An Amazing Ending to Belize!
June 17, 2026
Hey Moondance Families!
Back with another trip update!
Day 10:
We awoke bright and early, excited for a day packed with adventure. After a van ride fueled by some of our favorite hype-up songs, we arrived at the trailhead and immediately set off into the jungle. Deaglan and Steele quickly established themselves as the pace-setters, powering up the trail and inspiring the rest of us to keep up. The jungle did not disappoint. Along the hike, we spotted a crocodile lounging beside a creek (naturally, we named him Alex) and even encountered a tarantula. Will may have let out a small squeal when the tarantula leapt off our guide and back into its nest, but in his defense, most of us weren’t feeling particularly brave in that moment either. We also sampled a nest of termites—an experience that somehow became a group favorite. Surprisingly, they tasted like mint, and Andrew may or may not have gone back for seconds. At the top of the hike, we were rewarded with a beautiful plunge pool tucked into the jungle. Andrew and Will wasted no time launching themselves off a nearby rock, while Tyler and Mamie claimed a prime spot beneath the waterfall. Some of the group explored lower pools while others hiked to an additional viewpoint, soaking in the incredible scenery. As if the morning wasn’t exciting enough, the real adrenaline rush came next: a 250-foot waterfall rappel. Will and Andrew eagerly volunteered to go first, while Emily and Mamie pushed through their nerves and conquered their fear of heights. Campbell and Steele spent most of their descent laughing their way down the waterfall, proving that rappelling can apparently be both thrilling and hilarious. After lunch, we headed off for another challenge: Belize’s longest zipline course. Flying high above the jungle canopy, we zipped from platform to platform, taking in views that stretched for miles. The only question was who made more noise along the way—Thomas or Rhett. By the time we returned to camp, we were exhausted, exhilarated, and beginning to realize our time there was coming to an end. After packing up the hostel, we headed out for a surprise evening of mini golf and dinner. Dalton put on an absolute clinic, sinking multiple hole-in-ones, while Tyler somehow turned a mini-golf course into an opportunity to show off his lightsaber skills. And because this group has become somewhat predictable, the night ended with another stop at Tutti Frutti. (To be fair, they sold it at the mini-golf course. We didn’t really have a choice.) Back at the hostel, Steele led another thoughtful Moonup, asking the group what job they would choose if money didn’t matter and what part of themselves they would like to regain. The evening ended around the pool, with everyone soaking up their final night here together.
Day 11:
This morning we awoke feeling bittersweet about having to leave our beloved hostel, but also excited for what was to come! We set off for a hike. Although we didn’t spot any jaguars, we thoroughly enjoyed the hike (with only minimal grumbling from the kids)! We hiked to a small waterfall before heading down for lunch. Will, Tyler, Andrew, and Deaglan led the way, while Mamie, Campbell, and Steele spent much of the hike brainstorming what the most ideal day of all time would look like. We enjoyed another great lunch (featuring some particularly delicious potato salad) before hopping back in the van for the drive to our next destination! Once there, we explored our new hostel before walking into town for dinner. Our dinner spot was wonderful, overlooking the rolling hills of San Ignacio. Tyler spent much of dinner encouraging the group to ask some big questions, while Rhett attempted to teach one end of the table Pig Latin. I’m not sure any of us truly caught on, but Francie and Emily definitely gave it their best shot! After dinner, we gathered for Moonup in a new location, with our LODs, Francie and Deaglan, leading the discussion. Their first question was: If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Answers ranged from Francie’s Europe, to Andrew’s Bikini Bottom, to Mamie’s choice of “inside the human body.” Needless to say, it was a very giggly Moonup- so much so that Dalton and Will had to ask to skip their turns and come back later once they stopped laughing! The LODs then asked a deeper question: What is one moment that changed your life? More than one person responded with Moondance, and I think we can all agree with that answer. As we tuck into our new hostel tonight (with the AC thankfully on full blast), we are feeling grateful for another day of adventure and another night with such a wonderful group.
