Enjoying the Final Days Together!
June 25, 2026
Hello for one last time from Thailand! We cannot believe that this is our last trip update. Knowing that we have to say our goodbyes in just a few short days is crushing us! But we are soaking in every second!
Today we decided to have a surprise day for the kids. We originally told the kids for the entire trip that this day was going to be a long hike, and one that we would have to wake up extra early for. However, the end of the trip can have the kids tired and in need of a relaxing beach day. So, the night before we surprised them with changing our hike day to a beach day! We wish you could have seen the look of excitement on each and every one of their faces, Clare was especially excited jumping up and down on the couch. We began the day by waking up and taking a nice walk to a new breakfast place that the kids loved. After that, we gave the kids another surprise of foot massages at a local Thai spot. The kids have been begging since day one, especially Hamilton, to get massages so we ensured that this would be a part of this awesome day. After, we did some shopping along the strip letting the kids pick out souvenirs for their parents, siblings, and friends. On the way to the beach, we stopped for some fro-yo which was some of the best the kids have ever had. Next, we found a nice spot on the beach and played games, listened to music, swam and of course tanned. Kate was our DJ of the day and cued up an amazing playlist for the day. We stayed here until the sun set, and as we were leaving we got to watch a very cool fire show. We finished off the day at a local burger spot, as there is nothing like a good burger to end an amazing beach day.
Today we woke up early to head out to Railay beach, one of Thailand’s prettiest beaches, for a day of climbing on the beach. We got to the beach and everyone was in awe about the beauty of this beach. Anna immediately whipped out Jack’s camera from his bag and started snapping pictures of the amazing view. After taking it all in, we got our gear on and started to climb. Pearce takes the cake for most climbs as he tried out every single route, and even did some more than once. It was so nice to be able to climb up the side of a mountain, look out to one of the prettiest views, then repel down and hang out on the beach. During our climb, we even had some visitors from a group of monkeys. They were so funny to watch and were even going into other tourists’ bags and stealing their snacks. After everyone finished hiking, we had a quick bite to eat at a local restaurant, with some of the best chicken the kids have ever had. We then walked back to the same spot for an afternoon on Railay beach. The kids grabbed some snacks from the local market, Anne led the initiative for everyone to get an ice cream, and even some two. We played music, hung in the clear and blue water and had another well deserved relaxing afternoon on the beach. PK noted that we needed a photo shoot done, so Jack snapped shots of everyone on this beautiful beach, soaking in this place and these memories. We then caught a long boat back to the mainland and headed for a new restaurant that blew the kids away. Big mamas is a local Mexican/Thai restaurant that brought the energy we needed. From the moment we walked in we were dancing, singing, wearing sombreros and making friends with all the staff. Jackson exclaimed this place was like no where he has ever been. The food and atmosphere was unbeatable and will definitely be a memory to last a lifetime. Alice, became especially friends with big mama, as big mama and her were so sad to leave each other as the dinner came to an end. We then had a tut tut music party during our ride home.
Today we woke up and headed back to Railay beach for a day of rappelling. The kids loved the first day of rappelling earlier in the trip, so they were ready to start the day. After arriving to the beach, we had a hike up to the mountain, stopped for some awesome pictures in the cave, then started our rappel down. This view was the coolest part, which got the kids super excited. Char was so excited that she eagerly volunteered to go first! After everyone got down safely, taking their time to soak in the view, we headed back to the same local restaurant for another amazing meal. We then boarded another long boat and headed back to the hostel. At the hostel we packed up as today was sadly our last day in Krabi. We packed up, had a little coffee break and then headed for the airport. While airport days can sometimes be long, we are lucky we have an energetic group that we make for no dull moments. After only a few minutes in the airport, Jean led a game of monopoly deal, a new fan favorite for the group. We then had an airport dinner, took off and headed for Bangkok. When we landed we headed straight for the hotel, had moonup and went to bed to get some well deserved rest.
Wow! We cannot believe we have come to our final day together. We started the day by waking the kids up one last time to have a good breakfast together. We then headed for Bangkok’s Grand Palace! We were in awe the minute we stepped into this beautiful palace. Rand led the group into most of the temples as he seemed the most fascinated. We learned so many cool history facts and didn’t want to leave. After this, we headed for an amazing lunch near the palace. Some of the kids even said this was the best lunch and we saved best for last! After this we of course had to get some ice cream before heading for the markets. We did some shopping, picture taking of course and then caught our van back to the hotel. We let the kids pack, regretfully, and then went to dinner. We picked a special place for our banquet dinner to ensure this was the most special dinner yet . We then had a great moonup, including a special Krispy Kreme surprise and then headed for the airport. We said our goodbyes, filled with lots of tears and sent the kids off.
