Farewell from Belize!
July 4, 2026
Wow! I can’t believe our trip has come to an end. As I write this, everyone is in the air and heading home. Since we last talked, time has flown by unbelievably fast. We filled our final days in Belize with scuba diving, fishing, catamaran adventures, hammocking, incredible meals, and memories that will stay with us for years to come. Looking back, it’s hard to believe how much we experienced together in such a short amount of time.
On Day 10, the students headed out to sea for their first day of open-water diving. Julien and Campbell were the first to have their gear packed and loaded onto the boat, and their excitement was contagious. Throughout the day, the students worked toward completing their open-water certification requirements, while Hunter, Will, and CC began their Advanced Open Water Diver course with Paula. It was exciting to watch everyone continue building confidence in the water and take another step toward becoming certified divers. That evening, we ate dinner at a local favorite called Momolicious. While waiting for our food, the group made their way to a nearby sand volleyball court, where they spent the evening laughing, playing, and enjoying one another’s company.
The following day brought our second day of scuba diving. Although the water was much murkier than before, the students never let it dampen their spirits. They stayed positive and enjoyed searching for fish, lobster, and coral as the guides pointed out marine life beneath the surface. Between dives, we stopped for lunch on Laughing Bird Caye, where Shaw proudly introduced us to a family of giant hermit crabs he had discovered. Before long, the beach had turned into a hermit crab racetrack as everyone cheered on their chosen competitor. Meanwhile, Swin, Campbell, and Caroline took advantage of the stunning scenery, capturing photos and videos of the island on their GoPros.
That evening, we enjoyed one of the most memorable dinners of the trip at Koi, a sushi restaurant in Placencia. We ordered a massive sushi boat for the entire group to share, and the best part was that it was completely chef’s choice. None of us knew what was coming next. At one point, after everyone sampled a particularly spicy roll, water glasses around the table emptied almost instantly as people searched for relief. Later, Campbell confidently tried what she thought was guacamole, only to discover a much spicier surprise. Shaw decided to test his toughness against the wasabi and took on two massive bites. To everyone’s surprise, he somehow managed to power through it and was very entertaining throughout the night.
On Day 12, we traveled to South Water Caye, one of the most popular dive sites in Belize. The visibility was the best we had seen all trip, and MH and Finn were especially fired up to get in the water. The dives did not disappoint. We encountered sharks, lobster, eels, and countless other marine creatures throughout the day. It was one of those experiences that reminded all of us just how incredible Belize’s marine environment truly is. During lunch, Shaw announced that he had caught a bonefish, which immediately sent Spence and Julien into a frenzy as they searched for the fastest way to get their fishing rods in the water.
For Spence, the highlight of the day may have been catching a massive bonefish of his own and finally crossing it off his fishing bucket list. Watching his excitement after landing that fish was something the group will not soon forget. That evening, we enjoyed a homemade gourmet ramen dinner while listening to music and winding down after another full day of adventure. As the night settled in, Finn and Hunter faced off in a highly competitive game of chess that caught everyone’s attention. The game ended in a draw which was fitting.
By Day 13, the students woke up excited for one final day at sea. We boarded a catamaran and spent the day soaking in the beauty of Belize. There was a sense of relaxation and appreciation that seemed to settle over everyone as we sailed across the water together. Elizabeth loved the hammock at the front of the boat where she was able to take a nice long nap. Once we arrived at our destination, the students spent their time swimming, exploring the island, and simply enjoying being together. Meanwhile, Chef Raj prepared what many agreed was the best meal of the trip: an incredible barbecue chicken lunch that quickly became a group favorite.
That evening, we gathered for our final Moon Up. As always, it was a special time for reflection, but this one carried a little extra meaning knowing our adventure was coming to an end. Students shared favorite memories from the trip, reflected on challenges they had overcome, and talked about their hopes and goals for the future. It was a powerful reminder of how much growth can happen in just a few short weeks when young people are given opportunities to challenge themselves, support one another, and experience something new.