Day 12:
Today we woke up bright and early! The kids were less than thrilled about being pulled away from their new air-conditioned beds, but we quickly loaded into the van and jammed out on the way to cave tubing. Francie and Will had some awesome song suggestions, while Campbell and Rhett helped keep the bus entertained. When we arrived, our guide immediately began cracking jokes and got us right down to business. We suited up with helmets and life jackets (shoutout to Mamie’s baby-sized helmet!) before beginning a short hike through the rainforest. Along the way, we crossed the longest bridge in Belize.We finally made it to the water and strapped our tubes together. Inside the cave system, we experienced true darkness (and also learned a little more than we ever needed to know about acidic bat poop). We floated through the aquatic caves, running our hands through the mineral-rich condensation coating the ceiling of the cave. We did not spot the feared cave monster, but Rhett may or may not have jumped off his tube into Campbell’s out of fear. We then switched gears and explored parts of the cave system on foot, finding ancient rock formations and even drawing our names in the condensation on the cave ceiling. The adventure definitely wore us out because every single camper fell asleep on the bus ride back. Once everyone woke up, Tyler and Andrew quickly got the energy back up, hyping up the bus and getting us ready for the rest of the day. After some chill snack time back at the hostel, we headed straight to the basketball court across the street. We played rotating rounds of 4-on-4, with Tyler and Will leading the way in scoring. Francie, Emily, and Rhett provided some excellent sideline entertainment with their cheering, and Emily even showed off some moves! We then hopped on the Yellow Belly Bus and headed to dinner. Dinner was a hit, and the group spent much of the meal reflecting on some of the funniest moments from the trip, first impressions, favorite memories, and all the good still to come. It has been so cool to see how grateful everyone is for the chance to unplug and be present with one another. After dinner, we piled back into the van with party lights flashing and Tyler’s aux blasting all of our favorite songs. (Fun fact: we tried four different ice cream shops before finally finding one that was open!) The energy stayed high all evening. Andrew and Deaglan made a beeline for the pool table, while a larger group continued playing rounds of our favorite Calabria dance battle. (Parents, you should definitely ask them to teach it to you when they get home.) We then headed back across the street for Moonup on the basketball court. Our LODs, Dalton and Andrew, led a reflective conversation, asking everyone about their ideal gas station order (drink, snack, and candy included) as well as one thing they’ve learned during their time at Moondance. One theme that continued to come up was gratitude. Your attitude shapes your experience, and this group has truly embraced an attitude of gratitude. We are grateful for it all!
Day 13:
How is it already our last full day with this group? After breakfast, we headed to one of Belize’s most impressive Mayan archaeological sites. Following a short ferry ride across the river, we began the climb to the top of the ancient city. Shoutout Steele for bringing the energy all morning and keeping everyone excited for the adventure ahead. The ruins sparked plenty of questions along the way. Anderson asking, Did they preform sacrifices? William asking, What gods did they believe is? Dalton and Thomas wondering, Is the quad one of the best places to play hacky sack? Tyler and Thomas also wondering, Could you catch a football if it was thrown off the top? As it turns out, only some of these questions were answered. As we explored, we learned about the incredible detail and symmetry of the city and how it was aligned not only with the cardinal directions but also with the equinoxes. After what felt like a lot of stairs, we reached the top of the tallest ruin, the second-tallest structure in all of Belize. From the summit, we could see for miles, including all the way into Guatemala. Before heading down, Anderson took one final moment to consider whether the ruins would make a worthy addition to Fortnite. After another delicious lunch (and yes, dessert may have made an appearance before the main course), we spent the afternoon exploring the markets of San Ignacio. Tyler and Dalton took on a self-appointed fruit-tasting challenge, purchasing ten different fruits to sample and rank back at the hostel. After much debate, Tyler crowned soursop the favorite while Dalton gave the top spot to the Malay apple. Back at the hostel, it was time to prepare for banquet night! The boys and girls swapped outfits and fully committed to the experience, creating some unforgettable looks and even better photo opportunities. Following a photoshoot, we piled into the legendary Bubblemobile, where Tyler and Campbell took over the aux and got everyone hyped for our final dinner together. A special shoutout goes to our incredible hostel host and driver, for taking such great care of us during our time in San Ignacio. Dinner was filled with laughter, stories, and reflections from the past two weeks between World Cup conversations, Mamie and Will’s scary stories, and an intense game of Birdie on a Perch. Of course, no final night would have been complete without one last stop for ice cream. We’ll let the parents do the math on exactly how much ice cream this group consumed over the course of the trip. Back at the hostel, everyone soaked up the final evening together before gathering for our last Moonup. Led by Tyler and Emily, the conversation centered around one theme that seemed to define the entire trip: gratitude. Gratitude for this experience. Gratitude for this place. Gratitude for the friendships that have formed over the last two weeks. As we sat together under the Belizean sky reflecting on the journey, it was hard not to feel thankful. We truly cannot imagine Belize without this group, and we are soaking up every last moment we have together.
