the water to everyone’s cheers and laughter.
Kane also got a truly unique opportunity to grab onto one of the safety kayaks and perform a full kayak roll with the guide!
Over on Raj’s raft, Webb claimed the front seat and never looked back, charging through each wave with excitement while eagerly asking when the next rapid was coming. Although Grace and Sofia were initially nervous about falling out, they quickly built their confidence throughout the day. By the end of the trip, both of them had proudly moved to the front of the raft, where they loved crashing through the waves.
Liam decided the rapids alone weren’t enough excitement, so he volunteered to “ride the bull,” balancing on the front of the raft while risking an icy swim. Somehow, he conquered the challenge and stayed completely dry!
Meanwhile, Lucy and Ben had the unique opportunity to experience the day from an entirely different perspective. They followed the trip photographer, hiking alongside the river to capture incredible viewpoints of the rapids, the towering mountains, and our group paddling through some truly spectacular scenery.
After a long, exciting day on the river, we finally arrived at our island home for the night, nestled right alongside the Squamish River. We peeled off our wetsuits, changed into warm clothes, and enjoyed an incredible charcuterie board prepared by our guides while soaking in the peaceful surroundings.
The kids somehow still had plenty of energy left. Grace, Webb, and Lucy quickly rallied everyone together for an intense card game of BS before dinner.
Then…
Dinner is served!!!
Our amazing rafting guides absolutely spoiled us with a feast of pork tenderloin, roasted potatoes, fresh salmon, garlic bread, Caesar salad, hot chocolate, and brownies for dessert. Needless to say, there were some very happy campers around the table that night.
With full stomachs, we gathered around the campfire where our fantastic Leaders of the Day, Lucy and Liam, led both our group and the rafting guides through a heartfelt Moonup. It was a beautiful opportunity to reflect on everything we’d accomplished together over the previous two days.
As we climbed into our tents that night, everyone was exhausted in the very best way. We fell asleep excited to celebrate the Fourth of July the next day and spend one more unforgettable day together on the river.
Day 11
FOURTH OF JULY!!!
We kicked off the Fourth of July in one of the coolest ways imaginable-waking up on a beautiful island in the middle of the Squamish River to the smell of breakfast being cooked by our incredible raft guides. They treated us to fluffy pancakes, fresh fruit, and plenty of syrup, giving everyone the perfect start to another day of adventure.
After breakfast, we packed up camp one last time and loaded back into the rafts for our final stretch down the river. Before we knew it, our rafting expedition had come to an end. After two incredible (and very tiring!) days on the river, it was time to celebrate Independence Day!
Back at camp, the leaders broke out the red body paint. Lucy and Grace were the first brave volunteers, and before long, everyone was helping paint one another with patriotic designs. It didn’t take long before our entire group was decked out in Fourth of July spirit.
That evening, we celebrated with an all-American cookout. Ben grilled burgers, Raj took charge of the hot dogs, and Harris tied everything together by perfectly toasting the hamburger and hot dog buns. After spending the last few days deep in the Canadian wilderness, it was the perfect way to celebrate the holiday together.
With full stomachs and even bigger smiles, the kids worked together to create one of our favorite group photos of the trip. Everyone worked together to form a giant human pyramid while proudly showing off their patriotic face paint, with a stunning waterfall providing the perfect backdrop.
To reward everyone for an incredible rafting expedition, the leaders made s’mores over the Coleman grill, and the group enjoyed one final sweet treat together before moonup.
To close out such a special night, Raj led what has quickly become our group’s anthem: “7 Summers” by Morgan Wallen. Every single person sang along at the top of their lungs, creating one of those moments that we’ll all remember long after this trip is over. We may have even made another nearby Moondance group just a little jealous!
Day 12
This morning, Harris once again worked her breakfast magic by making a fresh batch of pancakes for everyone.
After breakfast, we set out for one of the biggest physical challenges of the trip: The Chief Hike. Famous for its steep climbs and breathtaking views, this hike certainly lived up to its reputation. Thankfully, Jay had his trusty shoes to guide him all the way to the top!
As we began climbing, we kept spirits high by playing some of our favorite trail games, including Ball Knowledge and Wavelength. There was plenty of laughter, friendly competition, and conversation as we slowly made our way higher into the mountains.
