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Woodloch Meetings: Corporate Retreat Venues in Pennsylvania

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Woodloch Meetings: Corporate Retreat Venues in Pennsylvania

A group enjoying team building activities at one of the top Pennsylvania corporate retreat venues.

Woodloch is known as one of the best destinations for a family vacation in the Poconos for good reason. However, our resort is ideal for a wide range of getaways, including corporate retreats. Found only about 90 miles from New York City, we are the perfect spot for companies of all sizes looking to spend time away from the office creating strong bonds. Our team has put together three reasons why you should choose one of our Pennsylvania venues for your next corporate retreat.

1. Three Incredible Properties

Within Woodloch Resort and Woodloch Meetings, there are three unique properties within a two-mile radius. This means we have a wide range of options for where to host your retreat. Each property has several meeting room options, so we can accommodate groups of all sizes. All our facilities are located within picturesque settings and are equipped with everything you could ever want and need from a corporate retreat.

2. Exceptional Team-Building Programs

There are several reasons to host a corporate retreat. Not only can these outings boost morale and prevent burnout, but they can also help you find new ways to work together. We offer a wide range of on-site activities, including golf courses, scavenger hunts, and more, that’ll have your team talking about the event for years to come.

More importantly, we have an array of team-building activities. Our packages include things to do that appeal to a wide range of interests, like archery, baking wars, boardroom boat rides, and more. All options are designed to create stronger group bonds while helping you brainstorm and think outside the box.

3. Experienced and Professional Team

Just like you have a group of talented individuals focused on helping your business grow and succeed, we have an incredible team to help your retreat be a success. One of our dedicated site coordinators will work with you to organize your retreat’s details, including meal plans, meeting spaces, and accommodations. The Woodloch Corporate team is here to take the stress of planning off your shoulders so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

Contact Us Today to Plan Your Retreat

See for yourself why Woodloch is one of the best corporate retreat venues in the Poconos. Start planning your visit by filling out an online Request for Proposal or calling 800-453-8263.

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!

Woodloch Class Trips: TEAM BUILDING!

Woodloch Class Trips: TEAM BUILDING!

It seems like just yesterday, kids all across the country (or more truthfully, pretty much all of us) were eagerly counting down the last days of school so we could enjoy the warm, sunny and glorious days of summer vacation. Months of carefree days were at our disposal, and September seemed to be lightyears away.

Oh, how naive we all were. 

The nights are just a little bit shorter and cooler, and the start of an all-new school year is looming closer and closer. While it’s sad to say goodbye to yet another wonderful summer, as F. Scott Fitzgerald once said,  “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” New experiences, friends and opportunities are on the way, and it is to be celebrated!

One of my fondest memories growing up were class trips. That rare occasion when comrades were sprung from the daily school grind and brought to various locations. It can be said that these special days, these awesome class trips, were instrumental in helping all of us grow! Whether we took a quick trip down the road to our local courthouse, spent the day at Hersheypark, or even an entire week in Florida, we all returned from our trips a different person than we departed as.

Class trips, whether they are offered in the beginning of the year as a bonding experience or at the end of an academic year as a reward, will become important memories to kids! Whether your objective is learning or just unwinding and having a great time, Woodloch has all sorts of options to achieve your goal- here are just a few!

PLAY!

Bring the team together through the power of play! Whether everyone is just getting to know each other or celebrating the end of a school year, there are plenty of smiles in store for your group with our famous Olympic Games!

Groups of 10 or so players will tackle relay-style events in hopes of claiming the coveted Woodloch Gold Medal! And best of all? You can catch them in the summer sun and the winter snow!

THINK!

“The game is afoot, dear Watson!”

Channel your inner Sherlock with a series of challenges that will put your mind and body into overdrive with our popular Scavenger Hunt!
Treasure troves of gold medals await those fast and witty enough to vanquish our monster list- you might even have to get creative for some items! An avalanche of puzzles and bonus challenges will net you even more points- are you up to task?

BUILD!

It’s time for all of those hours of math and science homework to pay their dividends!

Using basic supplies like cardboard, bed sheets and tape, it’s up to your crew to use communication to create a seaworthy vessel before time expires in our intense Boat Build event! Select a skipper from among the ranks to pilot your ship to victory against rival ship yards! Return to the shore (semi)-intact and claim your glory!

GIVE!

It feels good to do good, so why not take the opportunity to help while having a blast? Consider our “Com-PET-ition” event for your group’s opportunity to help furry friends!

Through a series of timed challenges, your team’s task is to build critter relief packages to be donated to our local animal shelter. You win the prizes, learn a valuable lesson on social responsibility, and all of the animals will be sincerely grateful for your efforts!