Day 14:
On our final morning, we piled into the van one last time. The first half of the drive to the airport was quiet as everyone caught up on some much-needed sleep, but before long, the music the aux was making its final rounds and the last singalongs of the trip were underway. Then, somehow, we were at the airport. It’s hard to believe that just two weeks ago this group arrived in Belize as strangers. Since then, we’ve explored caves, hiked through jungles, rappelled waterfalls, earned scuba certifications, eaten far too much ice cream, and shared countless laughs together. More importantly, we’ve watched this group become a family. Belize 1A, thank you. Thank you for embracing every adventure, supporting one another, and making our first Moondance summer more special than we ever could have imagined. We are so proud of the people you’ve been throughout this trip and so grateful for the memories we’ve made together. We truly cannot imagine Belize without this group. Thank you for an unforgettable two weeks.
Love,
Tyler and Thomas
Been Doing Good in Belize!
June 13, 2026
Hey Moondance Families!
Day 6
Today we woke up with excitement in the air- Catamaran Day! After sunscreening and hydrating the kids, we set sail. With music blasting, the kids lined the front trampoline of the boat and relaxed during our ride to the island. Upon arriving, Will and Tyler led the group in cannonballing off the boat, with everyone following them into the crystal-clear water. Following some games between Steele and Andrew vs. Will and Anderson (over a box of Lucky Charms, of all things), we started a group game of Star, where Anderson, as always, created plenty of laughter for the group. After starting it up, the girls swam back to the boat to hang out before lunch, with Emily and Francie leading story time while the boys continued swimming around. After the best lunch of the trip thus far- featuring pork chops, shrimp skewers, and ceviche- the group set out to explore the island. We found more coconuts, with Deaglan and Dalton probably loving them the most! We then spent the early afternoon hanging out in the water, playing Mafia, Signs, and our new favorite dance battle, Calabria. Who knew Will and Campbell were such enthusiastic dancers? Tyler, we forgive you for your lack of rhythm- you made up for it with good vibes! While we were sad to say goodbye to the island, we were excited for our awesome boat ride back, featuring more games of Calabria. Tyler (the leader) also led Dalton, Will, and Tyler (the camper) through an ab workout at the front of the boat!After boating back, we shopped along the streets. Rhett, Francie, Emily, and Dalton led us into our new favorite chocolate store, while Campbell, Andrew, Mamie, and Deaglan picked up t-shirts from the restaurant we visited a few nights before.We then enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Rick’s Café, with plenty of choices for everyone. Mamie and Campbell brought the energy, as usual, while Anderson and Deaglan had the table asking some pretty deep questions. It’s only Day 6, and we’re already tackling the existential questions over here! Francie and Deaglan then led us through a thoughtful Moonup where we shared our ideal superpowers and something within ourselves we hope to improve over the next year. We continue to be impressed by the emotional and intellectual maturity of this group. We can’t believe we’re almost halfway through the trip. We love these kids so much and are having the best time!
