Update from MAD 2B!
July 5, 2026
Day 11- Today marked our very first day in Porto Santo, and it could not have been a better start to our adventure. We woke up early with excitement in the air and set out for the beginning of our hike. From the very first steps, we were surrounded by incredible beauty; winding through rugged mountains, then descending into a peaceful valley that felt completely untouched. One of the highlights of the day was reaching the top of a breathtaking lookout point, where we stood on the edge of a cliff and took in sweeping views that seemed to go on forever. For lunch, we enjoyed Gonçalo’s special, a tried-and-true favorite that never disappoints. Violet quickly claimed the ketchup chips as her top pick, while Jack L was the first to grab and finish off the remaining Brisa soda—a local Madeira favorite that has become a group staple. After a rewarding hike, we took some much-needed time to rest and recharge before heading to the beach for a relaxing and joy-filled afternoon. The energy quickly picked back up as everyone made their way to the pier, where we took turns jumping into the water; an activity the boys especially loved and couldn’t get enough of. We ended the day on a perfect note, gathered by the water for a delicious dinner of burgers and steak sandwiches. With full stomachs and tired legs, it was the kind of day that reminds us just how special this place and these moments truly are. Our LODs of the day, Henry and Georgia, picked Parker and Finley to lead the next day!
Day 12- HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!! We kicked off the day with excitement as we set out for our second hike in Porto Santo; our final trek of the trip. It was the perfect way to celebrate, filled with adventure, laughter, and plenty of festive spirit. Red and blue zinc made its appearance as everyone got into the spirit, Lillian and Paige proudly wrote “USA” across their faces, while Georgia showed her spirit with it written boldly across her leg. Annie even wore her red and white checkered shorts! We began the hike with a cave tour, exploring the cool, hidden spaces before continuing along a stunning ridge that overlooked the bright blue water below. The views were absolutely breathtaking, and it felt like the perfect backdrop for such a special day. At the top, we took a well-earned break and enjoyed cookies together, soaking in the moment and the beauty all around us. After finishing the hike, we headed back to the hotel for some much-needed rest before venturing out to explore the town of Porto Santo. The group split up for a bit of shopping; the girls browsing jewelry and swimsuit shops, while the boys made their way straight to a surf shop. Soon after, we made our way to the ferry and boarded for our journey back to Madeira. As the day came to a close, we gathered for Moonup on the helipad, surrounded by a glowing sunset that made for a peaceful and memorable ending to such a full day. Our LODs selected Lillian and Peyton to lead the next day!
Day 13- Today was our second and final day of surfing, and it was one to remember! We made our way down to Machico and wasted no time getting into the water. Jack W was especially fired up for this activity and didn’t hesitate, he was one of the very first to paddle out and catch the waves. The surf was even bigger than before, which only added to the excitement and challenge. The kids rose to the occasion in the best way. Henry quickly earned the title of surfing MVP, confidently shredding wave after wave with impressive skill. Finley was not far behind, she looked like a total natural out there, catching on so quickly and riding with ease. After an incredible morning of surfing, we headed to another cliff jumping spot, which may have taken the top spot as the group’s favorite yet. James and Jack L kept things entertaining, showing off spins into the water that had everyone laughing and impressed. We played a game of “Birdie on a Perch,” and after a competitive final round between Lillian, Paige, Parker, and Peyton, the girls clinched the win in a veggie-off showdown! We wrapped up the day back at the hotel with a well-earned dinner of pizza and pasta, followed by a relaxing and meaningful Moonup by the pool. To end the night, Jack W and Violet were chosen to lead the next day.
Jack W- Mom and Dad, thank you so much for sending me on this trip, it has been so fun! My favorite activity so far has probably been the sea kayaking, but it has all been fun and I am so grateful to be here. Love y’all, Jack
Jack L- Hi Mom and Dad! Thank you for letting me come to Madeira for my trip. Surfing was fun! Love y’all🤖🫁!
Henry- Hey mom and dad! Thanks for allowing me to come on this amazing trip to Madeira. It has been an absolute blast getting to meet all these new amazing people and all the fun adventures we have gone on, Love y’all!💁🤯👐🤝🎃
James- Dear mother and Porky, thank you very much for allowing me to come on this incredible experience. It has been the most amazing time here in Madeira and I have met very interesting people. Love you guys, JT🚜🚛🦼
Lillian- Hey mom and dad!! Thanks so much for letting me come on this trip!! It’s been so much fun and so cool!! Love and miss y’all! 🫶🫂
Lillian- Hey mom and dad!! Thanks so much for letting me come on this trip!! It’s been so much fun and so cool!! Love and miss y’all! 🫶🫂
Finley- hi mom and dad!!! Thank you so much for sending me on this trip! I’ve gotten so experience so many cool things! Hope y’all are having the best time in kiawah! Love and miss y’all so much!
