Crushing it in Croatia!
July 15, 2026
Day 5
Today was our first big hiking day, and we were all so excited to finally hit the trails! Palmer and Hal were our LODs, and after a great morning, we packed our lunches and headed out for a beautiful 10-mile hike through Velebit National Park. It did not take long for Harrison, Laird, Hal, Sam, and Lee to take off. They were absolutely flying up the trail while AB, Will, and Edward happily brought up the rear. The three of us spent most of the hike talking about all of the adventures we hope to go on one day. One of the best parts about hiking together is that the conversations always seem to happen naturally, and somehow they end up being some of our favorites.
We were lucky enough to have Sally capturing the day on her camera while Olivia had her GoPro out, so there are going to be plenty of great memories to look back on. Around lunchtime, we found the perfect spot to stop for a picnic and spread out everything we had packed. We loaded up on sandwiches, fruit, and snacks before getting ready for the second half of the hike. Right in the middle of lunch, Lee somehow managed to split an apple in half with his forehead. We are still not entirely sure how he did it, but it left everyone completely speechless. With full stomachs, we continued climbing toward the top of the hike, stopping often to admire the views and take pictures. Sally and Olivia found the perfect spot along the cliff’s edge to snap some incredible photos, while AB and Edward made a quick stop to hold the sweetest little puppy we found along the trail. Everywhere we looked seemed more beautiful than the last, and it was one of those days where we kept saying, “Can you believe this is real?”
We also made a deal with Harrison that if he keeps wearing the infamous “Croatia” hat for the rest of the trip, he officially gets to bring it home with him. We will definitely keep everyone updated on his progress! After making it back to Zavizan, Palmer surprised everyone with a beautiful charcuterie board while we got dinner started. We cooked homemade gnocchi and chicken, and it was easily one of our favorite meals yet. Every session seems to have one person who can somehow turn simple ingredients into an incredible meal, and this year that person is definitely Hal. He worked his magic with the seasonings we had, and the chicken turned out absolutely delicious. Safe to say there were no leftovers tonight!
That evening, we also got to celebrate someone pretty special. It was Sam’s birthday! Earlier in the day, AB surprised him with letters from students from each of his previous sessions, along with notes from some of his friends from Staff Training. It was such a fun surprise, and it was so awesome watching him read through all of them. The girls woke everyone up by singing “Sretan rođendan ti,” which is Happy Birthday in Croatian. Olivia and Palmer surprised Sam with some of his favorite candy, Lee made him an awesome birthday drawing, and the whole group gave him a Croatia hat along with a card signed by everyone. It was such a fun day celebrating someone who means so much to all of us. Of course, no birthday is complete without dessert… or at least an attempt at dessert. We tried making brownies, and let’s just say they were an epic fail. Huge shoutout to Stew for doing everything possible to save them. It is definitely the thought that counts… right?
Day 6
This morning, we woke up hoping the weather would cooperate, but unfortunately, the radar had other plans. After talking with our guides, we decided the safest option would be to stay at Zavizan and wait out the storms. While we were definitely disappointed not to hike, this group has become so good at making the most of every situation! Lee and Olivia were our LODs today, and they started the day by making what may have been our best breakfast yet. The morning quickly turned into one giant game day. We played cards, chess, and more rounds of Empire than we could count before deciding to walk down to the small chapel nearby. The owner of the hostel shared that his family has owned the property for nearly 100 years, with the anniversary coming next year. When he was a young boy, he helped his parents and grandparents build the chapel, so hikers traveling through the region would always have a place where people could pray for their safety. It was really special hearing the story while standing inside.
Back at the hut, the competition quickly shifted from card games to something much more serious… a grilled cheese cook-off. Lee and Olivia decided they each wanted to prove they could make the best grilled cheese, so Will and Harrison happily volunteered as the official judges. After lots of careful consideration, they declared both sandwiches some of the best grilled cheese they had ever had. Before long, everyone else wanted one too, and our LODs got right back to work making grilled cheese for the entire group. Huge nugs to Lee and Olivia for taking care of everyone and making such a fun day out of being stuck inside. Even though the weather changed our plans, we ended the day feeling incredibly grateful. Some of our favorite memories happen when things do not go exactly as expected, and today was definitely one of those days.
Day 7
We woke up bright and early this morning to watch the sunrise over the Velebit Mountains, and it was absolutely worth the early alarm. The sky slowly filled with shades of orange and pink as the sun peeked over the mountains. Since sunrise in Croatia happens around 4:30 in the morning, we all agreed it was completely acceptable to crawl right back into bed afterwards. When we officially started our day, it was time to say goodbye to Ivan and Zavizan. There were definitely a few tears from AB. We all agreed this has been one of the coolest places any of us has ever stayed, and we feel incredibly lucky to have experienced it together.