Thank you all for sharing this amazing group of kids with us. These past 21 days have been some of the most enjoyable, intentional, and joy filled days we’ve ever experienced. From day 1 we knew this group was special and they truly blew us away. We hope everyone has an amazing rest of their summer and a great school year!!
With all the love,
Caki and Jack
Scuba Fun!!
June 20, 2026
Hello Moondance Families!!!
We are so excited to be writing y’all from beautiful Thailand! Our time started off with a bang with our first day of scuba! Our first full day at the beach started in the pool with the kid splitting into different groups depending on their previous experience. The kids who were already certified, had a little refresher course in the pool, and then got to hang out and tan. For those who were getting certified for the first time, they had to start the course from the top. That consisted of learning the different parts of their BCD, learning how to communicate under water and so much more. This was one of the longer days and we were so proud of the kids getting certified for the first time. Pearce had the best time during the course, the scuba instructor said he was a natural! After Anna’s refresher course, she led the other kids in some pool games to pass the time. To reward the kids, on their way home we stopped at their favorite; 7/11, to get some ice cream. The kids then got back, we showered and headed to dinner at a place the other group highly recommended. The kids loved this and Clare even made friends with our 8 year old waitress! We then headed home, had a great moonup and headed to bed to get some well deserved rest.
The second day we were finally on the water! The kids, especially PK, have been looking forward to being on the water since the day we landed in Thailand. The boat was so big and the crew was so excited to welcome us on board. We split back up into groups, met our instructor for the week and headed to prepare our gear. Alice was a pro at setting up her gear, and received plenty of compliments from her instructor. The kids had some fresh fruit, suited up and headed down under. After the first dive, the kids were so pumped up about everything they saw and were ready to go back under. Jackson pointed out a sea snake in his group which no one else got to see! After the first dive, the kids had some lunch which Rand exclaimed was his favorite lunch on the trip so far. After lunch, the kids headed back down for their second dive which was just as magical. We saw sharks, eels, sea horses, schools of fish and so much more. The kids barely wanted to come back up. After this, we got back on the boat, and were served freshly baked banana muffins. The kids got these every day and they quickly became a fan favorite, especially for Hamilton! One of the best parts of the day is the long boat ride back to shore, the kids slept, read, and hung out after a long day of scuba, this is where some of the best memories come from! We then got home, got showered and headed to dinner. We went to a new restaurant that was right on the beach. After dinner, Char pointed out a show going on next door, which got all the kids attention within seconds. After this awesome show, we walked along the beach and stopped for ice cream. Then we headed home, moonup then bed!
Today was another day on the boat for a great day of scuba! We started off the day with our longest boat ride of 3 hours. All the kids loved this extra time on the boat. The boat ride was filled with lots of reading, chatting and pictures which all of the kids enjoyed. During the ride we got a yummy snack of sticky rice and chicken which everyone loved. Then we arrived at the Phi Phi islands!! These islands were the most beautiful the group has seen. Kate loved taking pictures of the group and the scenic views! Then it was time for our first dive of the day! Anne came up from this dive with a smile on her face saying that this was the best dive she has ever done! We got to see sharks and seahorses that were in their element. After our dive we got our favorite banana muffins. Then it was time for the second dive of the day. Again it was so magical! We hopped back on the boat and started our drive back to shore! We all enjoyed a yummy lunch while listening to some music! We arrived back at the dock while the sun was setting and when we made it to the hostel we surprised the kids with a pizza and movie night! It was some of the best pizza we have all had and we enjoyed some fun Thai candy. Then it was time to go to sleep to wake up for our last boat day!!
