Much Love For Madeira!
July 9, 2026
Hello and goodbye!
Our last section of the trip was by far the most anticipated: trekking. The ominous 5-day trek had loomed on our itinerary for the first 12 days of the trip, and it came time to get into it! We couldn’t think of a better day to rally our enthusiasm behind than the 4th of July, and so it began! We began by the coast, which warranted a beach stop where Dallie and Brady got to wear their 4th of July bathing suits. True and Mary Grace found a pier to jump off of and show off their innovative jumps. We played classic patriotic songs like American Pie and Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue to celebrate. After leaving the beach, we hiked up through a town and then into the farmlands behind it. The group crushed the uphill. We celebrated with a stop at a secret waterfall nearby, where we walked up a dry riverbed to find a massive fall into a crystal clear pool. It was gorgeous, and we felt like we were in the middle of the jungle! Then, we continued onto our campsite for the night. We were greeted by chocolate cake from the host, which we happily accepted. Afterwards, Mary Cate led the group in games of Empire (a name guessing game). We had worked up an appetite, so our first cook crew assembled: Colin, Beau, and Dallie. Before we knew it, burgers were sizzling, mac and cheese was on the stove, and watermelon was chopped for our classic American feast. Then, we all sang happy birthday to America and got some rest for our next day of trekking!
We woke up, and Jack and Lucas treated the group to some delicious sausage and egg burritos! It was good that we got fuel, because the day ahead was tough. Of course, we were prepared to conquer it, and the group did an excellent job of keeping a positive attitude throughout the incline. By lunchtime, we were above the clouds and keeping a quick pace. We reached shade and stopped to have a long lunch, during which Brady found a frog and named it Ricky. After getting some rest, we made our way to the campsite to set up tents for the night. Gavin and Beau got some games of hacky sack up and running, always inventing new ways to stall the sack and keep it in the air longer and longer. We had worked up an appetite again, and True, Lulu, and Gavin cooked up some chicken stir fry for the crew to curb the cravings. After that, we walked to a nearby peak for a remarkable sunset. It looked as if there was a sea of clouds below us and the sky was every pastel color imaginable, simply stunning. We celebrated with Oreos and then had Moonup before bed!
The next morning, we got packed up and climbed into vans, which took us to the beginning of our next hike! As we looked up, it appeared as if a giant golf ball was looming above us. Turns out it was a weather radar, but we had much more fun with the golf ball comparison. We continued to hike across a beautiful ridgeline. We were so lucky with clear skies, so our views were panoramic. Afterwards, we passed into a new section of the hike which carved through mountains, including hiking through some tunnels. Afterwards, we stopped for a quick bite and then headed up to the tallest peak in Madeira! The summit tired us out, but it wasn’t long before we reached the parking lot and found a beautiful restaurant to grab treats. We also had a bit of a surprise up our sleeve and got to sleep at stunning accommodations!! The group was so surprised to be treated to comfortable beds, clean showers, and a nice dinner of chicken and potatoes. After the meal, we sang Gavin “Happy Birthday” and went to watch the sunset while playing games in the parking lot. It was another beautiful sky, and we enjoyed it as Brady and Victoria led Moonup for the evening.
The next morning, we headed downstairs for breakfast where we were treated to endless fruit, yogurt, bacon, eggs, ham, cheese, croissants and more! It was awesome. After we were STUFFED, our van took us to a nearby trailhead, and we began our ascent. We climbed through a luscious forest and even saw a local trout farm, which was pretty cool! After continuing our climb, we reached a higher alpine spot and stopped for lunch and ice cream. We arrived at our campsite in late afternoon, and Brady and Jack quickly pitched their hammocks while the rest of us got to work on our tents. We had a chill afternoon reading and playing games. Dinner time came before we knew and Victoria, Brady, and Mary Grace cooked pasta, meatballs, and salad for dinner (which our trekking guide said was his favorite meal a Moondance group has ever made for him)!!! After dinner, we had a legendary dance party and Moonup under the stars, and then played games of hide and seek in the dark before bed.