Today, everyone headed home, and it is hard to put into words how grateful I am for this group. They consistently impressed me with their maturity, kindness, and willingness to embrace every opportunity in front of them. They supported one another, stepped outside their comfort zones, and formed friendships that I believe will last well beyond this trip. I feel incredibly fortunate to have gotten to know each and every one of them. While I am sad to see our time together come to an end, I am excited to see what lies ahead for these students. I have no doubt that they are going to accomplish amazing things, and I am thankful that I had the opportunity to be a small part of their journey.
Bennett
Update from Belize!!
July 1, 2026
Hellooo again!
Since we last talked, we’ve packed in so many incredible experiences! We’ve taken a Mayan cooking class, toured a local chocolate farm and made authentic chocolate, hiked through the jungle to a beautiful waterfall, gone river tubing, completed community service with the Garifuna community, learned traditional Garifuna drumming and dancing, and even started our scuba diving adventure!
Mary-Hardin and Hunter both especially enjoyed the Mayan cooking class. Mary-Hardin got to do one of her favorite things, cook, while also learning a brand-new soup recipe. Hunter loved grinding cacao beans by hand and making us an amazing chocolate drink. What made this cooking class so unique was that we prepared our entire meal without using any electricity, just as the Mayans did thousands of years ago. After lunch, we toured the chocolate farm just around the corner. Everyone loved learning how chocolate is made from bean to bar, and each student got to make their own chocolate to take home. The afternoon ended with Caroline and Campbell covered in chocolate and laughing at the delicious mess they had made together.
Our jungle hike to the waterfall was another highlight of the trip. By the time it was time to leave, it was nearly impossible to convince Julien and Finn to get out of the water. They were stretched out on the bottom of the pool practicing their “human starfishes” and had absolutely no interest in leaving! Afterward, everyone enjoyed a relaxing afternoon floating down the river, taking in the scenery and listening to the peaceful sounds of the water.
The following morning, we had the opportunity to give back to the community by helping paint homes for members of the Garifuna community. It was an incredibly rewarding experience, and by the end of the day, we had painted two homes—and somehow managed to get a little paint on a few people as well! That afternoon, everyone learned three sacred Garifuna drumming songs along with traditional Garifuna dances. Swin, Elizabeth, and Will especially loved this experience. Swin and Elizabeth had a great time learning the dances, while Will was thrilled to be making music again after recently buying a flute earlier on the trip.
The next morning was one everyone had been looking forward to: scuba diving! Well…pool scuba diving, at least. We headed to the pool to complete the training portion of our scuba certification. While one group practiced underwater, the others enjoyed games of pickleball and mini golf around the resort. CC and Shaw made the most of every resort activity and somehow convinced us that a third straight afternoon at the beach was absolutely necessary! That evening, Spence claimed victory in our chess tournament, which has quickly become one of our favorite nightly traditions. The competition is getting more intense every day, and everyone is eager to see who will be crowned the next champion.
Overall, this group has truly become one big family. Watching these students encourage one another, laugh together, and create lifelong memories has been one of the best parts of this trip. Their friendships have grown so much over the past week, and I can’t wait to see how they continue to grow even closer during our final few days together.
Until next time!
Bennett
From the kids:
MH- Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity to travel Belize with new people. I have had the best time and am so grateful for this experience.
Swin- Thank you so much mom and dad for sending me on this trip! I am having the best time and have met so many new people!
Caroline- thank you soooo much for letting me go on this trip! I have had so much fun and I have made so many new friends and memories!!
Campbell- thank you so much for this amazing trip. I’ve met so many amazing people and created. Lifelong memories!!! Love y’all.
CC – Thank you so much for letting me go on this awesome trip! I have had an amazing time and have met so many great friends!! Love y’all
Finnegan-Thank you so much for sending on this trip I’m having so much fun and I’m so grateful.
