Shout Outs!
July 6, 2026
Some words from the kiddos:
Thank you mom and dad I’m having an amazing time! I’ve taken so many photos and I’m so excited to share all these memories. The group is incredible! Happy birthday Jacqui love ya!
Love,
Elan
Hey mom and dad, I’m having a wonderful time in the Dolomites and you were right Moondance is so much fun and I’m having the best time of my life. Thank you for sending me on this trip and I’m so thankful for this trip. I will see you soon and tell you the wonderful stories from the Dolomites.
Love Alek
Hey mom and dad, this is the best Moondance trip I have ever been on. I love the group they are amazing. The views are so amazing. I hope to be able to come to the Dolomites one day with all of you. I love yall and can’t wait to see yall soon.
Love,
Wells
Hi mom and dad, thank you for an incredible time you guys have gave me on this trip. Honestly, this has been some of the best times with new people as well as overall experiences I just have ever had. I miss you guys so so so muchhh!
Love,
Jake
Hi mom and dad thank you so much for letting me be able to experience this awesome trip. it’s so fun we have been doing the coolest thing ever. I miss you guys and I miss CGC. Love you so much. See you soon
Love,
Harper
Hey mom and dad I’m having so much fun and have made a lot of new friends. Thank you so much for letting me be able to go on this trip. I miss you guys so much, see you soon
Love,
Maddie
Hey guys! I am having so so much fun thank you so much for sending me on this trip. I am meeting so many new amazing people and having so many great experiences!
Much love,
Maysey
Hi mom and dad, I am having the best time in the Dolomites and I miss you so much. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to go on this trip! I love y’all so much and I can’t wait to tell you all about the trip and my new friends and experiences! I love you!
Love, Caroline
Hi mom and dad I am having such a fun time here in Italy!!!! Thank you for sending me on this trip!!! I MISS Luna so much and give her walks because I see dogs climbing mountains something Luna can’t do….. love and miss you guys
-Tilley
Hi mom, dad, and Millie!! I miss y’all so much and can’t wait to see y’all soon! I hope you’re having so much fun in Italy already and I can’t wait to meet up with y’all and see more family!! I LOVE YOU GUYSSS!!
love- Izzy
Hi mom and dad! I’m having so much fun and love the group I’m in! say hi to the dogs and have fun and if he hasn’t left yet tell Coleman bye and have fun for me! Love yall!!
-Charlotte
Delightful Days in the Dolomites!
July 5, 2026
Helloooo from DOL2B!
We are officially halfway through our adventure here in the Dolomites, and what a week it has been! We have laughed harder than we thought possible, climbed higher than many of us imagined, and continue to be blown away by the strength, positivity, and determination of this incredible group. Every single day these students have embraced new challenges with enthusiasm, and Sarah and I couldn’t be more grateful to spend these two weeks exploring Italy with them.
From the moment we landed in the Dolomites, this group clicked. After settling into our hotel in the beautiful mountain town of Corvara, we spent our first evening getting to know one another over pizza, games, and our first Moonup beneath the towering peaks. It didn’t take long before Alek had the entire group hooked on the game “21,” which has since become a daily tradition. Harper wasted no time proving she was the one to beat by hitting 21 not once—but twice!
Our first Via Ferrata at Les Cordes was the perfect introduction to climbing in the Dolomites. Everyone stepped outside their comfort zones and tackled the route with confidence. Elan kept spirits high by singing along sections of the climb, and before long the whole group had joined in with a Frank Sinatra singalong echoing through the mountains. Jake was constantly looking out for everyone around him, offering words of encouragement through the trickier sections while somehow also managing to capture incredible photos of the group along the trail. Maddie impressed everyone—including our Italian guides—who congratulated her on being a complete natural on the Via Ferrata. Safe to say she’ll always have a future in mountain climbing if she wants it!
The next day brought one of our biggest hiking days yet as we trekked beneath the incredible Setsass Peak. This group has proven time and time again just how strong they are. Izzy absolutely flew up the trail, somehow keeping pace with Michele, our guide, who is famous for hiking at what feels like superhuman speed. Watching her match his pace on one of our toughest days was seriously impressive. Along the way, Jake continued documenting everyone’s adventures with his camera, making sure these memories will live on long after we’ve returned home.
One thing Sarah and I have loved most about this group is how much joy they bring to every part of the day—not just the adventures. Whether we’re hiking, eating dinner together, or winding down after Moonup, there is never a shortage of laughter. Wells has quickly earned the title of group comedian, keeping everyone smiling with perfectly timed jokes and comments that somehow always land. Between card games, storytelling, and constant laughter, this crew has made every moment together memorable. As the perfect grand finale to night six, Maysey and Alek utilized their positions as LODs to close an already chilly Moonup on the Lagazuoi summit with a snowball fight! During downtime after the long hikes, Charlotte leads the group in friendship bracelet tutorials which have become a huge hit!
The Fourth of July brought another unforgettable day in the mountains. Caroline and Tilley fully embraced the holiday spirit by glittering up for the festivities, adding a little extra sparkle to our celebration abroad. We hiked through the incredible World War I tunnels before arriving at our cozy mountain refuge, where the day ended with one of our favorite Moonups so far.
Over the past two days, we’ve been climbing throughout the breathtaking Cinque Torri area with our mountain guides. Every student has continued to impress us with their courage, determination, and willingness to try new things. Whether clipping into another Via Ferrata, scrambling over rock, or cheering each other on from below, this group has continued to support one another every step of the way. They truly celebrate each other’s successes, and it’s been incredible to watch their confidence grow with every climb.
More than anything, Sarah and I have been amazed by the character of this group. They are exceptionally respectful—to one another, to us as leaders, and to our Italian guides. They have approached every challenge with grit, positivity, and an incredible amount of energy. Even after long days in the mountains, they somehow still have enough left in the tank for games, conversations, and plenty more laughs before bed.
We feel incredibly lucky to be leading such a fun-loving, adventurous, and resilient group of students. They have already accomplished so much, but the best part is knowing we still have another week of adventures ahead of us. We can’t wait to see what memories the second half of the trip has in store! Thanks so much for sharing your amazing kids with us—we’re having an absolute blast!
Warmly,
Moss and Sarah
Safe Arrival!
June 30, 2026
Hello Dolomites Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has landed safely in Venice! 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
