Final Update from COT 2B!
July 7, 2026
A final hello from Colorado!
All of our wonderful students are on route home, and we are so sad to see them go. We had such a wonderful trip, and are so grateful to have gotten to share it with them. We wanted to share a little bit about our final few days as a group!
On day eleven, we made it to the sand dunes and cooked out an American dinner of hot dogs, hamburgers, mac and cheese, and watermelon. Bea and Mattie were helpful in cooking, and it was so much fun to celebrate the Fourth with this group. We went to bed that night excited for our early hike.
On day twelve, we conquered the sand dunes. We woke up at 4 am to make it to the dunes by sunrise, and everyone was in high spirits as we played their favorite songs and sang. Although the hike was hard, Gray and Henry led the charge up. We had a ton of laughs on the way up, and the sunrise was absolutely beautiful. At the top, Wesley and Vivienne bravely took the first turn on the sand sled, and we hung out for a long time and perfected sand boarding.
After the sand dunes, we made pancakes for breakfast and hit the road again for our town day in Salida! We got lunch at a Mexican restaurant, then explored the town. We rented tubes to float down the river, and Preston, Sam, and Brandon went down the big wave multiple times. We had an absolute blast, then we explored the shops in the town before heading to our camp. We made pesto pasta for dinner, and got ready for our final day together.
On our last day, we headed back to Denver to clean our gear and pack. After we did all of that, we headed off to Goodwill to pick out outfits for our final banquet dinner. Frannie, Jude, and Griffin made us all laugh with their selections, as did the rest of the group. We went to a delicious dinner and ice cream, then we watched the sunset on a beach before our final Moonup. It was so wonderful reflecting with the students about the trip. What an amazing experience!
COT 2B, we hope that you all carry the lessons you learned and friendships you made on this trip for the rest of your lives. We hope you continue on with Moondance, and that this is just the beginning of an amazing journey. We love you so much and miss you already!
Update from COT 2B!
July 5, 2026
Hello from Colorado!
We’re still having a blast as we continue to explore Colorado. The group has gotten even closer, and we feel so lucky to have such an amazing group of students.
On Day Six, the group did an amazing job on the ropes course and Zipline. Henry completed the hardest level of the ropes course, and Frannie conquered her fear of heights. On the zipline, Jude bravely got spun around by the guide as we crossed canyons. It was an amazing day! We went back to our campsite on the river and made pesto pasta for dinner and laughed as we played a round of silent football before bed.
On day seven, we woke up bright and early for fly fishing. Sam was a natural and caught a ton of fish, and Wesley got high praise from the guides for her cast. We had a ton of fun learning new skills in the mountains, and fishing was definitely a highlight. After fishing, we began the drive towards our backpacking section. We made a stop in Ouray, nicknamed “Switzerland of America.” Gray led the charge in exploring, and Vivienne and Bea gained quite the collection of stickers for their water bottles! We enjoyed a delicious Mexican meal before heading back to our campsite. We got to shower, which was a treat before backpacking!
On day eight, we woke up and packed everything we needed for our backpacking section of the trip, then we hit the road. When we got to the trailhead, we were already amazed by the beauty of the mountains, and the group killed our first day of hiking. When we got to our campsite, Brandon led the group in card games, and Preston and Griffin’s competitive sides came out! We had a lot of laughs in the back country, and the stars were absolutely beautiful.
On day nine, we got to sleep in, which was amazing. We did a day hike up to an alpine lake, and Mattie kept spirits high with dance breaks on the trail. After a challenging hike, all 15 of us did a polar plunge into the lake; it was so much fun! We hung out at the lake for a few hours, fishing and exploring before we headed back down the mountain. At camp, we continued funny conversations and card games. At Moonup, many of the group members shared that it was their favorite day yet!
On day ten, we backpacked back to the trailhead, where we made quesadillas for dinner and played football. It was chilly, so we did Moonup in sleeping bags. The group has gotten so close that just sitting and hanging out is so much fun!
Today is day eleven, and also the Fourth of July. We woke up early and explored Telluride before going to the parade there. It was a blast! We got to shop and meet some locals, and we went to a Fourth of July party in the park with food vendors and live music. Right now, we’re driving to the sand dunes, and everyone is in high spirits.
