Quotes
Read what people have said about Moondance
I loved my trip so much! I learned that you would never grow unless you step out of your comfort zone. On many parts of this trip I told myself 'this is why I am here...I am here to grow'.
Betsey diBonaventura Chestnut Hill, MA
Every experience on this trip was new to me in a physical sense. I had never been white water rafting before, nor had I spent significant time in the outdoors. I had no idea how much nature had to offer and how simple life could be outside of the constraints of society.
Whitney Gratrix, Serverna Park, MD
The biggest difference for us as parents was the way Hayes got to know our children and our family. We feel part of Moondance in a way that we have never felt about another program. We are committed because Hayes committed to getting to know our family. Molly will be forever changed by this Moondance experience. We are so excited to send our other three kids because we feel a part of the Moondance family.
Margaret Fisher, mother of Baer and Molly Fisher, Kenilworth, IL
The program is so focused on each individual student and making sure that they get the most out of their experience, something I haven't found at any other summer program. Everything is done so well that you never question your safety, or even have a chance to get bored.
Katherine Paul, Newburyport, MA
What is more rewarding than the actual climbing or backpacking is the self-discovery that comes as a result.
Will Golden, Darien, CT
Summiting the Grand Teton was a momentous event for Haleigh. She said she felt proud of everyone in her group, especially since they approached from the more technical route. Working with a group was very rewarding for her.
Shannon Armstrong, mother of Haleigh, Vail, CO
Leave No Trace has helped me understand the overall importance of leaving no sign of your being in a particular area. Leaving the area clean for the next group.
D. French Slaughter, Charlottesville, VA
I realized not how much I missed taking a shower or missed all my stuff, but I realized how little I needed. How wonderfully simple life can be with just backpacking, being with friends, eating and sleeping. This was the life.
Kate Shapiro, Atlanta, GA
Moondance gives us a chance to try new things that we may have never thought of doing before. The leaders become our friends. Moondance respects the wilderness and it makes a lot of us more aware of what we are missing in our everyday lives.
Simone Kastner, Hailey, ID
Meg's leaders have somehow instilled in her a commitment to a greater purpose on her trips. It goes beyond an outdoor adventure -- from LNT camping to the support and encouragement they seem to offer one another. Moondance has allowed Meg to move beyond and outside of herself and her personal and physical limitations.
Dani Renchard, mother of Meg Miller, Darien, CT
What I find makes Moondance special is that you leave Moondance with more courage and confidence than you ever thought you could have.
Tessa Giordano, Summit, NJ
Hastings described it as the trip of a lifetime. She said she wouldn't have traded it for anything in the world. She said she never realized how she could have the best time ever through living simply.
Winn Crockard, mother of Hastings, Birmingham, AL
Moondance has a great group of employees. All the leaders are a blast to be with! Being introduced into a whole new circle of friends and sharing some of the most significant events of your life builds character and friendships that most do not experience in their hometown.
Lauren Houghton, Atlanta, GA
Moondance is great! I've been four times now so obviously I've loved it enough to keep coming back! The course was amazing. Never will I have chances like I have here to do some really incredible things. The caring and trusting spirit of the group made for a strong family-like community.
Beanie Arnold, Atlanta, GA
I have had some of the greatest three weeks of my life. Moondance really emphasizes the importance of a group. The way our group came together only added to the experience. It is like having 11 brothers and sisters.
Sarah Fox, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
Moondance is a great company and it has changed my life heavily. I thank you for making the last four summers of my life so unforgettable.
Jack Mathews, Atlanta, GA
It surprised me how at home I felt sleeping, eating, and living outside.
Kelsey Mrkonic, Bloomfield Hills, MI
We saw John push himself and stretch in every other way. We saw him grow in self-confidence and self sufficiency and a bit farther along on that road toward adulthood.
Steve and Katie Dowlen, parents of John, Chattanooga, TN
Moondance is more like a family than a company.
Charles Lovett, San Antonio, TX
Moondance offered a lovely way to see our country, be with friends, and live a healthy lifestyle at the same time--our trip was the perfect blend of health, happiness, fresh air, and sunshine!
Lou Winship, Atlanta, GA
I will forever use the experience of meeting new people and working with different types of people in a group. The leaders set Moondance apart from other summer programs because you can really tell they enjoy working with teenagers and are excited to teach you new things.
Tessa Talarico, Wyomissing, PA
These past three weeks were the most physically challenging and the most rewarding of my life. I've had an awesome time and I wish I could do it all over again.
Virginia Gaiennie, Shreveport, LA
This trip is the best time I've had my whole life. The new friends I've made, things I've learned and experience I've had, I will never forget. With Moondance, you don't actually get a little taste of being in the outdoors, you are in the backcountry, so you get the entire experience.
Patten Bruce, Pawleys Island, SC
What separates Moondance from other programs is the staff quality --- energy, experience, intelligence, worldliness, desire to be there with those kids.
June Rhyne - Mother of Bo, Charlotte, NC
This is like no other program I have been on. It is filled with some of the most wonderful activities that give you the greatest feeling that you accomplished something that day!
Hillary White, Atlanta, GA.
Moondance is not a camp, it's an adventure.
Coulson Gray, Birmingham, AL
You will never know the endless ways this trip has changed my life.
Greyson Kirby, Charlottesville, VA
Costa Rica held many adventures, much beauty, and most of all, a taste of a culture so different from America, one's whole perspective on our country and luxuries change. The beauty of this country astounded me every step of the way.
Nancy Calhoun, Greensboro, NC
Greg has spoken often of his homestay experience in Costa Rica. He liked the family interaction, gaining some understanding of the lifestyle and having the chance to try his classroom Spanish in the real world!