Everyone was energized and excited for our last day of scuba diving! It was all smiles as we arrived at the boat. We got settled and started the journey to the beautiful islands. Today was all about fun! We started off our fun dive with Rand pointing out a clownfish which got everyone’s attention! The dive was awesome! Before our second dive of the day, we all got to jump off the top of the boat! We got to see our scuba instructor do a backflip off the top, but don’t worry it was all feet first for our crew! We had the best time swimming around and laughing as each person jumped off! During our second dive of the day and final dive of the trip Alice came up so excited that she got to swim through a cave underwater! There were so many smiles and belly aches from laughter as our group got to enjoy our last boat ride back to the dock. To celebrate our final day of scuba diving we went to the street markets in Krabi! We enjoyed walking around and finding more fun souvenirs! The kids all enjoyed picking out different fun dinner items to try! Jean tried some new foods. We ended the night by watching a fire show that all the kids enjoyed! All of the kids have had the best time scuba diving. Some it was their first time breathing underwater and some were seasoned pros, but by the end of our scuba, everyone had nothing but amazing things to say about their time! We are so excited for our final days coming up with this group, and are so sad to say goodbye! This has been the best trip and we never want it to end!!
With love from Thailand,
Caki and Jack
Thank yous!!!:
Rand: Hi Mom and Dad thank you for letting me come on this trip. It has been so much fun and ive had such a good time. Ive done a lot of amazing things that i would never do in the states. The trip has been so much fun and its been one of the coolest things i have ever done. Thank you!
Jackson: Hey Mom and Dad! Thank you guys so much for letting me come on this amazing experience. I’ve had the best time and can’t describe how much fun it’s been. So many amazing opportunities that never would have been possible otherwise have been made possible by this trip. You will be happy to know that I am now officially advanced scuba certified! Spending time in the village, the city, and now the beach has been the greatest few weeks in a long time. Everyone I’ve met and gotten to know on the trip is awesome and I could not be happier with this group, but I miss everyone at home too. Also, Happy Father’s Day Dad! I hope you guys are all doing great, can’t wait to see all of you!
PK: Hi everyone!!!! Thank y’all so much for sending me to Thailand. I love my group and leaders they are the best. I am having so much fun and don’t want to leave Thailand (Y’all would love it here). We just spent 3 days on the boat scuba diving. I saw a snake, seahorse, sharks, and a lot of fish. HAPPY FATHERS DAY DAD! It’s so pretty here. I can’t wait to tell y’all all about it. They have some great banana muffins here that taste like mom’s banana bread. I am also reading a book here. I hope y’all are having fun wherever y’all are. I love y’all and miss y’all!
Anne: Hey Mom and Dad thank you so much for sending me on this trip it’s been so awesome actually thank you for sending me on all my Moondance trips I’m so great full. We scuba dived today and yesterday. I saw a sea horse, sting ray, shark, lobster, and some other cool animals. I miss everyone but I’m not ready to come home yet I feel like I’m in a movie. Happy Father’s Day dad!!! I love you so much tell Cappy I say hi.
Charlotte: Hi Mom and Dad! Thanks so much for sending me on this trip, I’ve had SO much fun!! My leaders are so perfect and my group is so fun and nice, I love everyone so much! We just finished scuba diving and I got my advanced and the ocean here is GORGEOUS. I can’t wait to show y’all my pictures. Also we did service with elephants and it was the coolest thing I’ve ever done. Can’t wait to see y’all soon, I miss you more than life! And Happy Father’s Day dad! Also tell AW that I hope she has the best time ever at young life camp!
Pearce: Hey Mom and Dad! This has been one of the best experiences I have ever been on and I can’t thank you enough dad for letting me go one more time. The culture here is amazing and we just finished the last day of scuba diving and that was breathtaking. To be honest I want another 3 weeks here but I know y’all are missing me so I’m coming back soon. I got a great group of people and have gotten really close with some of them and also got great leaders which I am grateful for. I will bring back some gifts and stories for y’all when I’m home and Happy Father’s Day! Thank y’all again so much!
Kate: Hi Mom and Dad!!! ( + hi DK!) I seriously cannot thank y’all enough for sending me on this trip and all of my previous trips as well. I will seriously cherish this trip forever. After seeing elephants, doing service work, going on a bamboo raft, learning to cook from the locals, and exploring markets, we just spent the past 4 days on a boat in Krabi scuba diving which was actually the coolest thing EVER. My leaders are so awesome and my group is super funny. Also HAPPY FATHERS DAY BALAKE!!! I miss you but me and PK talk about you and Heath all the time. Anyways I love y’all and am so so excited to see y’all. I love and miss you so much!!!!!