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful group of students with us! We are having such a blast and are so excited for our last few days together!
Caroline, Eliza Dunn, and Will
Bea: Hi mom and dad! I’m having so much fun. We just finished backpacking and it was so fun! Today is the fourth of July and we went to Telluride for the parade. Can’t wait to see you and tell you all about it.
Brandon: Hi Mom and Dad, the Fourth of July parade was fun and I got some fries and burgers!! We just finished backpacking so we only have town day and sand dunes left, and I am excited for both. I finished my book to fast so can you please bring the next 2 to NC, I love you two and thanks for sending me on this camp.
Frannie:hi yall, how was the 4th at DEB? Miss everyone and thank you so much for sending me to Moondance it is literally my fav thing I’ve done all summer. Hayes+Scottie should be so excited it is such a amazing time! See y’all soon:)
Gray: hi mom and dad miss you guys tell the cats and Ella’s that they only have a couple More days and also if teddy is back in time can you tell her that I would like her to pick me up from the airport. And dad, for the 4th (which was so fun) we went to telluride for a parade, lunch, and shopping around in town and also tell Teddy there was SO many like dumplings and needohs in a store called mountain peak gifts. Love you, see yall later
Griffin: Hi mom and dad I’ve been having so much fun at Moondance I hope the concert is fun. Miss yall and Margo love you see you soon.
Henry: thank you for sending me to Moondance it’s been a blast 4 of July was so fun see you soon
Jude: The 4th of July parade was great, there was great food at the stands and it was a blast. Backpacking was pretty fun. There was this lake made of snow melt in between three mountains, and it made for a great cold plunge. Thanks for sending me on this trip, I can’t wait to get back home and see Rex, Penny, and Dexter.
Mattie: hiiiiiiiii!!!!! Omg I found a new fav food guyssss!!!! It’s called pizzadillas so basically it is a tortilla with cheese and some tomato sauce!!!! So yummyyyy!! Also happy 4th of julyyyy!!! Which btw is my new fav holidayyyy!! We went to the telluride parade!!! So funnnn!!! My fav activity so far was the zipline and ropes coarseee!!! I’m having the best time everrrrrr!!!!! I love you guys so muchhhh!!! Can’t wait to see youuu!!! Your the bestttt!!!!!
Preston: hi mom hi dad we had a really good Fourth of July. Can’t wait to get home. Love you. bye
Sam: Happy 4th of July! We are having a blast, yesterday was our 3rd day of backpacking. We have fly fished, ziplined, done a ropes course and white water rafted. I’m excited to see you guys!
Vivienne: hola I’m having so much fun! We just finished backpacking it was so good! I just went to telluride and it was so amazing I hope u had a amazing birthday mom. thank yall for sending me on this amazing trip love yall. Tell nacho I said hiii
Wesley: hi mama, dada and harpy I’m having the best time I could possibly have!!! First thank you guys so much for sending me on this trip!! I miss you guys I can’t wait to see you guys!! I will tell you everything that happens today we went to the telluride 4th of July parade and it was so fun! Backpacking was so fun well, I can’t wait to see you soon and I love you the moon and back!! Love, squeak
Birthday Cake, Breakfast Sandwiches, and Burrito Bowls Galore!
June 29, 2026
Greetings from the Rocky Mountain state!
We are having a ton of fun while navigating our way through Colorado. The kids are all having so much fun and are already so close; we’re so grateful to get to know them all!
On day one, we picked up everyone from the airport and bonded over card games and snacks as we waited for the whole crew to come in. In the van, Vivienne brought everyone together by asking questions and requesting lots of songs to sing along to. When we arrived at the campsite, we ate pizza and learned how to set up tents. During our Moonup, Bea and Griffin were picked as the first leaders of the day, and we all laughed as we shared and got closer.
On the second day, we woke up and made confetti cake pancakes for Henry’s birthday. Our climbing section unfortunately got canceled due to the rain, but the group made the best of it as we took on an indoor rock wall. Frannie bravely tried all of the routes, and we had a lot of fun as we got excited about climbing. After lunch, we swam in the indoor pool, and Mattie organized a diving board contest. Although the day wasn’t what we expected, it ended up being so much fun! When we got back to camp, the sun came back out, and we swam in the lake. Jude and Sam bravely jumped off the rocks into the lake, and we made burrito bowls for dinner. We continued celebrating Henry with cake and hats after dinner. Overall, it ended up being an amazing day!
