Final Update From Maui!
July 21, 2026
We can’t believe how fast this trip has flown by. We’ve loved enjoying every moment together and wouldn’t have traded it for the world. The last few days have been filled with so much joy and laughter!
We started the day at the Maui Ocean Center, where we spent time learning about Hawaii’s incredible marine life. We learned about sea turtles, Hawaiian monk seals, and the important conservation efforts that help protect them. It was such a cool experience to see how much work goes into caring for these animals and preserving the islands’ ecosystems.
Afterward, we headed into the town of Paia for some shopping and exploring before ending the evening with dinner at Flatbread Company. The pizza was a huge hit, and it was a fun way to relax together after a busy day.
The next day we hit the water for paddle boarding, and everyone had an awesome time trying something new. We even heard some spooky ghost stories about Camp Olowalu that definitely kept everyone entertained. Libby had a blast helping Georgia try to tip people over on their paddle boards, which made for plenty of laughs throughout the morning.
Later that afternoon, we stopped by Goodwill to find silly outfits for the luau the following night. James definitely won the award for funniest outfit, showing up in a full penguin onesie with hilarious shoes that had everyone cracking up.
Olympics afternoon was one of the most exciting moments of the trip! We competed against the other Maui groups in soccer, football, relay races, and even a dance competition. Our group absolutely dominated and came away with the overall victory! Sienna completely rocked everyone’s socks off with how incredible she was during the soccer games, and Estelle, along with Libby, made the perfect teammates as they worked together all game long. Chase also took home the gold during the relay race with some seriously impressive speed. After celebrating our big win, we headed to Cane’s for some well-earned chicken.
Our final full day started before sunrise as we headed out with Redline Rafting for an unforgettable snorkeling adventure. We explored five different snorkel spots around Molokini Crater and saw countless colorful fish, an octopus, and even a few sharks swimming far below us! It was easily one of the biggest highlights of the trip. Lucie was especially excited to try the natural “elevator” in the water, where the waves gently lifted everyone up and down alongside the cliff. Caroline loved relaxing on the side of the boat between snorkel stops, soaking up the sunshine, while Robert enjoyed snorkeling so much that he said it ended up being his favorite activity of the entire trip.
That evening we changed into our hilarious Goodwill outfits and headed to Maui Montessori School for an amazing luau. We listened to beautiful Hawaiian music and watched incredible fire dancers perform. Nora Rose especially loved watching the fire dancers with the rest of the group. When we got back to camp, we grilled dinner, roasted s’mores around the fire, and John treated everyone to some guitar music to end the night together
Before heading to the airport, we spent our final morning together enjoying one last swim in the ocean and soaking up the Hawaiian sunshine. It was the perfect way to wrap up an unforgettable week together. Jasper especially loved swimming in the waves with everyone, making the most of every last minute together. Thomas was such a steady, positive part of the group all week and helped make every activity more fun just by jumping in with a great attitude.
This group has been such a joy to spend the week with. We are so thankful for each of these students and all of the memories we’ve made together. We can’t wait to see what is in store for each of them, and we’re excited to hear all about the adventures that are still ahead for them once they’re back home!
Thank you so much,
Duke, Valarie, and Georgia
Thank You!!!
July 17, 2026
Student Thank You’s!
Nora rose: Hi mom and dad! I’m having so much fun!! I miss yall, thank you for letting me come! Love yall!
Sienna: Hi mom and dad I’m having so much fun! Miss you so much, love you!
Estelle: HEY MOM AND DAD I MISS YALL SO MUCH AND THANKS FOR LETTING ME COME AND ITS SO FUN AND I SURFED AND I WENT DOWN A WATERFALL AND I MISS YALL AND I MISS VIVIAN SO MUCH AND I MISS MAX AND HONEY AND I LOVE YALL SO MUCH BYE
Caroline: Hey mom and dad and lila!! Im actually having the best time. I love everyone in my group so much they are the sweetest. Man coal eat rice. Tell lila that. We went surfing the first day then rappelling the next day. Today we woke up at like 5 idek and went surfing again. I actually shredded. I love y’all so much and miss you. We have showers everyday.
Lucie: Hi mom and dad, I miss you guys so much!! Thank you for sending me. I am having the best time ever!!! Please tell Trey I miss him and give Rex a big hug for me!
Libby: Hey mom and dad! I miss yall do much. I am having so much fun. I got my surfing skills back and my group and counselors are awesome!
Thomas: Hey mom and dad I miss yall a lot but having a lot of fun and getting to meet new people. I can’t wait to show yall pictures and tell yall stories.
Robert: Hey mom and dad I miss yall very much but I am having a great time and I am so grateful that y’all were able to send me on a moondance. I will come back with a lot of pictures and again I love yall very much.
Chase: Hey mom and dad I am having fun and miss yall. I have surfed and rappelled so far.
