WLPFamily Newsletter | Issue #4 - Autumn 2018

REASONS TO REUNITE

AT W O O D L O C H

FALL 201 8

...And Now

Dedicated staf f Experienced coordinators Accommodates any size group Guest homes, hotel rooms, suites Various dining options Daily activity schedule Builds lasting memories!

A S TORY ABOUT BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER

WOODLOCH.COM/REUNITE | 800.453.8263 OPTION #2

NEWSLETTER

WOODLOCH

WOODLOCH'S

HAUNTED HAYRIDES Let brilliant leaves come tumbling down, let the apple cider flow, and let miniature size chocolate bars and candy corns adorn store shelves. Fall is HERE. In addition to enjoying a full menu of outdoor activities well into the season, one of the most exciting reasons to visit Woodloch during the Autumn is our annual spooktacular “Haunted Hayride.” Guests bold enough to hop aboard are thrilled through over a dozen scenes from your favorite scary movies, television shows and even the imagination. As if the Pennsylvania wilderness wasn’t spooky enough on its own merit at night, you can be sure to expect fog, tricks of light, wild characters, and maybe even a pyrotechnic or two. All in all, it’s a half hour experience that will have you laughing and screaming all the way home.

The rides originally started off as just a two night affair, with basic rope drop tricks and boom boxes out in the woods. “Halloween really grew and grew in popularity, especially at our resort,” says Joey Ranner, Social Director. “As Woodloch expanded our program with costume parties, trick or treating, pumpkin decorating and more, demand for the hayrides grew almost exponentially.” In 2018, Woodloch will offer 13 nights of terror.

B EHIND THE SCREAMS

Preparation for the rides begins just as the busy summer season winds to a close. “We now have legitimate stages and sets that need to be constructed alongside our Nature Trail,” says Joey. “Welding, wiring, painting, decorating, soundtrack selection… it takes weeks. By the time opening night approaches, we have just enough time to ensure that our guests are getting a fully immersive night of scares.”

And the best part? You’ll NEVER see the same exact ride twice. “Things need to stay fresh to keep up with new fears. For instance, Pennywise the Dancing Clown terrified theater-goers in 2017, so we felt it appropriate that he made an appearance.” Who knows what sorts of horrors await this year?

Of course, for those too timid to give our rides a can enjoy campfire mallows under an October sky, family friendly acts every night on our stage, petting zoos and our less-scary Family BOO-lympic relay events. In fact, we’d say that you can bet your entire bag of candy that Woodloch will pull out all tricks to ensure that you are treated to an unforgettable Hallow-day...

Visit us, and it quickly becomes apparent that the concept of family is truly at the core of Woodloch and is key to its longtime success. Employees work hard and are passionate about what they do and why they do it. Staff can attest to feeling like they are as much a part of the fun of being on vacation as the guests. It is no wonder that TripAdvisor voted Woodloch as the #1 family resort in the United States. Take a look at some of the reviews on the TripAdvisor website, and you’ll notice a plethora of comments mentioning how “friendly,” “accommodating,” “compassionate” and “caring” the employees are and how they constantly go “above and beyond.”

as much a part of the family as, well, the family. Family-owned and operated for 60 years, Woodloch consistently strives to make a difference in the community whether it be on a local, national, or global level.

This effort begins with its staff.

Woodloch is the largest employer in Pennsylvania’s Wayne and Pike Counties, employing over 1,200 staff members. It is worth noting that nearly 20% of Woodloch’s employees have at least 10 years of dedicated service, and 80 of these staff members have worked for the family resort for at least 20 years. Considering that the hospitality industry is well-known for its high annual turnover rate, with recent estiWoodloch employees are honored with mates at over 72%, this is certainly a notaaward programs, yearly bonuses, health ble accomplishment. workshops, dance classes, and use of facilities for staff and family on Sunday evenings; this includes a full gym, basketball, pool, and game rooms. Woodloch was voted “The number one place to work in Pennsylvania.”

Woodloch generates the most tourism dollars in the Northern Pocono Mountains area and attracts welcomes nearly 100,000 visitors per year.

On top of all this, Woodloch is very important to Northeast Pennsylvania’s business economy. The all-inclusive resort has always felt strongly that the community is

As our President and C.E.0., John Kiesendahl, summarizes, “Simply put, we couldn’t do it without our staff. We have a beautiful property with wonderful amenities, accommodations and food, but without our employees, we couldn’t achieve the level of success that we have over the past 60 years. We take tremendous pride in our staff and feel it’s necessary to acknowledge what they bring to our business.”