Eventually, we reached what the group quickly nicknamed the “Never Ending Stairs.” Looking up, we genuinely couldn’t see where they ended. It felt like they stretched straight into the sky!
About halfway through the hike, Ben and Raj took the opportunity to teach everyone about the NOLS Leave No Trace (LNT) Principles and the hand signals that go along with each one. Before continuing up the trail, we needed someone brave enough to recite all seven principles back to us from memory. Liam immediately stepped up to the challenge and absolutely crushed it!
After a lot of perseverance, teamwork, and plenty of water breaks, we finally reached the summit. The incredible panoramic views made every single step worth it.
At the top, Raj led the guys through a guided meditation, giving everyone an opportunity to slow down, appreciate the view, and reflect on everything we’d accomplished together. Hunter and Alex fully embraced the moment of relaxation… while Ben may or may not have accidentally fallen asleep.
As if the view wasn’t enough of a reward, we surprised everyone with an even bigger morale boost…
CANDY!!!
Needless to say, it disappeared very quickly.
We were so proud of every member of the group. The Chief is no easy hike, yet everyone maintained positive attitudes, encouraged one another, and pushed through one of the toughest physical challenges of the trip.
After returning to camp, it was time for one of our all-time favorite Moondance traditions…
IRON CHEF!
The group split into two teams, drafted ingredients, cookware, and kitchen supplies, and then had to prepare a full three-course meal for the judges (the leaders).
Our Leaders of the Day, Kane and Blake, were responsible for organizing the entire event, from creating the teams to shopping for the extra ingredients. They both did an outstanding job keeping everything organized while letting their teammates take ownership of the cooking.
Kane’s team went with a Mexican-inspired menu. They started with some of the best nachos we’ve ever tasted, followed by delicious tacos for the main course, and finished with “The Log,” their creative dessert featuring cookies and Nutella.
Blake’s team took a more Italian-inspired approach. They kicked things off with bread, marinara sauce, and melted cheese before serving Liza’s famous homemade mac and cheese, which completely blew the judges away. To finish the meal, they served ice cream for dessert, providing the perfect ending to an outstanding dinner.
After plenty of discussion, the judges crowned “Kane’s Kitchen” as this year’s Iron Chef champions!
One of the coolest parts of this tradition is watching how much confidence the students gain in the kitchen. We have been incredibly impressed by everyone’s creativity, teamwork, and cooking skills, and we hope they’ll head home inspired to cook a meal for all of you!
Day 13
We woke up on our final morning in Canada with one last taste by eating Tim Hortons donuts! Each student enjoyed a delicious maple-glazed donut before packing up camp one final time and preparing for the journey back to the United States.
As always, the drive was filled with great conversations, lots of laughter, reflections on the incredible memories we’d made over the past two weeks, and, of course… gas station snacks! Jay stayed loyal to his favorite one-liter chocolate milk, while Alex opted for a more classic combination of chips and a Slurpee.
As we approached the border, we had to say goodbye to Canada, and unfortunately. Thankfully, the border crossing was quick and seamless, and before long, we were officially back in the United States.
Right across the border, we stopped and made lunch, where the students were given one important responsibility: deciding where they wanted to have their banquet dinner. What none of us expected was the overwhelming majority vote for… Taco Bell!
Word had spread throughout the group about Taco Bell, and many of the students who had never been before were excited to finally give it a try. Since the group had been looking forward to it for so long, we decided to make it happen!
To make the celebration even sweeter, we followed dinner with a stop at BJ’s Restaurant for one of their famous Pizookies, warm, skillet-baked cookies topped with ice cream. It was the perfect dessert to celebrate an incredible trip together.
Rather than eating in a restaurant, we picked up all of our Taco Bell (and plenty of Baja Blasts!) and headed to a nearby park. Sitting together in a circle, sharing one last meal as a group while watching the sun set over Mount Rainier, was one of those simple moments that ended up becoming one of our favorites.
As the evening came to a close, it was time for our final Moonup.
The leaders served as the Leaders of the Day. We each shared a quote that had become meaningful to us before asking the students to participate in one final reflection together.