William: Thank you so much for sending me on this trip! I’m having so much fun and I hope they took enough pictures for you to see it!
Julien: Thank you for giving me this opportunity to travel to a new country and visit places that I would never experience at home. The people here are great and I have learned a lot about the country.
Spence: Thank you so much for allowing me to come to Belize! This is the most special place and I can’t wait to tell you about it.
Hunter- Thank y’all for sending me on this trip. I am having a blast and can’t wait to tell you guys all about it in Colorado.
Shaw Thank you guys so much for sending me on this trip! I’m having so much fun and I can’t wait to tell you all about it!
Elizabeth – Thank yall so much for sending me to this incredible place! I am having such an incredible time! I love yall
Having a Blast in Belize!
June 25, 2026
Wow! I can’t believe it’s already time to write one of these. It feels like just yesterday we were picking everyone up from the airport and sharing a big pizza dinner together. Since then, the group has come together in an incredible way. I have never seen a group of people open up to one another so quickly. From the very beginning, Spence and Julien bonded over their love of fishing and haven’t put their rods down since. These first few days have been packed with adventure, laughter, and new friendships, and it has been amazing to watch the group grow closer with each passing day.
Our trip began in San Ignacio, an inland jungle town where we explored some of Belize’s most exciting attractions. We spent time cave tubing through the famous Dark Knight Cave, where it was especially fun to watch Finn and Shaw react to bats flying overhead and hear their laughter as they navigated the darker sections of the cave. We also visited the Mayan ruins and took a great group photo at the base of Site 3, the second-tallest Mayan ruin in Belize. Back at our hostel, our first Leaders of the Day, Hunter and Swin, chose mac and cheese and barbecue wings for dinner. The kitchen was full of laughter as Hunter, Swin, Elizabeth, and Will figured out how to operate an old fryer and prepared the meal. During our visit to the San Ignacio town square, everyone was eager to put their bargaining skills to the test at the local market. Plenty of fresh fruit was purchased, and CC successfully convinced the group to buy a volleyball—quite the negotiator!
After San Ignacio, we made our way east to Placencia, where we will be spending the remainder of our trip just steps from the beach. As soon as we arrived, Mary-Hardin and Campbell were ready to jump in the water and wasted no time doing so once everything was settled. Placencia has already provided plenty of adventure, including horseback riding, river tubing, waterfall rappelling, and ziplining. Spence also made his mark on the trip by becoming the first person to catch a fish. Evenings here have been filled with conversation, laughter, and fishing from the pier near our hostel, making for some memorable moments together.
One of the best parts of the trip has been watching the relationships within the group continue to grow. Campbell and Caroline have embraced dancing and have enjoyed teaching others new moves while singing together on hikes to pass the time. Everyone loved ziplining and shouted at the top of their lungs as they flew down Belize’s longest zipline while taking in breathtaking views of the jungle below. More importantly, this group has created a positive and supportive environment where everyone looks out for one another. Whether they are sharing meals, helping each other during activities, playing games during downtime, or making each other laugh during Moonup, they already seem like lifelong friends.
These first few days have been an absolute joy, and we are excited to see what the rest of our Belize adventure has in store. The group continues to bring great energy, enthusiasm, and support to every activity, and we know there are many more memories to be made. We look forward to sharing more stories soon!
Talk soon,
Bennett and Paula
Student Shoutouts:
Elizabeth: Hello to the public and my parents! I am having so much fun in Belize! We have done such fun stuff, and I can’t wait to tell y’all all about it. I loved horseback riding and Ziplining, it was so fun. I MISS ALL OF MY FRIENDS AND I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YALL!! Love you mom and dad🥰🥰 bye 🤩!!!
Swin: hey fellow parents and peers, we have been having so much fun dancing on the moon! Yesterday we went repelling down a waterfall and Ziplining, it was so cool. I miss you guys so much and can’t wait to tell you all about it. Also to my friends who are reading this I MISS YALL AND CANT WAIT TO TALK TO YOU GUYS SOO. Me and Leeds miss ten, we love y’all peace!
