Farewell from Slovenia!
July 12, 2026
One Final Doberdan!
As our trekking days came to an end, it was time for a change of pace. We swapped mountain trails for climbing walls, paddle boards, charming towns, and a few mornings where everyone got to enjoy some extra sleep. It was the perfect way to wrap up our time in Slovenia!
We jumped right back into adventure with an afternoon of rock climbing followed by paddle boarding. After filling up on another delicious local sandwich lunch, everyone was ready to go. Molly stepped way outside of her comfort zone by trying rock climbing for the very first time, and she absolutely crushed it! Blake also impressed everyone with how effortlessly she made it to the top, earning plenty of cheers from the group below. Later in the day, once we hit the water, the competition immediately began. A game of paddle stealing broke out, and Katie quickly established herself as the reigning champion after collecting three paddles and making one final (unsuccessful) attempt to steal Sydney and Will’s. The rest of the afternoon was filled with splashing, laughing, and taking in the incredible scenery around us. That evening, we kept our pizza streak alive before making what has become our favorite tradition, another ice cream stop! Trevor, Will, and William were the first to figure out the surprise. We ended another wonderful day gathered together for Moon Up, sharing stories from the day and enjoying another evening as a group.
The next day brought one last hike, this time up one of Slovenia’s beautiful ski mountains. The trail wandered through wide-open fields covered in wildflowers before leading us to one of our favorite views of the entire trip. Along the way, there were cows everywhere, which Blake was especially excited about as she added number four to her growing list of cows she’s successfully pet. Once we reached the top, cameras came out immediately as everyone explored, admired the views, and captured what felt like a million pictures. Shoutout to the boys for agreeing to take a stack picture! Lunch afterward was another local favorite, complete with Wiener schnitzel, plenty of Cokes and Fanta, and an amazing cheese platter that quickly disappeared.
Later that afternoon, we made our way to the picture perfect Lake Bled. We climbed into traditional rowboats and rowed across the lake toward the famous island church sitting in the middle. Thomson and Trevor powered us across the water like professionals, although there were definitely a few moments when everyone questioned if we’d make it without tipping over! Ada gave rowing a try too and kept everyone entertained while she figured it out. Saylor was happy simply relaxing and taking in the scenery while the rest of the group somehow found room for, you guessed it more ice cream! Raspberry sorbet has officially become the flavor of the trip, and Blake and Molly were more than happy to grab another scoop. Before leaving Bled, everyone cooled off with a swim in the lake. Dinner that night featured burgers and sandwiches, but Sydney’s recommendation of the pulled pork sandwich quickly convinced almost everyone to order the same thing, making it one of the biggest meal favorites of the entire trip.
After a slower morning, we headed into Ljubljana to spend the day exploring Slovenia’s capital city. Between the colorful buildings, winding streets, bridges, and dragon statues around every corner, it didn’t take long to understand why this city is so loved. Of course, no city visit is complete without a souvenir mission. The group’s biggest goal became finding the funniest matching Slovenia shirts possible, and Addie absolutely delivered by discovering bright blue tie-dye “SLOVEnia” shirts that were too good to pass up.
Before heading to dinner, we stumbled across Slovenia’s national water volleyball championship taking place right in the middle of the city, and might I add in the river! We stopped to watch for quite a while, cheering on the players as Austria came away with the win. Will and William were convinced they belonged on the court themselves!
Our final evening, everyone got dressed up for one final celebration together for what we call banquet. We shared our last dinner as a group over, fittingly, another round of pizza before making one final ice cream stop, even though the rain decided to join us. Our last Moon Up together was filled with funny memories, favorite moments, and lots of appreciation for everything we’ve shared these past two weeks. It’s hard to put into words just how much this group means to us.
Thank you for letting us hangout with your kids these past two weeks. We truly couldn’t have asked for a better group. Getting to watch them grow, laugh, and experience Slovenia together has been such a privilege. We know we’ll certainly be missing them!
With gratitude,
Will + Sydney
A Terrific Time Trekking!
July 9, 2026
Dearest friends and families!