WHY WORKING AT WOODLOCH IS SOMETHING SPECIAL For many people in many places, a job is just a job. For a lucky few, however, it can be much more. Speak to the employees here at Woodloch, and you’ll find out where these “lucky few” have been hiding. A little background is needed to understand why working at Woodloch is so special . . .

Woodloch has a unique history which is a large part of what creates such an exceptional staffing base. The fairytale-like origin of Woodloch dates all the way back to 1939 where two high school sweethearts, Harry and Mary, made a life-long pact on a little-known lake, Lake Teedyuskung, in the dense forest in the Northern Pocono Mountains. After the couple wed, the stresses of the “1950’s New York rat race” became a burden on their young family. Mary often thought about the gorgeous lake from her younger days, but her thoughts were quickly consumed by the task of raising her three children. One fine day, Harry saw a for sale listing in the New York Times for a small resort on a private lake in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

As fate would have it, the lake turned out to be Teedyuskung!

Set on 12 acres along the lake with two cottages, a main lodge and no running water, Woodloch Pines first opened its doors in1958 to a full-house of 40 guests. This was Harry and Mary’s home; all were welcome. And because the guest list was originally comprised of their old friends from Long Island, everyone was treated like they were family, including the staff.

As the years passed, the resort grew, and Harry and Mary’s eldest son, John, took the reins in 1983. John had the vision to expand and thus embarked upon the construction of Woodloch Springs, a residential golf course community, just two-and-a-half miles down the road from the Pines. In 2006, sister property The Lodge at Woodloch: A Destination Spa opened and has since ranked among the top five spas in the world.

As Woodloch expanded, the entire Kiesendahl family, which now included grandchildren and encompassed three generations, never lost sight of their original mission to “treat all guests as if they were company in their own homes.” Additionally, as staffing numbers increased to keep up with the ever-growing resort, John and his family made sure that they too were welcomed and treated like family.

Welcome

*Phew* what a summer! As we break through Labor Day, all around the resort we look to celebrate the memories forged, the smiles made, and the cultivated relationships between guests just having a ton of fun together. That’s one of those things that makes Woodloch a special place; maybe it two families sitting next to each other in the dining room and strike up a conversation. Fast forward and those families are now dear friends, getting together outside of Woodloch, inviting one another to their kids weddings, and so on.

A light bulb went off when speaking with two families that have been vacationing together here at Woodloch for the past 10 years. One person in the group remarked “it makes total sense” as to why these long-lasting, deep bonds are made at Woodloch.

“Through these zany activities, which we all want to win at, we need to rely on this new family we’ve never met to help each other win. You need to get out of your comfort zone, have fun, be real, you need to communicate quickly and build trust instantly to get that medal. You’re going to make fast friends that way.” That’s Woodloch.

Memorial Day to Labor Day seem to evaporate the early morning dew in summer. It goes by too quickly. That being said, despite an unseasonably wet one, we might have had the best summer yet, fitting of a 60 year celebration. The “BEST of Woodloch games” this year were a a very special tribute to some of the more popular games of yesteryear, but the Lake Games were also a lot of fun, especially with Patrick playing a spot-on Hulk Hogan!

Shifting gears and looking deeper into the fall, we’re excited to bring forth our Folds of Honor weekend and A Night of Heroes, November 2nd - 5th. We’ve partnered with Folds for the past 5 years on the golf course and now we’re bringing it to the resort. Folds of Honor helps raise scholarships for the children of our soldiers who’ve given the ultimate sacrifice, and with our partnership we are aiming to bring those hurting families a little respite and fun. We encourage you to learn more at Woodloch.com/Folds-Weekend, and be sure to watch the video of Maj. Dan, founder of FOH, talk about the weekend.

There’s a lot coming up in this fall issue, from a haunted hayrides previews, to jacko-lantern stencils, traveling as a single parent, and some more fun. Cheers to getting back to school (don’t forget a mid-season getaway to Woodloch), have a safe Halloween, and we’ll be back with another issue right around Thanksgiving!