Our next stop was Plitvice Lakes National Park, but first we made a very important stop for lunch at one of the most famous pizza restaurants in Croatia. Everything they serve is made with fresh, local ingredients from the surrounding region, and you could definitely taste the difference. While we waited for lunch, Sam and Lee kept everyone entertained with hacky sack while the rest of the group wandered around taking pictures and enjoying the views. During our boat ride later that afternoon, Hal, Will, and Harrison met someone visiting from the Netherlands and ended up learning all kinds of common Dutch phrases. We love how quickly this group makes friends everywhere we go.
Today’s LODs were Will and Quinn, and they absolutely crushed their Nug Jug opening. We were all laughing before the day had even really started. Huge nugs to both of them for keeping everyone’s energy high as we headed into another adventure.
Day 8
Today was one everyone had been looking forward to… kayaking day!
After breakfast, we headed to the river where we met our guide, Loren, before getting geared up and heading out on the water. It did not take long before the games started. Lee, Sam, and Quinn were the first boats to flip, but after that, all bets were off. Lee fully embraced his inner pirate and declared war on the rest of the group! Before long, everyone had been flipped at least once, and even Loren and Ivanna got involved. There was water flying everywhere, plenty of laughter, and just enough teamwork to make sure everyone ended up back in their boats. We also had the chance to do some cliff jumping where the waterfalls were too big to kayak off. We especially want to give a huge shoutout to Greer and Stew, who both faced their fears and made the jump. We know that was not easy, and we were all so proud of them. Moments like those are what Moondance is all about.
Once everyone had warmed back up, we spent some time exploring the river and looking at all of the fish swimming beneath us before settling in to relax. Hal, Laird, Lee, and AB grabbed a hacky sack and started another game while Sally, Will, and Stew tested their balance on the slackline. On our way back, Palmer and Sally were the first to try the peaches we found at the local market. After one bite, they both agreed they were easily the best peaches they had ever eaten, and after the rest of us tried them, we had to agree.
That afternoon, Quinn, Sam, Lee, Will, Laird, and Eddie headed out on a biking adventure while the rest of us stayed back listening to music, relaxing around the picnic tables, and enjoying a slower afternoon together. Once everyone made it back, the evening quickly turned into games of spikeball, more hacky sack, and plenty of time hanging out in the hammocks. We have some seriously talented athletes on this trip, and somehow they never seem to run out of energy. After Moonup, we decided it was time for a rap battle. The competition was much more intense than anyone expected, and after several rounds, the championship matchup came down to Harrison and AB versus Lee and Palmer. After an incredible performance from both teams, Harrison and AB somehow came away with the victory! We are pretty sure Harrison’s dance moves sealed the deal. We have never seen someone commit so fully to a performance. Huge nugs to Harrison for giving us one of the funniest moments of the trip so far.
Sally and Hal served as our official judges for the evening, and while there were definitely some disagreements with the results, everyone agreed it was the perfect way to end another great day.
Day 9
This morning we packed up and said goodbye to our friends at Lana Haus before hitting the road toward our next adventure. One thing we have loved watching throughout this trip is how much this group has embraced living in the moment. They have learned to appreciate every stop, every activity, and every conversation, and it has been so fun watching that mindset grow over the past week. Today’s LODs were Lee and Stew, and after another great Nug Jug opening, we loaded up the vans with good music playing and made our way to Modrič Cave.
The cave was unlike anything most of us had ever seen. Sally and Greer found some incredible spots for pictures while Laird and Will naturally took on the role of explorers, squeezing through the smallest crevices and helping everyone find the best way through the cave. Meanwhile, Eddie, Hal, Lee, and Laird made history by becoming the first kids to ever play hacky sack inside Modrič Cave. We are fairly confident that the record is safe for a while.
Harrison also came through with his camera once again, making sure we got a great group picture before Quinn led us back toward the exit. On the way out, she spotted a turtle hiding along the trail, which quickly became everyone’s newest friend. After enjoying lunch together, we headed to our next challenge: hiking up to Paklenica Mountain Hut. To help pass the time on the climb, we spent the entire hike telling riddles. Lee, Sam, and Sally came prepared with some really tough ones, but somehow Stew and Hal managed to solve even the hardest riddles in record time. They officially earned the title of Riddle Masters.
