Woodloch’s “Welcome to the 90’s”

2019 Theme Show Preview

You’ll like the way we work this… no diggity.

~ shared by J. Ranner

I don’t have the scientific data to back it up, and of course it’s all a matter of opinion- but for me, there was no better decade than the 1990’s. The music, the movies, the TV, and the fads (slap bracelets and flannel? YUP). I can’t speak for everyone, but I had everything I needed, and nothing that I didn’t. It was a HAPPY time.

Cue Marky Mark and the Funky bunch, because for 2019, Woodloch is bringing “GOOD VIBRATIONS” and heading back to that magical decade with our “Welcome to the 90’s” Theme Show. “It’s hard to believe that the 90’s are almost 20 years past us now,” says Bradley Kiesendahl, Manager of Operations. “We all find ourselves fondly remembering this time- and if kids weren’t yet born, what a great decade for them to rediscover through the power of entertainment!”

As with every Woodloch Theme Night, the evening will begin with characters greeting guests as they arrive for dinner, followed by the traditional parade. Then, we head to our Heritage Nightclub. “We’ve got a great show coming your way in 2019,” says show producer. “Be on the lookout for great R&B songs, the rise of country music, a salute to great television shows, a tribute to grunge rock, and of course, a battle of THE BOY BANDS. We look forward to bringing you one of our best shows EVER!”

Catch Woodloch’s Theme Show Wednesday and Saturday nights all year long!

Woodloch’s Blog

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

Our Woodloch Christmas Stories!

It truly is the most WONDERFUL time of the year! Christmas and the holiday season is such a special time for so many of us here- as you build your own Christmas memories at our resort, we thought it might be fun to check in with our staff and have them share theirs as well! Read on!

“Let’s just start by saying my husband’s birthday is on Christmas so celebrating his birthday and Christmas and finding him a gift for both is very difficult.

A week before Christmas, I found out I was pregnant with my first child. I held onto the information that I was pregnant and wrapped up baby bottles, bibs and baby items and gave it to my husband for our first Christmas together with a card that said ‘Dad you can expect me to arrive in the beginning of August, Love, Baby Struble.’ He cried.

To top it off, we celebrated Christmas with both of our families there so both of our moms and all of our siblings were together. We gave each of them cards that read the same thing, that Baby Struble would arrive in early August so all family members found out at the same exact time. That was a truly memorable Christmas for us all!”

-TRACEY, Reservations Department

“I was raised in a family with five children. My parents did not have much money. We all expected one gift for Christmas.

The gifts were put out under the tree a couple of days before Christmas. My siblings and I would always scope out the gifts, shake them, etc. This one year when I was about 10 years old there was a gift under the tree with no one’s name on it.

When Christmas morning came, the gift was for me. It was a green dress with a chain link belt. My father had picked it out for me, and I was so thrilled. This happened over 50 years ago yet I remember it so well!”

-CHRIS, Reservations Department

“My favorite Christmas memory is an interesting one, because I wasn’t there to see it.

We had to say goodbye to our family dog the summer prior, and it was tough holiday that year on everyone. Little did any of us know, not too far away on Christmas morning, the newest addition to our family was just being born! After the holidays were over, and with an overabundance of love to give in our family, we found out that Miniature Pinscher puppies were looking for a home, and our dog MAVERICK soon after joined our lives!

I have so many wonderful Christmas memories of my puppy. We always celebrated with double gifts for him on Christmas morning, and he LOVED to open his presents with everyone watching. Though this will be my first year without him by my side, I will carry so many wonderful warm thoughts of him in my heart for the rest of my days… especially on Christmas morning.”

-JOE, Marketing

“What could of been my worst Christmas turned into one of the best. My Mom passed away in July, and my only child, who lives in Arizona, could not make it in for Christmas because he came home for her funeral. He could not afford to fly again. I always had Christmas Eve dinner at my house for Sid’s (my husband) and my family but decided I was not going to do it this Christmas. It was hard for me to even put up Christmas decorations, but I did. Christmas Eve came, and Sid got up and got dressed and went to work. I had off and was really missing my Mom. I cried most of the morning and was really feeling sorry for myself. Sid called me later in the day to check on me, and of course I cried more to him.