God Bless,

The Woodloch Family

The Story of Woodloch

THE WOODLOCH SCAVENGER HUNT SOCIETY’S world famous

MIND BOGGLES

CHAPTER III Harry and Mary Kiesendahl, against all odds, planted the roots for a truly special resort over the course of 20 years. After working tirelessly for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, they were ready for some relaxation time themselves. Eager to continue his parents legacy, John purchased the resort in 1981 and took the helm of the ship…

We have a reputation for being quite “punny” with our games and activities... sharpen your skills for our next Scavenger Hunt by trying your hand at this brain bending teasers!

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John Kiesendahl had long been preparing for this day.

After graduating from Cornell University, perhaps the best Hospitality School in the country, and serving in the United States Navy, he had all the knowledge and discipline he’d need to guide Woodloch. With experience at every single job at the property, from fetching drinking water as a child to eventually running the kitchen, he was more than familiar with the property and people that collectively made Woodloch.

Yet, even with decades of proper grooming, there is such a thing as opening night jitters.

“I still remember getting butterflies,” says John. “Mom and Dad were still very much involved in the business, greeting guests and whatnot. But responsibility was now on my shoulders.” To ease the tension back in the early days, John purchased a pair of funny pants with holly berries on them, just in time for the holidays. “Not only did the funny pants take the pressure off (sort of like golfing), the guests enjoyed them and were a great ice breaker.” And thus, the tradition of funny pants was born.

As word had spread across Long Island of a special resort nestled in the Poconos, John was faced with one of his first major challenges as owner: satisfying demand! Not only was there a need for more guest rooms, but also a clear need for Woodloch to upgrade their facilities so “traditional” was harmonious with “contemporary.”

This was addressed with the construction of the Springbrook and Mountain Laurel units, starting in 1981.

Not only were dozens of beautiful modern hotel rooms available for use, but a brand new sports complex opened alongside it. The outdoor pool was a wonderful alternative to our beachfront, and guests could stay toasty warm all winter long with our indoor pool and hot tubs. Plus, with racquetball courts and an exercise room, Woodloch had become a true four season paradise.

Around the same time, it became quite obvious that unlike the early days of the 12 room boarding house, and despite his best efforts, JK couldn’t be everywhere across the resort at once. In the tradition of great hospitality, middle managers called department heads were hired to instill the spirit of the resort to new employees. “Our first department heads were carefully selected,” says John. “They absolutely had to share the passion of bringing joy to people while maintaining the standards that my dad had established for the resort.”

1. Fancy that! 2. Round Trip Ticket 3. Overnight Success 4. In the Middle of Nowhere 5. Plenty of Fish in the Sea 6. Late in Life 7. Forecast 8. Dominoe 9. Go Through History 10. Inferno 11. Eye Shadow 12. The Root of all Evil 13. Doctor Dolittle 14. A Job Overseas 15. High Five

The Planning Stage The more work you put into the planning stage, the less you end up doing during the actual vacation. Anything you can anticipate going wrong will go through your head. Don’t psych yourself out. Instead, begin your planning early. It’s not unreasonable to begin planning a domestic trip six months in advance and up to a year for an international one.

The age of your child or children will play an important role in where you go. If your children are very young, try looking into a single-destination trip. Pick a resort there where your itinerary is planned out. Don’t try to bring a preschooler to climb Machu Picchu. We’re not saying it can’t be done, but we don’t think you’ll enjoy it nearly as much as bringing your high school student on that trip.

If you’re thinking domestic, consider whether it makes more sense to drive to your location rather than fly.

No one wants to be stuck in the car for hours on end, but in the same breath, a few hours drive makes more sense than the stress of the airport.

If you are flying, take advantage of airlines who are supportive of single parent travel. Take advantage of the call for early family boarding, gate check your stroller at no cost, and enjoy some good on-board entertainment.

Don’t forget to include the kids in the planning phase.

Make sure it’s a destination you’ll all enjoy.

Crossing all your ‘T’s and Dotting all your ‘I’s The passport might seem like a no brainer, but getting a minor passport will require both parents and a trip to your local courthouse. In addition, there’s no easy renew option. This procedure needs repeating every time each child under 16 requires a new passport. While the US doesn’t require it, many border crossings call for a notarized letter from your child’s other parent granting access to travel.

The CDC recommends and sometimes requires vaccinations when traveling to certain countries that are experiencing outbreaks of transmittable or deadly disease. If your child needs a vaccination to travel, be sure to get consent from your child’s other parent and review your custody agreement for guidance. Many vaccinations require a waiting period or multiple doses to be effective so make sure to plan early.

