Memories Made in Madeira
June 21, 2026
Hello Moondance Families!
Day 15- Today, we started our canyoneering adventure! Our LODs, Lucy and Leo, led the way and took the rear. As we made our way through the canyon, the group had the chance to rappel, climb, and carefully move through sections of flowing water and natural rock formations. Some moments required focus and teamwork, and it was impressive to see how supportive the kids were with one another, encouraging each other through every step and celebrating every small win along the way. After finishing our canyoneering adventure, we shifted into a completely different but equally special experience with a hands-on cooking class. Together, Connor and Stokes prepared and grilled the steak, Leo and Kate chopped the salad, Kemmons and Rylan toasted the bread, and Lucy and Neely chopped the garlic for the bread. The kids got involved in the process and enjoyed working together in a relaxed, fun environment after such an active morning. It was a great way to wind down, share stories from the day, and enjoy a well-earned meal together.
Day 16- For our final full day, we returned to finish out our canyoneering adventure! After a quick briefing from our amazing guides, we headed up to the level two waterfalls and rock slides. Lizzy took the lead of the group and decided to show us the ropes of how to properly rappel down waterfalls unafraid of the chilly water dumping over us. Bringing up the rear, Guy and Ethan tested their limits with speed running the rappels and started looking like professional extreme sport athletes. After an exciting afternoon of canyoneering, we headed back to our accommodations for the night and got ready for the banquet! With a little bit of time before dinner, Rian suggested we head to a local bakery for some fresh pástel de nata as a quick appetizer. For dinner, we headed to an Italian restaurant for a delicious array of pizzas and pastas for dinner. After dinner, we stopped for one final ice cream stop, accompanied by a short viewing of some more of the World Cup. We ended our night with an incredible final Moonup with a special edition of the Nugjug and fireworks from the harbor!
We want to thank you again for sharing your kids with us this summer, as it was truly a privilege to spend time with them, witness their growth, and share in such meaningful and memorable experiences together. Tchau!
Parker and Kate
Making The Most Of Our Time In Madeira!
June 19, 2026
Hey Moondance Families!
Day 12- This morning, we woke up to rain, as we headed to rock climbing! Although our plans were slightly altered, that didn’t stop us from still giving it 100% and remaining positive! Our incredible guides walked us through the plans for the morning, and we were off. Neely quickly revealed to us that she used to competitively climb when she was younger, so we knew she was up for the challenge. At the same time, Ethan and Connor quickly began looking like Alex Honnold in “Free Solo” based on the way they attacked the walls. Upon returning to our hotel, we all decided that a nap was much needed. After some rest, we headed to a museum for the afternoon to admire the accolades of the greatest soccer player of all time. Guy quickly revealed that he has a plethora of knowledge about CR7, as he fired off us stats about every award in the cases. We ended the night watching France and Senegal battle it out in the World Cup as Kate W., Rylan, and Kemmons conversed with some locals.
Day 13- Today, we found ourselves returning to the mountains of Madeira for a day hike! We reunited with our incredible guides from trekking and set off for our next destination. This hike led us from the mountains to the sea! Beginning high in the hills of Madeira, we slowly made our way down to the oceanside. Upon request by Rian, Lizzy, and Kate M., we connected to the JBL speaker to keep us all energized with the amazing Madeira 1B playlist we’ve been curating throughout the trip. Along our hike, we experienced some of the most incredible views of the coastline we have ever seen. At lunch, when we stopped, Stokes pointed out the clarity of the view and made sure to capture the moment with a “solo selfie” of him with Porto Santo in the background.
Day 14- This morning, we headed out for our second surfing lesson! With a short 20min drive, we found ourselves along the side of a hill overlooking an incredible black-sand pebble beach. With wetsuits zipped and a quick warmup stretch, we started catching waves. Lucy quickly led the pack out to the lineup where we waited for our guides to boost us into the waves. Kate M. and one of our other outfitters decided to get some drone footage of the waves from overhead. After wrapping up our surfing lesson, we headed back to the hotel and cleaned up. Watching the World Cup has quickly become a group favorite activity during our free time, so after some rest, we headed to the town square to watch Czechia vs South Africa before dinner. Between dinner and returning to watch Switzerland, Leo and the rest of the boys honed in on their hacky sack skills.