We woke up for our last morning of camping and cleaned all of the gear before heading downhill. We continued down and down and down until reaching a church where we got to explore and have lunch. LODs, Lulu and Jack, surprised the group with traditional toboggan rides down the steep slope. We were pushed by locals wearing all white and straw hats in traditional woven sleds. It was so much fun!! Then, we finished our hike to our hotel and freshened up. Afterwards, we hit the town and got some pretty fantastic outfits (just ask for the photos)!! Afterwards, we headed out for a promenade, then down to dinner at a traditional Portuguese restaurant. Most of us got the beef skewers one last time with a divine garlic butter, yum!!!! Then, we had a very extended final Moonup, packed up, and headed to the airport.
It is hard to believe that this trip has come to an end. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to meet this group of incredible students. Thank you so much for sending them on Moondance!
With love,
Palmer and Mitchell
Canyoneering in the Crystal Clear Water!
July 3, 2026
Ola from Madeira!
The trip has not slowed down in the slightest, and we have a wealth of new stories to report. This group has kept us laughing through them all!!
We woke up for our full day on Porto Santo and headed downstairs for a quick breakfast; some argue this may be our best buffet yet! Afterwards, we loaded into the van where Brady and True got the vibes up with some hype music. When we arrived at our destination, we had a beautiful view of the island’s north side. Our guide, Gonçalo, gave us a brief history of the island, which was settled in 1418. Afterwards, we walked down to a dramatic cliff’s edge that overlooks the site of a sunken Dutch ship that once contained 200 kilograms of lost silver; now most of it has been recovered. Still, the shores brought great mystery, and we admired the ocean for a while. Soon, our stomachs started rumbling, and we headed downstairs to a beach inlet for lunch. After filling up on sandwiches and fruit, the girls decided to swim. True was the first to dive in, and it didn’t take the others long to follow. The guys stayed on the beach and threw the biggest rocks they could find into the water, classic. After we finished up, we loaded back up and went down to the beach for a few hours. Gavin and Lucas caught some epic waves body surfing while some of the others jumped off the nearby pier. Later that night, we went out for some pizza and ice cream. Our restaurant was quite historic and had three wells built into the bottom of it, which got Colin and Beau laughing and saying “well, well, well.” After our meal was served, we walked over to Christopher Columbus’ old home where he resided for two years before making his way to the Americas.
The next morning, we woke up and got excited for the day ahead: hiking and a ton of swimming! After packing up at the hotel, we took the van over to the trailhead. Before we knew it, we were standing in tunnels of sandstone. We explored for a bit before heading back out and over to a ridgeline that followed the coast down. It was so cool to be able to look out over the blue water. We hiked up another ridge before meeting our guides for lunch. After satisfying our appetites, we went down to the beach where the group swam for a few hours. It was glorious. Then, we got washed up and back to the ferry. Our journey was pretty smooth, and Mary Grace, Mary Cate, and Gavin even stayed outdoors through the whole three-hour ride. Others explored the boat and found some hidden gems. We disembarked, then checked into our hotel, and Jack and Mary Grace led us in Moonup. The next morning we woke up in Funchal and had a hearty breakfast (most opted for Nutella pancakes) before our taxis arrived to take us CANYONEERING!!! After suiting up and a safety briefing, we climbed into the cold water, which was the perfect contrast to the hot day. Lucas led the group through the day’s series of rappels and slides. We spent the afternoon being christened by cool, clear waterfalls. Brady even spotted a few rainbow trout throughout the day! As we finished in the canyon, our stomachs began to rumble, so we got a late lunch directly after and then went back to Funchal. Upon our arrival, half of the group went shopping while the other half got rest. We all reunited for dinner and walked down to get ice cream by the water afterwards. Another surge of energy hit, and we spent hours in the park playing Birdy on a perch, calibria, and soccer. Speaking of, Portugal played Croatia, and as we were in Ronaldo’s hometown, it only felt natural to attend. So, at midnight we put our game faces on and headed to the town square to join the watch party. It was electric, and surely an experience we will not forget!!! Dallie, Mary Cate, and Lulu made friends with some of our fellow travelers, which made the community feel even stronger. The crowd went wild for each goal, and eventually the win!
