Moondance is an adventure travel company for teens looking for unique and unforgettable summer experiences. Through Moondance’s program, teens are able to explore outside their comfort zone. The small group sizes and “unplugged” feature allow teens to fully connect with nature and their peers on the trip. This makes for a truly unique and immersive experience that creates memories that last forever.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, definitely.” – Will Pinkerton ’26
Teens take part in a variety of activities on Moondance’s trips, including backpacking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, mountaineering, fly fishing, surfing, scuba diving, sea kayaking, cultural immersion, and community service. The program allows students to pursue activities they wouldn’t normally experience in their hometowns. The combination of new friends, stunning natural landscapes, shared accomplishments, and exciting activities create an unforgettable experience that leave teens craving more. It’s no surprise that many teens return to the program for multiple trips.
Every year, thousands of teens take on the 2+ week trips, all over the world. In fact, many Newman students have undertaken their own awe-inspiring explorations with Moondance.
Russell Huber ‘26 has participated in four Moondance adventures (California, Maui, Iceland, and Croatia). Russell stated, “Iceland was my favorite trip and place by far. It was so beautiful there, although it literally didn’t get dark for weeks”. Moondance is known for memorable experiences, and Iceland delivered: “My favorite memory would be crossing an ice river with my friends in Iceland after a 10 mile hike in freezing temperatures with wind and rain blowing terribly, and then finally getting to the hostel and having hot chocolate”. In 2025, the two week trip to Iceland will be offered to 8th and 9th graders once in June and twice in July.
“Iceland as a whole was the most impactful experience for me because my friends and I really bonded over the difficulty of the trip, and we were just a great group”. – Russell Huber ’26
In 2025, Moondance is offering a wide range of trips for high school students from 9th to 12th grade. The trips range from 14 to 23 days. Moondance offers trips for all skill levels, advertising that the only necessary conditions are positive attitudes and willingness to collaborate with others. If the great outdoors are calling, check out Moondance’s Trip Finder for 2025 or ask a friend about their own experience!
