Nature=One of Our Greatest Teachers

Homework…tests…quizzes…sports games…band practice…club meetings. How do you guys do it these days!?

If you want to learn how to better prioritize your life and effective ways to handle your everyday routine, we think we know just the summer adventure program to help you accomplish just that (hint: it’s us!) With this summer being our 18^th, we’ve found that experiencing all that nature and world travel has to offer can change your outlook on life for the better.

Being Leader of the Day (or even just part of a sweet Moondance crew) can teach you how to keep up with many different responsibilities by providing an opportunity to practice and master a variety of outdoor and social skills. The skills that you’re taught and that you practice during your outdoor adventure travel can be done by anyone with some patience, perseverance and instruction, so everyone can gain valuable life skills by learning about nature and the areas where we travel. Nature can help you gain confidence, become a stronger leader and best of all, create lasting friendships. AND there’s no experience necessary to get all these great things out of a Moondance trip (though if you have experience, what better way to keep learning and growing than on one of our trips?)

Motivation to Persevere

Hey, we know it’s not easy being a teen these days – snarky group texts! Mean Facebook messages! Dealing with the difficulties that come with growing up presents a challenge in itself: to give up or to persevere. But you’ve got a choice! Perseverance can be taught through experiencing nature in a beautiful setting with a group of new friends.

Not only will participating in a Moondance trip give you the experience of taking control and leading others in activities including backpacking, rock climbing and whitewater rafting, but simply observing the power of nature in the outdoors can give you a reason to reach a little farther and jump a little higher. To “Live in the Moment.”

If you're ready to experience the AWESOME power of nature, we’re here to make it happen. You can call the office and get more information about any and every trip you so desire. Even on our community service trips, you not only use nature to your benefit but also give back to nature as well, though all of the programs are planned with environmental concerns in mind.

Now who’s ready for some MOONDANCE?

Outlining Adventure Trip Types

 

Moondance offers four main types of memorable summer trips: Community Service Adventures, Leadership Adventures, Multisport Adventures and Discovery Adventures. The adventure camps are comprised of 10-12 bright, motivated students who are looking for teamwork and leadership opportunities. Both domestic and overseas adventure travel offerings are led by at least two dynamic leaders, one male and one female.

Some students may be hesitant about completely disengaging from the electronic world for these outdoor adventures, but doing so allows campers the opportunity to completely get lost in the natural and beautiful surroundings. During the students’ summer adventures, time is based simply on when the sun rises and when it sets.

Those who take part in Community Service Adventures give back to various areas of the world by doing things such as teaching English or repairing a community center. Travelers who take part in overseas adventure travel meet people from different parts of the world and interact with a variety of wildlife. During the Kilimanjaro trip, students volunteer at a Tanzanian secondary school and undertake a challenging trek to the summit of Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain.

Leadership Adventures allow students to develop their leadership skills as they will lead peers on action-packed adventures in challenging, beautiful terrain. Those on these trips, students learn how to live comfortably in the wilderness. The Northern Lights trip offers travelers the opportunity to experience the backcountry wilderness of Alaska from Prince William Sound to the Talkeetna Mountain Range.

A variety of activities such as climbing, backpacking and sea kayaking are enjoyed by those taking part in Multisport Adventures. Travelers learn how to live comfortably, responsibly and simply in the wilderness. One popular trip is to the Pacific Northwest. Students start and finish in Seattle. In between, they travel to places such as Washington's amazing San Juan Islands and North Cascades mountains as well as the beautiful Deschutes River in central Oregon.

Discovery Adventures consist of introductory level adventures designed for younger students. Participants are introduced to a variety of activities such as riding a rushing river or experiencing high-flying ziplines. The Mountains to Sea trip engages the students with the rolling mountains and lush forests of the Appalachians as well as South Carolina’s stunning beaches.

At the conclusion of every day on these trips, the popular Moonup is conducted by Leaders of the Day who are selected by members of the group. These small-group discussions lead to bonding as laughter is shared, memories are made and trust is given and received. Moonups provide some of the most treasured memories that students take away from these unforgettable summer adventures.

Moondance Leader Profiles: Scott Joseph

Welcome to the first edition of Moondance Leader Profiles! We thought we'd use the blog to help highlight the awesome folks who provide the Moondance experience, so we'll be checking in with our summer staff periodically to give you a better glimpse of the folks behind The Dance!