Georgia – thank you so much for sending me on Moondance! I am having an amazing time and can’t wait to see you guys soon. Love you!
Paige- Hey Mom and Dad!! I love y’all so so much and I am so grateful for allowing me to have these amazing experiences! Y’all are the BEST parents ever and I can’t imagine life without y’all!!! I misss y’all SOOO much!! I can’t wait to see y’all soon!! Hope y’all are having the best time in sea island! Happy Fourth!!!
Annie- Hey Mom and Dad!! Thank you so much for giving me such an amazing opportunity to go on Moondance! I’m having the best time ever!! Madeira is so cool and I’m so glad I get to experience this! I hope y’all are having fun in Shady Side for the fourth!! See you soon😊
Violet- Hi Mama and Daddy! Thank you guys so much for giving me the opportunity to go on this trip! I’m having a great time and I can’t wait to see you guys soon. Love you and miss you!
Peyton- Sup mom and dad. I’m having so much fun in Madeira. Y’all would love it here. Thank you for sending me on this adventure. Can’t wait to see y’all. Tell Reid and Cole I said hi. 💯
Parker- Sup mom and dad. Thank you so much for letting me go on this trip! I am having so much fun and do not want it to end. I hope you all are doing well and that James has recovered. Tell him I said hi. 👐
Surfing and Kayaking the Waves!
July 3, 2026
Day 8- Today began at a slower pace as we were able to sleep in and enjoy a much-needed morning of rest. After a good night’s sleep, everyone felt refreshed and ready for a relaxing day at the beach. Before heading out, we tackled a quick load of laundry from our trekking days. Jack L may have gone a bit overboard and washed nearly everything he owns! We grabbed a few snacks on the way, and Lillian and Paige were especially excited to pick out a small Lego set, which they later enjoyed putting together back at the hotel. Once we arrived at the beach, the kids wasted no time swimming out to their favorite floating dock, where they relaxed in the sun. The next few hours were spent swimming, tanning, and enjoying easy, laughter-filled conversations. In the afternoon, we gathered to watch some of the World Cup before meeting our surfing guides for the day’s activity. We kicked things off with a fun balance challenge, where Annie and Henry made it to the finals, with Henry taking the win. Out in the water, Paige, our first-time surfer, impressed everyone by confidently riding the waves, while Georgia also proved to be a natural. We ended the day with a warm meal back at the hotel, sharing stories from the day. Our Leaders of the Day, Peyton and Violet, chose Paige and James to lead tomorrow, leaving everyone excited for another great day ahead.
Day 9- Today we took on the Vereda do Larano hike, starting right from Machico. The morning began with a steady uphill climb that challenged the group, but the effort was more than worth it. After a few hours, we reached one of the most stunning viewpoints we’ve seen so far and stopped to enjoy lunch while taking in the incredible coastal scenery. Jack W helped lead much of the hike alongside our leaders of the day, setting a strong pace and keeping everyone motivated. After lunch, we continued along a beautiful ridge trail, where we were surrounded by sweeping views of the coastline and spotted plenty of goats along the way. The descent brought us back into Machico, where we had a fun surprise waiting for the kids…ice cream! The Madeira-made strawberry flavor quickly became a group favorite and was the perfect refresh after a long hike. From there, we headed straight to the beach to unwind. Jack L, Jack W, Henry, and James immediately jumped into a competitive game of spikeball that lasted most of the afternoon, while Parker B, Peyton, Paige, and Parker R decided to relax by getting buried in the sand with the help of Finley and Georgia. It was a fun, carefree way to spend the rest of the day after such a rewarding hike. We ended the evening by enjoying Moonup by the ocean, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere together. Our Leaders of the Day chose Annie and Jack L to lead tomorrow, leaving the group excited and ready for another great day ahead.
