We were so eager to share this great email and these beautiful pictures which we received from one of our teen guests   . . . proving yet again that Woodloch is where it’s at!

Hi my name is Kelly Vino. I’m 14 years old, and I’m from Fairfield, CT. I just vacationed to Woodloch this week (April 16-19) and was able to take some great pictures on the lake at sunset. I also wanted to tell you about the experience I had in Woodloch this year.

I am writing to tell you that my trip this week, and all my other trips to Woodloch, have changed my life. Since coming here for the last 10-12 years of my life, I have learned and gained so much. The hospitality, generosity, and kindness of the staff is truly amazing. I have learned to let go, especially at Woodloch, and take advantage of what is around me. Even though ten years is just a fraction of the amount that other guests have been coming to Woodloch, I have seen a lot change and watched the resort grow. 

The staff at Woodloch are at a whole other level. Even the people who don’t seem to get enough credit from the guests, they change and improve the Woodloch experience too. On this trip I was also able to meet a lot of new staff, who really improved my vacation, and I hope they are recognized too. These staff members I have never really met before but are people I ended up seeing a lot throughout my stay. Hip Hip Jorge, Brandon and Eric definitely made the experience a lot of fun and a lot less nerve racking with their great sense of humor.  Then with Brandon at so many of the games, he added his humor and fun traits too. I only come up about every couple years, so when I do come it is a really memorable experience, and a time that I am grateful for.

My trips to Woodloch are always life changing and memorable, for me and my family. I used to leave Woodloch crying like my sisters, afraid we would never be back; but now I leave in silence with a tear in my eye, trying not to show my sadness.  There are no words to describe the feelings and fun times that I have at Woodloch. I hope you keep the traditions going, and the fun times rolling for a really long time. I hope I am back at Woodloch really soon, because I just left yesterday, and I can’t believe that our 2012 trip is already over.

I heard that Eric is leaving soon, so I wish him good luck in his new job at the Shore. I know this email is very long, but there is just so much to say about Woodloch itself, and the people who keep it running. Even the little things like mints in the dining room, and the daily events that go on, every aspect of Woodloch really sticks with you forever. I just want to thank you and the Woodloch family and staff for making each time I come such a life changing and memorable event.

I hope to see you all again soon!

Sincerely,

Kelly Vino

First-time guest Liz Goldklang of Long Island, NY shares the details of her recent trip to Woodloch with her family!

We had no idea what to expect when we drove up to Woodloch Pines in Pennsylvania for a family vacation over Spring Break. The idea behind the trip was that our kids and their cousins could spend some time together.  I wasn’t very clear on what we would be doing when we got there, but everyone I  mentioned it to raved about their experience.

We checked into the hotel and were handed the itinerary for the day. We noticed that a basketball tournament for my sons age group was just about to start so we headed over to the gymnasium (which was in a separate building but practically attached).  Next door was a jungle gym where my daughter jumped right in and made a new friend.  After the basketball game, my husband and son headed to the bumper cars, and I stayed with my daughter since I couldn’t pry her from her now growing posse.  Our family had arrived earlier in the day, and they decided to spend the afternoon at the indoor pool.

We all met up for dinner where you are assigned a table for the duration. It is a bevy of options such as: steak tenderloins, salmon or chicken with tortellini.  The children had just as many options from which to choose.  The food just keeps on coming . . . appetizers, bread, main course, desserts!  After dinner, there was a magic show for the kids and a separate adult Broadway-style show.  They had movies playing in another area of the hotel as well.

A new itinerary is available at breakfast, which is another feast! We decided to take the kids for “zombie bowling” where the adults and kids could play together. We all became human pins!  We headed over afterward to go to the petting zoo where the kids were hands on with the animals and could go on pony rides.  We had lunch at the sports bar on premises.  The kids had an Easter egg hunt with tons of candy and prizes. We then decided to go swimming.  Are you exhausted yet?  We even hit the nightclub with the kids late night where apparently all kids at the hotel were staying up late!

The wonderful thing was that even though we were checking out, the hotel doesn’t kick you out. People will spend the entire day into the night before leaving because there is so much to do!  Since we had great weather, we all took a boat ride and then headed over to the go karts, bumper boats and batting cages.  There were other activities such as arts and crafts, goofy golf and a bocce board contest! 

There’s this feeling of nostalgia of those days in the Catskills or of being a camper.  With so many activities to keep your family busy the entire day, there isn’t a chance your children will have a bored moment!  I never expected to like Woodloch Pines as much as I did. Ok, let’s be honest no one was more surprised that I loved it than my own husband!  We were already planning our next visit before we left!