First up, Scott Joseph from Bloomfield Hills, MI. Scott heard about Moondance from a former Moondance leader and applied after completing his NOLS Patagonia course in May of 2012. He's a Jack of All Trades - whether it's trekking to Everest Base Camp or running the Detroit Half Marathon - Scott puts his heart and soul into every endeavor, and we were so happy to have had him on board as our Costa Rica Venture 1 & 2 male leader for 2012.

We thought we'd check in with Scott and ask him a few questions. Enjoy!

Age: 26
Education (HS and college): Wylie E Groves High School / Davenport University
Summers with Moondance: 1 - Costa Rica Venture 2012
Favorite book: On The Road, by Jack Kerouac
Favorite movie: "City of God"
Favorite song: "Lovely Day" - Bill Withers
Dream Moondance Trip: Kilimanjaro
Favorite place you've ever traveled: Luang Prabang, Laos
Motto for living life: “I am one of the searchers. There are, I believe, millions of us. We are not unhappy, but neither are we really content. We continue to explore life, hoping to uncover its ultimate secret. We continue to explore ourselves, hoping to understand. We like to walk along the beach, we are drawn by the ocean, taken by its power, its unceasing motion, its mystery and unspeakable beauty. We like forests and mountains, deserts and hidden rivers, and the lonely cities as well. Our sadness is as much a part of our lives as is our laughter. To share our sadness with one we love is perhaps as great a joy as we can know - unless it be to share our laughter.

We searchers are ambitious only for life itself, for everything beautiful it can provide. Most of all we love and want to be loved. We want to live in a relationship that will not impede our wandering, nor prevent our search, nor lock us in prison walls; that will take us for what little we have to give. We do not want to prove ourselves to another or compete for love.

For wanderers, dreamers, and lovers, for lonely men and women who dare to ask of life everything good and beautiful. It is for those who are too gentle to live among wolves.”

- James Kavanaugh

Photo Contest!

The winning photo by Thomas Taylor, taken on his Moondance Leadership course June 20 - July 9, 2012
We want to thank everyone who submitted a photo for our contest announced via Constant Contact and our Facebook Page! We received so many great snapshots of all your wonderful adventures from this summer, and it's always fun to see a Moondance trip from a "student's eye view." After flipping through literally tens of thousands of photos from the leaders, it's refreshing to see some new material from our students! We thought we'd share a few more of our favorites from the contest.

Annie Boydston shares a glimpse of her climb on Mt. Shasta with her Yosemite Classic Second Session crew

Chamonix Alps Second Session student Dorsey Addicks submitted this great photo depicting the perfect way to "Live in the Moment" while in Paris!

Dylan Chan shares his "Tree with a View" from his backpacking section on the First Session of Pacific Northwest in Washington State
Thanks to everyone who shared their great photos, and feel free to upload more good ones on our Facebook page!

Sitting On Top of the World

The 2012 Moondance Leadership group finds success atop a snowy Mount Rainier
One of the major benefits of participating in a Moondance outdoor adventure is the ability to get to know some of the world's most pristine outdoor arenas on an up close and personal level. On any one of our summer adventures, you may find yourself surrounded by jagged peaks, crystalline lakes or even ancient ruins thinking to yourself, "How can I possibly describe what I'm seeing - and feeling! - to my friends and family back home?"

Several of our Leadership adventures allow participants a shot at bagging world-renowned peaks such as The Grand Teton in Wyoming, Mount Rainier in Washington, Mount Shasta in California and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. This summer, Moondance is proud to report that we had a 100% success rate for our students climbing Mount Shasta (on our Yosemite Classic trip), Mount Rainier (on our Moondance Leadership trip) and Mount Kilimanjaro (on our Kilimanjaro trip). 2012 marks the first time in Moondance history that all students attempting summits did so successfully, and we couldn't be more proud of this feat.

What any Moondance student will tell you, however, is that it wasn't their physical abilities that got them to the top. Instead, it was the positive encouragement of their teammates and leaders that allowed them to find the strength within...to take that next step...to breathe in and to breathe out...to ultimately succeed.

It's atop these peaks that we realize the only thing greater than just reaching the top is reaching the top together.

Check out our Adventure Programs for more information about teen summer camps.

Moondance Adventures Gave Back to Kilimanjaro Guides and Porters during Summer Trip!

Moondance Adventures presented 48 guides and porters on the mountain of Kilimanjaro with zero degree sleeping bags during our 2012 summer trip to Africa. The Marmot sleeping bags were given as a token of appreciation on behalf of Hayes Hitchens, president and founder of Moondance Adventures, who has been working with the outfitters, known as Active Kilitop and Safaris Limited, for several years in conjunction with Moondance Adventures’ Kilimanjaro expedition. The Arusha, Tanzania-based company is directed by Gabriel Nkini who has become a close friend and confidant of Hitchens and Moondance Adventures as a whole.