Of course, John was never alone in taking on new challenges in the business. The watchful eye of Uncle Harry and the warmth of Mary’s heart were never too far away from Woodloch. John’s younger brother Steve earned a business degree with night courses, and eventually oversaw Front Desk and Sales operations. Slowly but steadily, the third generation started to help out. The Woodloch tradition of the entire family chipping in efforts proudly continued.

When you have reached your destination...

Don’t overdo it. Pick one can’t-miss thing each day and try to plan around that. It’s always better to have extra time to try something new than not enough time and miss something special.

Just because it’s a family vacation doesn’t mean you can’t spend time apart. Look for opportunities to get out on your own, whether taking advantage of a hotel provided babysitter or checking your child into the resort’s kids club. Your time apart will provide you a chance to relax and your little one the opportunity to be independent and make new friends. An older child might enjoy hanging out in the hotel room and watching a movie while you go out.

When traveling with young children, opt for the meal plan. Children will often look for comfort food or even eat the same meal every day. Many young children do not want to experiment with local cuisine. If you’re confident that your child will dine around with you, many resorts offer two-meal options which leaves you only having to plan lunch or dinner off property.

The transition of generations came to the forefront as the resort celebrated its 25th Silver Anniversary in 1983. Three generations of Woodloch- the past, present, and future- congregated with guests new and returning to celebrate 25 years of family, friends and fun. Perhaps Uncle Harry said it best- “We were very gratified with the way it’s all unfolded- what could be better? We have thousands of friends - true friends and we built something worthwhile.”

You don’t have to do it alone!

Even Batman had Robin. Just because you’re a single parent doesn’t mean you have to operate with only two hands. Plan your trip with a sibling or another single parent.

Your children will appreciate having a playmate during their adventures, and you can trade off who watches the kid so that you have some confirmed downtime before you go.

You can also turn your family vacation into a big todo. Have a reunion for the whole family. Or consider inviting mom and dad on a multi-generational trip.

Chances are, they’ll be happy to spend time with their grandchildren while you do some exploring or just grab a beach chair and lounge in the sand peacefully.

Whether you’re driving to the next town and staying at a bed-and-breakfast or taking your teen on a European tour, the end of your relationship shouldn’t mean the end of family vacationing.

RESOURCES: United States. Census Department. Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support: 2009. By Timothy S. Grall. Census, 2009. 24 Nov. 2013 Minnaert, Dr. Lynn. “US Family Travel Survey 2017.” New York University School of Professional Studies, Family Travel Association, 2017, www.sps.nyu.edu/.

“The Evolution of Fun!”

Sculpting Woodloch Springs, 1988

Celebrating our 40th, 1998

Later on that decade, market study indicators had shown clear demand from guests and similar customers for a golf course. With this knowledge, Woodloch took the plunge and it became our most ambitious and expensive undertaking ever.

Woodloch Springs, a living and golfing community, broke ground in 1988. Woodloch enlisted the help of William “Rocky” Roquemore, an international golf course designer, to make the dream a reality. Over 400 acres of land was sculpted into a future award-winning golf course. Over 400 guest homes sprung up alongside the landscape- many of the first owners were longtime guests, more than eager to make Woodloch their lifestyle! Woodloch Springs opened its doors in 1992, and has only become more and more beautiful over the years.

With new facilities, guest accommodations and incredible activities being added at what seemed to be an annual rate, in the blink of an eye, Woodloch was ready to celebrate its 40th Anniversary. It was also at this time that Woodloch was recognized by the state of Pennsylvania as one of “The Best Companies to Work” in the state. A year filled with celebrations hit the ground running right into 1999, as Woodloch further spent the months gearing up for an incredible millennium celebration, ushering in the year 2000 with our highest guest counts ever…

HOW TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE SPOOKIEST STYLIN’ WITH SAFETY When a kid has their mind set on a costume idea, it’s hard to persuade them otherwise. However, there’s no reason they can’t look their best without compromising the safety of your child. Let’s review some tips to make sure your kids costume is safety chic. · Check the labels of each costume item such as wigs and fairy wings to make sure they are flame-resistant. · If your child has a mask included in their costume, but it’s too big and obstructs their vision, consider using makeup as an alternative. · Make sure if you do use makeup, that it’s nontoxic and be sure to try it out on a small area of your skin prior to the big night to avoid any last minute surprises.