Hamilton: Hey guys! I want to truly thank y’all all so much for sending me on this trip. This is one of if not the best experience I have ever had. There are so many funny stories and cool activities that I am excited to share with y’all when I get home. The trip has been eye opening for me and many ways and I feel like it was a really good break from Winston life (not that Winston life is bad in any way). I have had so much fun here with every one and this group is for sure the best one I have had; my counselors are both super fun and nice and the whole group just gets along really well. Thank y’all so much for this amazing opportunity and I can’t wait to tell you all more when I get back, love yall!
Jean: Hi Mom and Dad! I’m having a lot of fun in Thailand. Thank you so much for sending me (and tell Nanmama I say thank you to her too please)! We just finished Scuba diving today- I’m now certified through two separate scuba agencies, which is pretty cool. I’ve been having lots of fun here doing service work and exploring Thai culture. I definitely have a lot of stories to share with you guys when I get back from all our different activities. As we’ve spent more time together the group has gotten really close, they are definitely a very good group to be on this trip with. Both my counselors are super nice and chill, which is very fun. I’m super excited for the rest of our time in Krabi and our day in Bangkok. Thank you so much for sending me again- I love you guys, and I’ll see you when I get home! PS- Happy Father’s Day Dad I love you!!
Alice: Thank you Mom and Dad for letting me go on another Moondance! I have had so much and I have made so many memories! Happy Father’s Day Dad, I love you! See you all soon!🩷🩷
Anna: Hi Parents!!! I miss y’all so much!! But I’m not ready to leave here😢! Thank you guys for giving me the opportunity to do Moondance again. Love you guys. I’m having the best time ever, and have made the bestest of friends. Love y’all beyond!! See ya soon 💞💞
Clare: Hi Mom and Dad!!! Missing you and the boys so so soooo much!! Thailand has been a blast and can’t wait to see you soon. Thank you so much for letting me go on such an amazing trip and so greatful to be your daughter. Been drinking lots of water and putting on lots of sunscreen Mom!! Also Happy Father’s Day Dad!! No one makes me laugh more and can’t wait to give you the biggest hug when I’m home! Lovin you always and have the best day! Tell Maggie I love and miss her dearly GJMJ 🩷😘
Teamwork In Thailand!
June 17, 2026
Hello again from beautiful Thailand!!!
Today was one of the most anticipated adventure days yet, with rock climbing and rappelling! We started the morning with breakfast at our favorite spot. The banana waffles continue to be a huge hit, and a few of the kids would probably eat them for every meal if they could!
After breakfast, we hopped in the van and headed to our climbing site. Once we arrived, our local guides led us through a safety briefing before our LODs for the day, PK and Rand, split us into two groups. One group began by learning the rappelling techniques and practicing, before taking on an incredible 100-foot rappel into a cave. Meanwhile, the other group headed into the cave to learn the basics of rock climbing, with five different routes ranging in difficulty for everyone to challenge themselves.
It was so fun watching the group tackle new challenges throughout the day. Pearce was all smiles after his first rappel, Charlotte kept encouraging everyone around her, and Jackson impressed us all with his determination on some of the more difficult climbing routes. After a delicious lunch, the groups switched, so that everyone had the opportunity to experience both climbing and rappelling. It was amazing to watch the kids encourage each other, step outside their comfort zones, and celebrate one another’s successes throughout the day.
After a full day of adventure, we headed back into Chiang Mai and tried a new restaurant that quickly became a group favorite. The menu was packed with classic Thai dishes, and by the end of the meal, many of the kids declared it their favorite dinner of the trip so far! Right outside the restaurant was a bustling night market, where everyone had a blast exploring the vendors, finding souvenirs, and picking out gifts for family and friends back home.
The market was definitely a highlight of the evening, and Hamilton and Rand may have walked away with some of the most memorable purchases of the night- some truly incredible outfits that had everyone laughing. Kate and Alice had a great time searching for gifts to bring home, while Anna and Jean enjoyed exploring all of the different market stalls. We wrapped up the evening with a quick ice cream stop before heading back for Moonup. By the end of the night, the group agreed that this had been one of our favorite days of the trip so far.
After several busy adventure days, the group was excited to enjoy a slower morning and a few extra hours of sleep before what many students would later call one of their favorite days of the trip a Thai cooking challenge!