Day 7
Early morning for BLZ A today (though the kids wouldn’t have known it)! As we shook the sleep from our eyes, we set off for our first destination of the day: horseback riding! On the way there, we made a special stop to receive a gift of our favorite mangos from our wonderful outfitter, while Andrew and Anderson set the tone for the day with some pump-up tunes. Once there, we saddled up and met our horses! Our guide was a bit of a horse whisperer and did a great job choosing horses that perfectly matched each rider’s personality. Dalton’s horse, Lollipop, was almost as sweet as she is, while Mamie’s horse was every bit as good a leader as she is. Along the ride, we learned and experienced many things. Our new favorite plants are the sensitive mimosa leaves, and Andrew showed off an impressive ability to identify lime leaves. On the trot back, Campbell kept the group laughing while Rhett and Steele’s horses proved to be inseparable. After horseback riding, we headed to a quick lunch filled with games of Wavelength, shadowboxing over milkshakes, and some of our favorite Belizean food. After stocking up on snacks at a nearby gas station, we headed to our next activity: river tubing! With Will and Tyler leading the way, we floated down the river. Thomas queued up the country music while Tyler tossed mangos to the kids. Rhett was a star tuber, figuring out a strategy that worked swimmingly well, and before long, the whole group was doing it. After river tubing, we jammed out in the van before a bit of downtime. Thomas and Tyler then led another group dance session featuring Calabria and “I Love London,” with Dalton, Campbell, Mamie, Will, and Tyler showing off their most intense dance moves. The group then played hacky sack and hung out for the rest of the afternoon while Tyler picked up some famous Momolicious street food for everyone for dinner. Following dinner, Emily and Rhett, our LODs for the day, led us in a Moonup featuring our weirdest food combinations and the words we wish we could tell our younger selves. They ended with a group game of Hangman, with the word being “S’MORES.” Thomas lit up a fire while Tyler got the s’mores ingredients ready. Impressively, much of this group prefers their s’mores charred! We can’t believe the trip is already at its halfway point- we are savoring every moment with this awesome group.
Day 8
Another early morning for us here! After a quick breakfast and learning about a change of plans due to the weather (rain never hurt anybody!), this group enjoyed our first truly relaxed morning of the trip.Thomas stayed back with a group chatting, making friendship bracelets, and talking about everything under the sun, while Tyler went on a run with Mamie, Will, and Dalton in the rain. After the run, Will and Andrew joined for a bodyweight workout on the dock while Dalton ran some sprints nearby- go girl! After the workout, Deaglan joined some of the guys to toss around a ball while Campbell and Mamie spearheaded a group reading session in the hammocks. Francie, Emily, and Steele continued making bracelets! After a fun and relaxing morning, the group walked to a nearby café for lunch. Once back at the hostel, the group split up to play our new favorite card game with Tyler, while others played hacky sack with Thomas or swam in the pool. We then “cooked” a late dinner of walking tacos. Mamie and Campbell are professional choppers at this point and are always helping out in the kitchen! After dinner and showers (plus an Anderson dance performance), we sat down for Moonup. Our LODs, Anderson and Campbell, opened with the truly hard-hitting questions: What would be the worst object in the world to be? A Horcrux, trash can, rock, doormat, or toilet seat? Y’all tell us! We even closed Moonup with everyone adding their favorite ingredient to a massive sandwich. I’m not quite sure how to feel about horseradish and edible glitter ending up in the same bite, but in the spirit of a day centered around food, I’m sure someone would have been willing to try it!
Day 9
This morning we had a little bit of a later start. Some people slept in while Rhett played in the pool and Dalton relaxed in the hammocks.We walked to a nearby café for breakfast, and the breakfast burgers were a hit! We then spent the morning experiencing the Garifuna culture of Belize. After changing into traditional Garifuna attire, we geared up to dance and sing! We had the best time playing drums and shaking maracas while creating punta, a fast-paced and energetic music and dance style. After getting the beat down (huge shoutout to Tyler and Mamie for the excitement and energy they brought), we got to dancing. We lined up in pairs and learned the punta, shuffling our feet and moving our hips. Will once again brought the energy, hyping everyone up by starting an epic dance circle and pulling the whole group in. Filled with the fun of the morning—and soaked in sweat—we said goodbye to our new friends and headed out for a tour of the community where we would be working later that day. After lunch and fueling up on Gatorades, we headed to our service project for the afternoon: painting a house! We are so proud of the energy and enthusiasm everyone brought to this project. Whether they were painting doors, trim, or walls, they approached the work with positive attitudes and plenty of fun. Shoutout to Tyler and Campbell for letting Mamie and Steele hop on y’all’s shoulders to reach the higher spots! Around the back of the house, Francie and Emily worked hard alongside some neighboring kids. Dalton and Anderson both said they couldn’t tell whether they were babysitting or painting—but either way, everyone left with smiles on their faces. Naturally, after, we had to make a stop at a candy shop! (I can’t say that any of us stopped at one serving.) After showering off and cleaning up, we headed back into town for dinner, where we got to wear our red, white, and blue and cheer on Team USA. It was such a fun night! Once we got home, Mamie and Will, our LODs for the day, led us through a thoughtful Moonup. We learned which fictional character everyone would choose to be for a day, along with something challenging they’ve walked through and what they learned from it.We’re now gearing up for an early morning tomorrow, heading to bed with happy hearts and full bellies.