On day three, we woke up and packed up camp. We made breakfast sandwiches then made our way to the canyon to rock climb. Everyone was so excited to get to do it! Gray was a pro, and everyone tried at least one route. After rock climbing, we made our way to our next campsite, stopping at a general store on the way for some extra snacks. When we got to camp, we made spaghetti and meatballs with caesar salad for dinner, which was a big hit! We fell asleep under the stars excited for a big day of rafting.
On day four, we woke up ready to raft. We met the raft guides at the put in, and we spent the morning rafting through a canyon. The group all got closer as we spent time together on the river, and Preston used his critical thinking skills to help the guide think of a way to get the raft unstuck! After a long, fun day on the river, we got to our camp and had an amazing dinner and cookies. We had a lot of free time to play with the football, play games, and chat. Even though we were tired, we couldn’t wait to get back on the river.
On day five, we had our second day of rafting. All twelve of the students bravely paddled in the inflatable kayaks and got to experience Class III rapids. We had another amazing day full of laughs on the river, and afterwards we got ice cream in town. Wesley led the van in karaoke on the way; we have definitely had a lot of fun singing together! When we got to camp, Brandon led the boys in card games, and we had another great dinner and Moonup.
Today we’re on the ropes course, and the kids are all killing it. We have loved getting to know this group, and we are so appreciative of their good attitudes and friendships with each other. We’re so excited for the second half of the session!
Bea: Hey mom and dad I’m having so much fun and making lots of friends! We have done lots of fun activities like rafting, climbing, and rock jumping. Eat lots of bonfire for me.
Brandon: Hi mom and dad I am having a lot of fun here. I loved the kayaking and the ropes course. Please also text me my flight information so I don’t lose it, love you!!!
Frannie: hi, making so many friends. Mom can you please make enchiladas when I get home? Missing Hayes and Barnes and kean and dad and mom. See y’all soon
Gray: hey guys was-up, I have had a lot of fun doing all activity’s but my favorite was doing the ropes course with Henry. I miss you guys and will see you in around a week love you, see ya later.
Griffin: Hi Mom and Dad I’m having so much fun doing all of the activities I have made some friends along the way too see you soon in a week love you goodbye
Henry: hello I am very hungry for chipotle and I am having very much fun doing stuff and swimming see you in a little bit goodbye can you bring chipotle to my gate when you pick me up
Jude:Hi mom, the water rafting was fun and I am pretty excited for some other activities. I need a good shower and clean clothes.
Mattie: Hi mom!!!! Hi dad!!!! I have so many new friends!!!! I am having the best time everrrr!!!! I can’t wait to come back next year!! The food isn’t even bad!!! Each night we set up a tent!!! I can’t wait to come back and tell you guys every single detail!!!! I love you guys so muchhh!!!!! I miss you so muchhh!! You guys are the best!!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCHHH!!!! Also one of my leaders lives right by ussss!!! Love you guys!!!!
Preston: hi im having a good time right now my favorite thing was white water kayaking can’t wait to see my bed again, bye.
Sam: Hi, I’m having the best summer ever! My favorite thing so far was kayaking and white water rafting, I can’t wait to see you!
Vivienne: hiii I’m having so much fun and I can’t wait to see u I love my counselors and my friends bang bang bang.🤩 I love smmm and Miss u. Also, happy birthday, Mom!
Wesley: hey people I’m having so much fun!!!!! We make our tents every night and sometimes we do five but then also two and three!! We are having the best time everrrrrr well u love you guys and I miss you!!(and Benny!!!!) mom when you get home may I please have a big size Starbucks??? Thxxxxxx 🤩🤩I’m coming back next summer!!!!☺️☺️ love yaaaaaa tell Benny I said hiiiiii🥰🥰
Hello from Colorado!!
June 24, 2026
Hello Colorado Trail 2B 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 couple weeks! 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