Everyone shared a quality they admired about the person sitting to their right. It was incredibly special to hear the kindness, gratitude, and appreciation that each student had developed for one another over the course of the trip.
Then we had some beautiful group questions. The honesty, maturity, vulnerability, and compassion that your children showed during this conversation were beyond anything we could have expected. More than once, there were tears around the circle, including from the three of us, as we reflected on just how much this group had grown together.
We ended our final Moonup with one big group hug before Raj led the group in one last campfire song: “You Should Probably Leave.” It was the perfect way to close out an unforgettable evening.
But the night still wasn’t over.
Knowing that our airport departure would come far too quickly, the students decided they wanted to spend every possible minute together. They pulled all of their sleeping pads and sleeping bags into one giant island and stayed up talking, laughing, telling stories, and soaking up every last second of the friendships they had built over the past two weeks.
It was a beautiful reminder that while this trip may have been coming to an end, the friendships formed here are only just beginning.
Day 14
Before we knew it, our final morning had arrived.
Saying goodbye to your children was one of the hardest parts of this entire experience. As we made the extremely early morning drive to the airport, there were plenty of tears, both from the students and from us, as we sang along to many of the songs that had become the soundtrack to our adventure.
As we walked through the airport and prepared to send students off to their gates with their leaders, we made sure each of them knew just how much of an impact they had made, not only on one another but on the three of us as well.
Over the course of this adventure, twelve strangers truly became a family.
At just 13 years old, it takes tremendous courage to travel to another country, live outside for two weeks, sleep in tents, paddle freezing rivers, climb mountains, cook meals together, and spend every day surrounded by people who were complete strangers just two weeks earlier.
Your children embraced every challenge with resilience, positivity, and an openness to every new experience. In fact, we can count on one hand the number of complaints we heard over the course of the entire trip, a remarkable testament to the character, resilience, and attitudes that each of them brought with them.
That speaks volumes not only about who they are, but also about the incredible families who raised them.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for trusting us with your children and for raising such thoughtful, adventurous, kind, and compassionate young people. It has truly been one of the greatest privileges of our summer to get to know each of them.
We are unbelievably proud of every single one of them and cannot wait to see all that they accomplish in the years ahead.
Thank you for allowing us to be a small part of their story.
Signing off for now,
Ben, Harris & Raj
Catching Waves + Making Memories!
July 3, 2026
Hi BCO families!!!
Harris, Ben, and Raj here! We have just crossed the halfway mark of our incredible summer adventure, and we are coming to you live from the rugged, surf-swept edge of Vancouver Island. If the first four days were about getting our bearings and finding our group rhythm, these past four days have been a masterclass in trying new things, conquering fears, and eating our absolute weight in incredible food.
From scaling sheer rock faces and dropping down massive cliff rappels to catching our very first Pacific waves on surfboards, your kids have shown an unbelievable amount of grit, curiosity, and pure joy. We have officially formed a handful of inside jokes, established a dedicated “Chocolate Milk Fan Club,” and eaten enough ground beef and chicken to fuel a small army.
Here is a full, detailed breakdown of our unforgettable journey through days 5 to 8!!!
Day 5:
We started the morning with an extra dose of excitement because it was officially Sofia’s birthday! To celebrate our favorite birthday girl, the leaders snuck out early to surprise the group with a massive box of fresh donuts. There is truly no better way to kick off a big day of adventure than with a sugar rush, and Sofia was absolutely glowing as everyone sang to her first thing in the morning.
Once we filled up on Boston creme pies and glazed donuts, our Leaders of the Day (LODs), Sofia and Kane, stepped up to lead the morning huddle. We packed up our sandwiches for lunch and met up with our incredible guides from Island Alpine Guides for a thrilling day of vertical adventure at the Comox Lake Crags.
The energy at the crag was thrilling. For a few of the kids, looking up at a sheer rock wall brought a few natural nerves, but the support system in this group is unmatched. The kids took turns belaying, shouting words of encouragement, and celebrating every single foot hold gained. Kane was an absolute rockstar today as we watched his confidence climb sky-high with every single route he attempted, getting noticeably smoother and faster as the hours rolled on! Ammie showed off her skills as she was the first student to complete the hardest climb! Alongside the rock climbing, the guides set up a spectacular rappelling station. Backed by the encouragement of the entire crew, the kids learned to lean back over the edge, trust their gear, and walk backward down the cliffside like total pros.