Shoutouts and Thank Yous!
Francie:
Belize has been so much fun and it’s so so gorgeous! I am having the best time! I miss yall and love yall so much and can’t wait to see yall but never wanna leave! Tell milla and pierce I say hi! Love you!! Thanks again for sening me here!!!!!
Emily:
Belize is so pretty and so much fun! No spaghetti pie here! I have made so many friends and I’m not ready for it to end, but I can’t wait to see y’all. Thank you for this opportunity!! Tell Kylie and Carson I said hi! I love y’all so much
Deaglan:
Hi Mom and Dad Belize is amazing.I am having so much fun. I appreciate you all so much. We have gone scuba diving,t ubing and done service for the society. Love you both so much.
Anderson:
Hi Mom and Dad I am loving this trip it is so fun we got to see sharks and pet them and I miss you. THANKS!!
Dalton:
Hii!! Belize is so pretty and cool! SO thankful for this trip! We have done so many awesome things! I can’t wait to see you guys I miss y’all so much and love you!
Andrew
Hello I saw sharks and stuff and got to pet them it was siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick and been eating really good lowkey the grub is great anyways it’s pretty sweet🥍 Thanks for sending me!!
Mamie:
Hi Mom Dad Lucy and Francie!! I miss yall!! Belize is SOOOO much fun!! It’s so so pretty here. Scuba diving is so crazy cool I got to pet a shark it was super friendly and I want to do it again, everything is so awesome and I love my group and leaders!! I love y’all and can’t wait to tell yall everything!! see yall soon!!! Thanks again Mom and Dad!!
Tyler:
Thanks Mom and Dad! I met a lotta buddies here. I miss Will. But yea this is really fun and I’ll give the breakdown at home. Cya🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Will:
Hi Mom, Dad, Sophia and Callie! I am having so much fun in Belize. We have done many fun activities that I will tell u about later. Anyways, I hope y’all are having fun and I am excited to see y’all later!
Campbell:
Hey Mom and Dad! Steele and I are having so so much fun and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. This is loads better than Iceland. I’m getting tan and I’m wearing sunscreen and this is so much fun I’m so grateful that yall sent me on this trip. This sounds like ai but I’m actually writing this. Everyone is normal and awesome and I’ve made new friends. I miss you guys and tell jack I miss him and HBD. Love y’all!!
Steele:
Hey guys! I’m having so much fun. It’s really hot here so def different from Iceland. Our group is really good and we have a bunch of funny inside jokes so. There are a lot of dogs here and they are all really cute and friendly. Tell Lillian I say hi and miss her. You all are the best!!
Rhett: Hey Mama,
Belize has been really fun and scuba diving was amazing and all the nurse sharks were so sweet and you could pet them. The islands we went to were so pretty and I ran into Logan’s group a couple times she said that she’s having a good time. The catamaran was amazing and I got really tan. The chocolate tour was really fun but it was way too bitter. The horseback was so fun and they matched the every one to there horse so I had the runt all the horses and she was really sweet. I hope your having a good time in Chs and Stirl is enjoying Maui.
Love you, Thanks for this trip!!!
Update from Belize!
June 9, 2026
Coming at you hot from the 100% humidity and 100% good vibes of beautiful Belize! Since everyone touched down, this group of twelve has turned travel days and dive days into one long highlight reel, and they’re already feeling more like a family than a group of campers.
Day one kicked off as soon as we loaded into the vans for the three-hour drive to our first home base. With favorite songs blasting, riddles flying, and rounds of Two Truths and a Lie, the drive somehow flew by as everyone started to get to know each other. Mamie wasted no time setting the tone, leading sing-alongs from the back seat and keeping everyone’s energy sky high, while Will and Dalton got some hacky sack started and helped break the ice with funny stories.
We stopped for lunch at a local restaurant whose menu was basically a love letter to chicken—tenders, tamales, quesadillas, you name it—and the group happily leaned in. Several campers, including Deaglan and Andrew, were totally distracted by the enormous iguanas wandering nearby, which we quickly learned are pretty much the squirrels of Belize. Bellies full, we rolled up to the legendary Royal Rat Hostel, our home for the next few nights. The group loved hearing the story behind the “royal rat” being a celebrated Belizean delicacy, though no one has volunteered to try it…yet.