As evening came around, I was still alone and still feeling depressed. I was sitting in our living room and thought I heard voices outside. It sounded like people singing. I went into our kitchen and looked out the window and saw people with Santa hats on and thought to myself, ‘Great, all I need now are a bunch of people singing Christmas songs.’ One person was holding a dog, and I recognized that it was Olaf, my son’s dog. Sid flew my son and daughter-in-law in for the holidays. It was them on the patio singing! Sid actually did not go to work that morning. He went to Philly to pick them up at the airport. We did not have the big meal and presents we usually would have, but we were together. I realized that Christmas that it wasn’t the fancy food and presents that were important but the love and support of my family. That is what makes the best Christmas!

– JUDY, Accounting

“It was a few weeks before Christmas when my youngest had just moved out, and I was suffering badly from empty nest syndrome. Having four kids I was used to a noisy fun-filled Christmas morning with lots of laughter!! Needless to say I was doing a lot of whining to my kids about how horrible it would be to wake up to a quiet house on Christmas morning. My two oldest had families of their own and would not be around. My second youngest had plans with her in-laws in New Jersey for Christmas morning and planned on arriving later in the day. I went to bed on Christmas Eve feeling sorry for myself.

I woke up in the morning trying to get in the spirit of the season. I decided to get up and pack my annual fudge and cookie trays and get the gifts ready to take to my in-laws for Christmas brunch. As I walked down the hall to the kitchen, I realized someone was sitting in the living room! My second youngest child jumped up and shouted ‘Merry Christmas Mom!’ She had made arrangements for her uncle to come to New Jersey to pick her up in the middle of the night so that she could be there when I woke up! Soon after, my youngest arrived with her friend-roommate! It turned out to be an awesome Christmas after all. I knew my kids were pretty special, and that gesture clinched it for me!”

-ELLEN, Gardening Department

“Every year, my brothers and I do our annual ‘brotherly shopping trip.’ We stop in stores, restaurants, bars and more, and at every stop we sing a rousing rendition of ‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas’ loud and proud. We get a few awkward glances from some folks, but mostly everyone is in the holiday spirit and either smile or join us.

It’s a proud Kiesendahl family tradition!”

– BOB K.

“It was our first Christmas at Woodloch, and our family was starting a new tradition. Johnny was 12, I was 9 and Steven was just 3 years old. Our Christmas tree was beautifully decorated, and our living room was what is now the Staircase Dining Room . Our tradition has always been to open our gifts late on Christmas Eve so all of us (Grandma Mould, Grandpa Mould, Pop Kiesendahl, Mom, Dad, Johnny, Steven and I) drove to Barryville, New York across the old Roebling Bridge to have Christmas Eve dinner at Reber’s restaurant. Dad really loved that German Christmas food and feeling!!

We could hardly sit still through dinner wondering what would be waiting for us under the tree when we got home. On the way home, Mom and Dad kept pointing out that they saw Santa and his sleigh coming over the mountains. Steven, the little one, was so excited! It was a beautiful snowy night, and Woodloch seemed like a magical Christmas place to all of us since we were all a bunch of Long Islanders experiencing Pennsylvania winter for the first time. When we walked back into our fireplaced living room, there were beautiful packages everywhere. Johnny and I each got snow skis and boots, which we tried out down the Woodloch hill on Christmas Day. I can still feel the warmth we all shared on that first Christmas, and we continued that Reber’s Christmas dinner tradition for quite a few years.

Just so hard to believe that was 60 years ago! Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all!

– NANCY K.