A “Course” in Excellence

A “Course” in Excellence

The Pocono Mountains course you’ve never heard of may be the best around…

TEE IT UP

In 1989, the grand plans were set to expand the Woodloch footprint. Based on years of requests from guests, the need for a golf course was apparent. It was to be an extension of the Woodloch brand–quality facilities, unrivaled service, a sense of family, and a tradition of excellence. Rocky Roquemore, a prolific award-winning international course architect was chosen to sculpt the mountain links, and in three short years the course at Woodloch Springs was ready. The project was not exclusively to serve as an amenity of the resort, but to thrive as its own destination and ultimately as a private community.

UNPARALLELED GOLF

Amidst a challenging mountainous backdrop, this course meanders its 18 championship style holes through 6,579 yards of fern-carpeted forest providing a unique playing experience darted with inspirational views. It’s also a challenge. Golf wouldn’t really be that special if it were easy, right?

The signature hole remains the 14th, a lengthy, challenging par five, which should be a six, that features a dramatic 220-yard carry across “Hells Gate Gorge.” It also has several elevation and route changes along its 577 u-shaped yards. However it is hole three which poses the most challenges with a 190 yard layup to the edge of a 45 foot drop off with a two-tier undulating green still 250 more yards away. Luckily, you’re rewarded with an arrow-straight, wide-green par three as your next stop.

THE GOLF ACADEMY

In concert with the Woodloch Sports Complex, the Woodloch Golf Performance Academy will help any golfer explore and understand the athletic relationship between their golf bodies and their swing (just like the pros) while maximizing their swing’s efficiency, mental performance, equipment setup and golf fitness. The PGA and certified fitness instructors and biomechanics coaches assess your game, develop a custom practice programfor you and unlock your potential as a player. Regardless of your goals or skill level, your team of coaches wants to help you understand and enjoy the game of golf to the fullest.

TIME TO DINE

There are two splendid dining options within steps of Woodloch Springs’ 18th hole: The Overlook Restaurant and The Grille Room.

The Overlook has floor-to-ceiling windows that peer toward the scenic 18th hole. Treat yourself to a center cut eight-ounce fi let mignon, lamb chops, or Icelandic cod after a particularly terrific round of Poconos golf. The Grille Room, utilizes the same farm-to-table menu, but the dining experience itself is more casual. The culinary team at Woodloch Springs also makes a delicious chicken cordon bleu sandwich, tuna poke salad, and weekend prime rib. And if you didn’t hear, after your round, your first beer is only a buck!

IT’S STILL ABOUT FAMILY

Home to one of US Kids Golf Top 50 Professionals, the course is designed for the avid golfer yet very accommodating to little beginners. With family friendly
golf carts available, kids tees, an excellent line of kids equipment and apparel, the standout is the kids golf clinic which takes young learners on a fun and interactive golf journey.

The Power of Thinking Outside the Office | Woodloch Meetings

The Power of Thinking Outside the Office

Remember when you used to tell your parents you felt sick in hopes they would let you miss school, and then they would respond with the dreaded ‘“go get some fresh air”? Well, whether you would like to admit it or not, they were onto something.

Many of us can relate to that feeling of being in a rut at work, whether its creativity block or you just feel a bit stir crazy from the fluorescent lighting. There are now studies that show a direct correlation between connecting yourself with nature and a higher work productivity. So much so that companies like Google, L.L. Bean, and LinkedIn are now making outdoor workspaces.

By changing the air, temperature, and scenery it gives workers fresh inspiration rather than being stuck in a stagnant offi ce. Being surrounded by nature is not only proven to reduce stress, but believe it or not, people actually tend to work harder and stay concentrated for longer. It reduces mental fatigue and improves our physical and mental health. Just by taking a nature walk it has been proven to boost creativity and problem solving skills by 60%. So in other words, we thrive in nature.

As humans we are designed to have a connection to nature and other living things, this phenomenon is called biophilia. It helps explain why we crave a seat with a window when working or enjoying dinner. It also helps explain that feeling of bliss we get when we step outside to a nice breezy and sunny day. Many of the countless benefits of spending time outdoors can also directly boost work quality and satisfaction. For example, walking among trees is shown to increase short-term memory by 20%, and being in fresh air for 20 min provides energy equal to a cup of coffee.

By simply scheduling time in your day to get fresh air you may make a significant impact to your health and wellbeing. Casual meetings or phone calls can be scheduled outside in fresh air, you may be pleasantly surprised by the outcome. The outdoors provide a more comfortable setting for conversation, where you might find more things will get accomplished. Also interviews can be conducted outside of the office, you might find that you will be able to see more of the interviewee’s authentic self this way.