After a satisfying sandwich lunch at the crag, we packed into the van and headed into the charming historic city of Cumberland. The kids immediately gravitated toward the local scene. It was here that under Jay, a major contingent of the group officially founded the BCO Chocolate Milk Fan Club, buying 1L gallons of chocolate milk and declaring it the official drink of British Columbia. We highly recommend two local spots we encountered: Moon Records, where Blake and Liam picked up awesome music stickers for their water bottles, and Love’s Ice Cream, which served up some of the most amazing, decadent scoops we’ve ever tasted. Lucy and Grace enjoyed some shaved ice.
We eventually migrated down to the lake park campground beach, where Grace and Alex spent the late afternoon leading a massive, highly competitive game of hacky sack. But the birthday festivities weren’t done yet! Before dinner, we surprised Sofia with a birthday piñata hung from a sturdy tree branch. The kids took turns swinging blindfolded until it rained candy, followed by a proper cake-cutting ceremony.
For dinner, we whipped up a gourmet crowd-pleaser: Homemade Pita Pizzas! The kids piled their pitas high with marinara, cheese, and toppings before we toasted them to melty perfection. We wrapped up the day with a beautiful Moonup on the beach. As the sun set in a brilliant blaze of pink and gold, cruise ships quietly slipped past in the distance. Raj brought out the guitar and sang three campfire songs while everyone watched the water, bringing a perfect, peaceful close to Sofia’s special day.
Day 6:
On Day 6, we said goodbye to our campsite and geared up for a double-whammy: an adrenaline-packed morning on the rocks followed by a beautiful travel day across the spine of Vancouver Island to the west coast.
Our LODs for the day were Liam and Blake, and they did an absolutely phenomenal job keeping our moving parts organized. We met back up with our climbing guides at 9:00 AM for a higher angle challenge! This was a significantly bigger, much more exposed rappel than the day before. One by one, the kids descended a massive, 200ft vertical drop down to the ground. The sheer exposure of this drop was enough to make anyone’s stomach drop, but the maturity and focus the kids showed was spectacular. Watching them conquer that massive drop and cheer each other on from the cliff edges was a definitive highlight of the trip so far. Liza and Webb especially began to settle into their comfort zones as they took down the rappel twice!
After wrapping up at the crags and packing a quick lunch, we officially began our scenic three-hour drive up to Tofino. Travel days on Moondance are an art form, and the LODs took their leadership roles straight to the grocery store. They did a fantastic job managing the group shopping list and picking out snacks for the van.
The drive was punctuated by iconic gas station pit stops, which turned into high-energy miniature celebrations. The kids stocked up on local Canadian candy, chips, and, of course, more cold bottles of chocolate milk. The van ride was a symphony of window-seat sight-seeing, road-trip games, and collaborative playlist curation.
By late afternoon, we drove through the towering coastal old-growth forests and pulled into the beautiful Bella Pacifica Campground, our gorgeous new home right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. After pitching our tents tucked into the coastal trees, we had a hearty dinner of Harris’s famous quesadillas, followed by a cozy Moonup where we listened to the distant sound of breaking ocean waves.
Day 7:
We woke up on Day 7 to the crisp, salty air of Tofino and bright skies. Today was all about trading the climbing harnesses for wetsuits! Our LODs, Liza and Hunter, gathered the crew and led us on a quick 10-minute walk down the beach to meet up with the expert instructors at Swell Tofino.
The morning started with a Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) lesson at Mackenzie Beach. The water was beautifully glassy, making it the perfect canvas for the kids to test their balance. There were plenty of hilarious, splashing wipeouts early on, but within an hour, Lucy, Hunter, Grace, and Ammie were gliding across the water like natural paddleboarders.
We zipped back to camp for a quick lunch before sliding back into our wetsuits at 1:30 PM for our highly anticipated surfing lesson! The Pacific water was refreshing, to say the least, but the thick wetsuits kept everyone warm as they learned the fundamentals of ocean safety, paddling, and the classic “pop-up” technique on the sand. Once in the surf, the energy was electric. Webb and Alex caught some great early waves, while Kane and Jay showed incredible persistence, paddling hard through the whitewash and cheering loudly every time someone managed to stand up on their board.