We have had an absolutely superb time in the Julian Alps here in Slovenia, and I’m happy to report we have successfully completed our route. Almost 20 miles, loads of elevation, and sights we’d only imagine in books! From long climbs and scenic ridgelines to cozy huts and unforgettable meals, this stretch of the trip brought out the very best in the group and of our journey!
We kicked things off with a strong introduction to mountain life. Our first day on the trail covered about four miles with over 2,000 feet of elevation gain, quickly getting everyone into the rhythm of trekking. Our legs got warm, and our lungs got a kickstart as we traversed up countless switchbacks and saw the starting point get smaller and smaller. The hard work paid off once we arrived at our first hut with a memorable lunch featuring sausages, mushroom soup, goulash, and local dessert dumplings. Of the three, blueberry, walnut cinnamon, and the classic, the walnut was by far the best, with Saylor raving about it for days. After a much-needed nap, we made our way to a local cheese hut and nearby lake, where we learned about traditional cheese-making and enjoyed a tasting of a fresh cheese that had been perfectly aged. The lake was a picture straight off a Microsoft background, and after taking a moment to take it in, we explored the rocks on the far side, with William sprinting to the amazing rocks on the other side. After a bit of afternoon rain started to roll through, we made our way back to our home for the night. There we merged with the other Slovenia group to play some big games of Calabria and Death Sack! Our group had some victors, with Katie, Blake, and Sydney dancing their way to victory in Calabria, and William and Will Ryan showing their prowess for hacky sack! And Molly, being by far the most improved, as she gracefully passed it left and right! As the night rolled in, we had ourselves a moonup just over a pasture on the path and took in the stars as the cows grazed around us!
Day two brought a bit of cloudy sky and a full day on the trail. We hiked roughly eight miles, passing through some of the most beautiful terrain your eyes could see. Countless flowers and leftover buildings from World War I and old farm structures dotted the landscape. We explored the buildings and bunkers, and Thomson took the opportunity to use the darkness to scare the rest of us after we turned the corner. Saylor and Addie took a long-awaited break to enjoy pistachio Fruitabella bars and sit in the meadow, while Katie was scheming up a plan to get her target in Gotcha out. Gotcha became the focal point of day two, a game where everyone is assigned a word and a person to try to get them to say it, and we had some impressive outs! After reaching the hut, we enjoyed a standout meal of goulash and polenta that everyone scarfed down and quickly became a group favorite. The afternoon was filled with laughter and an amazing surprise from our guides Mitja and Bugie. Our excursion was to another mountain hut, where cinnamon rolls and mountain tea awaited the group. I think tears of joy came from Sydney’s face, and everyone was overjoyed by the sweet treat! Afterward came more hacky sack, games, and cards outside before a special moonup upon the helipad overlooking Bohinj!
We got an early start the next morning and made our way toward one of the most scenic huts of the trip, set between two alpine lakes. Along the trail, we paused in a quiet valley for photos and took a few minutes of silence to fully take in the surroundings. Here, the flowers were in full bloom, and Sydney and our guide were quick to point out all the new finds! We also took time on the trail to pause and take in the scenes of nature. Ada led a game of the name game for the girls, while the boys did the same, with Trevor using some deep sports knowledge to keep himself in the game. Once at the hut, the group leaned into a well-earned afternoon of rest and relaxation before one of the best excursions of all. This hike was roughly an hour to the most picturesque mountain lake imaginable. All were in amazement and took time to appreciate nature’s beauty before heading back to our hut and settling in for a classic mountain snack spread of Coke, chips, and lots of chocolate. Trail games were still in full swing with a new round of Gotcha, and some impressive outs from Blake!
Our final day of trekking began with a real leg burner, a climb up and over a ridgeline that had us huffing and puffing, but it quickly rewarded us with some of the most impressive views of the entire trip. We were even able to do a more technical climb through the pass with some exceptional photos. It may have been all downhill in elevation after that, but the vibes were only up as we got to see more cows, lakes, and all the best Mother Nature had to offer!
We stopped for lunch overlooking another beautiful lake, where the group enjoyed bolognese before spreading out to relax and play a big game of Presidents! Will and Katie were scheming to win, while Thomson and Trevor slowly overtook to become president and vice president! After lunch, the hike was coming to a close, and all powered downhill safely and quickly to finish strong and get ready for some well-deserved rest and treats. The downhill miles were felt in our feet, but the excitement of finishing carried us through as we threw our packs into the vans!