Unfortunately we don’t all live in Southern California where the weather is mostly sunny, and most of us don’t have the resources, or power, to create a biophilic workspace. So instead take a weekend retreat to a place like Woodloch Resort which offers various activities that will reconnect you with nature and allow you to immerse yourself in fresh air. Studies show that nature boosts our mood, goodwill, and trust, which are all things most offices wouldn’t mind having more of4.

“Forest Bathing” is another alternative to a biophilic workspace that provides many benefits to the mind and body, and allows us to connect our senses to nature. The sound of the forest, birds chirping, sunlight peeking through the trees, and fresh air gives us comfort and eases our mind so we are able to think more clearly. According to a study sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency the average American spends 93% of their time indoors. The best part is that forest bathing is free, all you have to do is find a rich natural environment or park and relax.

Another great thing to do with the office outdoors are team building exercises. This may help you and your co-workers bond, laugh, and possibly even conquer. Yes, we all like to feel like a kid again sometimes so why not do it in front of your entire office in the beautiful Pocono mountains? It may even bring some
spunk back to the office upon your return!

The bottom line is that generally people are healthier, happier and more productive when they are connected to nature. It’s really just a win, win situation. So do not hesitate to take your work outside and even play a little!

Resources:
1. https://socialmediaweek.org/blog/2015/05/need-start-taking-work-outdoors/
2. https://www.forbes.com/sites/alankohll/2018/06/25/5-data-backed-ways-working-outdoors-can-improve-employee-well-being/#487727e44eb8
3. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/06/28/l-l-bean-promotes-office-spaces-working-outdoors/732495002/
4. https://www.bigrentz.com/blog/benefits-of-working-outdoors
5. https://www.nature.com/articles/7500165

Woodloch Meetings : "The Retreat Sleep Factor" | Woodloch Resort

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“The Retreat Sleep Factor”

Sleep is expendable. Right? We live in a blue-tinted fog of illuminated screens. Be it Insta-scrolling, Netflix binging, or just keeping up with the work Jones’ to ensure you’ve got the latest e-reply of the office. “When you are asleep, it’s the most idiotic of all things: You’re not finding food, not finding a mate. Worse still, you’re vulnerable to predation,” said Matthew Walker, a psychology professor at the University of California at Berkeley.

The sleep industry, be it research or consumer products, has been growing at an intense pace. As research findings continue to mount, it’s becoming clear that there is a sleep epidemic, maybe more alarming than the obesity crisis we’re in the midst of.

In 1942, a Gallup poll found that adults slept an average of 7.9 hours per night. In 2013, the average adult had sheared more than an hour off that number. In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that more than a third fail to get the recommended seven hours of sleep per night. In an evolutionary blink of an eye, humans have radically altered a fundamental biological necessity, with repercussions that we are still only beginning to understand.

As business leaders, managers and supervisors, we’re looking to balance max productivity with employee morale. We need to do business when business is done, but we also need our staff to be engaged, alert and productive. It’s evident that sleep deserves a seat at the table, and if not today, definitely tomorrow.

Now you’re tasked with taking your team away on a retreat. A lot of things go into this process, and here we are suggesting you factor “sleep health” into that equation. There are some trends on the horizon as well as tried-and-true methods and techniques for adding quality sleep into your agenda.

Plain and simple, plan for your team to sleep. If budgets allow, tack on an extra day, or spread out your meetings a bit to allow for more free time. Start later in the morning. Have an early dinner allowing for an early end to the day for all.

Focus on a destination that promotes sleep. Woodloch Resort takes sleep very seriously, and as exemplified through numerous consumer reviews, their “beds are like heavenly clouds.” Woodloch invests in their bedding and has partnered with a local bedding manufacturer, Pennsylvania Bedding Co., to develop a custom bed for the resort.

Encourage your travelers to sleep with pink noise. Focusing on slow-wave sleep, pink noise mimics stage-3 brain waves during your most critical sleep cycle. “It’s one of those things thought to be a fountain of youth,” says Orfeu Buxton, sleep researcher at Penn State University.

You can also plan sleep treatments. The Lodge at Woodloch, a world-renowned destination spa, offers several options in this realm. The Sleep Ritual experience is a 75-minute treatment that encourages sleep during incredibly soothing bodywork combined with botanicals and a “DreamKit” to promote positive sleep every night.

Ultimately if you factor sleep into your retreat, you’re going to have a more productive meeting as your team will be alert and productive, and you will have significantly boosted morale. What better way to a promote a healthy work environment.

Filed Under: Meetings