safety of halloween

· Never use costume contact lenses without an eye examination and prescription from an eye doctor. The “one size fits all” claim that many of these decorative lenses state on their packaging lead consumers to believe that it’s safe, when in reality these products could cause pain, inflammation, and have the potential to cause permanent eye damage. · If a cape or dress is a part of the costume attire, make sure it’s not too lengthy otherwise it could easily create a tripping hazard. Additionally, check to see if that plastic sword included in your son’s knight costume kit isn’t too sharp. If your child were take a tumble, this oversight could lead to a quick end to your Halloween celebrations. · Be sure to choose a costume with bright colors and carry a candy bag or bucket that is reflective.

LESS TRICKS, MORE TREATING Nothing beats the practice of walking door to door, saying those three magic words, and receiving that sweet treat in return. It’s understood that the end goal is to collect as much candy as possible. However, we also want to keep our little goblins safe! · Be sure that every adult and trick-or-treater has a flashlight on them with fresh batteries. · If one of the older kids in the family wants to go out with friends, plan a route with them that you’re comfortable with and set a time you expect them to return home. · Only approach a house if there is a porch light on and there are decorations on the house. · NEVER enter someone’s home or car for candy--- HELLO!! · In case of an emergency where you’re in a tricky situation, be sure to have your Emergency SOS settings turned on for your smartphone. Rapid fire the volume and power button, doing so will automatically dial 911 for you. · If you see a house with a teal pumpkin outside of it (yes, we said teal), that means that the house is giving out prizes other than candy to accommodate to kids with food allergies and health conscious families.

PUMPKIN CARVING PRECAUTIONS The classic autumnal tradition of pumpkin carving can be dated back to the 1600s. While the craftsmanship of this art has evolved throughout the course of history, the priority of keeping your fingers and hands safe hasn’t! · Be sure that there’s always adult supervision and that you’re carving in a clean, well-lit, and dry workspace. · Make it a family experience - have the kids draw the design out on the pumpkin with a marker, then have the adults carve it out. · Sharper doesn’t always mean better! Use a serrated knife over a straight edge knife as pumpkin skin tends to be thick. · To create more intricate carvings, it worthwhile to tape on a paper stencil and trace it onto the pumpkin skin.

The Single Parent’s Family Vacation No one expects to be a single parent. No one expects to share holidays, visit with their children, or plan vacations without their partners. Despite this fact, there are approximately 13.7 million single parents in the United States today, and those parents are responsible for raising 22 million children (United States). When you begin to consider the details and costs that go into planning as a single parent with children, it is no surprise that as few as 7% of all vacationers in 2017 described themselves as divorced or separated (Minnaert).

As daunting as the task may seem, family vacations can be a powerful tool in returning things to normal after divorce or separation. This is especially true if you traveled together before the separation. Here are a few important topics that will help when planning a successful family vacation as a single parent.

( AND SAFEST )

HALLOWEEN! Advantages of T-Shirts: T-Shirts represent who you are. Which is why the design process is such a crucial stage in customizing your matching shirts. Once your vacation begins and you show off your design, you start to become noticed as a family. It creates an atmosphere where other people can appreciate your design then motivate them to do something similar in the future. Not only are custom matching t-shirts a great way to be noticed, but it also helps locate your family easier in a crowd. Best of all, matching vacation t-shirts are a great keepsake to keep as memories from your time together.

Woodloch’s T-Shirt Contest: Beginning in the summer of 2011, Woodloch held its first T-Shirt contest!

Throughout the summer, guests have the opportunity to capture special moments of their families wearing

their matching shirts, then post them on their Facebook, tagging Woodloch. After all submissions were reviewed, a staff voting session took place. Because of the extremely creative submissions, two designs were awarded a shadow-box and proudly displayed on the “Wall of Fun” in the North Lodge. Since 2011, we have added more than 12 eye-catching and creative t-shirt designs to Woodloch’s “Wall of Fun.” If your design is selected, your t-shirt will be forever displayed in the North Lodge for all our guests to see, and even better, looking back over the years of all recent winners! If you think your design is worthy, snap some pictures of your family enjoying Woodloch in your matching shirts, post them on Facebook and be sure to tag Woodloch Resort! Once the summer concludes, the best design of the summer will be framed for years to come!

stencil

“THE DEER THAT NEVER MOVES!”