There was only one logical move after travel day: cannonballs into the pool. The afternoon disappeared in a blur of swimming, pool games, and conversations that bounced from hometowns to dream trips to what everyone was most excited to experience here. After a pizza dinner, we circled up for our first Moonup, which featured a hilariously unsuccessful whisper challenge and plenty of laughter. A few of the boys, including Tyler (who has fully embraced hammock life) and Anderson, claimed hammocks for the night and slept under the Belizean sky, officially putting day one in the books in style.
Day two began with full stomachs and even fuller excitement—it was finally time to get in the water. After breakfast, we headed out to Laughing Bird Caye National Park, a tiny, palm-fringed island in the Belize Barrier Reef that might be the coolest classroom any of us have ever seen. Tyler (the leader) spent the morning reviewing skills with our Advanced Divers Anderson, Andrew, Deaglan, and Rhett, while Thomas worked with the rest of the group on the fundamentals that would get them ready for their first open-water experience. Between the turquoise water, the island in the distance, and fish darting beneath us, practicing skills in the shallows didn’t feel like “work” at all.
After a well-earned lunch on the island, it was finally time for our first full dive. There were a few understandable nerves as tanks were tightened and masks adjusted, but those quickly gave way to wide-eyed excitement the moment everyone descended below the surface. Watching our first-time divers take those initial breaths underwater was incredibly rewarding; by the time we resurfaced, conversations were already flying about favorite reef fish and coral formations. Mamie and Will were at the center of the post-dive debrief, hyping up everyone’s sightings and helping turn the boat ride into a floating recap show.
Back on land, the adventure continued with a grocery run that felt equal parts mission and scavenger hunt. Armed with baskets and strong snack opinions, the group spread through the store; Dalton (Leader of the day) took charge and made sure we got all the essentials for dinner that night. The afternoon shifted into Belize pace back at the hostel—some campers cooled off in the pool, others lounged in the shade, and before long, chips, guac (Made by Mamie and Campbell), and music brought everyone together again. Rhett kept people laughing with stories from home and Will (Leader of the day) continued to impress with his hacky sack skills. We wrapped up the day with Moonup, reflecting on what it felt like to breathe underwater for the first time and sharing highlights as the sun set over Belize.
Another day, another incredible adventure with our friends at Splash. In the morning, our Open Water and Advanced groups split up again to tackle different dive objectives; Thomas headed out with the Open Water crew while Tyler and our HQ addition, Anna, joined the Advanced divers in search of Belize’s most exciting marine life. Before long, dive slates started filling up with sightings, and excitement grew with each resurfacing.
After the first dive, we returned to Laughing Bird Caye for lunch, which is hard to beat when you’re sitting steps from crystal-clear Caribbean water, swapping stories from the morning. In the afternoon, the groups finally got to dive together, and the reef absolutely delivered. Between all of us, we spotted a barracuda, a stingray, a nurse shark, and countless tropical fish, with Emily and Tyler especially obsessed with the brilliantly colored stoplight parrotfish—nicknamed the “rainbow fish” by this crew. Rhett and Andrew have quickly become two of our sharpest spotters underwater, helping others notice new species and making every dive feel like a treasure hunt.
After another epic day below the surface, we piled onto the boat for the ride back, where Francie (AUX/Music master), Campbell, and Steele immediately took control of the aux and turned the boat into a floating concert. Everyone sang along as the Belizean coastline came back into view. Back on land, we logged our dives and then headed to what might now be the group’s favorite place in Belize: Tutti Frutti. Opinions varied on the best flavor, but everyone agreed it was some of the best ice cream they’d ever had, and we’re pretty sure they’re going to have a hard time getting rid of us.
The fun didn’t stop there. Back at the hostel, the hammock village filled up quickly as campers relaxed after a long day in the water, and soon Anderson, Deaglan, Steele, and Campbell, Dalton, Tyler, Mamie, Andrew, and Will had the group rallied into an enthusiastic game of hacky sack. That evening, we headed to a beachside restaurant for dinner, where the kids scattered across the sand—running barefoot along the shoreline, attempting cartwheels, and soaking up an evening that somehow felt both calm and buzzing with energy at the same time. The night ended on a high note as Mamie and Campbell grabbed the microphone for a karaoke finale that had everyone cheering and laughing. Back at the dock, our Leaders of the Day, Mamie and Anderson, guided us through an awesome Moonup that included a lively conversation about dream dive destinations—from the Great Barrier Reef to even the waters of Pandora—proving that this crew is officially hooked on scuba.