When we finally reached the mountain hut, there was only one thing on everyone’s mind: jumping into the freezing cold pool fed by circulating river water. It was absolutely freezing, but after a long hike, it felt amazing. Harrison and Eddie challenged Sam and Laird to a chicken fight and quickly discovered they had picked the wrong opponents. Let’s just say Sam and Laird came away with a convincing win. After everyone dried off, we settled in for an afternoon of cards before dinner. Olivia joined the boys for a game of poker and somehow managed to beat every single one of them. We are still not sure how she pulled that off, but there may have been some very bruised egos afterwards.
That evening, we enjoyed a delicious traditional Croatian dinner (goulash) while listening to AB play guitar around the mountain hut before gathering together for another Moonup. During all of this, Will made a new best friend: the mountain hut’s cat. We named him Chicken Nugget, and from that point on the two of them were inseparable. They even fell asleep in Will’s bed together. We thought that was the end of the story until around 2:00 in the morning, when Chicken Nugget somehow found his way into the boys’ room. He decided it was time to explore and started walking from bed to bed, waking everyone up one by one. Somehow, the cat managed to accomplish what no alarm clock could. It was absolutely hilarious, and by breakfast the next morning it was all anyone could talk about!
Every day on this trip somehow seems to top the one before it, and as we head into the second half of our adventure, we cannot wait to see what memories are still ahead. This group continues to make us laugh every single day, encourage one another, and jump headfirst into every experience. We are so grateful to get to share Croatia with each of them!
Vidimo se,
AB + Sam
Messages for Home!!! ✉️💕
Thank you for sending me on this trip, it has been so much fun miss y’all!!! -Lee
Thanks for sending me on this trip, it’s been an amazing experience and I’ve had a lot of fun. -Edward
Thanks for sending me on this trip it’s been a lot of fun and such a good time -Laird
Thanks for sending me to Croatia I’m having a great time and I’m very sad to come home soon we r going zip lining today and im super excited! -Will
Thanks for sending me to Croatia I’m having a really good time and am not happy I am going home soon. My favorite place we have been is the mountains. -Hal
Thanks for sending me on this trip to Croatia, it has been so much fun and I want to stay longer. We are on the way to go zip lining and it will be fun. Only 3 days left on the trip tho. Miss y’all. – Harrison forehand
Thank you so much for sending me on this amazing trip I am having the most fun ever! Anna and Sam are the best leaders ever and my group is so nice. I miss you guys so much see you in three days!! Xoxo Sally
Thank you so much for sending me on this trip!!! I miss you guys so much but am sad that it is ending. I love my group and my leaders so much, I am having so much fun. I am so excited to tell you guys all about it when I get home in three days!!! I love you and miss you guys so much!!! Love, Stewart
Hi guys we are on the way to go zip lining right now and I am super excited. These past few days we have been hiking, swimming, caving, and kayaking. I am having so much fun and have made so many new friends. Miss y’all and thanks for sending me on this trip. You da goat 🐐
Xo, Palmer
HIII guys I miss y’all so much!!! I’m having the best time.. can’t wait to come back next year.. hah.. But I’m genuinely having the best time I’m so obsessed w AB and Sam I love them so much and everyone else. Can’t wait to see ygs. Miss yaaa😘😘! Lots of love – Olivia
Hi Mom,Dad, and Asher!
Thank you so much for sending me to Croatia 🇭🇷 I am having so much fun and I love my group so much! I’m so sad to leave but I can’t wait to see y’all and show you photos and give you your gifts…! I love y’all so much!
Love- Quinn
Hi mom and dad! Thank y’all so much for the opportunity to go to Croatia! It’s the prettiest place ever. See y’all soon!
❤️, Greer
Fun in the Sun!
July 10, 2026
Doberdan from CRO 3C!! 🤗
Hi friends and family!! Our names are Anna Brock (AB) and Sam, and we are so excited to be leading your amazing people through Croatia over the next two weeks! We seriously could not be happier to have them here. Thank you so much for sharing them with us. We already know this group is going to make for an incredible session, and we cannot wait to bring you all along for the adventure!!!!
Day 2
Our session officially began as we welcomed everyone at the airport, and we seriously could not wait to get things started!!! Right from the beginning, we could tell this group was going to be something special.
After everyone arrived, we hit the road toward Rab Island, our first stop on the Adriatic! Stew and Sam were our final arrivals, and the rest of the group could not have been more excited to finally see them. They spent the entire drive chatting away, and because they arrived a little later, they got to experience the ferry ride over to Rab in the dark. They were some of the only people on the ferry, the moon was unbelievably bright, and they said it was one of the coolest ways they could have possibly arrived on the island. As soon as they walked through the doors of the hostel, the girls immediately jumped up to hug Stew. It was such a sweet moment, and just like that… WE WERE FINALLY WHOLE!!!