PUMPKIN CARVING INSTRUCTIONS: Tear out the stencil pages from the magazine Tape page onto dry pumpkin Use a toothpick or poking tool from a kit to poke holes following the lines of the stencil Use a carving knife to cut along the stencil lines

Dont forget woodloch’s black friday Week November 19 - 23, 2018 [sign up at: woodloch.com/contact-us]

Black Friday Facts

We Bet You Never Knew Over 50% of Americans brave Black Friday weekend.

We all know the day is big for shopping, but many large retailers are spilling their sales over into the weekend leading up until Cyber Monday. In 2017, more than 164 million Americans shopped either online or in stores.

The largest group of Black Friday shoppers are millennials.

Yes that’s right, when they’re not buying avocado toast, they’re out in line at Best Buy Thanksgiving evening to purchase the latest tablet. In fact, over 60% of Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday shoppers are considered millennials (under 35).

Since 2001, Black Friday has been the biggest day in shopping.

Back in the day, Americans didn’t love deals as much as they loved procrastination. Up until the 2000s, many retailers saw the biggest sales on the last weekend prior to Christmas Day. Some manufacturers design low-quality products just for Black Friday.

Certain items, referred to as “derivative products,” are built with less expensive components to its otherwise normal products. To make sure you’re getting the real thing, double check the model number of the product you find online versus the one you bought in stores on Black Friday.

On average, a Black Friday shopper will wait two and half hours in line in order to snag the deal they’re after.

Just to put that into perspective, that means you could cook 10 batches of Stove Top Stuffing in the amount of time it would take you to even step foot into a store.

Welcome to Woodloch Real Estate: Where Resort living is within your reach...

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amily vacations are always fun to begin with. The suspense of waiting for the week to arrive, the excitement in packing your bags, and the enthusiasm expressed when the vacation finally starts is all part of that wonderful vacation experience. With everything planned out and everyone already having a great time, you think there’s nothing you can do to make vacation better, and then it hits you…T-SHIRTS! Designing: Now that your family has decided to create an eye-catching t-shirt design that you will all wear throughout the vacation, the most difficult stage begins now – designing. As you can imagine, it probably isn’t the easiest task to design a t-shirt in thirty minutes that every single family member can agree on. Grandma and grandpa like the classic grey shirt with bold block lettering front and center in black, but mom and dad maybe want a more exciting design with graphics. But in the end, let’s say everyone agrees on a white shirt. Step one, check! Now what does it say…? Should it be our team name? What if it had our family name front and center? Should we add names and numbers on the back? After a long discussion, it’s settled: on the front is your last name with the name of the vacation location and the current year. “Jones Family Vacation, Woodloch 2018.”On the back, each shirt is customized with first names and numbers so everyone knows who’s who. There you have it, your masterpiece!

The design is complete, you are ready to order and officially start your vacation… until you get to the final step in designing.

What sizes and how many? Good luck!

e s i d e fa m i ly va c at i o n : B e s t p r i vat e h i d e away

Be st fo r si m pl e pl e a sur e s

Vacations by a lake are the perfect hideaway from reality. Work, clubs, extracurricular activities, school, sports, etc. can be left behind. Splish splash away from the daily responsibilities and soak up the fun.

Morning walks along the lake, evening sunsets, coffee on the deck, yoga on the dock, afternoon fishing adventures with dad…it is the simple pleasures you’ll find at getaway by a lake. These new sights, sounds and smells will refresh and rejuvenate your mind and body.

B e s t f o r fa m i ly r e u n i o n s Jokester Uncle Jimmy, chatty Aunt Marge, and grandma and grandpa Wilson are waiting for you at the lake!

From grown-ups, teens to toddlers, lakeside activities are a great way to get the family engaged.

B e st f o r t h row b ac k s It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a jetski!

You’ll never run out of things to do by the lake. Come on down if you like fishing, waterskiing, kayaking, waterslides, skipping rocks, swimming, boat rides, wildlife viewing, ice skating, and ice hockey. Fill your vacation with unforgettable memories; the most replenishing vacation is spent outdoors with your family.

B e s t f o r a r o m a n t i c s p l u rg e Lakeside love is enjoying the natural scenery with your boo. There are less crowds and distractions in nature which sets a scene for undivided attention to be spent with your significant other.

Sunsets, late night drinks, duo spa treatments and listening to the crickets are a luxury when it’s just you two!

