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Daily Adventures: Woodloch Activity Sheet

Woodloch’s Blog

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

Daily Adventures: Woodloch Activity Sheet

Photo of family enjoying a day in the pool at Woodloch

Nestled in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania is Woodloch resort, the perfect family vacation destination. With 1,500 acres of nature to explore, every day you spend at Woodloch is different and exciting. The morning, afternoon, and evening provide a variety of options for entertainment and activities. Fun for kids and kids at heart can be found at our inclusive resort. Here is an example of what a day at Woodloch could look like during your vacation.

Morning Activities

Start your day at Woodloch with a hearty breakfast in the Main Dining Room. Sign up for a family bowling contest or race the clock during the Minute to Win It contest. After starting the morning with an exciting game, head out to the petting zoo. Pay a visit to our rabbits, sheep, baby cows, and lambs. At this point, you’ll be ready to head back to the dining hall for lunch before embarking on afternoon activities.

Afternoon Activities

After lunch, sign up for a shuffleboard contest or volleyball tournament. Our Boomers Bowling contest is perfect for the little ones. Spend the afternoon racing on our go-carts or cool down in the pool. At the end of the afternoon, join us for a scenic boat ride between 4-5 p.m. And after you return from your boat ride, fuel up with a delicious dinner before you head out for the evening.

Evening Entertainment

The sun is setting, but the fun at Woodloch has just begun. Head to the front desk and grab tickets to enjoy live music or stand-up comedy. Sign up for exciting contests such as our Break the Web trivia contest. Or opt for a relaxing night of roasting marshmallows at the North Lodge fire pit. You can even check out hit movies in our York Room. Our indoor pool is open till 10 p.m. for those looking for a relaxing late-night swim. Return to your room at the end of the night and unwind before another day of exciting activities starts all over again tomorrow!

The Best Vacation Experience at Woodloch

From morning to evening, Woodloch is bursting with activities for all ages to enjoy. With over 30 offerings daily, boredom at Woodloch is impossible. Plan a family vacation or craft a couples retreat. Whatever vacation you’re after this summer, you can find it here at Woodloch. So, start planning your summer vacation with us and book a room today!

Woodloch… by the NUMBERS! | Woodloch Resort

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Woodloch “By The Numbers’

Woodloch is a busy place all year round! We dug around and found a couple of really great statistics to share with you- we hope you enjoy them!

  • Every year, we welcome about 80,000 guests through our lobby doors

  • Woodloch has 231 accommodations to stay in. That is equivalent to just about 938 beds and rollaways for our guests to get a good night’s sleep (which they will need!)

  • In Woodloch’s ever-growing catalog of things to do, we feature 187 (and counting) games, contests, and activities. That’s a lot to choose from when creating our daily activity sheet!

  • Summertime is our busiest season, and it requires a lot of help. During our busiest periods, more than 1300 employees work at Woodloch in front and behind the scenes… that’s just about a 1 to 1 guest/staff ratio!

  • Woodloch set up shop on Lake Teedyuskung in 1958. It’s a natural spring-fed lake that is about 3 miles around and is 30 feet at its deepest end!

  • We’ve been enjoying waterskiing on our lake since the early days- our best skiers shred the wakes at about 35 miles per hour!
  • Woodloch is a big place- over 135 acres at our main property. Thankfully, we have shuttle buses to help you get around- every year, they take approximately 18,571 laps around our resort, bringing guests from point A to B!

  • We are BIG on breakfast here! We roll over 55,000 of our famous “Scandinavian Pancakes” here every year (what can we say, our guests work up quite the appetite).

  • Speaking of which, more than 1,500 crumb cakes are sold to guests at our Country Store every year to share with friends back home (or… maybe not).

  • One of Woodloch’s most popular desserts at dinnertime is our famous “Mud Pie.” It includes coffee ice cream, chocolate graham crust, fudge and whipped cream topping. We serve just about 36,000 slices of it each year!

  • New Year’s Eve is Woodloch’s busiest package in our calendar year. We pop open over 250 bottles of champagne as we count down the New Year!

  • For several decades, Woodloch had a very limited marketing department- we counted on “word of mouth” advertising from our guests (and it worked well for quite some time!) Fast forward to 2023, we now have over 5 million web page visits every year!

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Hip Hip HOORAY – it's National Plan Your Vacation Day! | Woodloch Resort

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Hip Hip HOORAY – it’s National Plan Your Vacation Day!

There’s no greater tragedy than vacation time lost.

When I was younger, I was always told “First, plan your work. Then work your plan.” Perhaps the same sort of thing can be said of leisure time- “Plan your play, then play your plan.”

Americans like to work. So much, in fact, that even when our employers go and GIVE us vacation hours as both a reward and as a deterrent for burnout, that we simply don’t use them all. Collectively, 2018 saw us let 768 million unused vacation days go to waste.

This can be partially attributed to workaholic tendencies (another story for another time), or more objectively, poor planning. We get this wonderful paid time off (PTO), and horde it like squirrels preparing for a long winter. While it’s nice to have the security of time off banked, more often than not, it sits there and is ultimately forfeited when time is not budgeted out.

