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Archives for January 2022

Can You Solve the Escape Rooms at Woodloch?

Woodloch’s Blog

Keep up-to-date with all things Woodloch on our blog featuring exclusive recipes, heartwarming stories, lifestyle content, contests and more.

Can You Solve the Escape Rooms at Woodloch?

Photo of our escape room in the Poconos

In the past few years, the popularity of escape rooms has exploded across the country. But, what exactly is an escape room anyway? Well, they are real-life adventure games where you will receive a mission to solve in a creatively themed room. Think escaping alien abduction or fighting off flesh-eating zombies. At Woodloch, we have two fun and immersive escape rooms that put your skills to the test. So, gather the family, tackle the challenges, and see if you have what it takes to get out in time!

Deja Vu Escape Room

For 2022 we are excited to release our newest escape room in the Poconos at Woodloch. The Deja Vu Escape Room will be a roller coaster through the decades from the ‘50s to the 2000s! When you enter the space, you will be transported to 1958, when Woodloch opened its doors for the first time. From here, you will have one hour to search for the lost time capsules that are spread throughout the decades. Without your help, we are at risk of jumbling our history forever. Follow us on Facebook and share your creative ideas; you might get to name our newest escape room!

If You Only Had a Brain

Our second escape room transports you to the magical land of Oz, where you will have 60 minutes to make it to the Emerald Castle. Help the beloved characters, Lion, Scarecrow, and Tin Man, along the way and find your way back to Woodloch. This challenge will take more than tapping your shoes three times to win!

Do You Have it What Takes to Solve Our Escape Rooms?

Escape rooms in the Poconos are an excellent family activity where everyone can work together. Besides being incredibly fun, they are also a great mental exercise that challenges your brain. After you’ve solved the escape room at Woodloch, you can continue the fun with our daily activities. There is so much to do at our resort that you’ll never have to do the same thing twice. Join us for a memorable vacation in the Poconos; we can’t wait to see you here!

Snowmobiling in the Poconos near Woodloch

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Snowmobiling in the Poconos near Woodloch

Photo of a person snowmobiling in the Poconos

When winter arrives in the Poconos, the forested trails transform into a winter playground for snowmobilers. There are thousands of snowmobile trails throughout Pennsylvania’s forests available for exploration. You can access several of these trails a short drive away from Woodloch. This winter activity offers a unique and exciting way to get outside and explore the region’s natural beauty. Here are the top spots to go snowmobiling in the Poconos near our family resort.

Promised Land State Park

Approximately 30 minutes from Woodloch is the 3,000 acre Promised Land State Park. Over 23 miles of groomed trails are designated for snowmobiles during the winter months. Make sure to check the conditions of the trails here before you make the drive to the park. Since Promised Land State Park is within Delaware State Forest, you can easily access the nearby trails there.

Delaware State Forest

The Promised Land Tract connects Promised Land State Park and Delaware State Forest so you can easily continue your snowmobiling adventure. There are 115 miles of trails available for both long and short rides. There are several groomed trail systems, including:

  • Edgemere Trail: This trail is almost 60 miles predominantly in Pike County.
  • Dixon Miller Recreation Area: This 15-mile winter trail is a popular spot for snowmobiling in Pennsylvania. The terrain is hard-packed and smooth, making it ideal for winter exploration. Expect to ride past scenic views of the Pocono Mountains and snow-covered trees.
  • Snow Hill Trail: You can pick up this snowmobiling trail off Route 447 in Price Township. This route will take you through wooded trails and past frozen creeks and lakes.

A Snowmobiling Vacation in PA

After exploring the beautiful winter scenery of snowmobiling in the Poconos, return to Woodloch. End the day with a delicious meal in the dining room, then join us for nightly entertainment at the resort. Continue celebrating winter with our on-site activities like ice skating, or snow tubing. Learn all about what’s included at Woodloch, and start planning your winter vacation in the Poconos today!

Escape the Cold with Poconos Indoor Activities

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Escape the Cold with Poconos Indoor Activities

Kids in a splash pool.

As much as we love our winter activities at Woodloch, we understand that those extra chilly days are best spent inside. Luckily, we have endless indoor activities that will keep you warm and entertained throughout the season. Whether you want to partake in exciting games or burn some calories in the exercise room, we have something for everyone at Woodloch. Escape the cold and try out some of our Poconos indoor activities this winter.

