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Planning Your 2022 Family Vacation

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Planning Your 2022 Family Vacation

The hustle and bustle of the daily grind tend to distract us from what is most important in life- making memories with those closest to you. After the last two years, we have been more isolated than ever from those people we care most about. Traveler confidence is rising steadily and it’s finally realistic to plan a vacation again. However, for some of us, it’s been a long while since we planned a family vacation. It’s alright, we’re here to steer you in the right direction with some well-established tips and even some new considerations.

SET A REALISTIC BUDGET

With over 8 million Americans out of work, money may be tighter than ever and hotel analytics company, STR, expects hotel costs to have risen over 6% in 2021 alone. It’s important to set a budget that’s realistic and make sure you’re including things like souvenirs, tickets for local attractions, transportation costs, dining, gratuity, and more.

DECIDE WHEN YOU WANT TO TRAVEL AND FOR HOW LONG

Depending on your budget, a summer vacation taken at the beginning of June rather than after school lets out may save you big bucks. The same is true of delaying travel into the first few weeks of September. If you’re planning on taking a summer or holiday vacation in 2022, chances are you’ll have to book it far in advance due to increased demand and decreased inventory at popular locations.

FLYING vs. DRIVING?

The good news is, the world is opening up to Americans once more. The bad news? International travel comes with a lot of uncertainty these days. Consider whether you want to fly internationally, domestically, or even check out your drive-to destinations. Don’t forget to plan for possible quarantines at international destinations.

RESEARCH!

See what’s open for business in your desired location. Make sure they’ll be able to accommodate your purpose of vacation. Looking to relax? Consider a beach trip or a destination spa. Want to explore? Pick a famous or historic city. Need to get out into nature? Lake and river towns or state and national preserves would be a good place to look. From there, you can decide if you’re looking for a hotel, vacation rental home, or full resort experience.

Photo of child having fun on a slide with our Poconos indoor activities at Woodloch

FIND THE DEALS & SPECIALS

Booking last minute is a great way to take advantage of deals when hotels are looking to reduce available inventory. However, if you have your heart, or schedule, set on a specific date like an anniversary, birthday, or around school and work related obligations, you are going to want to get those dates far in advance. Check out annual sales and early savers discounts or rebooking rewards.

READ THE FINE PRINT

Remember, uncertainty around travel is lessening, but it’s not all together gone. Make sure you pick an airline, hotel, attractions, and restaurants with a forgiving cancellation policy. Look for hotels with flexible dates, full refunds, or credit on file in the event you need to change dates last minute.

RESEARCH YOUR ATTRACTIONS AND DINING OPTIONS

When the world paused during the early days of the pandemic, people didn’t magically stop wanting and needing to get away, making plans, or having dreams. This pause caused a lot of pent up desire ‘to experience’ which meant when people started getting out again, there was a wave of demand. We can optimistically say we are starting to level out that demand, but it’s still a good idea to make sure you have your reservations and tickets purchased where you can. Most of this can easily be done online nowadays.

SECURE PROPER DOCUMENTATION

We’re all used to needing basic government issued ID to board a plane, but times are changing. Fortunately, the US government’s Real ID isn’t going to be required for domestic flights until May of 2023, but there are other documents to consider. Check out the requirements for your airline and your destination, as they may vary. International travelers will need a passport and a negative COVID test in order to return to the United States. Plus consider that countries, and even some specific cities, have their own rules regarding visas, testing, vaccination, phone apps, and quarantine. These costs could add up and your vacation length could be impacted by these rules, so make certain you have the most recent information from both departure and arrival countries, their states, and your destination cities.

Pro tip: Consider carrying paper backups in addition to your digital ones of any pertinent documents in case you don’t have access to internet or your device is lost or stolen. When traveling internationally, it’s good practice to leave a copy of your passport ID pages with a family member or close friend back home.

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.”

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!

The Book of Randy

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Woodloch Icons: “The Book of Randy”

It’s funny how things sometimes just work out.

For over 50 years, Randy Barnes has been a staple at our resort. Whether he was incognito as one of his famous characters or simply greeting guests with a “welcome home” at arrival dinner, it’s safe to say that our resort simply wouldn’t be the same without him.

Woodloch’s story is one full of what can only be called “happy coincidences”- and Randy’s path to our resort is no exception.