Susan Underwood, mother of Greg, Winnetka, IL
This was Rob's third trip with Moondance and each year he has gained and developed friends, talents, skills and insights that he didn't have the year before.
Karen Rockecharlie, mother of Rob, Charlotte, NC
The program was wonderful in all aspects, especially the leaders. The way the group was put together with the challenge to succeed and doing so in our own way, not some \"right\" way. The leaders backed the group, just as each member of the group backed each other.
Sarah Wrenn, Charlotte, NC.
\"Mountaineering was my favorite part, because it was new, and I challenged myself to the greatest extent.\"
Mary Jane Partlow, Tuscaloosa, AL
This trip was definitely the most exciting/challenging life changing thing I've ever done! I loved every minute! I enjoyed meeting awesome people and pushing myself past my \"limits\"- climbing Mt. Ranier was amazing!
Lauren Dickey, Charlottesville, VA
I learned how to be a leader when you are not necessarily asked to be. You simply step up to the plate and accept responsibility.
Taylor Hucks, Georgetown, SC
Being my first Moondance trip, I did not know what to expect. What I experienced was far better than what I ever imagined. I never stopped laughing, made friends for life, and challenged myself to an extreme I never thought possible. I know this is an experience that I will never forget.
Jessica Kinnard, Nashville, TN
Not only did I learn about working hard as a team and not doubting myself, but I learned about how challenges like the Grand Teton can bring a group of strangers so close.
Katherine O\'Herron, Raleigh, NC, Grand Ascents
Being in the Winds you truly will never see more beautiful country...the things I was most nervous about were the most fun.
George Paschal, Raleigh, NC
My favorite moment was looking at the Grand Teton from below after finishing the entire climb and realizing that I was not living in a dream! My friends and I had actually been to the summit and back.\" I learned \"that doing even the smallest unasked or unexpected favors for people make the biggest difference and that when you do, it becomes contagious.
Chelsea Ritter-Soronen - Upper Arlington, OH
Moondance was perhaps the most life changing experience I have ever encountered> I learned that there is nothing more satisfying than contributing physically and mentally to a group an d feeling more accomplished than doing something for myself. Moondance was one of the greatest experiences of my life.
Jason Tanenbaum, Atlanta, GA
Thank you so much Moondance for making this experience possible. My leaders taught me everything I could possibly need to know about living in the backcountry: tents, cooking, safety, etc, as well as a lot of neat information about the wildlife. I especially liked the moonups where everyone got to share their feelings about the day and reflect! I can honestly say that I loved every minute of my trip to Alaska...I loved turning the corner in my kayak and climbing to the top of a never-ending ridge to discover breathtaking views. The surprise at every bend made my trip all the more exciting.
Mandy Dauten, Northfield, IL
From a parent's perspective, you must understand that I was aked to send our daughter out with perfect strangers for three weeks. Not an easy task in todays world. As hard as it was, I must say I would not change anything. Your staff was amazing and Kim felt safe every single minute of her trip. Thank you Moondance for an organization well run, and for taking great care of our daughter.
Jamie Goldstein, mother of Kim, St. Louis, MO
I like Moondance because it is real. There's no such thing as turning around when things get tough. That's the great part. When you're out in the woods and things are tough, you get through it with yourself and your friends.
Cameron Weller, Atlanta, GA
Thank you and your leaders for the wonderful experiences that our sons had with Moondance this summer. Moondance provided each of our three different sons with a unique memorable experience that was individual and personal to them. The friends, experiences, and feelings of accomplishment will last much longer than the quick summer experience. You truly have a unique company. Hayes, I really want you to know how great it is as a parent to see the expressions and feelings of accomplishment that our sons had when they came home. They are proud of their group and what they learned. Jack, Bill and Rob all had a \"Full Moon Experience\" that they will remember forever.
From John Eakin, Nashville, TN, father of Jack, Bill and Rob Eakin
I had the best time on my Rocky Mountain Way trip. The atmosphere and weather were great, but I think it was the group of people I was with that made my trip exceptional. My entire group got along like we had known each other forever.\"
Julia McClelland, Mobile, AL
The thing I enjoyed the most about it was that everyone was working together to make the trip memorable for everyone else and didn't focus on individual accomplishment, but accomplishing something as a group.
Colin Parker, Shasta, CA
My favorite moment was looking at the 360 degree view from Desolation Peak before the sun even rose I thought, 'Look where I am. Look what I've done. Look what we've done.' And at that moment with everyone huddled together for warmth I knew we had come together as a group.
Maggie Curme, Charlotte, NC
John gained a greater appreciation for the outdoors and respect for the environment. You strike the perfect balance between giving them independence to venture into new territories while keeping an eye on them being sure they are safe.
Libbie and David Ward, parents of John, Raleigh, NC
I enjoyed Big Wild so much! Everything from the activities and challenges to the food to the people was amazing. Our leaders were so much fun and easy to relate to and they were very insightful.
Taylor Manning, Greensboro, NC.
Well you were right, I had the time of my life! The trip couldn't have gone much better for me. I loved the activities and the kids in my group. I'm just having trouble adapting once again to civilization. The outdoors were so addicting to me. I'm having trouble letting go. Since getting home, I've already spent a night outside under the stars--although it's hardly comparable to the clear sky we were able to see in the Winds and I missed my group.
Kate Finkenstaedt, Grosse Pointe, MI.
I felt safe at all times, but still had freedom! It was great!
Emma Hunter, Malvern, PA
The sense of accomplishment along with pride that I experienced will never be matched. Never underestimate your potential. You can do so much more than you think you can...you just have to be willing to face the challenges. Moondance helped me learn all these things.
Ellie Hinken, Northbrook, IL