Kilimanjaro trip leaders Clark and Genna Harris were able to distribute the bags with Nkini’s help just before the team departed the Machame Gate at the base of Kilimanjaro. Because temperatures on the mountain dip at or below freezing on a regular basis, zero degree sleeping bags are critical to the success and health of all participants climbing Kilimanjaro, including the guides and porters who Genna Harris said worked so hard to maintain the positive energy among her group of 13 teenagers.

“The guides and porters of Active Kilitop and Safari really went above and beyond in making sure our group was comfortable and safe on the mountain,” says Genna Harris. “Giving them zero degree sleeping bags was the least we could do to thank them for their service and for ultimately getting our entire group to the summit.”

The Moondance group spent 22 days in all on the adventure as they departed for Tanzania on June 26 and arrived back in the States on July 17. While on the Kilimanjaro adventure, the teens had a chance to participate in a community service project with a local primary school, trek and summit Mount Kilimanjaro and experience a safari expedition in Serengeti National Park and the Ngorogoro Crater Conservation Area.

As part of the Moondance Adventures teen summer program, the Kilimanjaro journey encourages students to live in the moment and experience life beyond their comfort zone, providing an arena for self-awareness and leadership skills. The trip also allows the opportunity for teens to earn community service hours while working in educational facilities for underprivileged children as well as fully immerse themselves in a new cultural setting, like that of the Maasai tribe.

Moondance Adventures is a travel organization offering summer programs that challenge teens to step outside their comfort zones and achieve more than they ever dreamed possible in the great outdoors. Our leadership adventure program is built on the philosophy that challenge builds character and is designed to teach leadership skills amongst an exciting combination of nature, fellowship and fun.

To learn more about Kilimanjaro and other Moondance adventure programs, check out our adventure program chart here.

Fun and Good Will On Moondance Adventures’ Ecuador/Galapagos Trip

If having fun while doing important community service work sounds like the ideal summer camp experience, Moondance Adventures has the perfect trip for you. Forget about traditional summer camps—do something that is beneficial to people and cultures around the world! Our 22-day adventure camp in Ecuador and the exotic Galapagos Islands is an unforgettable experience.

High school students of all ages can participate in this exciting outdoor adventure program while satisfying basic community service requirements or just doing something they like. Each participant will earn 40 hours of community service while making outstanding memories and connections that will last a lifetime.

Volunteer Opportunities in the Amazon

Here's what you can expect if you're ready for a fun-filled community service adventure. The trip begins and ends in Ecuador's historic capital of Quito. Campers will enjoy hiking in the Andes and superb whitewater rafting in the Amazon basin before arriving in a remote village in the Morochos community. These friendly Kichwa-speaking natives open their homes to our campers while we get to work building a cultural community center, completing agricultural projects and building basic infrastructure.

Our community service work will continue in the village of Pucara where local families warmly welcome their home-stay guests. We'll pick up a bit of the language while learning about their unique culture and way of living. Our group will work alongside local leaders to grow their community and agricultural capabilities. In addition to volunteering, campers will be hiking in cloud-covered rainforests, completing an organic agriculture tour and visiting a fair-trade coffee co-op for an inside look.

The Galapagos

Our outdoor adventures will kick into high gear as we travel to the Galapagos Islands. These 15 unspoiled islands are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is renowned for its wildlife. We'll be snorkeling, touring the famous Giant Turtle Breeding Center and seeing iguanas, sea lions and sea turtles in their natural habitats while raising awareness about the fragile nature of our ecosystems.

At Moondance Adventures, our community service adventure camp programs are once-in-a-lifetime experiences. You'll meet new people, discover new cultures and enjoy new experiences that will travel with you for life. Apply now to reserve a space in our June 17th or July 10th summer trip.

About Moondance Adventures:
Founded by Hayes Hitchens in 1996, Moondance Adventures is a teen adventure travel program offering a wide variety of 13-23 day experiences including community service and wilderness-based leadership opportunities. Headquartered in Asheville, NC, Moondance offers 17 co-ed, non competitive teen summer adventure programs for teenagers ages 12-18. Moondance provides fun, education and character-building with each program’s curriculum. Moondance has been has been conducting unique adult and teen summer adventures in many of the finest teen adventure travel areas in the world with courses offered in Africa, Central America, Europe, North America and South America.