Best Time In BCO!
July 24, 2026
The last few days of this trip have arrived so quickly, but have also brought lots of adventures, laughs, and overall memorable moments! Our days went by fast, but they were as fun as they could be!
Waking up on day 11, we said goodbye to our campsite by the lake in great anticipation of where we were headed next. We stayed entertained on our drive with some good music and stories in the van before ferrying over to the island. Our travel day brought us to a trailhead where we began a fun hike up to both the north and south peaks! Fite, Olive, and Ben kept the vibes high with stories and jokes as we admired the views that the walk through the woods brought us. From the south peak, you can see both the mainland with the Coastal Mountains, and the mountains on Vancouver Island – a super cool sight to see knowing that we’ve been around both places. We finished up our hike, made our way to camp, and got to hang out by the sound before cooking some of our favorite burrito bowls! Afterwards, we sat down on the rocky beach for Moonup, watched the sunset, and got a pretty sweet gift of seeing a number of Humpback whales popping out of the water throughout the whole night! It truly reminded us how special it is to be where we are, and it was cool to see such a deep appreciation for it from the group. We fell asleep to the sound of the whales and the views of stars excited for what was to come tomorrow!
Day 12 began bright and early as Kate and Lanier braved a 4 AM wake up to watch the sunrise, and wow was it worth it. Views of sea lions and bald eagles as the sun rose over the far mountains was an absolutely stunning way to start what was to be a great day. The rest of the group got up quickly after and we made our way to the marina to meet our fishing guides. We divided up and hopped into our boats, and the fish were biting fast! We caught Chinook and Coho salmon and got to keep both. Bubba reeled in a great sized Coho for dinner, and Evelyn caught a massive 84cm King Salmon – our biggest one yet! As we boated around the river, we got views of another Humpback whale from closer up as it put on a show for us popping in and out of the water. As the day drew on and got hotter, Henry and Rodes got the go ahead to jump in and swim a little bit to cool off! We finished up our day of fishing and headed back to the port where we hopped on the ferry. A hot day called for some ice cream, so we made a Dairy Queen stop for a treat before our long drive back. When we made it to camp, we cooked up our fish from the day and made a delicious last group cooked dinner. Annabelle, Smith, and Lila helped cook. We then headed to bed, excited to be back in our home country in less than a day.
On day 13, we quickly packed up and hit the road for a long day of travel. Before leaving the island for the last time, we stopped to try a Canadian staple. We got donuts, and they were a great start to the day. A few hours later, we were crossing back into Washington and admiring Mount Baker, as the sun hit it perfectly while we drove by. We had a great banquet dinner full of laughs and reminiscing on our last couple of weeks together. Our final Moonup brought the same, accompanied by a few tears, as we faced the reality that we had to say goodbye so soon.
We can’t express how grateful we are for the time we got with this group. They were a joy to have around, and their appreciation for this trip was so encouraging to see. We couldn’t have asked for a better two weeks, and we will forever be looking back on it fondly. We’d love to stick around, but unfortunately, we gotta go! Thank y’all for this group and this summer, it was nothing short of amazing!
All the best from BCO B!
Sofie, Huck, and Will
Shout Outs!
July 21, 2026
Henry – hi guys thank you for sending me here it is awesome! My group is so much fun. It’s so cool here and I can’t wait to see you guys love yall.
Annabelle- hey mom and dad im so grateful you gave me the opportunity to come here and thank you guys so much i miss you so so so much and im so happy i get to come home really soon i miss you guys and i love you guys so much thank you.
Lila- hey guys, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity of going to moondance. I love and miss you guys so much. I can’t wait to come home and see you soon. Thank you.
Ben- hey guys. Thank yall so much for giving me the opportunity to go on this Moondance. It is so much fun and I am very sad. I have to go home in a few days. Love yall and I am excited to see you guys soon.
Fite- What up KP, Banyan and Dad( and P) it is super fun here and perf temp. Thank y’all so much for giving me the opportunity to embark on this adventure. Love you so much. Can’t wait to see y’all in just a few days.
Bubba- hey mom and dad ,i miss yall alot but i have had a great time , i just wanted to say thank you for giving me this opportunity to meet people and do fun activities,there has been a bunch mtbs dad, miss yall so much cant wait to see yall
Rodes- thank you so much for sending me on this moondance it has been a very great experience and i have done lots of cool things so far the rock climbing has been so fun it was cool to take photos from the top of mountains this has been one of the greatest experiences of my life thank you so much mom dad mimi papa excited to see yall soon🇨🇦
Evelyn- thank you for sending me here its so so pretty im having lots of fun im super grateful to be here!🫰🫰
Olive- mom-dad-kk-hazel: love yall do much and miss yall cant wait to see yall and thank you so much for this opportunity! I’m having so much fun here! millie- i cant wait to see u and talk to u. miss u so much and ill call u right when i get my phone love u sm
Lanier- Thank you so much for sending me on Moondance. I am so thankful for this opportunity. I’m having so much fun!! LOVE Y’ALL SO MUCH !!