After a long day of travel, everyone was more than ready to get some sleep before our first full day of adventures. We couldn’t wait for what was waiting for us in the morning!
Our first LODs are Stew and Edward! We are so excited to have them kick off our wonderful adventure as our first leaders of the day. They are going to crush it. They are both so kind, welcoming, and perfect as the first LOD!
Day 3
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SALLY!!!!! We had been looking forward to celebrating her all day, and of course, we had to make sure she woke up in true Moondance fashion. We blasted “Birthday” by Katy Perry, grabbed our brand new unicorn bubble gun, and filled the room with bubbles while throwing balloons around the room. Safe to say she had no choice but to wake up smiling!!! After breakfast, we headed out for our first activity… sea kayaking!! The Adriatic somehow manages to look even prettier in person, and everyone was counting down the seconds until they could jump into the crystal clear water. We paddled along the coastline before pulling off to swim, explore, and play plenty of games together.
Edward quickly became everyone’s storyteller during Mafia after earning the role of Mafia Boss. Every round somehow got funnier than the last, and we could not stop laughing. While we were hanging out in the water, Lee and Sam found a live shrimp that somehow ended up latching onto Sam’s foot right in the middle of Mafia. Safe to say nobody saw that coming, and we were all absolutely dying laughing. Stew and Hal also gave everyone a good laugh after flipping their kayak! For a second, we thought Palmer’s water bottle was gone forever, but Harrison swooped in with a heroic rescue before it floated away. Palmer and Laird absolutely flew across the water all afternoon and definitely earned the title of fastest kayak on the trip. AB was trying her best to keep up, but they made it look way too easy!
One of the highlights of the day was getting to use Sally’s camera. We have already taken SO many incredible pictures, and we can’t wait to share them with all of you. Shoutout to Olivia for always having the best ideas for photos!! This group has fully embraced every moment so far, and we already know these memories are going to last a lifetime. We ended our first full day together tired, sunburned, and so thankful to be here. If today was any indication of what’s to come, we are in for a really special two weeks.
For tomorrow, Greer and Harrison are our LODs! Greer is literally a ball of sunshine and has one of the kindest hearts. She brings her whole self to everything she does, and we are so grateful for that!! She is such a steady leader within our group, and we know she is going to make tomorrow so special. Harrison is always up for trying something new and embraces every opportunity that comes his way. He is completely himself, incredibly kind to everyone around him, and brings such a genuine presence to our group. We can’t wait to see what they have in store for us!!!
Day 4
Today was our boat day, and WOW was it a good one!!!!
We woke up bright and early, so excited to spend another day exploring Rab Island. The weather could not have been more perfect, and we wasted absolutely no time jumping into the crystal clear Adriatic. We swam every chance we got, especially through the caves our guides took us to. Harrison, Will, and Hal all agreed that the first cave was their favorite, while Quinn quickly claimed the second one as his top pick. We absolutely love hearing how much this group appreciates Croatia. They continue to tell us how beautiful everything is and how thankful they are to be here. It is so refreshing to lead a group that doesn’t take a single moment for granted.
Cliff jumping was definitely the highlight of the day! Everyone cheered each other on, and the laughs somehow got louder with every jump. Lee and Hal had everyone cracking up when they decided to throw a full 180 spin off the cliff before splashing into the water. Safe to say style points were definitely awarded. On the ride back to the marina, all of the girls climbed up onto the top of the boat and somehow took the BEST nap of our lives. Sally was on music duty, and she absolutely nailed the playlist, and Greer had the best requests!! Between the sunshine, the breeze, and the perfect songs, it became one of those simple moments that we’ll probably remember forever. And pictures!!!
Tomorrow our LODs are Sally and Laird! Sally is literally a ball of sunshine and has one of the kindest hearts. She brings her all to everything she does and leads others so naturally just by the way she lives. Laird is always open to new experiences and willing to jump into whatever comes next. He is incredibly kind, completely himself, and someone who makes everyone around him feel comfortable. We know they’re going to make tomorrow another great day!!!
Day 5
Today we said goodbye to Rab Island and hello to the Velebit Mountains!! This place seriously takes our breath away every single time. The views are absolutely unbelievable, and we were so excited to begin the trekking portion of our adventure. Olivia and Will kept on expressing their gratitude and how it was the most beautiful place they had ever been to!!! Once we got settled at the mountain hut, everyone quickly spread out and made themselves at home. We spent the afternoon playing Spikeball, hacky sack, and enjoying time together before dinner. The girls hung out inside with what quickly became everyone’s favorite snack… spoonfuls of Nutella!! Definitely necessary after a busy few days. Palmer kept all of us laughing with her quick wit and jokes. She always knows exactly how to make everyone smile.