Following our saltwater session, we dried off and set up a makeshift court on the sand for an epic game of Beach Volleyball. The competition was fierce, but after a series of dramatic saves and diving plays, the boys managed to pull out a hard-fought victory.
To reward all that physical exertion, we headed into the stunning coastal town of Tofino for Town Day #1. We split the kids up and the boys headed out to the dock while the girls explored some of the nearby shops, while the girls grabbed some local coffee to warm up after the ocean session, everyone enjoyed exploring the town. The entire crew made a pit stop at the famous Pacific Surf Shop, where kids bought cool local t-shirts, sweatshirts, and stickers, while the boys spent time exploring the quirky neighboring surf and outdoor shops. Next came an ice cream stop featuring some wildly unique flavor combinations. The girls took photos of their colorful cones: Ammie went with a refreshing vanilla with raspberry swirl; Lucy with a decadent vanilla, chocolate, and brownie combo; and Liza went all out with a beautiful twist cone loaded with cookie dough and rich chocolate drizzles.
Back at Bella Pacifica, dinner was nothing short of a masterpiece. We made Burger Tacos, and to our absolute amazement, the kids ate a staggering 6 lbs of ground beef!!! We could barely keep up with the demand as Alex, Liam, and Hunter led the charge on securing thirds and fourths. We wrapped up this incredible day with a full-bellied Moonup under the stars, completely exhausted but bursting with stories from the waves.
Day 8:
Our final day in Tofino was all about building on our new skills and soaking in every ounce of this beautiful coastal paradise. Our LODs, Webb and Sofia, got the group moving early with incredible energy, keeping everyone motivated as we prepared for our second consecutive day on the water.
We met back up with Swell Tofino or round two of SUP and surf. The difference between Day 7 and Day 8 was unbelievable! With a solid day of experience under their belts, the kids were total pros. The paddleboarding was smooth and confident, and out in the surf lineup, the progression was spectacular. Liza, Ammie, and Blake were popping up onto their feet with ease, riding waves all the way into the shallow water.
After peeling off our wetsuits, we kept the athletic momentum going with a highly anticipated rematch on the beach volleyball court. The girls came out with a vengeance today, communicating beautifully, setting up great returns, and ultimately pulling out a triumphant, redemptive win over the boys!
For dinner, we surprised the kids by bypassing the camp stoves and taking them to a legendary local food spot: Tacofino! The kids were absolutely ecstatic. Kane and Alex teamed up to share a massive burrito and a plate of crispy fish tacos, declaring it some of the best food of the entire summer. Webb was in absolute paradise, thoroughly enjoying every bite of his fresh tuna tacos. To wash it all down, Jay secured a classic chocolate milk to support the fan club, while the rest of the boys branched out to try various flavors of Mexican Jarritos sodas. After filling our bellies, the girls led a final stroll through the local shops, picking out some beautiful souvenirs to bring home to you all.
We closed out this unforgettable four-day block with an incredibly unique and special Moonup. We walked out onto a local Tofino dock just as the sun began its slow descent below the Pacific horizon. As we shared our high points of the week, coastal seaplanes came coasting in, landing smoothly on the golden, glowing water right in front of us as the sky darkened with the night.
We are currently preparing for our very last night in beautiful Tofino, packed up and deeply grateful for the absolutely lovely weather that has followed us all week. Tomorrow, we begin our trek back eastward toward Nanaimo to prepare for the next grand chapter of our journey.
Your kids are independent, strong, deeply kind to one another, and an absolute blast to travel with. We can’t wait to see what the final leg of our adventure brings!
Until next time… TTYL!!!
– Harris, Ben, and Raj
Thank You’s:
Sofia – Hey mom and dad thank you so much for sending me on my trip! I am having the most fun I’ve ever had. British Columbia is such an interesting place with great activities. I miss you all so much and can’t wait to see you guys!
Webb- Hey mom and dad thank you for sending me to Moondance! It has been so much fun so far and it’s a really cool place. Our next activity is rafting and I’m really excited for it. Miss you guys love you.🥀🥀
Ammie- yo what’s up mom and dad I miss you guys so much I’m having so much fun here and thank you so much for sending me here it’s been so much fun and a really cool place! tell Thomas I miss him love you guys.