Shaw: Hey guys! Camp is so fun, and this is 100% my favorite trip! My counselors are so good, better than my others from past years. Yesterday we went ziplining and waterfall repelling and it was so fun. I can’t wait to show you guys pictures and tell you all about it. Happy 17 Lila! Love you guys!
Hunter – Hey mom and dad, Belize is really fun so far and my group is awesome. So far we have been tubing in caves, visiting Mayan ruins, horseback riding, and hanging at the beach. I made a hand line with a pringles can so that I can fish and so far I have caught two snapper with it. This trip is way better than California and I’m really happy I went. Excited to see y’all in Colorado and tell you about it. Bye
Will: Hi Mom and Dad! I’m having so much fun in Belize. This is way better than overland and my counselors are really nice. Today we went to a Mayan chocolate factory and learned about how to make a chocolate bar. Apparently dark chocolate is good for you! I’m having so much fun and can’t wait to tell you guys about it!
Mary-Hardin- Hey Susie and Jim I am having the best time in Belize! Thank you for providing me with this opportunity to travel and I cant wait to see you when I get home. So far we have been cave tubing, rappelling, zip lining, taking cooking classes, and so many more fun things. See you soon!
CC – Hi Mom and Dad! I’m having so much fun in Belize!! I can’t wait to tell y’all all about the trip and stuff we have done. Shout out bartaco, could really go for some of that delicious food. Our group is awesome, I’m having a blast!! Love y’all!
Spence –
Dear mom and dad
Belize is the best! Everyone in my group is so amazing and I’m able to fish. So far I have caught one small barracuda and have seen many others. I’m missing bandito and I’m so excited for aspen. I love this and I’m so grateful for this opportunity. I’m so excited to show all the videos and photos of this experience. Please bring my retainer to aspen.
Love Spence
Finn – Dear mom and dad, I’m having so much in Belize. I love my group so much and I can’t wait to see you. I also love my instructors. Also sorry but I may have lost my sunglasses but I might end up finding them. Also it’s soooooo humid here I can barely take it it’s 10x more than DC.
Julien
Hello dearest mother, father, and family. I am having an exquisite time at camp. The fishing is exhilarating for I am catching many snapper. Our many activities have been fantastic. I enjoyed our trip repelling the most. The temperature is high but we have swimed many times. I am excited for the rest of our trip and hope that you are doing well in Charleston.
Caroline- HII EVERYONE READING THISSS!!!!! This trip is sooooo fun. I have made so many inside jokes with all my new friends and we have such a good group. I love everyone in my group so much! It’s very hot here and there are so many mosquitos 🦟☹️. I miss you guys but I don’t really want to come home (sorry)! I am feeling soooo much better and I have been trying lots of new food. So far I tried shrimp and cacao! But I was to scared to eat the termites. Everyone has met Britney and everyone loves her so maybe I won’t cut her off 😜. LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCHHHHH ALSO COCO IF YOUR READING THIS MY MOONDANCE FRIEND HAS A SISTER NAMED CORINNE BUT COCO FOR SHORT THAT IS A FRESHMAN AT TCU!! woah so cool! Please pick me up with Taco Bell🌮 🔔 !! Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo Caroline 😛🥰🤪🥰😜😚🤨🤨😋😎😘🙂↔️😚😔😙😖🤨😫🧐☹️🥳😘🥲🥰😉🥲😗😂😇😂🙂😄🥲😃🥲😁😊🙃😃😆
Campbell- Hey everyone!! The trip is going great! We have zip lined, cave tubed, river tubed, hiked to an awesome waterfall and went on a hike. The trip has been awesome and I miss y’all so much love y’all!!🤪❤️
Safe Arrival in Belize!
June 20, 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