In March of 1969, a young and springy John Kiesendahl was frantically scurrying about the Kappa Sigma fraternity house at Cornell University. He was trying to track down some last-minute help for a banquet at his father Harry’s resort in Hawley, PA. Even though Randy had never even heard of “the Pocono Mountains,” he was always up for an adventure. So, he went.

One of the best things about our resort during the winter is an (over)abundance of SNOW. Mother Nature’s grand scheme is irrelevant when you’ve got

“John drove us down on Friday afternoon and I helped with this silly game in the North Lodge called ‘horse racing.’ On Saturday, I helped with snow tube races on the lake and helped prepare for the banquet of 100 people- filling ice buckets, washing glasses, and cleaning ash trays. I helped cook bacon and eggs the following morning for breakfast.

When it was time to head back to school, Uncle Harry gave me money. I couldn’t believe I was getting paid for it!”

Randy’s previous jobs were in heavy construction- pouring concrete and lots of heavy lifting. Enthralled by what he had just experienced, Randy was all-too-eager to accept a summer job at Woodloch tending bar, as he had just turned 21. After about 5 or 6 weeks of the summer season, he approached Uncle Harry about working at Woodloch full time.

Harry agreed- on the condition that Randy make the trek to Woodloch every weekend for the rest of the school year. “I commuted to Woodloch every weekend through my senior year- I graduated on a Monday and was ready to start full-time on a Wednesday. That gave me a whole day to find a place to live, move in and get settled.”

Randy would soon do just about every duty the resort required- in those days, everyone pitched in everywhere. He cleaned rooms, did dishes, cut firewood, waited tables, carried luggage and more. JK returned home from the Navy and found Randy working behind the bar, but he quickly realized he belonged out front of house with the guests. John created the role of “Social Director” and the rest is history.

“I loved entertaining our guests. Whether it was in our Staff and Theme Shows, teaching water ski classes, competing in Olympics, playing some bocce ball or suiting up as one of his famous characters for ‘You Be the Judge,’ people were always my favorite part of the job. I’ve met SO MANY FANTASTIC HUMAN BEINGS.”

His favorite memory- hands down- was meeting his wife Lainee when she took a job in the dining room. They’ve been married for 49 years and have resided in Hawley ever since, though he has recently become a “snow bird” with a Florida winter migration. Now enjoying semi-retirement, Randy keeps busy with visiting family, including weekly Skyping with his adopted family in Poland. He is one of the biggest bookworms you’ll ever meet, and enjoys woodworking as a hobby- though he is the first to call himself “an amateur.”

Whether it’s your first visit to our resort or you’ve simply lost count, be sure to give Randy a visit. You’ll certainly be glad you did.

Filed Under: community, employment, Entertainment Tagged With: Hawley PA, pocono mountains, poconos resorts, Poconos Vacation, Resorts in Pennsylvania

Enjoy Midwinter Recess at Woodloch!

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Photo of snowy landscape and people enjoying Poconos winter activities.

Midwinter Recess At Woodloch!

Once the glow and glimmer of the holidays trickles past us, there’s no denying we can all find ourselves in a little bit of a slump. Going back to work and school, while necessary, becomes no easy task. The days and weeks seem to clump together in a mass of “blah.”

But alas, not all is lost. If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that our professional and scholastic endeavors can continue virtually through the magic of the worldwide web. The earth has never been “flatter” so to speak- connection to our obligations is no further than a click and a Zoom call away. That allows us to go ahead and maybe even break a couple rules every once in a while. The bosses are none the wiser.

Lessen the blow of the winter doldrums with a little family escape to Woodloch this winter. Whether you’re going for that marquee holiday vacation or just sneaking off the grid for a few random cold days, we think you’ll find plenty of fun to be had here!

THE SNOW ZONE

One of the best things about our resort during the winter is an (over)abundance of SNOW. Mother Nature’s grand scheme is irrelevant when you’ve got an artillery of snow cannons at your beck and call. We create our first flakes once temperatures hit 20 degrees and continue fluffing up powder all season long. That means days of snowtubing for all interested and willing parties!

Classic Pocono Mountain skiing is not too far away either! Ski Big Bear at Masthope features 18 trails and 7 lifts and is the absolute PERFECT place to bring a young skier to learn! You can even score discount lift tickets through our front desk…

FOR THE KIDDOS

Winter amusements go far beyond frolicking through snow! Busy winter days for young Woodlochians include a feast of activities indoors and out! Go karting, archery, and a covered skating rink will give youngins the chance to bask in the mountain fresh air while they smile the days away.