Jasper: Hey mom and dad im having so much fun we have surfed repelled and we helped out at a farm I miss yall so much and I cant wait to see you again.
James: Hey mom and dad, I’m having a great time and I miss yall. I learned how to surf. I love yall and am excited to see yall.
John: Hey mom I am having a lot of fun and surfing was great! Miss yall.
Val, Georgia, & Duke: We miss you groups 1 and 2!!! We hope you are having fun at home. We can’t believe our summer in Maui is almost ever. We are feeling so content and grateful for the impact you have had on us. Shout out to our families and our friends at Moondance. We love you all 🙂
Making Memories in Maui!
July 17, 2026
Time is flying by here on Maui! These past few days have been packed with adventure, new experiences, and so many unforgettable moments. Every day, this group continues to encourage one another, step outside their comfort zones, and make us laugh. It has been such a joy watching this Maui family grow closer with each passing day.
We kicked off the week with another conservation project alongside Maui Cultural Lands. The group spent the morning helping restore a sacred Hawaiian valley by removing invasive plants that threaten the native ecosystem. Everyone worked incredibly hard, and Chase even earned the title of “Hāma,” a Hawaiian term recognizing the hardest worker of the day. We were so proud of the entire group for giving back to such a special place.
After our conservation work, we headed to a beautiful park for a traditional lei-making class. The students paired up to create their own flower leis, and Nora Rose and Sienna especially enjoyed designing theirs. We then learned the basics of hula dancing, where Thomas fully embraced the experience and wasn’t afraid to show off his new moves!
That evening we made our way up Haleakalā National Park. Before reaching the summit, we stopped for an intense game of Capture the Flag and spent some time sliding down grassy hills on cardboard boxes. John and Estelle proved to be MVPs during the competition, keeping their teams energized from start to finish. As the sun began to set, we climbed above the clouds and watched one of the most breathtaking sunsets any of us have ever seen. Wrapped up in sleeping bags with temperatures dipping below 40 degrees, we enjoyed Panda cookies during Moonup while taking in the incredible views. Caroline was especially excited to have her favorite snack waiting for us!
The next morning challenged us with one of Maui’s most iconic activities: windsurfing! It wasn’t easy, but this group never gave up. Robert, Libby, and Jasper all showed incredible determination, getting up on their boards and successfully sailing across the water. That evening we slowed things down back at camp with camp games, laughter, and another memorable Moonup together.
Our next adventure took us ziplining through the mountains of Maui’s North Shore. James and Lucie fearlessly flew down the longest lines while the entire group cheered one another on. Before dinner we made one more stop at a hidden cliff-jumping spot with crystal-clear water. It was amazing to watch everyone encourage each other to take the leap. We wrapped up the evening with delicious steak tacos followed by a camp talent show, where the students entertained us with singing, dancing, and plenty of laughs.
Yesterday we tackled the beautiful Waiheʻe Ridge Trail. Although a few sleepy faces weren’t thrilled about the early wake-up call, the incredible views quickly made the hike one of the group’s favorite memories of the trip. Afterward, we stopped by a local fire station to drop off snacks and learn a little about Maui’s firefighters and the important work they do for the island. We finished the day with a cooking class where everyone helped prepare an incredible meal featuring beef tacos, watermelon and feta salad, fresh papaya salsa, and homemade banana ice cream. Everyone enjoyed helping in the kitchen, and it was fun to see everyone work together to create such a delicious dinner.
It’s hard to believe we’re already nearing the end of our adventure together. These days have absolutely flown by because they have been so full of laughter, growth, and unforgettable experiences. We are excited to make the most of these final days together and create even more memories before heading home. Thank you for sharing such adventurous, kind, and enthusiastic kids with us. It has truly been a privilege to spend these past two weeks exploring Maui alongside them.
Thank you,
Valarie, Duke, & Georgia
Surfs Up
July 12, 2026
Hello Moondance Families!
The past few days have been filled with music and laughter! On day “0,” our Maui family grew twelve members larger. James was the first to arrive, and we were pumped to meet him! At the airport, we ate chips, fruit snacks, apples, and granola bars, and got to know each other. Once we had eleven members of our crew, we hopped in the van and made the journey to our campsite.
We were greeted at our campsite with the noises of chickens chirping and waves crashing on the beach. We got to know each other while enjoying a delicious pizza dinner. Afterwards, we held our first end-of-the-day debrief, “Moonup”. During Moonup, we selected our first leaders of the day (LODs), who would help coordinate activities for the next day. Estelle and John were selected. Both of them were thrilled to take on the role. They both jumped into planning their Moonup for the following day. Later, Duke picked up Thomas from the airport.
