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