Poconos Indoor Activities at Woodloch

There is always year-round fun waiting for you at Woodloch! We have several resort amenities and indoor games that keep the fun away from the cold. Family-friendly activities await with these indoor activities:

  • Arts & Crafts Room: The arts and crafts room at Woodloch is open daily for kids to get creative during vacation. 
  • Bumper Cars: Our indoor bumper car complex is one of our favorite family activities at the resort. Expect fantastic fun for the whole family here!
  • Forest Indoor Playground: The kids will love playing at our indoor playground. We have slides, hidden passageways, and rope bridges for the little ones to explore.
  • Exercise Room: Gained an extra few pounds from the holidays? Then spend some time in our exercise room or sign up for a fitness class.
  • Indoor Pool & Splash Zone: Make a splash during your family vacation at the indoor pools. We even have a splash zone for the kids equipped with an exciting waterslide.
  • Indoor Games: Every day at Woodloch is unique, with new and exciting games offered daily. Whether you want to challenge the family at our trivia contests or attempt to solve our escape rooms, you are sure to find something everyone will love.
  • Inside Entertainment: We offer nightly entertainment at Woodloch for the perfect way to end any day at the resort. Some of our featured guests in the past have included comedians, live music, and magicians.

Year-Round Activities at Woodloch

Rain or shine, snow or cold, there is always something to keep you entertained inside Woodloch. Our all-inclusive rate allows you to participate in all of our fantastic indoor activities at one convenient base price. Your accommodations and meal plans are also included in our all-inclusive package. Start planning your family getaway today and discover year-round fun at Woodloch!

Hope Cures Reaches Another Milestone

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“Hope Cures” Reaches Another Milestone

“Hope Cures…”
A simple statement, but says all it needs to. Hope, cures. As we move through our lives, the ups, the downs, the challenges, we may need to rely on many things, but one thing is for sure, without hope, you have nothing.

In 1998 Bob Kiesendahl heard those 3 words that change your life, “you have cancer.” Bob, newly married, 28 years young and healthy, was blindsided by the news. He underwent initial treatments at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center where unfortunately he learned his cancer had moved into an accelerated phase. He was hospitalized and struggled through some tough days, ultimately it was clear Bob would need a bone-marrow transplant to survive.

With incredible fortune, Bob found a wonderful individual who was a “good” match, willing to donate through the National Bone Marrow Registry. Due to the complexity of an “unrelated” (non-family member) bone-marrow transplant, Dr. James Ballard, Bob’s oncologist at PSHMC, recommended the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle Washington. Bob would spend 4 months there, often with family by his side, under an intense regiment and conditioning of full-body chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Bob remembers the pain and uncomfortableness of his time there, but as he endured, he believed this was all a sign of the cancer leaving his body. He was determined this was the way and it was working. Within himself he felt the drive to keep going, his family was there to give him extra strength as he persevered. Bob had hope.

It was during this time in Seattle that Bob began to focus on what he believed he could do to help others affected by cancer. Quite simply and unceremoniously it came to him, “HOPE CURES.”

Empowered with his own hope, along with his tight support network, and the resources within his reach with Woodloch Resort, Bob set off to lift spirits, inform others, fund cancer research and spread hope.

Bob began his efforts with a golf tournament fundraiser at Woodloch Springs in the fall of 2000. Bob wanted to start at the beginning and spread the word of the wonders of modern medicine, encouraging others to donate to keep the advancements going – every little bit helps. Bob felt the more others heard about the process of cancer the less fear, the more hope there will be, more lives will be bettered.

From that inaugural “BK Invitational” Bob’s Hope Cures foundation has been channeling funds and resources to many organizations that have a big impact on fighting cancer.

Hope Cures has hosted a myriad of events and has partnered with many local and regional businesses to help fight cancer. Bob started an annual 5k walk/run in the spring; he partnered with a local Harley Davidson branch for a big “Ride for the Cure” event. Hope Cures hosts a massive tricky-tray and raffle, “A Night for the Cure” which fully supports Susan G. Komen – now in its 13th year. Hope Cures has partnered with local coffee shops and brewery’s to raise awareness and funds; in 2021 there was even an axe-throwing contest! The Woodloch family and guests have supported the Hope Cures efforts as well with an annual “Jump for a Cure” where guests and staff alike all jump into the pool simultaneously.

