One Final Farewell!
July 21, 2026
Aloha families of HWI 3B,
We keep starting this letter and having to pause – there’s so much to say, and so much love behind it. What a way to close out this trip. We are overflowing with pride and gratitude, and we already miss this group more than we expected to.
The last few days were all about the ocean, and it was such a privilege to watch this group grow through it. Every single student pushed hard to face their fears in the water, and being there for that kind of growth – really witnessing it, up close – is the whole reason we do this. Dylan and Katie stood out here in a beautiful way, both pushing past their comfort zones, getting fully in the water, and working through skill after skill with a focus that impressed everyone, instructors included. Emily was right there with them, brave alongside her friends. Open water diving isn’t easy to jump into, and watching all three of these girls push past what was comfortable and come out the other side with real, hard-won confidence was something we won’t forget.
Then came the manta ray dive – pure magic. Scarlett, Lola, and Lily actually got touched by manta rays gliding by, which doesn’t happen every trip, and doesn’t happen to everyone. Everyone surfaced talking over each other, trying to find the words for what it felt like. We’re not sure they ever quite found them, but we loved every second of watching them try.
Through it all, Gray and Thomas kept everyone laughing with their jokes and back-and-forth, filling the van with joy on every drive between dive sites. George was always the first one up to help around camp, quietly dropping little tips and fun facts. Logan, our one and only student from across the pond, ended up being one of the biggest reasons this whole group came together, belting out Curtesy of the Red White and Blue louder than anyone despite it not being “his song” – a running joke that became one of the sweetest, silliest highlights of the whole trip. And Elise kept doing what she’d done from day one – checking in on people, gently pulling others into moonup conversations, and setting a tone of warmth that the whole group followed her lead on.
We wrapped with a soft, and full circle final moonup before heading to Kona (KOA), closing a trip where this group traveled a long way from that first slightly-awkward pizza dinner – to something so much more. More confident. More comfortable with each other. Carrying home a few new certifications, a handful of manta ray stories, and – we hope – the feeling of having truly been seen and celebrated for who they are.
Thank you, truly, for sharing your prized possessions with us. It has been the honor of our summer. Every single one of these eleven kids – Dylan, Katie, Emily, Scarlett, Lola, Lily, Gray, Thomas, George, Logan, and Elise – has a permanent, special place in our hearts.
With so much love and mahalo 🌈🩷🌺
Marga-Rita Van Der Linde
Eloise Morgan
Thomas Sofis
HWI 3B
Aloha from Kona!
July 19, 2026
We have officially traded in our Kauai Island adventures for the sun-soaked shores of Kona, and this group has hit the ground running! From the very first morning, it’s been clear that this crew came ready to dive in (quite literally) to everything Kona has to offer.
Our first day in Kona kicked off with a cooking class using produce grown right here on the island, and let me tell you, we may have some future chefs in our midst. George and Thomas were absolute naturals in the kitchen, slicing and dicing their way through fresh, local vegetables like they had been doing it for years. The salad they built from scratch was as delicious as it was beautiful, and the pride on their faces when the group dug in said it all. It was the perfect way to welcome everyone to Kona and get a taste (literally) of what makes this island so special.
The next three days took us underwater for our scuba diving sections, and boy oh boy did the kids have fun! Lily and Elise proved themselves to be true water babies from the very first breath underwater, completely at home below the surface and beaming every time they resurfaced with stories of what they had seen. Right alongside them, Gray and Logan have been setting the standard as our resident “mermen,” moving through the water with a comfort and confidence that has been so fun to watch develop day by day. Watching this whole group grow more fearless with every dive has been one of the true highlights of Kona so far.
In between our days in the water, we have been camping at some truly beautiful spots around the island, and Scarlett and Lola have never once let the group’s spirits dip, even at the end of the longest, sandiest, most sun-soaked days. Their energy has been contagious and has become something the whole group looks forward to each evening. Meanwhile, Katie and Dylan have taken it upon themselves to teach the entire group the art of friendship bracelet making, and our campsites are now covered in colorful thread and half-finished masterpieces. And we would be remiss not to mention Emily, who has been such a light on this trip, consistently pushing herself outside her comfort zone in the water, around camp, and within the group. We could not be prouder of how far she, and every one of these kids, has come.