We started the day by splitting into three teams and explaining the game plan. Each group received 500 Thai Baht and a list of ingredients they would need to purchase at a local market. Once the challenge began, the teams were off! It was incredible to watch the students use the Thai phrases they have learned over the past 12 days to communicate with vendors as they searched for chicken, fish, vegetables, spices, and other ingredients.
The teams worked together to budget their money carefully, and any leftover funds could be used to buy a special treat to share with their group. Anne especially loved the fresh watermelon her team picked out, while Alice’s group was excited to stretch their budget enough to grab an extra snack to share.
Once the shopping was complete, we climbed into local taxis and headed to our cooking class. The ride itself was an adventure, with everyone enjoying the music and taking in the views as we traveled to a small village of approximately 500 residents outside the city.
When we arrived, we were welcomed by local Thai women who introduced us to the day’s recipes and taught us about traditional Thai cooking. The students worked together to chop vegetables, blend spices, prepare fish, and cook an incredible meal from scratch. It was amazing to see everyone’s teamwork and creativity in the kitchen, and Clare especially stepped up as a leader, while helping organize her group. Anna and Charlotte quickly became experts at chopping vegetables, while Pearce and Jackson took their cooking responsibilities very seriously and helped create some delicious dishes.
The food turned out delicious, and after the main course, we learned how to make a traditional Thai dessert that was a huge hit with the entire group. There were lots of smiles, plenty of full stomachs, and a new appreciation for the work that goes into preparing these meals.
After cooking, we headed to a local restaurant for dinner before returning for Moonup. Hamilton and Anne led the evening’s discussion and wrapped things up with a fun game that somehow ended with everyone jumping into the pool for a late-night swim. Jean and Kate fully embraced the fun and were among the first ones in the water!
It was the perfect ending to a day full of laughter, teamwork, and unforgettable memories.
Today, we said goodbye to Chiang Mai and headed south for the next chapter of our Thailand adventure! Before making our way to the airport, we stopped at a breakfast spot we had discovered in town that quickly became a group favorite. Everyone enjoyed one last relaxed morning together, and the pancakes were definitely the star of the meal. It was the perfect way to start a travel day.
After breakfast, we headed to the airport for our flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. Once we arrived in Bangkok, we made our connection and continued on to Krabi. The travel day gave everyone a chance to relax, catch up on sleep, play games, and reflect on all of the incredible memories we made during our time in Northern Thailand. Clare, PK, and Hamilton kept everyone entertained with games during the airport waits, while Anne, Anna, and Charlotte enjoyed sharing photos from the first half of the trip.
As beautiful as Chiang Mai was, there was one thing the group could not stop talking about throughout the day the beach! Excitement grew with every flight as we got closer to Krabi and the start of the scuba diving portion of our trip. The students have been looking forward to this part of the adventure, and we can’t wait to begin exploring the underwater world together.
As we arrived in Krabi and caught our first glimpses of the coastline and the energy in the group was contagious. We are so excited for the next stage of our adventure!
Elephant Hugs and Helping Hands!
June 13, 2026
Hello Thailand parents! This is Jack and Caki and we are having the best time with this amazing group. After less than 24 hours, all of us agreed that this is the best Moondance group we have had! Even after a long day of travel, everyone arrived with huge smiles and excitement for the adventure ahead. We were thrilled to have the entire group together and ready to begin our three-week journey through Thailand. After settling in for the evening and enjoying our first meal together, the group was ready for some much-needed rest before the adventures ahead.
The next day, we traveled north to Chiang Mai and spent the afternoon cooling off in the pool, playing games, and getting to know one another better. That evening, we headed into the famous Chiang Mai weekend night markets. We were told we would find a bustling market filled with local culture, food, and unique treasures, and it certainly lived up to the hype. As we wandered through the colorful streets, students explored countless stalls filled with handmade crafts, souvenirs, and local treats. Everyone enjoyed choosing different foods to try, and Pearce was especially excited to sample some of the many options available. One of the group’s favorite treats of the evening was the delicious chocolate banana desserts, roti. After a fun night exploring Chiang Mai, we headed back for a good night’s sleep before our much-anticipated elephant sanctuary visit.