January marks #PlanForVacationDay, a day established by the U.S. Travel Association for individuals and families to sit down and allocate those valuable hours to good use! That way, you can map out the next 365 days of your life with vacation plans intact! Whether you’re traveling in spring, summer, winter or fall, you’ll be glad you took the time to do so!

Some facts and figures from the U.S. Travel Association:

  • 83% of Americans don’t maximize their PTO. In fact, in not taking advantage of these benefits, we forfeit about $571 in hours back to our employer.
  • 46% of households don’t plan for vacation in advance at all- younger travelers (18 – 34) are notorious for this!
  • 63% of Americans agree (myself included) that they desperately need a vacation
  • 54% of Americans are prioritizing exploring more of the US with their time off in 2021
  • Travel is good for the economy! If Americans maximized their time off benefits, it would create an estimated $151 billion in additional travel spending and about 2 million additional jobs.
  • Travel is also good for you! Multiple studies have linked travel to stress reduction, strengthening personal relationships, and avoiding professional burnout. In fact, professional performance is improved!

When you’re stuck at your desk working through the grind day after day, wouldn’t it be nice to have a shimmering beacon of hope down the horizon? Something to look forward to? What is better than planned quality time with family and friends?

Your friends at Woodloch want you to take advantage of this great and useful day! As a matter of fact, we’re even holding a special #PlanForVacationDay sale in January. Be sure to sign up for our specials- there are 4 seasons of deals at your disposal!

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Poconos Resorts – Best Adult-Oriented Classes at Woodloch Resort

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Poconos Getaway: Best Adult-Oriented Classes at Woodloch

First and foremost, Woodloch is an award-winning, all-inclusive family resort with countless homegrown activities that everyone can try together. But we also welcome couples, groups, and families with grown children who wish to try a wide variety of adult-oriented activities along the way. Many of these classes and demonstrations are perfect rainy day activities! Woodloch is home to a family-friendly campus, a golf community, and a luxury spa resort, all of which rank among the best Poconos resorts. Spend your days putting for birdie at Woodloch Springs, relaxing in our lavish Aqua Garden, and tasting award-winning labels during a wine tasting class this summer at historic Woodloch Resort!

Wine Tasting

The most popular adult-oriented activity here at our world-class Poconos resorts is the wine tasting course where lucky guests will have the rare opportunity to savor some delicious labels. Whether you’re a wine aficionado or simply hoping to learn more about the industry, you’ll leave the class with a deeper appreciation for a variety of top vineyards. Our resident sommelier teaches guests the art of observing, swirling, smelling, and tasting several different wine varietals. You’ll also learn about Pennsylvania’s “native” grapes, including Chambourcin, Traminette, and Chardonnay.

Art Classes

While children can certainly enroll in a relaxing, educational art class, most participants are adults and teens. Our professional instructors teach a wide variety of art classes, including introductory drawing, painting, and sculpting. You’ll, of course, be able to bring your unique creation home after the session, but many of the best works of art by students are on display in the art room. The advanced painting class is one of the most popular activities that’s offered as part of our adults-only AWAY midweek program.

Cooking Demonstrations

It’s worth noting that our chef-led cooking demonstrations at The Lodge at Woodloch are different from the midweek cooking class. During the presentation, you’ll learn about our farm-to-table approach, gourmet techniques, and on-site offerings before tasting the delicious finished product. Most demonstrations include a mouthwatering two-course-meal starting with a light, beautifully-plated appetizer and finishing with a filling, inventive entree.

Best Poconos Resorts

There are over a dozen exciting activities that are geared towards adventure-seeking adults and teens, including trap shooting, bar games, archery, rock climbing, water skiing, escape rooms, and paintball. Woodloch Resort has been revered as one of the top-rated Poconos resorts since we opened our doors in 1958 thanks to our continued efforts to create a one-of-a-kind escape for guests of all ages! As one of the only award-winning, all-inclusive resorts in Pennsylvania, we proudly offer the complete package: homegrown activities, nightly live entertainment, on-site dining, modern accommodations, and five-star service!

To book a well-deserved vacation to the awe-inspiring Pocono Mountains, please give us a call today at 1-800-966-3562, or visit us online at Woodloch.com.

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Holiday Weekend – A Memorial Day Getaway to the Poconos Mountains

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A Memorial Day Holiday Weekend Getaway to the Pocono Mountains

Even though we’re in the heart of winter, there’s no denying that Woodloch Resort’s four-day Memorial Day Weekend extravaganza is just around the corner. The time to book your Memorial Day getaway is right now because families are already reserving rooms here in the beautiful Pocono Mountains. 

Memorial Day is an annual remembrance of the lives lost in the United States Armed Forces, and this holiday weekend serves as a much-needed reminder to hold your families tight and enjoy every minute together. The last Monday in May is always one of the most popular weekend getaways in PA. Keep reading to learn more about our many holiday weekend offerings.