Tonight we head out for our manta ray snorkel dive, one of the most anticipated nights of the entire trip. We are all hoping for a full school of manta rays to glide beneath us, and we will be sure to share every detail (and hopefully some photos) very soon.
Thank you for sharing these incredible kids with us. We are cherishing every moment of this journey with them.
Mahalo, HWI 3B
Scarlett: Having the best time love you popcico and mom!! Shout out day see you soon and I have a gift for you I just made!! shout out liles and layan now I miss gershum! See yall so so soon
Dylan: Hi!! I’m having a great time and a lot of fun and made so many new friends! Thank you so much for letting me come again this year, yall are the best!! I miss yall so much and can’t wait to see you soon! I love yall so much!!💛😆
Kati: Heyy mom and dad! I hope y’all have had a blast in NY, can’t wait to hear all about it. I also can’t wait to tell you about this amazing place and amazing people. I love y’all SO much🩵 p.s. pls tell AJ, Quinn, and Anna I miss them!!!
Elise: Hi Mom and Dad and Gramm and Papa and Rowan and Caden and Tante Jacqueline and Uncle Ry!! I miss you guys back at the shore house! I’m having the most life changing experience right now and currently on my way for our last scuba dive!!🦈🤿 I love you guys so much!💕🌈☀️🏄🏼♀️🌊
Thomas-thanks for sending me here ive been having soo much fun its not even funny im sad to leave but i cant wait to see you guys
Emily- hellooo thanks so much for letting me come on this trip its been the best experience im so sad to leave because its been so fun but im super excited to come home too. see you soon!
Lily-thank you so so much for letting me come on this trip and paying for it all it was so much fun and i got to see so many amazing things while here. I miss you guys so much and cant wait to see you
Lola-thank you guys so much for pushing me to come on this trip. As scared as i was im happy i did and i met so many new friends. I have had so much fun doing all the activities and i cant wait to see you guys, love you!!!
George- dear mom and dad thank you for allowing me to come on this trip. I am very glad I had the opportunity to come to hawaii. I am very excited to see you soon.
Logan – Hi Mum and Dad, thank you again for sending me on this trip its been the opportunity of a lifetime and every second has been sick. Im so glad i done this and I cant wait to see you guys. Love you both
Gray- Hi mom and dad thank you so much for this amazing opportunity. I have learned so much and made so many new friends. The scuba diving is so crazy and i miss y’all so so much
Kicking It in Kaua'i!!
July 14, 2026
Aloha from Kauaʻi!
What an incredible week it has been. From catching our very first waves to paddling beneath the towering emerald cliffs of the Nā Pali Coast, this group has embraced every adventure, every challenge, and every rain shower that Hawaiʻi has thrown our way with enthusiasm and positivity.
The trip began with eleven students arriving in the evening and gathering around pizza as strangers who would very quickly become friends. From the very beginning, Gray set the tone for the group, greeting each new arrival with genuine warmth and gentlemanly courtesy. He was among the first to step outside his comfort zone and make sure everyone felt welcomed and included from the moment they arrived.
Since then, our days have been filled with surfing, hiking, ziplining, cooking, sea kayaking, and countless laughs in between. One of the greatest joys of leading a Moondance trip is watching students discover new passions and hidden strengths, and this group has certainly done both.
At Hanalei Bay, students jumped headfirst into surfing with our wonderful local outfitters and quickly proved that they are naturals in the water. Thomas brought endless enthusiasm and energy to the lineup, catching wave after wave and stepping in to encourage and assist fellow students whenever he could. Even when the rain rolled in later that afternoon, spirits remained high as the group explored town before returning to camp to cook dinner together. Elise quickly emerged as a leader in the camp kitchen, helping prepare a delicious pasta dinner complete with chicken and homemade sauces. Her positivity and appreciation for every experience have been constants throughout the trip.
Of course, no Hawaiʻi adventure would be complete without exploring the breathtaking beauty of the island itself. The group set off on a seven-mile hike along the Nā Pali Coast, where early rain clouds had us wondering whether we’d catch the famous views. Fortunately, Mother Nature had other plans. Just as we reached the summit, the skies cleared to reveal one of the most spectacular vistas on the island. George and Katie were standouts on the trail, demonstrating incredible endurance and positive attitudes while engaging thoughtfully with our guide, Lizzy, and the trip leaders throughout the day. Moments like these are difficult to put into words. Standing atop the mountains of Kauaʻi together is something none of us will soon forget.
