Leaders and Staff

The most important element for the success of Moondance Adventures is our skilled, dedicated, and caring staff. Our leaders are vital to the integrity and safety of our program. Their responsibilities are quite diverse; they are instructors, leaders, facilitators, friends, fellow participants, and role models to our students.

More than the challenging programs and breathtaking scenery, Moondance leaders form the nucleus of what makes this experience such a positive part of the program. Our leaders provide excellent role models, and great care is taken in the selection of our staff.

All leaders are a minimum of 21 years old, with the average age being 26. They are well educated and have completed, or are on their way to completing, their undergraduate degree with many pursuing advanced degrees. They enjoy working with teenagers and have extensive training in wilderness programs and experiential education. Most are graduates of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) or Outward Bound.

Many have full-time careers in secondary education or are full time outdoor educators. Each leader has a minimum of 80 hours of medical training as a Wilderness First Responder. Their primary job is to keep the students safe and comfortable. To ensure that Moondance can maintain its "safety first" philosophy, the student-to-staff ratio never exceeds 6:1.

During our comprehensive 11-day staff training, each leader renews his/her commitment to Moondance's philosophy and rededicates himself/herself to serving Moondance students. Every Moondance leader is committed to the idea that to lead, we must serve.

Hayes Hitchens

Hayes Hitchens hails from Charlotte, NC. Hayes founded Moondance as a way to share...
Hunter Hitchens

Hunter Hitchens is not the newest addition to the Moondance family, but certainly...
Bill Johnston

Bill Johnston, 24, was born and raised in Statesville, NC and is a recent graduate...
Shannon Revolinski

Shannon Revolinski began her experience with Moondance by leading the Colorado...
Timothy Moore

Timothy Moore, or Theo, had his first Moondance experience in 2000 on the Rocky...
Chris Barnes

Chris Barnes can likely be found playing his guitar, banjo, mandolin or keyboard...
Michaelyn Koss

Michaelyn Koss grew up in Atlanta where she spent her high school days at Woodward...
Genna Suggs

Genna Suggs grew up in Rocky Mount, NC where she was captain of her tennis and...
Willy Sebring

Willy Sebring hails from San Antonio, TX where he was captain of his soccer team...
Kyle Jackson

Kyle Jackson began his experience as a counselor for Mountain Camp in California,...
Taylor Kirkpatrick

Taylor Kirkpatrick, 23, has been waiting for an opportunity to be a Moondance...
Beanie Arnold

Beanie Arnold, 24, is no stranger to the Moondance family! She began her...
Clay Kennedy

Clay Kennedy, 26, developed a passion for the outdoors at an early age when his...
Mae Link

Mae Link, 24, was born and raised in Charlotte, NC, but did most of her “growing...
Eva George

Eva George, 24, originally from Boston, MA, rejoins the Moondance family for her...
Krista Nelson

Krista Nelson, 25, returned to Moondance this past summer for her third summer...
Marc Saavedra

Marc Saavedra, 26, comes from North Palm Beach, Florida and is a graduate of...
Andy Hill

Andy Hill, 27, grew up exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains as a Georgia native, and...
Maggie Herrick

Maggie Herrick, 25, calls Asheville NC home now, but is quick to mention that she...
Eric Malkowski

Eric Malkowski, 27, is delighted to return to Moondance for his third summer as a...