Kate- Hey mom,dad,mathes and hunter! I miss yall so much! thank you so much for sending me! I’m having SOOO much fun! This is such an amazing opportunity. Thank you so much for sending me here! Love you so much!! See you soon!!
Smith – Hey mom and dad. I miss yall but thank yall so much for letting me do this. I am having a great time and will never forget this trip. I love yall and will see yall soon. Happy birthday dad.
Surfing in the Sun!
July 21, 2026
Checking in from British Columbia! We’ve had such an incredible past few days here and we’re beyond excited to get to tell y’all about it all!
Day 5 was a great one as the group had their town day! After a beautiful drive across Vancouver Island, the kids were excited to finally be in Tofino. After setting up camp for the next few days, the kiddos hit the town, getting souvenirs and stopping at every ice cream shop along the way… Once the group finished their exploring and shopping, we went over to the always delicious Tacofino, for a well deserved dinner in the park. Once everyone had finished up, we headed back to camp, had an awesome Moon-up, and watched a beautiful sunset over the Pacific. It was an early night to bed, as we dreamed of chasing mavericks tomorrow.
On day 6 we woke up eager to surf and paddleboard! The weather was less than ideal, but a little cold rain never stopped anyone!! We paddleboarded first, and Kate and Lanier were quick to show off their balance and expertise on the board. We also stopped to eat kelp, and Fite was eating it like it was candy! Rodes collected crabs from the kelp leafs, and found a massive one, bigger than any the guides had ever seen out there before. Next we went surfing. Immediately, Annabelle and Evelyn showed off their vet surfing skills, shredding the gnar! Eventually the rest of the group caught on, especially Olive and Lila, they looked like experts. After surfing, the group went and got Ice Cream!!! Despite the cold, ice cream is always a big hit. We returned to camp and cooked the always delicious teriyaki chicken stirfry, and hit the hay early after an exhausting day in the waves.
Waking up on day 7, the crew was ready to go! Morale was super high, how could it not be when surfing?? We hit the beach and immediately began shredding! Henry and Smith showed off their new and improved skills, riding waves all the way into the shore, while Bubba and Ben tried their luck at the bigger waves and breakers. Once the group warmed up from the surf, we ate a hardy lunch, and set off for the beach to paddle board. When doing so, we found cool wildlife like starfish and more kelp! After a long day on the water, the group was exhausted, so we enjoyed some hot chocolate and made our fan favorite… Pita Pizza. As our time in Tofino comes to an end, we are sad, but also so excited for the next chapter in our trip… rock climbing!
Although on day 8 we said a bittersweet goodbye to Tofino this morning, we couldn’t wait to get to our next spot for a couple days of rock climbing and repelling. As we drove across Vancouver Island and through the mountains, Lanier and Evelyn tried to teach us all the dance they made up to “Treasure” by Bruno Mars, keeping the spirits high on our long drive. When we got to camp, we finally got to enjoy the sun by the lake after a few days of rain. We made some delicious chicken quesadillas for dinner before heading down to the beach for Moonup, ending the night eagerly awaiting our rock climbing adventures for tomorrow.
Day 9 brought our first day at the rock faces! The group excitedly hiked up to the crag, ready to scale the natural rocks of Cumberland. Annabelle and Rodes quickly showed their skills, being some of the first to climb every route! We also got to practice a smaller repel, which Lila and Smith did with ease, in preparation for the more impressive one tomorrow. Another sunny day called for an evening at the beach after a long day at the rock walls. Bubba and Kate led a game of ultimate football (ultimate frisbee, but with a football) that segued perfectly into some burgers for dinner. The sun set as we did Moonup and it was the most incredible way to end the day.
Waking up on day 10, the group was super excited to get back on the ropes, this time belaying themselves down a huge rock face. After a peaceful walk through the woods to get to our spot, the crew split off into a rock climbing group and repelling group, and then switched spots after lunch. Fite and Olive showed their courage first on the repel, but the whole group thoroughly enjoyed the ride down. Eventually, everyone was so comfortable with the activity that we timed ourselves, racing down. Although Ben put up a good fight, Henry claims to have won the race, but we all had a good time anyway. We again got to spend the afternoon on the beach with most of the crew enjoying the refreshing water on a hot day. Our Moonup brought another spectacular sunset, which was the perfect way to say goodbye to our campsite for the last few nights.
We can’t believe how fast time is flying here. This group keeps us laughing and always entertained. From the games they make up to the conversations we have, there is never a dull moment and we wouldn’t have it any other way. As sad as it is that the time is going fast, we know that the best is yet to come in these last few days. Talk to y’all soon!!
All the best from BCO B!
Will, Huck, and Sofie
Oh, Canadaaa!
July 15, 2026
Only a few days into this trip, and we can’t believe how much fun we’re having already! The past 4 days have been filled with a lot of laughter and energy from this group, and we can’t wait to see all the more to come as we travel from the mainland of Canada to Vancouver Island!