The First Cookout of the Season

First and foremost, Memorial Day is the perfect excuse to get outside and grill burgers, hot dogs, barbecue chicken, and corn on the cob. Our first cookout of the season always lands on this popular holiday weekend, much to the excitement of our guests. The smell of the grills blankets our property, alluring hundreds of kids and adults. Typical grill fare is paired with fresh watermelon, baked beans, potato chips, corn on the cob, and dessert.

Lake Teedyuskung Excitement

holiday weekend

For many, the arrival of Memorial Day signifies the start of summer (even if it officially doesn’t begin until late June). The temperature typically sits in the ideal low-70s, while the sun is almost always shining here in Hawley, PA. Late May ushers hundreds of children and adults alike into Lake Teedyuskung. Woodloch is one of the only Pocono Mountains resorts to have exclusive access to a large secluded lake. Guests are free to use our complimentary rowboats, kayaks, SUPs, and sailboats all weekend long. The calming, deep blue water is home to a thriving turtle population; many guests also spot bald eagles, blue herons, and Canadian geese. The surrounding forest is home to beautiful white-tailed deer, cute porcupines, shy black bears, and adorable foxes. If you’re interested in water-skiing or a scenic boat tour, meet at the Teahouse Dock in the early afternoon.

Holiday Weekend Getaways in PA

Over Memorial Day Weekend, we will also be premiering the Summer Olympics, which is one of our most popular activities here at Woodloch, one of the best family resorts in North America. The Memorial Day Carnival will be up-and-running all weekend long as well. Each year’s festival is different, but you can expect carnival-style games, face painting, and countless chances to win prizes. Your family has the opportunity to partake in dozens of homegrown games and activities, such as archery tag, the Shooting Barn, and Cake Wars. To learn more about our deluxe, family-friendly, Poconos resorts and holiday weekend packages, please visit Woodloch.com, or give us a call at 1-800-966-3562.

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WOODLOCH: "The Beginning" | Woodloch Resort

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WOODLOCH: “The Beginning”

“It’s always good to remember where you come from and celebrate it. To remember where you come from is part of where you’re going.”

– Anthony Burgess

It’s hard to believe, but 2023 marks Woodloch’s 65th year in business! While our success is of course a result to our “family” of 1000 employees continually dedicating their smiles to guests new and returning alike, we are always humbled to remember where we came from. The early days of our resort laid the foundation for what we are today.

Like so many of the greatest tales ever told, this is a story of boy meets girl. The girl, in this case, was a young lady named Mary Mould.

Perhaps it was fate that Mary’s family happened to spend summers at a friend’s cabin, tucked away in the scenic outskirts of the Northern Pocono Mountains. Every season, the Mould family trekked their way to Lake Teedyuskung- the very same lake that Woodloch would eventually call “home.”

As a teenager, Mary met a handsome football player at Baldwin High named Harry Kiesendahl. It wasn’t long before puppy love blossomed into romance. Hearing all the stories of the wonderful place where Mary’s family went to escape for family vacations, Harry had to see it for himself. With his beautiful girlfriend at his side (and with a few football buddies in tow), they ventured to Hawley to see this place for themselves.

It didn’t disappoint.

Harry and Mary historic photo.
Historic photo of Harry and Mary cutting wedding cake.

Heading back to the “real world” and a world in chaos, Harry enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was deployed. His trek was cut short by a torpedoed destroyer. As his ship was towed back to harbor, life’s priorities became more and more clear: he wanted Mary’s hand in marriage.

With both of these “kids” being just 18, her parents thought maybe they ought to talk it over a while at- you guessed it- their summer cabin. While everyone discussed matters, Harry and Mary snuck off one evening and placed two stakes into the ground. They vowed to return to Lake Teedyuskung someday. Somehow.

Ever the charmer, it was only a matter of time before Harry won her parent’s stamp of approval. The two were joined in matrimony on September 9th, 1944. Sent back out into the throes of war, Harry sailed to the Pacific theater until the end of the war.

Returning back home, Harry looked for work to support his newlywed bride. He held jobs as a milkman, busboy, Good Humor man, and even owned a diner- but none of these occupations ever truly felt like a life to hang his hat on.

Something greater was out there on the horizon.

Historic Family photo
Mary with infant child
Harry working at diner

The Kiesendahl family expanded with the birth of John in 1946, followed by Nancy, then baby Steven. When the hustle and bustle of Long Island life got to be a little much, the Kiesendahls did what the rest of us do when we need to recharge- they took family trips!

Remembering the majestic beauty of the Poconos, as well as the close proximity to home, made it easy for them. Along with their high school friends and neighbors, the Kranich family, the entourage made their way to Split Rock Resort. Feeling captivated and delighted by the spirit of the hospitality industry, the seed had been planted for a big change in life and location.

Harry and Mary began combing real estate opportunities in the newspaper. One particular listing was spotted in the New York Times in 1958. A small 12-room boarding house by a lake had just hit the market with an asking price of $45,000 (roughly $400,000 in today’s currency). It was located just outside of the rural hamlet of Hawley, Pennsylvania…

…as fate would have it, on the very same lake where the stakes were planted all those years ago.

CHAPTER II: “WAY BACK WHEN”

CHAPTER III: “PASSING THE TORCH”

CHAPTER IV:

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