With the conclusion of the 22nd annual “BK Invitational” in 2021, Hope Cures has distributed more than $1.5 Million to partner organizations. On the horizon are many great things for Hope Cures, such as discussions with a partner organization, For Pete’s Sake, in creating a respite community for late stage adult cancer patients and their families. This facility would provide an opportunity to better meet the needs of cancer patients and improve their outcomes & experiences.

Bob states, “People sometimes ask me if cancer has changed me. The answer is yes, it has changed me & in many ways – it has been a gift. It has reinforced what is truly important to me in my life, family & friendships. My disease has given me a clear mission in life to help and inspire others who are affected by cancer.”

The past two decades we have seen cancer deaths in the US decrease by 2.1 million. That is attributed to factors such as earlier detection & advances in research & treatment. However, we still lose 1650 Americans every day to cancer. The mission of Hope Cures is focused on making that number zero; the goal is simple – end cancer for good.

BK HOPE CURES FUNDS RAISED

AS OF NOVEMBER 2022

The Rebirth of the Corporate Retreat

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The “Rebirth” of the Corporate Retreat

The world has changed just a bit in the past few years, to say the least. Despite all of these changes, one thing remains true for the majority of us: we still have to work.

As the world pushes to adjust towards a new state of “normalcy” in both the home and office, old challenges still remain. How can you keep a tired work staff motivated? How can you better integrate new staff into your corporate culture? And how can we get all of these parts moving together at a speed that’s good for business and employees alike?

It may sound a bit bold, but perhaps its time to look a corporate getaways and off-site meetings as a great stepping stone for progress.

A recent McKinsey report entitled, “The Comeback of Corporate Travel: How Should Companies be Planning,” notes that 72% of executives report that their companies have started to adopt permanent remote-working arrangements for at least some of their employees. Furthermore, about 70% of executives said that their companies will employ more temporary workers than they did pre-pandemic. Almost 40% of the United States workforce now has the opportunity to work from anywhere.

In reading these statistics, it comes as no surprise that many companies are happy to accommodate their workers while eagerly relinquishing their office space and in turn not having to pay the large overhead required to maintain in-person space. At the same time, employees are relishing in the freedoms of not battling a morning and evening commute, rolling out of bed and working in the comfort of their pajamas, and having more flexibility in their work times, among other benefits. Companies still recognize the importance of live, in-person, face-to-face meetings. Given the ever-growing number of remote workers, however, they’ve been forced to assess the challenge of creating connection and relationships among colleagues when they are not in one physical location together. Herein lies a great opportunity for rebirth of the corporate retreat.

In the Axios article, “Corporate Retreats are Now a Must,” founder and president of Aperio Consulting Group, Kerry Goyette, explains, “After over a year of working from home and not having these tiny little social interactions, people are starting to feel a crisis of belonging. If companies can get together even for a half-day retreat or a weekend upstate, those moments of physical colocation are like rocket fuel to the process of creating trust and a sense of belonging.”

Hero Cooking Demonstration with guest.
People in meeting looking at a laptop.

A number of new companies have popped up in recent years in response to the growing demand for booking corporate retreats. Take, for instance, NextRetreat which states on it’s website, “Even remote teams always reach peak performance when they come together. Team spirit goes up, productivity skyrockets, creative juices are flowing, team motivation is on the rise and communication is as fluent as ever. Add a beautiful sunny location to the mix, top it up with work-ready, team-friendly accommodation, and you’re all set for some of the most productive time of the year.” There is also Troop which, “delivers a scientific, algorithmic and data-driven

approach to designing the most effective global meeting and events strategy for your team, saving time and money while significantly reducing your carbon footprint.”

We hope it goes without saying that Woodloch is the perfect place to host a corporate retreat. For over a decade, Woodloch has been a premier and unique destination for meetings and special events. Our inclusive packages make for easy planning; beautiful accommodations, delicious meals, and nonstop activities, amenities and entertainment are built right in. And through our unique array of home-grown, team-building type activities, pristine natural surroundings and unrivaled hospitality, guests leave Woodloch with a renewed sense of connection with their own group… which is what it’s truly all about!