The next morning we woke up and prepared for the next level of canyoneering. The group ventured into Nun’s Valley, surrounded by beautiful green peaks. We were faced with higher rappels and a bit longer of a route. This group absolutely rocked it! True and Mary Grace kept the vibe high in the back as they sang every song that popped into their minds. We laughed a ton and played games of poison dart frog as we went through the canyon. Before we knew it, our time as canyoneers had passed and we ate some lunch. After lunch, Gavin and Beau got some games of hacky sack going in the parking lot, then Victoria DJed as we drove to our hotel for the night. This place was nestled into the mountains and had panoramic views of the areas that we will trek in the coming days!
We are so grateful for the opportunity to spend time together in such a beautiful place!
Signing off,
Palmer and Mitchell
Thank yous
Beau – Thank you guys so much for sending me on this trip I’m having a great time I love yall.
Dallie- Hey mom and Dad! Thank you SO MUCH for giving me this opportunity to see Madeira. It is gorgeous! I can’t wait to tell you every little detail and about everyone I’ve met! Tell POTUS. + potter and the rest of the fam I love them! BIG HUGS! 😘😍
Victoria – Hi Mom and Dad thank you so much for sending me on this trip I’m having a blast!! I love you guys so so much yall are the best! 😁😛💗🐒
Mary Cate- Hi fam!! Miss you all so much but having such an incredible time. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to experience such an amazing trip with such amazing people! Hope all is well at home!Can’t wait to tell you all about it! I love you so much!! Go cubs❤️🐻
Lulu- What up fam! I am having so so much fun!! I know I fought you a little at first cause of my anxiety… but I’m so so incredibly grateful that you gave me the chance to go on this trip! Thank you for paying! 🤪🙏I love you guys so so much!! I can’t wait for MADRID!!!!🇪🇸😘😁🔥💋❤️
Gavin – Hey FAD this trip has been filled with great experiences and I want to thank you guys for that, love you!
True- Hi mom and dad! Thank you so much for sending me on Moondance I’m so grateful and am having so so much fun. Don’t have too much fun in Wrightsville without me and tell G to stay a little longer. send wells a text and tell all my friends I miss them. Love yall so much🕺🤍
MG- Hi mom and dad!! Thank you so so much for allowing me to go on this trip! I couldn’t be doing better and I’m having a blast!! What’s up siblings, I hope yall have a great time on the 4th and at camp!! Love yall and can’t wait to see everyone! ❤️❤️
Brady – What’s up Mom and Dad! This trip is awesome and I wanted to take some time to write and say thanks. Your hard earned money couldn’t have gone to a better cause. I’m sure ocean reef is really fun with all the fam their – hope Greyson is being good. Can’t wait to see you guys. I love you! 🕺✌️❤️
Lucas- hi mom and dad! Thank you so much for sending me on this incredible trip with even better people. I have had so much fun but also can’t wait to see you guys soon. I have plenty of amazing stories to share and have been super happy. 😃
Colin – Hey mom and dad and Immy/dogs. Hope everything is going well in Raleigh. Stomach just started hurting for the first time today. But that is a miracle because I’ve been having ice cream at least one a day. Anyways thanks so much for the trip. And to Lily, I hope you had the best birthday ever and hope you got your license, have a great 4th. I love all of yall, miss yall and can’t wait to see you guys. ❤️❤️❤️
Jack- Hi mom and dad I hope yall are having a great time and everything is going well. I am having a great time and wanted to say thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be able to come here. And for Lola, I hope that your travels to Michigan went smooth and that you have a great 4th, I’m thinking about you constantly! I love all of yall and can’t wait to see you guys on the 9th!❤️❤️
Delicious Meals in Madeira!
June 30, 2026
Hellooooo again!