Thank You’s:
Lizzy- Hey Mom and Dad!!! Thank you so so much for letting me go on this trip! I have had such a good time and couldn’t be more grateful! You guys are seriously the best, and I am so excited to talk to you guys! I will see you guys so soon and can’t wait to tell you all about Madeira! Love you and miss you both and the dogs lots!!! 💞😘❤️
Also Mom, I am very sorry about the spurs losing. It was very sad news to hear☹️
Rylan- Hi Mom and Dad! I miss you guys so much! Thank you so so so much for supporting me and encouraging me to go on trips like this one! I’ve had so much fun and can’t wait to tell you about it and hear about Will’s trip! Tell Brooklyn I love her very much! See you guys soon!!
Kate- Hi Mom and Dad!! I have had the best trip ever and am so excited to tell y’all all about it! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to come on this trip! I can’t wait to see y’all in a few days! LOVE Y’ALL
Rian- Hiiiii!!! Thank you so so much for sending me on this trip and letting me experience all of the amazing things that Moondance has exposed me to!! I can’t wait to tell you guys about all of the cool things we have been doing! I miss y’all so so so much and can’t wait to see y’all soon!! 💓
Neely – Hey everyone!!! I’m having such a great time, so thank y’all for letting me go on this trip!! I can’t wait to see y’all and share about all the things I have done. Love love love love y’all!!!❤️❤️❤️
Lucy- Hiiiiii!! Thank you Ma and Dad for letting me go on this trip. It has truly been a blast, and I have done some things that I would have never have done without Moondance. I cannot wait to see y’all and all of my friends. Love and miss y’all the most and tell the sibs and Sugar, Reesee, and Sutton that I miss them!! Thank you again and see you soon! 💞💞
Guy: Thank you mom and dad for sending me on this trip.
Connor: Thank you so much Mom and Dad for sending me on Moondance, I am having so much fun! Sorry if I’m spending too much money.
Kemmons: thank you guys for sending me on Moondance!! This trip has been incredibly fun, and I can’t wait to get home and tell you guys all about it. Miss y’all!!
Stokes: Thank you guys for everything! This trip has been the most fun ever. No complaints, love you! Tell Lilly that I can’t wait for harbor island!!!!🏝️ ❤️
Leo: Thank y’all so much for sending me on this trip and letting me go all the way to Madeira. This has been one of the most incredible experiences ever, and I can’t thank you guys enough. I’ll pay y’all back for all of the ice cream money I’ve spent. I love you guys so much and say hi to Rufus and Mango (and Smoky) for me ❤️.
Ethan: Thank y’all so much for sending me on this trip to Madeira! It is such a cool place and I’ve met a lot of cool people. I’ll tell y’all all about it when I get back. Love y’all❤️
Panoramic Views from Madeira!
June 15, 2026
Day 6- Our day hike took us along a stunning ridge and our guide led us into a few caves along the way. Rylan was always making sure to snap some photos with her camera! After finishing the hike, we sat down for a well-earned lunch at the end of the trail and spent the next few hours hanging out and resting until the late afternoon. As the day wound down, we made our way to the port for dinner, followed by Moonup by the water. Shortly after, we boarded the ferry back to Madeira. Today’s LOD’s, Guy and Lucy, selected Stokes and Lizzy to be next!
Day 7- First day of trekking! Before beginning our hike, we made a stop at a beautiful black sand beach, taking in the scenery before setting off for the day. We then started our hike, making our way up through a small town as we gradually climbed toward our campsite. About halfway through the trek, we paused to enjoy lunch beside a waterfall, taking in the peaceful surroundings before continuing on. All of the kids were brave enough to dive into the cold water, and Kemmons, Ethan, and Leo even jumped into the water beside the waterfall! After finishing the hike, we arrived at our campsite, tired but grateful for another incredible day. Rylan and Connor were selected to be our next LODs!
Day 8- We spent the majority of the day hiking uphill, steadily climbing along the trail as we made our way toward our campsite. The incline was challenging and definitely pushed us physically, but it made the experience even more rewarding and fun as we encouraged one another and paused to take in the views along the way. Kemmons made sure to keep us laughing with his sing-alongs to almost every song we played! After a long day of hiking, we finally arrived at our campsite, tired but accomplished. That evening, we cooked pita pizzas for dinner, which turned out to be a huge hit and the perfect way to end such an active day.