After a windy drive out of the mountains, we arrived in Bohinj at a lively hostel right alongside a very enticing lake that was quickly jumped into by everyone in the group. We spent the afternoon snacking and swimming, and the cards were starting to get worn as games of Spot were played. Blake and Addie have started quite the hometown rivalry with their tense matches, and Ada learned to shuffle and bridge and has become quite the competitor herself. Then came a dinner of pasta, pizza, and a very impressive bowl of French fries. It was a meal to remember, and I think the dishwashing crew could take the night off as our plates were spotless. The night ended with the world’s best gelato and soft serve, capping off a wonderful day with a Moon Up overlooking the mountains along the lake as we reflected on the journey and how proud we were to finish our trek together, stronger than when we started!
This group continues to stand out for the way they spark joy in the world, stay positive, and fully embrace adventure and authenticity. We’re incredibly proud of them and excited for what’s still ahead. I can’t believe we only have a few days left, each night it gets harder to say goodnight, knowing we only have a few more moons together. We are so thankful to be leading such a fun group and look forward to the days of culture and excitement ahead!
-Will + Sydney
Blake: hey guys! I am having a great time thank you so much for letting me go on this trip! Asian food = Homecoming meal 🤩? Love you so much! 🥳
Ada: Hiiii!!! Thank you guys so incredibly much for sending me on this trip. I am truly having one of the best experiences of my life. I did survive trekking, despite our worries, and I will not have to leave any of my clothes behind. Love you guys so so much ❤️❤️😘😘
Addie: Thanks! ❤️ Having fun ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ love u ❤️❤️❤️
Saylor: Hi!! Thank you guys for sending me on Moondance for another year. I can’t wait to come home and see y’all! T-minus 3 Days! Slovenia is super cool and different from what I have seen before. I survived trekking and I’m super proud, that was the hardest thing I have ever done. Love you guys and see you so soon!😘😘
Katie-THANK YOU!!!! I love you guys so much and Moondance is such an experience of a life time and I’m forever grateful that I have this opportunity to experience new things and meet new people! Slovenia is so pretty and I can’t wait to see you guys!! Love yall😘
Will Ryan- Thank you mother and father! I miss yall, I hope you guys had a good 4th at the lake! See you soon! Love you
Trevor- thank you mom and dad. Miss you guys. Having a lot of fun here. Hope you guys had a fun 4th.
Thomson – thank you guys so much for sending me on this trip. I’ve had an awesome time and can’t wait to get back and see you guys. Love yall
William Raiser – Hvalla mom and dad so much for sending me on this epic trip to Slovenia/Croatia. I loved exploring these two countries that I’d never been to. Happy belated birthday dad! Love yall.
Molly: Hey family!!!! Thank yall so so so so much for giving me the opportunity to go on this AMAZING trip! I have had so much fun and I love my entire group and my leaders. I love you so much and I can’t wait to see yall again 😝🧚♀️🦄
Splashing Into Slovenia
July 4, 2026
Dober dan, Moondance families!
Slovenia has already been packed with adventure, laughs, and so many moments we’ll be talking about long after the trip ends!
We kicked things off with an unforgettable day sea kayaking along the beautiful Croatian coastline. We paddled through the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea, explored hidden coves, soaked up the sunshine, and of course had to test our courage with some cliff jumping. Everyone was eager to take the leap, and the mix of excited screams and huge smiles made it hard to tell who was having more fun, the jumpers or the people cheering them on! After kayaking, we headed to an inflatable aqua park that quickly turned into a real life game of Wipe Out! There was nonstop laughter as everyone tried (and often failed) to stay on their feet. Will, Ryan, and Thomson came away victorious in an intense game of tag, showing off their speed and agility, while Trevor impressed everyone with his incredible balance on one of the trickiest obstacles.
That evening we wandered through the charming streets of Croatia, where we visited one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world before grabbing some delicious pizza for dinner. We wrapped up the day tired, salty, and already excited for what was next.