We woke up Saturday morning with a full day ahead. After breakfast on the roof of our hotel, our schedule called for some rock climbing. We loaded up and headed out of Funchal and over to the Western peninsula of Madeira, where we met our climbing guides, Steve and Edgar. They quickly greeted us, then showed us to the pitch where we would be climbing. Before we knew it, Colin had hit the wall, showing us all how it was done. We rotated through five different routes, each more difficult than the one before. However difficult, Mary Grace earned the nickname of the tree climber because of her abilities to scurry up the wall without flinching. After all of that, we had worked up an appetite, so we had lunch at the base, then walked down to the water below the pitch. It was beautifully crystal clear and blue, so we obviously had to swim. Even after most of the other group got out, Gavin floated so peacefully as if he was a photo from a guide to meditation. Sadly, our swim time was over before we knew it; we trekked back up to the parking lot to meet our van drivers. Mary Cate and Mary Grace stopped for some roadside virgin pina coladas, and we were on our way! We arrived back in Funchal shortly after and decided to celebrate our day of reaching new heights with ice cream. Feeling fueled, the girls went off to do some shopping while the guys picked up some local Madeiran snacks. Once we reconnected, it was time to head next door to dinner, where we were served with some wonderful soup, garlic bread, and spaghetti bolognese. Afterwards, we watched the sunset over the rooftop, and LODs Dallie and Lucas led us in Moonup. To top off the night, we walked down to the docks where the Atlantic Festival was setting off fireworks. It was a spectacle with hundreds of fireworks, music, and a drone show! On our way home, we even stopped by the World Cup fan zone and watched England score two goals!
The next morning we woke up and had breakfast on the roof once again. Afterwards, we packed up for the day hike that lay ahead of us. It was about eight miles total. The first section hugged the rugged northern coastline of Madeira with cliffs dropping into the ocean while the second half sent us down to the south side of the island through the forest. It was beautiful, and there was no shortage of conversations flowing at any given moment. We ended up in Machico and caught our taxis back to Funchal. After arriving, we quickly showered and changed before heading off to a cooking class held at a local’s house. We prepared a traditional Madeiran meal made of salad, garlic bread, fried corn cubes, and steak skewers. True and Colin prepared the garlic bread, and Colin said it might have been one of the best things he had ever eaten. After Victoria and Lulu chopped the steak, Brady, Lucas, and Gavin carefully seasoned and cooked the meats. It was a delicious meal; our hard work definitely paid off. Afterwards, we explored the Funchal waterfront and stumbled upon a human circus complete with acrobatic dancers, singers, and even a fire breather. We continued to find a place to do Moonup on the water, then got some rest!
This morning we had an early wake-up to catch our ferry over to Porto Santo. The ferry is absolutely massive, which gave everyone plenty of room to explore, though most of us slept the whole time. Once we arrived, we took a short walk to the hotel and had lunch. Afterwards, we hit the beach where we got to swim, and many games of spike-ball were played. Before we knew it, it was time to kayak. LODs True and Colin paired everyone off, and we headed into the blue! We weaved in and out of magnificent caves, and we were all in awe. Then, we arrived at a rock beach where there was a spot to cliff jump, which everyone enjoyed! The way back was smooth, and we all sang songs as we headed back to civilization. Our dinner was beachfront at a beautiful restaurant! We walked back along the sandy shores where Beau and Jack sprinted along the water’s edge, definitely no lack of afternoon energy there. Then, Jack got everyone excited about dessert on the way home, so we stopped for some ice cream and crepes! After that, we had Moonup to cap off another slammed full day!
We have loved getting to know this group, and we cannot wait to see what is to come!
Until then,
Palmer and Mitchell
Fun in the SUN!
June 26, 2026
Ola from Madeira!!!
We have had a wonderful time getting this trip up and running, or maybe we should say up and surfing? Regardless, these first few days have been awesome!