We woke up on day 6/7 that held nonstop fun excited for another huge milestone: by the end of the day, our Open Water divers would officially be certified! While waiting for our boat at the dive shop, card games and hacky sack broke out again. Rhett and Francie led cards, bracelets, and convo, while some played games with the dive instructors. Soon we were off to White Hole, one of the most beautiful dive sites we’ve visited so far.
The diving was incredible. Both groups had chances to see nurse sharks cruising along the bottom, and on our deep dive, Rhett and Andrew spotted a reef shark gliding through the blue. We descended all the way to 80 feet, where, as Campbell perfectly described it, the ocean turned “Gatorade blue,” a phrase that the group has adopted and repeated ever since. Between dives, we enjoyed lunch on a stunning island that looked straight off a postcard. Emily, Francie, and Mamie seemed determined to spend every possible second in the water, while others happily went back for seconds (and maybe thirds) of chicken and potato salad.
The afternoon brought the moment everyone had been working toward: our Open Water divers completed their final requirements and officially earned their certifications. There were big smiles all around, and a real sense of pride as we cruised back, with Francie, Emily, Rhett, Will, and Tyler once again turning the boat ride into a singalong celebration. Back at the hostel, our Leaders of the Day, Steele and Tyler, joined Thomas on a grocery run before helping cook a homemade spaghetti dinner that hit the spot after a big day in the water. Steele and Andrew spearhead the dinner operation while everyone else was having a pool dance party, a laughter-filled Moonup where we shared dream concert lineups and big-picture hopes, and then one last surprise: a Tutti Frutti ice cream delivery from Steele and Tyler that rivaled the excitement of the new certifications.
Day five took our Belize adventure to a whole new level as we headed out for another big dive day—this time toward Southwater Caye and our final dives with Splash. After grabbing photos for PADI e-cards and loading up the boat, we settled in for the ride, passing the time with more card games, conversations, and plenty of music as the Caribbean water stretched out in every direction. By now, the boat routine is second nature: Francie, Steele, Andrew, and Campbell queuing up pump-up songs, and Mamie hyping everyone up for another day underwater.
The dives themselves were unreal. Our Advanced divers wrapped up their final objectives and officially earned their certifications, with Andrew absolutely shining as our unofficial “dive master,” nailing navigation and dive planning, and Rhett calmly pointing out sharks and making everyone feel at ease. Also shout out to Rhett for retrieving a piece of trash from floating away- LNT legend! At one point, we thought Tyler and Will were going to become a nurse shark because they were swimming with it the whole time! Between the two groups, we saw more nurse sharks, schools of tropical fish, and vibrant coral that reminded everyone why this reef is so special. Deaglan, our resident GoPro pro, was in his element capturing footage and making sure the memories made it onto film.
We spent our surface interval and lunch on a tiny island that might be one of the most beautiful places we’ve seen yet. Coconut chopping quickly became the island sport of choice; Mamie, Steele, and Anderson emerged as coconut-chopping pros, cracking them open like seasoned locals while the rest of the group cheered them on. Emily and Francie made the most of every spare minute in the water, while others relaxed on the beach, soaking in the scenery.
Eventually, it was time to say goodbye to our guides, which brought a few bittersweet moments as we thanked them for helping us grow from nervous first dives to confident, certified divers. The ride back to town featured one last round of boat sing-alongs and stories, with the whole crew savoring the end of an amazing stretch of diving. Back on land, we made a quick stop at our favorite….Tutti Frutti (of course)—where we even ran into another Moondance group (we presume its their favorite as well). Back at the hostel, Andrew and Anderson “cheffed” up burgers for dinner, while Emily, Will, Rhett, and Deaglan formed the clean-up crew and made post-dinner chores feel like just another group activity. We ended the night with Moonup under a sky full of stars—“ooh la la” was the general consensus—grateful, tired in the best way, and proud of everything this group has accomplished together. We can’t wait for all of the fun to come, but extra grateful for such a fun first few days!
Safe Arrival!
June 4, 2026
Hello Belize Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has landed safely in Belize City! 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