Day 10- Today started bright and early as we made our way to the ferry to head to Porto Santo! The ride over was quick and smooth, and excitement was high as we arrived and headed straight to lunch by the hotel pool. The sourdough was an instant favorite among the group and a perfect way to refuel for the day ahead. After lunch, we made our way to the beach, where Lillian and Paige wasted no time jumping in to snorkel. The afternoon was filled with exploring; climbing rocks, soaking up the sun, and enjoying the beautiful coastline. Finley and Annie took some time for a relaxing walk along the beach, taking in the scenery and slower pace of the day. Later on, we geared up for our kayak tour, one of the highlights of the day. Annie and Jack L led the way as our leaders of the day, setting the pace out on the water, with Jack W and Lillian close behind. Jack W quickly proved himself as the kayaking MVP, showing off his rowing skills and helping guide the group with ease. Along the way, we paddled into several caves, where the echoes and views made the experience even more memorable. The fun continued with splash wars between the kids and our kayak guides, keeping everyone laughing. At one point, we even beached our boats and took turns cliff jumping, adding an extra dose of adventure to the afternoon. After a full and active day on the water, we had definitely worked up an appetite and enjoyed a well-deserved pizza dinner together. We wrapped up the evening with Moonup under a beautiful sunset, reflecting on the day and enjoying time together. To end the night, our Leaders of the Day selected Georgia and Henry to lead tomorrow, leaving everyone excited for what’s ahead.
Update from Madeira!
June 29, 2026
Day 1- Hello parents! Welcome to our amazing trip to Madeira! We are so beyond excited to spend the next seventeen days with your kids and can’t wait to share what we have in store.
Day 2- Kate and I arrived early this morning at the Lisbon airport to welcome your kids with open arms. Upon our arrival to Funchal, we split off from the rest of the groups and headed to the natural salt pools. These incredible natural inlets surround the island on all sides providing us with cliff jumps and rock diving boards to have our first dips into the ocean. Without hesitation, Jack W. and Paige led the rest of the group to the seaside to check out the views. Even with a little rain, that didn’t stop us from getting a good base tan. As the sun fell, we headed back to our hostel and cleaned up for the classic Moondance pizza dinner.
Day 3- After a heavy breakfast of eggs and bacon, we set out for our first day of trekking! Over the next five days we will be covering nearly half the island on foot and experiencing some of the most incredible views Madeira has to offer. Before that, we had to make one last stop at the beach before disappearing into the mountains for a while. With our bathing suits on and hiking boots packed in our backpacks, we soaked in the sunshine. Peyton braved the chilly water first while everyone else settled in before following shortly behind. After a short beach moment, we switched gears and headed upwards. Halfway through our hike, we cut off the trail and began following our guides through a creekbed until we reached a beautiful freshwater pool fed from the mountains. While some of us enjoyed our lunch, Henry found a small rock jump into the pool and took a natural shower. With a short rest we made our way back onto the trail until we reached our first campsite. With tents set up, we settled in for an amazing taco bowl dinner.
Day 4- Today we faced our biggest elevation gain of the whole trip and kicked its butt! Our incredible guides kept us fueled and hydrated as we climbed over 4000 feet into the mountains. With tunes bumping we kept the energy high and continued on. Finley accompanied our guide João at the front of the group and kept our spirits high even when we faced some rain. Our ascent found us zig-zagging through the humid jungles up to the ridgeline of some of the tallest mountains in Madeira and then above the clouds through high bushes of dandelions and cow pastures. Luckily, we were able to find a break in the rain and eat a late lunch in a beautiful grove of trees before powering through the final few miles to our campsite. Upon arrival we quickly made our way to the “kitchen” shelter where we dried off and made tea while waiting to set up tents. While drying off, we were lucky enough to encounter another group wrapping up an early dinner in the shelter who left us with some firewood and leftover grilled tuna! While we got comfortable, our Leaders of the Day (LOD’s), Lillian and James cheffed up some delicious pita bread pizzas for the group. Despite the chilly rain all day, our spirits remained high and we were able to catch the sunset before calling it a night.
Day 5- This morning we awoke to a dense fog surrounding us in the mountains. We packed up camp and took a short drive to a neighboring mountain to summit the highest point in Madeira! With the rain behind us, we layered up and made our way up the mountain. Although a short distance, the hike was no joke. Jack L. and Parker B. initiated a group favorite game called “ABC’s” which kept our minds busy as we winded up the stone stairs to a 360º view of the surrounding valleys and mountains. After summiting the point, we took a short rest at the top for photos and lunch when Kate and I surprised the kids with an announcement that we would be staying at a beautiful mountain hostel rather than tents for the night! After cleaning up with much deserved warm showers and clean beds, we feasted on an amazing dinner before falling fast asleep.