The day everyone had been looking forward to finally arrived, and to make it even better today was Anna’s birthday, and it did not disappoint! When we arrived at the sanctuary, Uncle Chai, our local guide, taught us about the elephants and the sanctuary’s rescue efforts. We then got to make special elephant medicine using bananas before heading down to meet the elephants up close. The group met a mother elephant and her baby, feeding them the treats we had prepared and learning more about their lives. Kate shared that it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that exceeded all of her expectations, while Anne loved getting a playful kiss from an elephant’s trunk. There were smiles all over as everyone fed the elephants bamboo and spent time observing these incredible animals.
After a delicious lunch, which Anna declared her favorite meal of the trip so far, it was time for one of the highlights of the day: bathing the elephants. Uncle Chai showed us how to use local tree leaves to create natural red face paint, and soon students were decorating both the elephants and one another. Hamilton got to paint the elephant’s face giving the elephant a funny makeover. We followed the elephants into the water as they splashed, rolled around, and sprayed us with water from their trunks. Alice especially loved watching the water create rainbows as it splashed across the group. By the end of the afternoon, no one wanted to leave. It was an unforgettable day spent feeding, bathing, and learning about these amazing animals. That evening, we relaxed with card games and enjoyed a delicious dinner of fresh curry before turning in for the night. Clare is the overall champion for the group’s favorite game; Palace.
The next day marked the beginning of our journey to the Karen village, where we would spend several days living alongside the local community and participating in a service project. We started the morning with a hike to a beautiful waterfall, where everyone enjoyed swimming and cooling off after the trek. Kate and Rand did a fantastic job leading the way as our Leaders of the Day. After the hike, we enjoyed lunch at a nearby local market before continuing on to Karen village, our home for the next few days.
Our service project involved helping construct a water silo that will support the village community. We began by leveling the foundation and carefully taking measurements to prepare the site. Charlotte helped ensure every measurement was accurate, making sure we started the project on the right foot. Once the layout was complete, we split into teams to gather rocks and sand for the foundation. PK stepped up with a creative assembly-line system that made transporting rocks much more efficient. By the end of the day, we had successfully completed the foundation work and were excited to see the project taking shape. That afternoon, we headed to the rice fields to help with plowing. Jean jumped right in and led the way before an impromptu mud fight broke out, quickly becoming one of the group’s favorite memories so far. Anne proved she wasn’t afraid to get muddy, and everyone had a blast washing off together in the river afterward.
Day two in the village was all about teamwork. Our focus was mixing and pouring the concrete for the water silo foundation. Students worked together in several different teams: some mixed cement, some transported materials, and others carefully leveled the foundation as it was poured. With music playing and everyone singing along, the work flew by. Jackson became the star of the project, taking charge of mixing concrete and keeping things moving smoothly. In the afternoon, we visited local classrooms and spent time learning about daily life in the village. Students had the opportunity to learn about traditional embroidery and weaving, and Anna impressed everyone by trying her hand at weaving and picking it up quickly.
Our final full day in the Karen village was filled with gratitude, learning, and community. We began by visiting our completed service project and seeing the finished water silo. The local community members who worked alongside us expressed their appreciation through heartfelt thanks, hugs, and gifts. It was incredibly rewarding for the group to see the tangible impact of their hard work. Later, we explored our host family’s fruit farm and sampled a variety of fresh fruits, including mangos, pomegranates, peppers, and more. We also learned about the history of the village, traditional tools that have been used for generations, and cultural ceremonies that continue to be practiced today. One of the day’s highlights was learning how to make sticky rice by hand. Everyone enjoyed participating in the process and, of course, eating the finished product afterward.
On Day 9, we woke up and prepared to say goodbye to the Karen village. While everyone was excited for the adventures ahead, it was clear that strong connections had been formed during our time there. The village expressed their gratitude for our stay, and we left behind a special Moondance THA 1A sign with all of our names on the back as a reminder of our time together. From there, we headed to our next adventure: bamboo rafting. Students traveled three to a raft with a local guide leading the way down the river. It was a peaceful and relaxing experience, giving everyone time to chat, reflect, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Halfway down the river, we stopped for lunch along the riverbank before continuing our journey downstream. After rafting, we returned to our riverside hotel, where students unpacked, did laundry, and enjoyed some downtime before dinner. We ended the evening with a wonderful Moonup by the pool, reflecting on all we had experienced so far. With another big adventure waiting for us the next day, everyone headed to bed excited for what was still to come.