The whole group met for the first time in the Lisbon airport, where we had a little layover before catching our flight to Madeira. As our plane landed, we were all very thankful for the safe descent, as Madeira’s runway is one of the most technical in the world. The plane even erupted in applause as we pulled off the tarmac. Once we deplaned, we set off on a short van ride over to Machico, checked into our hotel, and then headed down to the beach. The group quickly swam out to a platform at the center of the harbor, and we were all feeling refreshed. Afterwards, we set up Spikeball on the beach, and although it may have been Victoria’s first time, she played like a pro! We picked up some ice cream on the way back to the hotel, then headed over to a local pizzeria for our first dinner together. Colin, Beau, and Jack took down a pizza built for 6 people. It’s safe to say that we were nice and full by the end of the day! As we walked home from dinner along the water, a few of us got the bright idea to jump off the dock, and Mary Cate led the charge. Then, we had our first Moonup of the trip on the roof of our hotel overlooking Machico!
We awoke the next morning to begin our first full day together. We headed down to the hotel’s breakfast, which was complete with eggs, bacon, fruit, yoghurts, and more! After feeling fueled, we put on our bathing suits and headed down to the beach. It didn’t take long for the group to make some new friends and get games going. The most popular of the morning was a game of spiking the volleyball down on the platform, then jumping in the water to retrieve it. Simple and funny, exactly what we needed! Then we headed over to our surf lesson. The group got a good lesson on how to perform the pop-up, water safety, and how to ride the waves. And we were off! Lulu was the first to catch a wave and even stood up on her first try. The waves were a bit sparse, but that didn’t stop the group from catching them. We had an awesome time riding down the beach, and it was over before we knew it. We headed back to Machico for some burgers and lemonade. Afterwards, our first LODs, Mary Grace and Jack, conducted Moonup, and we were off to bed!
Today, we woke up and headed down to the breakfast buffet once again! After that, we headed back to the beach for some more games. We set up spike ball once again and got some games of volleyball going as well. Gavin and True were the undeniable beasts of the court, serving with perfection and somehow always making it to a stray ball: it was real commitment! We had some lunch on the beach before swimming even more. By afternoon, it was time for our second day of surfing, which brought more waves and more good vibes. We suited up, then headed to a different stretch of beach, stretched, and hit the waves! Lucas and Beau were constantly carving into waves like true professionals, no assistance needed. Dallie even put the surf instructor’s fins on and started to give people pushes onto waves! After we had gotten some good laughs in the water, we went over to our next town: Funchal. Once we arrived, we had dinner, then headed to a nearby park for Moonup and some games of basketball. As we walked home, we passed a wax figure of Cristiano Ronaldo, and as we are in his hometown, Brady got a jersey to support!
We have had such an incredible time with this group; they are bursting with energy, and we feel so lucky to be on this journey alongside them!
Until next time!!!
Palmer and Mitchell
Brady: love you mom. Love you dad. I haven’t injured anything yet.
True: Hi mom and dad the trip is so so cool and I love and miss you tell g hi😜😁❤️😬😘🙌
Colin: Hey mom dad Immy dogs and Lily. Everything is going great. Love and miss y’all!
Mary Grace: Hi family!! I’m having so much fun! Love and miss y’all!
Mary Cate : hi mom and dad I love you so much! Having so much fun!! Go cubs!!
Jack: Hi mom and dad! I am having a great time, we have a great group of guys and am getting close with them. Tell Lola I said I miss her! I love y’all.
Beau: Hi mom and dad I miss y’all I’m having a great time!
Victoria: Hi Mom and Dad!! I am having the best time ever!! Our group is so good I love everyone and we’re having a blast. Miss and love yall sm! Tell Stel Marg and MM I miss them and I’m jealous they can watch love island 🏝️ 😛🐒🕴🏻
Lucas: hey mom and dad! Hope yall are having a great day in sh or nyc! I’m having an amazing time in Madeira and have a great group here. See you in 2 weeks!
Lulu: Hey mom and dad!! I’m having so so so much fun and my group is the absolute best! I hope you have a good time in Barcelona! I love you guys so so much! Say hi to my sisters for me! 😘😜Tell huddy that I love and miss him! ❤️
Dallie: Having a blast! Love you guys big!
Gavin: Love you guys, doing good!!!
Safe Arrival!
June 24, 2026
Hello Madeira Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning 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
