Student Shoutouts!
June 8, 2026
Graham Lucas: Hi mom and dad I am having a lot of fun. I saw an eel and a stingray yesterday . I tried to sleep in a hammock outside but it was too windy so we went back inside.
Sophie Hatcher: Hi mom and dad!!! I am having so so so much fun exploring Belize. I am almost done with my scuba training and I am going on my first dive today! We have been on a remote island and we are staying here for 6 days. It is so pretty here AND THE FOOD HERE IS SO YUMMY AND GOOD (way better than last year) I saw eels and big stingrays and the water here is so clearrrr. I can’t wait to see y’all and I love you guys so much. Have fun in Turks!
Palmer Paine: Hi mom and dad!!! I am having the best time in Belize! We have explored Mayan temples, river tubed, cave tubed, rode horses and done so much more. Yesterday I started my scuba diving training and it was so cool. My first breath underwater was amazing and I can’t wait to go on my first dive today! We are staying on the prettiest island. I miss you so much and have so much fun in Spain! Tell Fite to give Banyan a kiss for me!!! Love you so much!!!
Luke Causey: Hi yall! Hope yall are doing well at Old Edwards Inn. I’m having lots of fun, and scuba diving is amazing. (next time I go to the beach with Tyler I might have to rent a set with him 😁) We have done a lot, lots of tubing, horse back, exploring temples, etc. The food is actually good, which is nice. Slept in my hammock because the rooms are so hot. (Dad you should get certified for scuba with me, and I’ll do planes, equal trade)
Maley: Hi mom and dad, im having so much fun and love it here. Love yall!!
Mary Cleveland Oxford: Hiiiii! I am having so much fun here. We are staying on this island that is so gorgeous! Today I am going to start my scuba dive training and go paddleboarding. Today the UV is going to be 14! The food is great, I haven’t had any fish. I love and miss y’all so much!!
Wiley Cox: Hey mom and dad I am having a ton of fun and I can’t wait to see y’all love y’all.
Tilley-Gray: Hi! I hope you guys are having fun at home. Belize is so cool and I have an amazing group. We are staying on a cool island and I am going to start scuba diving tomorrow. The water is so clear and there are a ton of conch shells. Love you!
Thomas Stanley: What’s up!!!! I hope yall are enjoying time with just y’all two. Belize is so sick and we are currently on an island and we have little huts directly on the water. Later today I’m starting my scuba license. I miss yall a lot including the dogs and especially Mister. Love yall.
Blaise Colhoun: Whats up mom and dad hope you guys are having fun wherever you are Belize is awesome we are currently on an island with little houses and im having a blast im going scuba diving tomorrow morning which should be sick. I forgot my sim card for my camera so i havent taken any photos but im sure you have seen them or something but peace love y’all and TJ and Biggs and Jessica and Brady and Dylan.
Harry Rows: Hey Mom and Dad I hope it’s good at home. We were at a hotel in belize and now were on an island with super cool cabanas to go scuba diving and stuff. Its so much fun thanks for thinking about me. I hope Jack is doing good in football workouts, this place is so amazing, love you so much bye. Also we’ve taken so many cool pictures.
Davis DesCognets: Hey Mom Dad and G! I hope you guys are having so much fun in Spain. Right now we are on this cool island in these little cabanas. You guys would absolutely love it here, and it would honestly be a great spot for SB27. I hope that Ellie is enjoying her trip as much as I am mine because this place is amazing, and I love it even more than last year. Thank you for sending me here and I love yall so much! Also we have taken a ton of pictures for you Mom!
Hayes Amick: Hey mom and dad I hope everything is good at home and I’m so excited for Spain. Right now in Belize we are on this really cool little island with a bunch of cabanas and we set up our hammocks. I’ve made so many friends and have become really close with everyone here. I’m having the best time of my life and I miss y’all so much and can’t wait to see yall. Love yall so much. We’ve also taken many cool pictures so I’ll show you everything.
Greetings from Sunny Belize!
June 8, 2026
Hello Family and Friends!
These past few days in Belize have been filled with adventure, laughter, and so many unforgettable moments! This group continues to amaze us with their positivity, willingness to try new things, and the kindness they have shown one another. From exploring ancient Mayan ruins to cave tubing through underground caves and beginning SCUBA adventures on Tobacco Caye, every day has brought something exciting and new.
On Day 2, we started the morning with breakfast and our morning huddle at Midas Resort before heading to the incredible Xunantunich Mayan Ruins. Graham especially stood out during the tour with the thoughtful questions he asked our guide. His confidence, curiosity, and leadership qualities have been so evident already on this trip. Tilley-Gray also stepped up as one of our Leaders of the Day and has truly been such a steady and joyful presence in this group. Her kindness and contagious laugh constantly keep everyone smiling. After exploring the ruins, we enjoyed a delicious local lunch before heading out for a relaxing afternoon tubing down the Mopan River. Hayes fully embraced his role as LOD, keeping everyone laughing the entire afternoon. Wiley’s jokes and laid-back personality also kept the group’s energy high despite the Belize heat! We wrapped up the evening with dinner and a sweet Moonup back at Midas.
Day 3 brought even more adventure! After breakfast, we headed out for horseback riding through the beautiful Belizean countryside. Thomas immediately stood out with his leadership and confidence while riding. When given the chance to trot through the barrel racing arena, he confidently took the lead and encouraged everyone else to follow behind him. Harry also fully embraced the adventure during our hike up to cave tubing! His adventurous spirit keeps this group excited and willing to step outside their comfort zones. Once we geared up for cave tubing, the group spent the afternoon floating through stunning caves and crystal clear water while learning about Belize’s natural environment from our incredible guides.
Blaise continues to be one of the kindest and most encouraging members of the group. He constantly makes sure everyone feels included and valued, and his howler monkey call has quickly become a group favorite. Mary Cleveland, who has now been lovingly nicknamed “MC,” has also been such a fun part of the group, making a true effort to get to know everyone around her. It has been so sweet watching these friendships form so quickly.
Day 4 was our transfer day to beautiful Tobacco Caye! After traveling from San Ignacio to the coast and boarding a boat to the island, the group was beyond excited to settle into island life. We spent the afternoon preparing for our SCUBA adventures while also getting to snorkel, paddleboard, kayak, and explore the island. Sophie’s positive attitude and fearless energy were on full display as she became one of the first to confidently jump into the crystal clear blue water to begin her SCUBA certification. Her confidence encouraged so many others around her. Palmer also showed amazing courage as she pushed through some initial nerves about diving and encouraged others who were feeling the same way. We loved seeing her confidence grow throughout the day. Luke’s love for nature has also been so evident during our time on the island. Whether in the water or exploring the outdoors, his excitement and appreciation for the environment are contagious. Maley’s sweet personality and contagious smile have brought so much joy to this group, especially as we paddleboarded around the island together. Davis has also brought such calm, positive energy to the group and immediately jumped into every adventure with excitement, being one of the first in her tube during cave tubing on day 3!
This is truly such a special group. They encourage one another constantly, laugh nonstop, and continue to embrace every challenge and adventure that comes their way. We are already so proud of the ways they are growing as leaders and friends, and we cannot wait for all the memories still ahead over the next two weeks. Thank you all for sharing your amazing kids with us this summer. We already feel so lucky to know them!
More adventures to come!
Caroline and Frank
Safe Arrival!
June 4, 2026
Hello Belize Families!
We heard from our leaders this afternoon 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