Alex- thank you so much for sending me to Moondance,it has been a great adventure through it all. Everyone is cool and moondance has taught me a lot these past days. Miss you guys.
Liza- hey family Thank you for sending me on Moondance! It has been so fun going around BCO! I miss you guys!!! also when Ellie gets home tell her I can’t wait to see her! Love yall, tell Walker I said hi and love him! PS. Bring purdy to the airport when you pick me up!
Hunter-hey mom and dad I miss you guys a lot and thank you so much for bringing me to Moondance. British Columbia has been so much fun and I love you guys so much . Love Hunter
Lucy- Hi mom and dad thanks for sending me I’m having a lot of fun here I love yall 🥀
Jay- Hi mom and dad I’m having SO much fun here and don’t want to leave but I miss you guys so much 4 days left love yall
Blake- hi mom and dad thank you so much for sending me here. It has been so fun and I love it here but I miss yall so see you guys soon
Liam- hi mom and dad thank you for this trip. I am having the best time making new friends and doing fun things. I went surfing and it was really fun. I’m so excited to see yall and the dogs, sloane and Charlie soon.
Grace- hey mom and dad! I’m having so much fun. thank yall so much for sending me here. I have made so many friends and am having the most fun I’ve ever had. I really miss yall but I don’t want to come home. I love yall so much
Kane – hey mom and dad I’m having so much fun and want to thank you for enabling me to go on this awesome trip. I miss both of yall a lot and can’t wait to tell you all about it when I get back.
Hello, Happy Campers!
June 28, 2026
Day 1: Arrival Day
Hi BCO families!!!
Ben, Harris, and Raj here! It’s only been a few days, but we are already having a blast up here in Canada!
Arrival day was filled with light chatter, excitement, and a few nerves. Once everyone landed, we began our drive to Canada, where we enjoyed some delicious pizza, got to know one another, and learned how to set up our tents. We could tell this group was going to be awesome right from the start!
Day 2
After a busy and long travel day, everyone needed a good night’s rest. But the fun never waits! We got up first thing in the morning to catch a ferry over to Vancouver Island and officially begin our adventures.
The kids absolutely loved exploring the ferry. The boys grabbed seats by the window, chatting while taking in the beautiful scenery. The girls picked up some local candy and played Uno. Everyone tried some poutine chips. While they weren’t the biggest fans, we are proud of them for expanding their taste buds!
After the ferry ride, we hopped back in the van and headed to Miracle Beach Campground. Even with the rain, our group kept a positive attitude and high energy! Everyone wanted to explore the campsite, so we headed down to the beach, where the kids played lots of hacky sack.
Our beach time was cut a little short by the rain, but we still had a blast. We played a Moondance favorite, Birdy on a Perch, where Liza and Grace came away with the win! We also welcomed our late arrival, Alex, with open arms. He jumped out of the car excited to meet his new friends and fit right in.
Our LODs, Lucy and Jay, helped cook dinner for the group: marinara pasta with chicken. Yum! After an awesome Moonup, we hit the hay.
Day 3
Pancakes!!!!
We woke the kids up with some delicious M&M pancakes before another short-but much more exciting-travel day. Sofia absolutely loves ferries, so she was thrilled to find out we had another one ahead of us. Off to Quadra Island we went!
We headed over to Chinese Mountain for a short afternoon hike. Even with the rain, no one complained. Spirits stayed high the entire time! Hunter, Liam, Ammie, and Kane loved playing hacky sack on the beautiful mossy terrain. The low clouds and thick fog created a mystical atmosphere that everyone thought was absolutely gorgeous.
Our LODs, Alex and Grace, did a great job keeping everyone’s spirits high despite the dreary weather.
Back at our new campground, everyone was amazed by how beautiful it was. The kids set up their hammocks right along the pebble beach and spent time relaxing and swinging one another. Webb and Lucy skipped rocks while others joined in for a friendly competition to see who could get the most skips.
Liza, Grace, Ammie, Lucy, Blake, and Sofia even spelled out “Moondance” with driftwood along the shore. It looked so awesome that Raj took a drone photo of the group!