The next day, we had an early wake up. The group was excited to meet Thomas and happy to be a complete crew. For breakfast, we ate muffins and drank yogurt shakes. The group laughed about the obnoxious rooster that woke everyone up a little too early and devoured their breakfast. After breakfast, we got in the van and made our way to the beach to go surfing. We listened to “Dancing On My Own” and country music on the drive. The LODs made sure we were using reef safe sunscreen and that everyone had their supplies for the day.
Lucie, Nora Rose, Libby, and Sienna were ecstatic to see sea turtles in the water. Caroline and Estelle shredded the waves immediately! Jace and James were a dynamic duo in the water, catching waves together and laughing loud. John was very encouraging to the group and made everyone feel better when they crashed and rolled in the water.
Afterwards, we played “lava monster” at the beach playground. Robert, Jasper, and Nora Rose were sneaky and quick when tagging people. Next, we had lunch and walked around the shops in the area. All the boys got shaved ice. Chase got an epic shark tooth necklace. Thomas and Jasper also started a game of hacky sack and the rest of the crew joined in.
That afternoon, we harvested carrots and learned about renewable energy and farming. Afterwards, we went down the farm water slide. Estelle led the group on the slide, holding a carrot from earlier in the day. Everyone’s favorite moment was going down the slide at the same time. While we didn’t move very fast, we did it together 🙂
During Moonup that afternoon, Libby and Robert were selected as the LODs! They stepped into the role quickly making sure everyone had what they needed for bed that night. The next day, the group went repelling. The girls were extremely excited for it and reassured the group that they would be alright and that they would have fun. Chase was nervous at first but ended up being a repelling natural! Each member of our Maui family did three repels. Two of the repels were down waterfalls!
Later, we hung out at a beach near camp. Thomas, Jasper, and James played spike ball while Chase, Robert, and John looked for sea turtles. We had a delicious stir fry dinner at the beach. While eating, we noticed a huge rainbow behind us! Once we got back to camp, we showered and did Moonup. The LODs selected that night were Sienna and James!
The following day, we had our second day of surfing. Everyone felt much more comfortable and relaxed. After surfing, we went back to camp for lunch and had a lettuce eating competition. Jace was victorious in the challenge and titled the “crunch munch”. Later we went to a goat dairy. Everyone was hesitant to try the goat cheese, but once they did they loved it! We also got to meet baby goats and feed the adults goats.
We are getting into the groove of things here and excited for the days to come! Adventure awaits us on this beautiful island surrounded by laughter and good energy.
Thank you very much,
Valarie, Duke, & Georgia
Student Shouts:
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Nora rose: Hi mom and dad! I’m having so much fun!! I miss yall, thank you for letting me come! Love yall!
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Sienna: Hi mom and dad I’m having so much fun! Miss you so much, love you!
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Estelle: HEY MOM AND DAD I MISS YALL SO MUCH AND THANKS FOR LETTING ME COME AND ITS SO FUN AND I SURFED AND I WENT DOWN A WATERFALL AND I MISS YALL AND I MISS VIVIAN SO MUCH AND I MISS MAX AND HONEY AND I LOVE YALL SO MUCH BYE
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Caroline: Hey mom and dad and lila!! Im actually having the best time. I love everyone in my group so much they are the sweetest. We went surfing the first day then rappelling the next day. Today we woke up at like 5 idek and went surfing again. I actually shredded. I love y’all so much and miss you. We have showers everyday.
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Lucie: Hi mom and dad, I miss you guys so much!! Thank you for sending me. I am having the best time ever!!! Please tell Trey I miss him and give Rex a big hug for me!
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Libby: Hey mom and dad! I miss yall do much. I am having so much fun. I got my surfing skills back and my group and counselors are awesome!
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Thomas: Hey mom and dad I miss yall a lot but having a lot of fun and getting to meet new people. I can’t wait to show yall pictures and tell yall stories.
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Robert: Hey mom and dad I miss yall very much but I am having a great time and I am so grateful that y’all were able to send me on a moondance. I will come back with a lot of pictures and again I love yall very much.
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Chase: Hey mom and dad I am having fun and miss yall. I have surfed and rappelled so far.
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Jasper: Hey mom and dad im having so much fun we have surfed repelled and we helped out at a farm I miss yall so much and I cant wait to see you again.
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James: Hey mom and dad, I’m having a great time and I miss yall. I learned how to surf. I love yall and am excited to see yall.
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John: Hey mom I am having a lot of fun and surfing was great! Miss yall.
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Val, Georgia, & Duke: We miss you groups 1 and 2!!! We hope you are having fun at home. We can’t believe our summer in Maui is almost ever. We are feeling so content and grateful for the impact you have had on us. Shout out to our families and our friends at Moondance. We love you all 🙂
Safe Arrival!
July 9, 2026
Hello Maui Families!
We heard from our leaders last night that the group has landed safely in Maui! 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