We are so excited to have another two weeks with this incredible group of kids! Everyone is having an amazing time, and it definitely shows. Thank you for sharing them with us, we truly appreciate it. We look forward to sending more updates and highlights soon!
Best,
Caki and Jack
Shoutouts THA 1A:
Charlotte: Hi mom and dad!! I’m having so much fun! It’s so cool here and everyone is really nice! Say hi to AW for me when she gets home! Miss you guys, thanks for sending me on this trip! 🩷
Clare: Hi Mom and Dad!! Thailand is so much fun and I’m really loving my group! So far we’ve gotten to hangout with elephants and do service work around a local village. Tell the boys I said hi and can’t wait to see everyone, missing yall tons!! GJMJ 💞
Jean: Hi Mom and Dad! I’m having a good time in Thailand right now. We saw elephants and helped build part of a water tower in the village we stayed in. We’re headed back to the city as I write this. I’ve been reading my college book and working on my movie too. I love you guys, tell everyone I miss them! ⭐️
Alice: Hi Mom, Dad, Sadie, Juju, Pop, and Daniel! I hope you all are doing well, I miss you all! I am having so much fun in Thailand and I am trying to take as many photos as I can for Juju!! We have so far seen elephants, helped out in the village, and played soccer!! I love you all so much and I will see you all soon!! Miss you!!🩷🩷
Pearce: Hey mom and dad so far I’ve had a great time and I got a really fun group. We’ve been helping out a village for a water tank making the cement foundation and it was actually some hard work but only for 2 hours but it felt good doing that. We also saw an elephant sanctuary which was really cool and learned a lot about Thai culture. I’ll queue y’all in on everything else when I get home. Love y’all!
Rand: hi mom and dad I’ve had such a great time and we’ve been in a village. It’s been great. I’ve made many new Thai friends and then we are just now leaving for another place. And hi dad Made sure ur not left out, love yall!
Anne: Hi everyone I’m having so much fun, this trip is awesome. An elephant wrapped me in its trunk and kissed me like 12 times. We are on the way to bamboo raft and then scuba dive in a few nights. I love you all and miss you. My leaders are the best pk and I have had and I don’t want to come home!!! Hi Mayme shoutout bc im wearing your shorts right now (mom please show her this) happy bday Mcaulay you are gonna love my sewanee alumni leader. Thanks for sending me on this trip. I’m so thankful!
PK- hi everyone! I am having so much fun on this trip. My group and leaders are amazing. We first saw elephants and we just finished building a water thing. I love and miss yall so much. Thank yall so much for this opportunity. Excited to see yall but don’t wanna come home. (🐠🐠)
Kate – HI FAM!! This is definitely the coolest trip I’ve ever been on. We got to play with elephants and we just spent the past week living in a village where we helped the people build a water supply tank. We’re about to head to the beach to scuba dive and I can’t wait. Love and miss yall loads but I’ll see you soon! Thank you mom and dad for letting me do this trip ❣️
Anna- HI EVERYONE!!! genuinely so baffled how amazing it is here!!! Had the best
🕺17TH!!!🕺 birthday! Got to see elephants +feed them and they wrapped their trunks around us. I have so many 📸’s!!! We got to do service work and make a water well for 2days. One of my favorite parts has been getting to know the group, they’re all so great! But definitely miss yall❣️❣️ omg and the kids I’ve gotten to hang with all the kids here and there so sweet. Love and miss yall. We are def making a trip back here all together 🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭!!!!
Hamilton- Hey guys! I know I’ve always said that nothing could top the previous Moondance’s I’ve done but I’m wrong again. We are only 5-6 days in and it is so amazing here; Thailand is so much cooler and interesting than I could have ever imagined. We’ve gotten to feed and swim with elephants and we’ve been welcomed into a village where every one was just so nice. We worked to build a water well for the village people and it felt so good because we all truly knew the impact we were making was huge. I miss yall and thank yall for sending me on this once in a lifetime trip!
Jackson: Hey guys! I’ve been having the greatest time here, I’ve done so much and I can’t wait to tell you guys all about it when I get back. Dad-Happy early Father’s Day and you would love the amount of mango we’ve been having, but I bet it’s pretty good in Fiji too. Tell the brothers and Callie I miss them. We’ve been in a village in the mountains doing service work and we are getting ready to go to the coast. Love you guys!
Safe Arrival!
June 6, 2026
Hello Thailand 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