Day two brought us across the border into Slovenia for one of our favorite experiences so far, a traditional Slovenian cooking class! We spent the afternoon making an incredible meal completely from scratch, including vegetable soup, fresh pasta with prosciutto and tomato sauce, turkey and potatoes, veggie meatballs, and a homemade peach pie. Katie and Addie absolutely stole the show while making fresh noodles and quickly earned the title of our group’s best pasta makers. Ada baked a peach cobbler that was absolutely delicious and disappeared in no time. By the end of the meal, we were all completely stuffed and spent the entire ride to our campsite trying not to fall asleep.
After filling our stomachs, we arrived at our glamping site and immediately noticed the volleyball court calling our names. Naturally, a tournament broke out almost instantly. Saylor had some incredible serves all afternoon, while Blake, Molly, leader Will, and Will made a powerhouse team that was tough to beat. Molly kept so many rallies alive with some awesome passes, and while every team put up a great fight, the competition stayed friendly from start to finish.
Day three brought an unforgettable canyoneering adventure. We spent the day scrambling over rocks, sliding down natural waterfalls, climbing through narrow canyons, and jumping into crystal clear pools. Trevor fearlessly volunteered to be the first one down every single slide, giving everyone else the confidence to follow right behind.
After all that excitement, we made our way to the river for a relaxing afternoon in the sun. The girls spread out their towels, made friendship bracelets, and had a country music soundtrack going all afternoon, while the boys discovered Sydney’s impressive hacky sack skills. William Raiser definitely gave everyone a run for their money with some footwork of his own.
Our incredible outfitters spoiled us after such a big day with pulled pork sandwiches, local ćevapčići, and, to top it all off, a frozen yogurt stop. Matcha, Nutella, and açaí quickly became the crowd favorites, but Blake deserves a special shoutout for being adventurous enough to order the limited-edition Pokémon flavor.
The night ended the best way possible, with even more volleyball, plenty of rounds of Presidents, lots of laughs during Moon Up, and a group that is already feeling more like family every day. We’re having the best time together and can’t wait to celebrate the Fourth of July with everyone tomorrow. We can’t wait to share even more adventures soon!
Katie-Hi Mom and Dad! I’m having so much fun. Say hi to everyone for me! I love and miss you! It is so pretty here, and I’m so grateful for this opportunity!!
Molly- MY FAMILY!!!!!! Ah I miss you guys so much, I am also having an unbelievable amount of fun here. I am and will be forever grateful that y’all gave me the opportunity to go on this trip. I love you a million trillion infinity (plus 1!)
Addie – Hi!!!! I miss you so much. Slovenia is so much fun. Love you!
Blake- Hey guys!! I’m having so much fun in Slovenia🦍🐒 The activities have been amazing, and yesterday we went natural water sliding which you know I have always wanted to do. I’m so excited for the rest of the trip. Love you guys 🥳
William Raiser- Hi Mom and Dad, I love you. Miss y’all. I’m chilling here in Slovenia currently! Hope y’all are having a good time wherever y’all are. Miss you guys, but mostly bailey. Love you.
Thomson Sams – Hey Mom and Dad! I am having a good time. I miss you guys a lot and cant wait to see y’all! We went canyoneering today and are going rafting tomorrow. Talk to you guys soon
Trevor- Hi Mom and Dad. Doing good here in Slovenia. Miss you and love you.
Will Ryan- Hey family! It’s a blast in Slovenia! I hope y’all are having a good time at the lake, see y’all soon! Tell Mathew I said I hope he has a great time at camp! Love y’all!
Ada Bryant – Hi guys! I’m having a blast here, doing all the things. I hope everything back home is great. Mom, hope Budapest was incredible and that you never fell off the bed. Dad, hope you and Calvin got to bond. Ok, love you guys so much.
Saylor Cottrell- Hii! Croatia was super cool and now we have been staying in Slovenia. We leave tomorrow for trekking! I can’t wait to see y’all. Love y’all.
Safe Arrival!
June 30, 2026
Hello Slovenia Families!
We heard from our leaders early this morning that the group has landed safely in Venice! Please remember that our leaders and students will be unplugged during their trips, but we will post trip updates throughout their adventure! This will allow you to follow along with their experience. You can also follow us on Instagram, @moondanceadventures, to see more of what we are up to!
-Moondance HQ