Day 9- Today we set out on a hike that took us all the way to the tallest point in Madeira. Our LOD’s, Rian and Leo, kept the energy up! The views at the top made every step worth it, and the sense of accomplishment was unmatched. To everyone’s surprise, we didn’t hike back to a campsite, instead, we stayed the night at a mountain hut, which made the experience even more memorable. That evening, we enjoyed a dinner of chicken together before gathering for Moonup under a beautiful pink sunset, ending the day on a peaceful and unforgettable note.
Day 10- This morning began with an incredible sunrise and an even better multi-course breakfast. After cleaning up and packing our bags we set out for the next hike! Our hike provided us with some of the most amazing views from above the clouds you could ever imagine. Throughout the day Neely was quick to lead the pack through the narrow passes to reach the final view. Our guides gave us a short lesson on the Zino’s Petrel, an endangered sea bird native to the high ridges of Madeira, as well as the geographic history of the peaks we were climbing. After returning from the scenic views and making sure to capture as many pictures as possible, we headed for our campsite. After a few short miles through the valleys, we arrived at our campsite in a small cedar grove. There we were met with strong winds and chillier weather, but that didn’t stop anyone from a few rounds of hacky sack and card games. For dinner Neely, Kemmons, and Parker cheffed up chicken pesto pasta with homemade garlic bread.
Day 11- After a chilly night in the mountains, we packed up our bags for our final morning of trekking. As we set off, we were met with a nice breeze and some cooler weather. While descending through the clouds on our way to the next destination, we found a barn hidden along the side of the trail where we were met with a small herd of donkeys who came out to say hello. We snapped some photos, fed them some grass, and continued down the mountainside. Shortly after that we entered a small section of a Madeira ecological park where we encountered some beautiful peacocks. After more pictures and a moment to watch them roam we continued down. As we entered the town, we made a short stop at one of the oldest cathedrals on the island to admire its beauty and take a moment of reverence. Kate M. and Parker then surprised the kids with toboggan rides! The boys decided to buy traditional straw woven hats like those worn by our amazing toboggan drivers. With that, we had one final push into town to reach our hotel for the next two nights. After checking in, we had some time to kill before dinner, so we went window shopping around town. The girls checked out Zara and Mango to look at clothes while the boys headed up the road for a quick gelato stop. Afterwards, we noticed a crowd gathering to watch the World Cup and Kate W. suggested we hangout for a bit to see the end of the game. Safe to say we were all big fans of Cape Verde after that. We ended our night with a rooftop moonup and elected Guy and Lizzy as our LOD’s for tomorrow as we head to the coast for some rock climbing. We can’t wait to update you all again in a few short days with more awesome stories!
Madeira Magic!
June 10, 2026
Hey Moondance Families!
Day 1- Hi Parents! Welcome to our trip through Madeira. Kate and I are beyond excited to start our adventure through Portugal with your kids!
Day 2- We started our trip bright and early in Lisbon. We welcomed the students to Portugal upon their arrival in the airport. With a short layover until our flight out to Madeira we played the name game connecting each other with friends from hometowns and previous trips. Our flight to the island was a quick hour and a half with some of the most incredible views of the open ocean and surrounding islands we had ever seen. Once we checked into the hotel we made a quick sprint to the natural salt pools in Machico. Without hesitation Rian and Lizzy braved the chilly water. After pizza dinner at White Water hotel Kate and I elected Leo and Neely as our first Leaders of The Day (LOD’s)!
Day 3- Our first full day on the island allowed us sometime to sleep in before heading to the coast for our first surfing lesson! While waiting for our turn in the water, Kemmons made sure to get a taste of the local ice cream while Guy and Stokes made a makeshift hacky sack with a crushed Pepsi can. Following our lesson in shredding waves, we headed back to Machico to clean up for dinner. Before dinner we decided to check out the local medieval festival taking place in the town square. After a dinner of burgers and fries as well as fish, we headed to the roof for Moonup. Leo and Neely elected Kate and Ethan as our new LOD’s.