Filed Under: holiday, Holiday Stories & Games, Holidays at Home, Uncategorized, Winter Tagged With: at home, christmas, staff

Woodloch’s Blog

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

Start Planning for the Winter Outdoor Season

While there are many weeks left to enjoy the breathtaking fall foliage here in the Poconos, it’s time to start thinking about a winter wonderland getaway to America’s best family resort. Woodloch Resort rests on the tranquil shores of Lake Teedyuskung in the beautiful Pocono Mountains, only a scenic, two-hour drive from busy New York City. Our year-round family resort offers all-inclusive fun and excitement during winter’s beautiful hoarfrost. There’s never a dull moment at Woodloch, regardless of the season, because we have expert wintertime event planners and coordinators. Spend your days snowshoeing, ice skating, skiing, and snow tubing in PA before enjoying a delicious family-style meal and an entertaining theme show after dark.

Snow Tubing

You won’t have to visit a nearby ski resort to plunge down a freshly-powdered hillside on a speedy snow tube. Every year, the skilled winter landscape team at Woodloch Resort crafts two exhilarating runs near the tall forestry and Lake Teedyuskung. Snow tubing in PA, especially at our family resort, is a winter tradition that we’ve kept alive since our property first opened in 1958. The two snowy runs are also used for our Winter Olympics, an annual competition that promotes family bonding, team-building, and creativity.

Snowshoeing

Frequently, during winter, our guests get the urge to explore the snowy Pocono Mountains wilderness on foot. Hiking is a peaceful, scenic, and healthy year-round activity. As the snow accumulates and Lake Teedyuskung freezes, we happily provide prospective explorers snowshoes for their winter adventures. Snowshoes, which were invented over 6,000 years ago, remain the winter footwear of choice for hikers. Our modern snowshoes are light, durable, and comfortable.

Ice Skating

Woodloch Resort has two options for ice skaters: Lake Teedyuskung and our four-season synthetic ice rink. During winter, especially during a picturesque snowfall, our guests often choose to blade on the vast lake. Whether you’re hoping to play a pick-up game of ice hockey, nail an axel, or improve your stride, our indoor and outdoor surfaces can accommodate ice skaters of all skill levels.

Skiing and Snowboarding

If you’re looking for an afternoon of skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing in PA, we recommend nearby Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain. Mashthope Mountain rests 15 minutes east of Woodloch Resort near the Pennsylvania/New York border. This beautiful mountain offers some of the best slopes in the Poconos. Kids and beginners can learn to ski by joining our Ski Club Program. Woodloch Resort also provides affordable Ski and Stay packages for those who have their heart set on conquering Mashthope’s toughest slopes. Start planning an adventure-filled winter family getaway to the beautiful Pocono Mountains by dialing 1-800-966-3562 or visiting Woodloch.com.

Aerial view of Woodloch Resort and Lake Teedyuskung in winter.

Person snowshoeing across Lake Teedyuskung in winter snow

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Thank you for an incredible summer…

It’s been a summer of laughs, celebrations, love, silliness, and bittersweet goodbyes. Summer tans have faded, your vacation memories are neatly filed away, and we’re thinking about Halloween costumes and Christmas shopping. It’s time for another school year, another golden autumn, another resolution, another chilly winter, and another spring of anticipation. It’s also time for resetting the countdown to your summer 2019 vacation at Woodloch.

Without further ado, here’s a parting gift from us to you. Enjoy just a bit more Woodloch goofiness and watch our end of summer dancing craziness.

Woodloch Summer 2018: Meet our Interns!

~shared by J. Ranner

We can all breathe a little bit easier. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and all of our waterslides are open. And perhaps best of all, to the joy of children everywhere, SCHOOL IT OUT!

But while classroom learning is halted a bit until the golden days of autumn, some students are tasked with the right of passage known as “The College Internship.”

Every year, Woodloch is happy to welcome interns from all across the country who are pursuing careers in the hospitality industry. We’d like to introduce you to this year’s cast!

Cassandra

Cassandra is going to be joining us this summer as an intern in the Human Resources department at Woodloch. She will be learning the trade of employment, payroll operations, benefits management, and more. She attends Bloomsburg University, where she will be obtaining her degree in December in Business and Human Resource Management.