One of the coolest surprises of the afternoon was coming across several horses wandering through the mountains. Sally immediately became the group’s official horse whisperer, and it didn’t take long before she had everyone’s attention focused on them. Edward and AB even managed to get one of our favorite pictures of the trip with the horses standing perfectly in the background while they did their signature handshake.
Huge shoutout to Harrison and Will for immediately volunteering to do the dishes after dinner. Those little acts of service make such a huge difference, and we appreciate them so much. We wrapped up the evening with another incredible Moonup overlooking the mountains. Tonight’s conversation centered around what it has been like spending time away from our phones, and honestly it turned into one of our favorite discussions yet. Every single person talked about how freeing it has been to fully experience Croatia without worrying about what everyone else is doing. We talked about how easy it can be to miss the little moments when we’re distracted, and how grateful we all are to experience this together. It was such a thoughtful conversation and a really special way to end the night.
After Moonup, the girls headed back to their room to hang out while the boys settled in and listened to one of Sam’s famous scary stories before bed. Tomorrow our LODs are Palmer and Hal! Palmer is absolutely hilarious and brings so much joy to our group every single day. She has such a quick wit and makes even the smallest moments more fun. Hal is full of energy and always ready for whatever adventure comes next. He has embraced every part of Moondance with such a positive attitude, and we absolutely love seeing that.
We can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings because it’s a very special day… it’s our friend Sam’s birthday!!!! We cannot wait to celebrate him and make him feel so loved!!
Vidimo se uskoro!!
AB + Sam 🥾🤗
SHOUTOUTS
Hi mom and dad love y’all so much having a great time miss y’all. Lee
Hi mom and dad I love y’all and I am having a blast, we just got to our second location and it is beautiful. Hope y’all are having fun too! – Harrison
Hi mom I’m having fun in Croatia miss y’all
-laird
hi mom I am having a fun in Croatia we just finished out first stop at the beach part and are in the mountains. My favorite part was cliff jumping, miss y’all!
-Hal
Hey mom, hey dad, this is the coolest place I have ever been to and had fun cliff jumping. Love you guys.
-Eddie
hi mom and dad it’s really pretty here and I’m having lot of fun and it’s really cool here
-will
Hey mom and dad, I’m having so much fun in Croatia and have made so many new friends! I really liked cliff jumping and hanging out on the beach. I miss y’all so much and hope you’re having a fun time in the Bahamas.
– Palmer 😎
Hi Mom Dad Pea Lucy and Willie…if that’s still his name! I miss you so much but I am having the most fun ever in Croatia. I met so many AMAZING girls and we are having the best time. My camera is sooooo good that my counselors are using it to take every picture on the trip so be ready for a TON of photos. Today we saw horses in the mountains and they came up to me like I was an animal whisperer!!! I love you guys so much I can’t wait to see you soon. Xoxo Sal❤️❤️
Hiiiii mom, dad, luke, and hazel!! Miss you guys!! I’m having genuinely the BEST time I love the girls and the boys. And I’m obsessed with our counselors, they are maybe my favorite people literally ever. This is the most gorgeous place ever and I’m in awe every second. I love you guys! Can’t wait to see you in NJ mom😉🥍🤗. Dad be ready for ALLLLLLLLLLL 10000000 of these photos. – Olivia 😊😊🫶🫶
Hi Mom, Dad, Buzz, Imogen, Maise, Minny, and Hazel!!! I am have the BEST TIME, all the girls are AMAZING, the boys are so funny too. I miss you all so much. So far I have sea kayaked, snorkeled in caves, and cliff jumped. Also lots of time at the beach playing spikeball and hackey sack. Now we are in the mountains and it is SO BEUTIFUL. Everything here is GEORGOUS. I already have gifts and so many cute photos to bring home. I hope hazel hasn’t already gotten to big. I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!!!!!
Love, Stewart❤️❤️❤️
Hi Mom and Dad!! I am thinking about you guys SO SO SO much! Hope you are having so much fun in Utah and I can’t wait to hear all about it! 🤗 today we saw horses and immediately thought of yall and Percy! Tell Asher that I learned how to hackey sack and I’m now a pro 😎 I can’t wait to see you guys and I have LOTS of photos!!❤️
-Quinn
Hi Mom and Dad! I’m having so much fun in Croatia. I hope yall are having fun in JH!
Love, Greer
Safe Arrival!
July 7, 2026
Hello Croatia 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 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