Airport day brought a lot of excitement as we all had much anticipation for this trip. After everyone arrived, we headed out to get some pizza and found a spot near the water to hang out before heading to our campsite for the night. After a long drive to one of the northernmost points of Washington, we did our first Moonup, which already brought a lot of laughs and good conversation. Going to bed under the stars, we spent our last night in the States for the next couple of weeks!
Waking up on day 2, we were all excited knowing that today was the day we would cross into Canada for the first time together! After a van ride through the border and on the Sea to Sky highway, we made it to the Canadian Outback for an awesome couple of days of rafting. As we got on the cold water on a sunny day, Smith and Olive headed each raft and led the crew in paddling down the rapids, which were perfect for cooling off on a hot day. One of the rapids was small enough to swim down, so Austin and Lanier jumped out, held onto the raft, and floated down the river alongside it! On the other raft, Henry and Ben rode the bull without falling off – an impressive feat for the big waves we were riding down! When we settled down at camp on our little river island, the group quickly got into a rock skipping contest, and Annabelle absolutely crushed the competition. As the sun was setting, we all made our way to the back side of our island to watch the sky turn orange and pink over the mountains – it was an absolutely perfect end to our first day in Canada!
Day 3 brought even more excitement as we calmly floated down the river and got to enjoy the scenery in Squamish. The float brought views of waterfalls and wildlife, which the group found a lot of appreciation for. Rodes showed his courage as he moved to the front of the raft and braved the cold water as we paddled under a waterfall. As our time on the river ended, we packed up all of our rafting gear and headed to camp for the night. Our chill afternoon made way for some adventure to another nearby waterfall, where the group found a pretty awesome swimming hole to explore and cool off in. Evelyn and Lila were quick to jump from a log that had fallen just over the creek. After we all got back to camp, we cooked burrito bowls for dinner, which are definitely a group favorite. We ended a spectacular day doing Moonup and hanging out at a park right by the water, watching the sun set over the mountains in Squamish one last time.
On our 4th day together and last one on the mainland, the group completed the challenging but very rewarding Chief hike, making it to the 2nd peak! Kate proudly stayed as the caboose for the group and found a lot of fun in it, as all the girls found being at the back of the crew to be a highlight of the hike. At the top, we all enjoyed some well-deserved sandwiches with an incredible view of the mountains and water – it truly is hard to beat! On the way down, Fite found another swimming hole and made the spontaneous decision to jump in, and wow, was it awesome. The tiring afternoon boded well for a long ferry ride to Vancouver Island, where we can’t wait to continue on for the rest of our time together!
The past few days have been an absolute dream, and we can’t wait to see all the more there is to come! This group has already shown their love, humor, and willingness to do it all, and we don’t think any of that will change as we head to Tofino for some surfing and Cumberland for rock climbing. We are excited to tell y’all all about it, but until then, we’ll be tearing up the waves and scaling rock walls!
All the best from BCO 3B!
Sofie, Will, and Huck
Fite – Hey mom and dad (and Palmer) BC is so fun and pretty. We have done some really cool things. If I was you I’d be pretty jealous. I have met some really cool people. I can’t wait to see y’all but I am having so much fun and we need to do a family up here. Got to go to catch a ferry and tell B I love him. Love youuuuu
Evelyn – hey mom and dad BC is so pretty and fun miss y’all!!!
Rodes – hey mom dad Meyer and Ozzie I’m having the. Best time in BC and have met so many nice friends and have seen some cool stuff. I love you so much
Annabelle – Hey mom and dad I’m having so much fun! I miss you so much and I can’t wait to see you guys. I love you guys.
Kate – Hey mom and dad and Mathes and hunter! I’m having a great time! I miss y’all sooooo much! I have such a great group,they are all so nice! Can’t wait to see y’all, love youuu!
Austin – hey guys I hope Raleigh is great and especially the weather ,the weather here has been great, and all my equipment is great , I’ve seen a lot of bikes and cool spots for trails , the guys in my group are really cool too . Can’t wait to see y’all
Henry – hi guys I am having so much fun it’s awesome. I have a great group. How are things at home? Everyone is so nice. We just got done with a hike that was really steep uphill and was three miles. Love y’all so much!
Lila – hey guys I am having a great time! We have done so many fun things and I can’t wait to see you guys. I miss you so much and love you so much!!
Lanier – hey fam!! I’m having so much fun. I miss y’all and love y’all so much
Olive – mom and dad and kk- love you guys so much and I miss y’all so so much! I’m having so much fun and can’t wait to come home and see y’all! Millie- I’m having so much fun but I miss u literally so much and I can’t wait to see u love u sm!
Smith – Hey mom and dad I am having a great time everything is so fun I love y’all so much, miss y’all.
Ben – hey guys! I am having so much fun here. Everyone is so nice and it’s fun to hang out with them. I’m so excited for what we are doing next and I miss you all a lot.
Safe Arrival!
July 12, 2026
Hello British Columbia families!
We just heard from our leaders that the group has landed safely in Seattle, and they are now getting ready to head to Canada!
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