Cassandra has been “classically” Woodloch trained- she started working as a teenager in our Housekeeping department at Woodloch Springs. She since worked at our main property as well as at our spa sister property, The Lodge at Woodloch. “Woodloch means a lot to me because it opened me up to many different employment opportunities,” says Cassandra. “When I started working here so young I was nervous, as it was my first job. However, the employees and management made me feel so welcomed and taught me the hardworking skills that I have today.”

“Most of my family also works here and has been here for over 10 years,” she continues. “I returned here for the internship because I remember the warm hospitality feeling and the great feeling of making the guest happy and joyful. Everyone was and is always smiling, even on their worst days. The positive energy around me makes the work environment a great place to work!”

Kerriann

Coming all the way from Clemson University is Kerriann. She is pursuing a degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management and will be a senior this fall. She will be joining in on all of the fun and games of the Social Department this year.

Originally from Boonton Township, New Jersey, Kerriann spent summers nearby and of course, fell in love with the area. She’s new to the Woodloch family, but like she says, “I have always heard about what great experiences people have had at Woodloch!” Now, she gets to be a part of it all!

Dan

Dan was an intern last year in our Marketing Department and is back for a second summer. This fall he will be entering his junior year at Penn State University majoring in Marketing and minoring in Digital Media Trends and Analytics.

Growing up in the area, Dan viewed Woodloch Resort as a staple in the local community. Throughout his time with us, he has gained experience in data analytics, campaign strategy, and brand management. He admires the resort’s commitment to making every guest feel at home and loves being a member of the marketing team.

Emily

Emily is from Long Island, New York. She’s currently a senior at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, with a sustainable hospitality and tourism major and entrepreneurship minor (just about perfect for our line of work!). You can find her currently working at The Lodge at Woodloch in the food and beverage department.

“I personally applied to work at Woodloch because, when I was little, my whole family and I would rent a house and celebrate the Fourth of July here,” says Emily. “We visited a few years in a row and I always remember having so much fun! From then on, I knew one day I wanted to work here.”

What You Need for Your Lake Trip in PA

In getting ready for your adventure to Lake Teedyuskung, we know that you’ll have to do some packing, and we’re here to help ensure you’ve got what you need! Among the resort hotels in Pennsylvania, Woodloch offers a variety of lake activities along with plenty of other fun things to do. Deciding what to bring with you can be tough, so check out our do and don’t tips below!

What to Bring

If you happen to arrive before your room is ready, no worries; we’ve got you covered! We suggest that bring a day pack with you — something you can easily access, perhaps a smaller version of a carry-on. That way you can enjoy some of the activities while you wait for your room to be ready! If you’re going to be hanging at our lake this summer, you’ll want to be sure to have your swimsuit and beachwear with you! Grab your sun hats and sunglasses; staying safe under the summer sun is essential! Be sure to pack sunscreen to help reduce sun exposure. If you happen to have left it at home, we also have it available for purchase on property at our gift shops!

Mini Arrival Checklist:

Day Pack
Your Swim Gear
Sun protection (sunscreen, hats, sunglasses)

What’s Best to Leave at Home

Don’t worry about lugging towels along with you; we have thousands of them just ready and waiting for our guests! You also don’t need electronics next to the lake. You’re here at Woodloch to enjoy the great outdoors and experience an unforgettable retreat with your family. Don’t miss out on something memorable while you’re too busy worrying about what is playing on your iPad! We also suggest leaving any valuables at home like designer sunglasses, purses, and jewelry. While our rooms do have lockboxes, it’s best to keep those valuables at home!

Leave it:

Towels
Electronics
Expensive items

With our wide range of outdoor activities and full access to gorgeous Lake Teedyuskung, you’re sure to have a wonderful time at Woodloch. As one of the leading resort hotels in Pennsylvania, your summer is about to get brighter with a trip to the beautiful Poconos Mountains!