Day 6- Our final full day of trekking! Today we were once again met with rain and chilly winds, but after our first day of heavy rains we were ready for anything. With full stomachs from the best breakfast ever, we hopped in taxis and drove over to another incredible overview of the island. Although very cloudy and windy we were determined to finish what we had started. We made a short trip there and back from the view point accompanied by many picture opportunities before drying off once again for lunch. After lunch we descended through a small valley to our campsite. Annie became the group DJ through the rain by recommending high vibe songs to Kate throughout the trek.
Day 7- After packing up from our final campsite we made our descent back into civilization! We were moving ahead of schedule, so we decided to take a slight detour off trail and make a pit stop at a beautiful mountain cafe for pastries and coffee. After shedding some layers as the temperatures heated up, we slowly continued downhill until we reached our toboggan rides! While waiting for our taxis to our next destination, Georgia purchased a traditional Madeiran hat which quickly led to the rest of the group getting their own too! These hats have quickly become a group favorite fashion piece while walking around town. After arriving at our next accommodations, we quickly made our way to the beach to enjoy the sunshine and a break from hiking boots. Violet led the group out to a floating dock in the bay of the beach where we soaked in the sun before dinner. Kate and I are so proud of the work the group has already put in during the trip and cannot wait to see what else becomes of us. Can’t wait to update you all again in a few days with more incredible stories!
Shoutouts:
Henry H: what up ma and pa, having a great time, we just finished our five days of trekking. It’s been great and I’m excited for what else is to come. Peace👌👩🎨
Jack W: Hey Mom and Dad! I’ve had a super fun time so far and Madeira is very cool. We just finished the trekking part of the trip and I’m excited for what’s to come. Miss and love y’all!
Jack L: Hi Mom and Dad! I’m having lots of fun trekking and the food has been good. Thanks for letting me come to Madeira. Love y’all.
James: Dear Mother and Father, I hope you are having a splendid time summering on the vineyard. I would like to inform you that I am having an incredible time in Madeira and am beyond grateful for the opportunity y’all have given me. I am very sad to miss your birthday Mom and I love you very much.
Love,
Your favorite child
Annie: heyyy fam!! I hope y’all are having so much fun moving and packing up our house! I’m having the best time ever!!! Hey dad and Nelson I hope y’all are having fun in red rocks panic!! We have done lots of hiking and we are now starting to do water stuff! Madeira is so cool!! Hey RK 🤘I miss y’all so much and are having so much fun on y’all’s trips! McLaine our leaders are great and I know you’re gonna love it!!
Love y’all,
Annie
Finley: hi fam!!! Miss y’all so much! I’ve been having the best time ever. My group and leaders are great! We just finished trekking…it rained ALOTT. Can’t wait to tell y’all all about it. Hey hey Marco can’t wait to hear about sea island! We’re about to start our water stuff. Love y’all, Finley
Hi guys! I’m having the best time in Madeira and i love my group and leaders. We just finished trekking and it was really hard but fun. I miss you all so much and I’ll see you soon. Love you! Georgia
Parker: Hey fam! I’m having a great time and my group is greatttt. We just finally finished trekking🙏. I miss u all especially the dogs. Hope Ted is good. Miss u Julia. See you all later. Bye
Peyton: Hi mom and dad, I’m having so much fun out here in Madeira. It’s very interesting and cool. I miss you all so much. I miss Reid and Cole as well. I’m excited for the rest of my trip.
Paige- HEYYY FAMMMM!!! I hope yall had a BLASTTT at Red Rocks I bet it was soo cool!! HAPPY BIRTHDAYYY to my best friend and favorite person in the 🌎 I love you momma!! Andddd wish Sunny a Happy Birthday too!! Hey DF I miss yall sm!! Madeira is sooo cool and I have loved facing all the challenges this island throws at me! I’m so grateful for yall and can’t wait to tell you all abt it when I get home!
Violet- Hi Mama and Daddy! Miss you guys soo much, but I love it here. We just finish hiking and camping for six days which was insane I can’t wait to tell you guys about it. Please tell Mar, Hope, and pod that I miss them so much and love them. Can’t wait to see u all soon! Xoxo ps. Asa if you’re seeing this HI IMY!!
Lillian- Hi mom and dad!!!! I’m having SOOO MUCH FUN!!! Madeira is soooo cool!! I miss yall tons and dad I’ll see you in India 😉😉 ps. HI MIVVY LOVE YOU!!!!! MISS YOU TONSSSSS
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