Warming up from the chilly air is as simple as taking a dip in our heated indoor pool, kiddie splash area and our indoor waterslide complex. Cookies and cocoa are always fresh at our Gigi’s Coffee House! Running around our indoor “Forest” playground complex certainly burns off any excess energy little tykes might have left in the tank while a spin on the bumper cars brings back that classic amusement park memories of days past.

FOR THE GROWN UPS

There’s a lot we can learn from our children. Suffice it to say, adults can probably stand to cut loose a little more often though we sometimes lack the energy and conviction of our younger counterparts.

Luckily, a Woodloch escape provides the necessary tools to (sort of) fully embrace winter’s majesty. For the bold and adventurous, snowshoeing, trapshooting, and even winter disc golf provide plenty of opportunities to explore the snowy Pocono landscape. Great trivia games, wine tasting, art classes and of course hot tubs are just about the perfect way to unwind after a busy day in the elements.

Speaking of relaxation, a beautiful destination spa is just two minutes down the road at The Lodge at Woodloch. Recognized by both Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast, this world class luxury retreat offers treatments, classes and lectures, and gourmet dining beyond compare. It’s the perfect way to truly immerse yourself in winter’s majesty.

FROSTY FUN FOR ALL

Of course, we weren’t voted “Best Family Resort in America” this year for nothing! Between big team activities like Scavenger Hunt and Olympics, medal-earning contests including tube races and “Bullseye” Soccer, and nightly entertainment featuring world-class magicians, jugglers and live music, opportunities for quality time together simply never cease.

With the ability to work remotely, there’s never been an easier opportunity to sneak away from the winter grind for a few days. A little bit of frosty fun just might be what the doctor ordered- we won’t tell if you don’t.

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Winter Tagged With: best family resorts, pocono mountain resorts, pocono mountains, poconos resorts, Resorts in Pennsylvania

Harry’s Lakeside Scoops Open For Business!

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Harry’s Lakeside Scoops: Open For Business!

It’s been a pretty warm summer. That’s for sure. It very much brings my mind back to “the dog days of summer” of my youth.

In days past, there was no more welcome sound in the summer heat than the faint “ting-a-ling-ling” of the neighborhood friendly ice cream truck, rolling up to your block to deliver much-needed relief from the heat to children (and children at heart) of the neighborhood.

Maybe you had long known what your next frozen treat off the truck would be, or perhaps it happened to be a “gametime” decision. Your choice not only brought instant joy to your tastebuds, but clearly, forged lifetime memories that bring all of us back to a simpler time in our lives.

Woodloch is proud to bring some of that nostalgic magic back. We are proud to announce the opening of “Harry’s Lakeside Scoops,” the newest addition to our resort. Our all-new ice cream stand, nestled just between our lakefront and pool area and overlooking our historic Teahouse Dock, is open for business!

“THE SCOOP”

For the first time ever, Woodloch’s guests will be able to enjoy a pleasant array of frosty delights, including soft-serve and hard ice cream cones, homemade ice cream sandwiches, “Boomer Bites” and of course, ice cold drinks. Not to mention toppings galore- you can make your favorite sundaes! Best of all, all of the ice cream served is 100% homemade right here in our bakery. Flavors such as chocolate chip mint, cookie dough and the world-famous CRUMB CAKE ice cream will be available on demand- no need to wait for dessert!

HARRY’S LEGACY

Since Woodloch is all about tradition, our new building holds an extra special place in our hearts. “Harry’s Lakeside Scoops” is named after our patriarch and founder, Harry Kiesendahl. Long before he found himself in the resort business, Harry served as the beloved neighborhood Good Humor Ice Cream man for many years in his hometown on Long Island, New York. He later opened his own “Paradise Sweet Shop” in Huntington, New York. The shop featured homemade pies (proudly baked by the lovely Mary Kiesendahl), a wide array of goodies and of course, ice cream! Legend has it the shop had the thickest and best milkshakes in town- all served with Woodloch’s warm hospitality, while our resort was still just a proverbial twinkle in the eye!

Harry Kiesendahl (left) and his brother Joe at the Paradise Sweet Shop in Huntington, NY.

“Uncle” Harry’s legacy of coupling enticing desserts with the Woodloch brand of hospitality we know and love makes Harry’s Lakeside Scoops a welcome addition to our resort! We look forward to bringing all sorts of frozen goodness to the shores of Lake Teedyuskung this summer- be sure to drop on by!