Liza also built a shelter out of extra wood for Harris to potentially sleep in. While it was very impressive, Harris decided to stick with her nice, warm tent. 🙂
Dinner is served!!!
Tonight’s meal was honey sriracha chicken stir-fry with rice and loooootttttttsssss of veggies. Don’t worry-they’re getting plenty of greens!
Day 4
Gone fishing… be back soon!
Hunter, Liam, and Webb woke up excited for an awesome day on the water, hoping to catch lots of fish-and they did!
We split into three fishing groups for the morning, spending our time fishing, hanging out, eating lunch, and even spotting some sea lions. Hunter caught an absolute monster fish and couldn’t have been more excited! Blake, Jay, Kane, and Sofia all caught salmon-enough to help feed the entire group. Alex and Blake laid on top of the boat to catch some extra rays after yesterday’s rain and loved waving to all of the passing boats. After an incredible day on the water, everyone celebrated with some ice cream before catching the ferry back.
Raj taught Webb how to fillet the fish he caught, which was a pretty awesome experience. Dinner that night? Lemon butter salmon!!!
The kids absolutely devoured it. Grace gave lots of compliments to the chef, and Jay even got to enjoy the rockfish he caught earlier in the day.
We wrapped up another amazing day with a trip to Miracle Beach for Moonup and sunset led by our LODs Ammie and Webb. Raj finished the evening by leading some campfire songs while everyone took in the beautiful scenery around us.
Goodnight for now… TTYL!!!
– Harris, Ben, and Raj
Shoutouts:
Kane – Hey Mom and Dad I’m having so much fun. We went fishing and rock climbing so far and made lots of friends. I love you and miss both of you and am excited to tell you all about it after. Say hi to Bear for me.
Grace- Hey Mom and Dad. I am rock climbing today and have made so many friends.
Lucy- Hi Ma and pa🐝🐟I’m having fun and making friends. I love you
Webb- Hey ma and pa I’m having a lot of fun so far. We went fishing and I got a big salmon. We are rock climbing and it is fun🐝🐟👊love you 🐝🐟
Liam- Hey mom and dad I am having a great time making new friends, climbing, and fishing. I caught some salmon and have made a lot of new friends. How are the dogs and Charlie? And how is NC. I can’t wait to see yall and the dogs again. Love you.
Liza- Hey mom and dad it’s so fun in BCO! I’m having some much fun fishing, climbing, and making new friends! We won the fishing thing by catching 28 fish with 7 keepers. Can’t wait to see yall soon! Tell walker I miss him and I miss Ellie. Also make sure the dogs, cat, and hamsters + my ducks are alive. Love yall.
Jay- Hey mom and dad it’s Jay I’m having the BEST time here. Everyone here is so funny and I couldn’t be happier I can’t wait to show yall the pictures when I get back and tell you all about it. It’s only the fifth day and it’s already crazy. Love you 🥰
Hunter- hi mom and dad I have been missing you so much and I am having so much fun here. Every kid here is nice and funny and all the activities we’ve done have been really fun. We have been fishing and rock climbing. I can’t wait to see y’all and I love you so much.
Blake- hi mom and dad I miss u so much. It is so fun here and I am making so many friends. I can’t wait to see u soon. It is so pretty here and right now we just went fishing and rock climbing. I love yall so much and say hi to my babies
Alex- hi mom and dad I am having so much fun and the views are picturesque and so beautiful. We just did fishing and had so much fun doing it, we got to fish from the top of the boat and our group caught 28 fish. I hope you guys are having the best time just you two and will just relax for the following weeks. Love you guys.
Sofia- Hey mom and dad I am having a bunch of fun we just went fishing and are rock climbing on my birthday! I miss you so much and just read my birthday cards which makes me miss you even more, also I heard you told them my birthday was the 27th 🤦♀️, it’s fine though worked it out! Anyway hope you are having a good vacation and say hi to honey and a happy birthday to dad from me! Love you
Ammie – Hey mom and dad I miss you guys so much I’m having so much fun fishing and rock climbing I’m so excited to see you guys soon!
Safe Arrival!
June 24, 2026
Hello, British Columbia Families!
We heard from our leaders that the group has landed safely! 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