Day 4- This morning we are taking a boat to the neighboring island of Porto Santo! We will spend today and tomorrow on the island exploring the coast. After checking into our incredible hotel for the next two days we headed out to sea for a kayaking expedition. Kate and Ethan bravely guided the front of the group through caves. After cruising through a few Basalt caves along the coast we stopped ashore a rocky beach to enjoy some cliff jumping. Connor and Neely quickly made their ways out to the cliffs and with help from our amazing guide took an icy plunge into the bay.
Day 5- Today we headed out on a short day hike to reach our Coastal Adventure! Ryland and Ethan quickly took the front of the line encouraging others to press on! Upon return Leo and I made a pit stop at one of the ocean pools for a quick dip in to cool off. To end the night we headed to a pizza dinner and ice cream to celebrate Lucy’s birthday!!! Tomorrow evening we are heading back to Madeira to prepare for our trekking section. Can’t wait to send you all an update again after that!
Shoutouts: Lizzy: Hey Fam!!!! I miss you both so much and hope that y’all are doing amazing! Please say hi to Macey and Taco for me hopefully they are being good!😂Don’t get too bored without me! Please tell my friends that I miss them so much and to read this 😉😉Madeira is so amazing and I am having so much fun!!!! All the people here are awesome I can’t wait to tell you guys everything!!! Love you guys so much and see you very soon! 💕🧀🧀🧀🧀
Rian: Hey!!!!! Hope you everything is going great at home! Also I hope all of y’all trips are amazing and I can’t wait to hear all about it! Madeira is the best and you guys would love it so so much too! Tell my friends that I miss them soooooooo much too! I can’t wait to tell y’all everything we’ve been up to! Anyways I miss y’all so much and love you so so so much!! 💗
Neely: Hi guys!! I miss y’all so much and I can’t wait to see all y’all when I get back! Madeira is so pretty and the activities we have been doing have been great. I can’t wait to tell y’all all about it. Love love love love y’all!!! 💗💗💗
Kate: Hi mom and dad!! I miss you so so much! We are in a small island next to Madeira and it is really pretty. The group is so fun and I love my leaders. I can’t wait to hear all about your trip and see pictures! Please tell LG and James I say hi from there camps and that I miss them and love them so much! We are about to leave to go trekking for 4 nights in Madeira, but we got to stay in hotels that were rly nice the past few nights. I can’t wait to see y’all and give y’all a big hug!!! Love you so much and thank you! ❤️❤️
Lucy: Hi everyone! I miss the fam so much, and I miss my friends a lot. Madeira is so gorgeous and we have surfed and hiked all around! The mountains and trails are gorgeous, especially here in Porto Santo which is an island near Madeira. We are going to start the trekking in a couple of days which I’m excited for. Tell Alex, Lauren, Catherine, and Mallie that I miss them, and I’m so excited to see them when I get home. I hope the girls are doing well and that Sutty is behaving herself. Miss the family so so much – Ma, Dad, Thomas, Pinky, and Olivia! See y’all in 12 days!!! 🎉🎉 Love, Lucy
Ryland: Hi! Madeira has been really fun! I hope you guys are having fun in Signal Mountain with Brooklyn and the dogs! I also hope Will is having fun on BCO too! Love yall!!
Leo: Hey mom and dad!! I’m having a great time right now, and I’m so grateful for y’all and this trip! I love yall so much!!
Connor: Hi mom and dad! I’m having so much fun on the trip right now! Hope you guys, my sisters, and Gretel and Winny are doing well! Love you guys.
Stokes: Thank you mom and dad! This trip has been sick, our group is super fun and our leaders are chill. We have gone hiking, kayaking, and surfing so far. Love you and miss you!
Guy: What’s up guys my trip is fun!!! My group is very fun I have a lot of friends and Parker and Kate are very cool as well. I hope you’re doing well and are all doing good!
Ethan: Hi guys I’m having a lot of fun. i actually packed what i need this trip and Madeira is very cool. I miss all of you guys! I’m very glad i came to this trip!
Kemmons: What’s up guys! The trip is going super well! Having a ton of fun and the group is amazing. Hope you guys are doing good in Memphis! Love yall!
Safe Arrival in Madeira!
June 6, 2026
Hello Madeira Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has landed safely in Madeira! 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