Rainy mornings became opportunities rather than obstacles throughout the week. During our second surf session, Scarlett did an amazing job lifting the group’s spirits and striking up conversations with our instructors before we paddled out. Later that day, Logan, who is from England, received the exciting news that England had won their World Cup match and advanced to the semifinals! His excitement was absolutely contagious and quickly spread throughout the van. Not long after, Dylan volunteered her personal playlist for the drive home, which turned into an impromptu country music karaoke session that had everyone singing along at the top of their lungs.
One of the many things we have loved about this group is their willingness to encourage one another through challenges. While ziplining over the lush valleys made famous by films such as Jurassic Park and Tropic Thunder, Katie faced her fear of heights head-on and embraced the experience with incredible courage. Lola was right there beside her, offering encouragement and bringing her signature joy and enthusiasm to every moment of the day, especially during our stop at a beautiful hidden waterhole tucked along the course. Watching students cheer one another on has been one of the highlights of the trip.
Finally, we wrapped up our adventure with what many consider the crown jewel of Kauaʻi: a ten-mile sea kayak along the Nā Pali Coast. Paddling beneath dramatic green cliffs alongside crystal-clear waters is truly one of those “Can you believe we get to do this?” experiences. Although strong winds forced us to turn back slightly earlier than planned, the group approached the challenge with resilience and positive attitudes. Emily’s encouragement and determination lifted the spirits of those around her throughout the physically demanding paddle. Lily, George, and Logan also encouraged each other and the group to fully embrace this incredible adventure and made the most of our time out on the open sea. The day was made complete with a refreshing swim, a well-earned lunch, and breakfast for dinner back at camp.
As we reflect on the week, we are continually amazed by this group’s kindness, adventurous spirit, and willingness to try something new. They have laughed through rainy mornings, celebrated one another’s victories, and embraced every opportunity that has come their way. Watching their friendships grow and their confidence blossom has been such a joy.
Before we sign off, we have a little message from our group below 🙂
Gray: Thank you for the opportunity to take this beautiful trip and for everything y’all do for me.
Thomas: Hello Mom and Dad. I’m having so much fun. I miss you all and will see you so soon. Sorry in advance for the credit card bill!
Logan: Hi Mom and Dad! Missing you all but having a great time. This trip is class. See you so soon! P.S. There is no Ned Flanders.
Lily: Hi Mom and Dad! I miss y’all so much and can’t wait to come back, but I’m having so much fun and making amazing friends. I love you guys.
George: To Mom and Dad, thank you so much for sending me on this trip. I have made lots of friends and have become close with the other boys. Hope y’all are doing well. Love, George.
Scarlett: Thank you guys so much. I miss you guys. And for L+L… I miss Jackson. Love, Scarlett.
Dylan: Dear Mom and Dad, thank you so much for letting me come on this trip. You guys are the best, and I can’t wait to see you. I love you so much! Love, Dilly. (P.S. I’m missing y’all!)
Katie: Hi Mom and Dad! I am having a blast and have already made some amazing friends and memories. Tell Gloria and Cliff I say hello. Love, Katie
Emily: Hi! I am having so much fun. Hawaiʻi is so pretty. We should definitely come here on vacation! Thank you so much for letting me come on this trip. Love, Emily.
Lola: Hey guys! I miss you all so much. You guys would be so proud of how much walking I have done! I’m having so much fun and can’t wait to tell you guys about it. Today, the 14th, we did our 10-mile kayak and it was so hard. I’m running out of room to write, so I love you guys so much. See you soon! WAYLA!!
Elise: Mom + Dad + others, words cannot describe how grateful I am to be on this trip. I love you guys beyond. Thank you so, so much for making this possible. I hope you’re not missing me too much! Give the cats a squeeze for me! I miss you guys lots. No shammy sightings yet. You guys are the BEST! Love, Lisie.
Sending sunshine,
Eloise, Marga-Rita, & Thomas
Safe Arrival!
July 9, 2026
Hello Hawaiian Islands Families!
We heard from our leaders that the group has landed safely! Please remember that our leaders and students will be unplugged during their trips, but we will post trip updates throughout the trip! This will allow you to follow along with their adventure. You can also follow us on Instagram, @moondanceadventures, to see more of what we are up to!
-Moondance HQ