Be st P ho to Op s The picturesque quiet blue in the middle of the woods is breathtaking and refreshing. Immerse yourself in a pristine new color palette. Grab your camera and selfie stick and say cheeeeeese!

B e s t f o r a va r i e t y o f ou t d o o r act i v i t i e s It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a jetski!

Activities abound at the lake. Fishing, waterskiing, kayaking, waterslides, skipping rocks, boat rides, wildlife viewing, ice skating, ice hockey and swimming fill the vacation with unforgettable memories. The most rewarding and replenishing vacation is spent outdoors with your family.

FISHERBOY AT THE MINI POND!

Word Search WOODLOCH’S

7 reasons for a lake s 7 r e a s o n s f o r a l a k e s i d e fa m i ly va c at i o n : B e s t p r i vat e h i d e away

Be st fo r si m pl e pl e a sur e s

Vacations by a lake are the perfect hideaway from reality. Work, clubs, extracurricular activities, school, sports, etc. can be left behind. Splish splash away from the daily responsibilities and soak up the fun.

Morning walks along the lake, evening sunsets, coffee on the deck, yoga on the dock, afternoon fishing adventures with dad…it is the simple pleasures you’ll find at getaway by a lake. These new sights, sounds and smells will refresh and rejuvenate your mind and body.

B e s t f o r fa m i ly r e u n i o n s Jokester Uncle Jimmy, chatty Aunt Marge, and grandma and grandpa Wilson are waiting for you at the lake!

From grown-ups, teens to toddlers, lakeside activities are a great way to get the family engaged.

B e st f o r t h row b ac k s

B e s t f o r a r o m a n t i c s p l u rg e Lakeside love is enjoying the natural scenery with your boo. There are less crowds and distractions in nature which sets a scene for undivided attention to be spent with your significant other.

Sunsets, late night drinks, duo spa treatments and listening to the crickets are a luxury when it’s just you two!

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a jetski!

You’ll never run out of things to do by the lake. Come on down if you like Be st P ho to Op s fishing, waterskiing, kayaking, watersThe picturesque quiet blue in the lides, skipping rocks, swimming, boat middle of the woods is breathtaking and rides, wildlife viewing, ice skating, refreshing. Immerse yourself in a pristine and ice hockey. Fill your vacation with new color palette. Grab your camera and unforgettable memories; the most selfie stick and say cheeeeeese!

Woodloch resort is nestled on the northeast shore. replenishing vacation is spent outdoors with your family.

A lake located in Northeastern Pennsylvania in the Pocono Mountains.

B e s t f o r a va r i e t y o f ou t d o o r act i v i t i e s The lake has about three miles of shoreline and has a maximum depth of about 30 feet.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a jetski!

Activities abound at the lake. Fishing, The water is clean as can be; it is fed through waterskiing, kayaking, waterslides, multiple springs. skipping rocks, boat rides, wildlife viewing, ice skating, ice hockey The Lenni Lenape Indians were the original settlers and swimming fill the vacation with of Lake Teedyuskung in the early 17th century. unforgettable memories. The most rewarding and replenishing vacation is spent outdoors with your family.

lake t e e dy u s k u n g f u n fa c t s :

Woodloch is famous for quite a few things... and they’re all hidden for you to find! Can you find them all?

BINGO BOOMER BUMPER CARS COOKOUT CRUMBCAKE FAMILY FUNNY PANTS GATEWAY GIGI’S

GO CARTS GREENBRIAR HAYRIDES HOME LOVE MEDALS MEMORIES MOUNTAIN LAUREL MUD PIE

NIGHTCLUB NORTHLODGE OLYMPICS PADDLE BOATS RING TOSS SCAVENGER HUNT SMORGASBORD SNOW TUBES SPRINGBROOK

TEAHOUSE DOCK TEEDYUSKUNG THE FOREST THEME SHOW TIMBERLINE VOLLEYBALL WATER SKIING WATERSLIDE ZIPLINE

Moroccan Stuffed Sweet Potato

2-3 medium yams- cut in half length wise, skin on 1 Tablespoon olive oil ½ an onion – diced ½ an apple – diced 4 garlic cloves, rough chopped 1 can chickpeas, drained & rinsed or sub ½ lb chicken breast 2 teaspoons Ras el Hanout spice blend ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper 2 teaspoon maple syrup ½ cup chopped cilantro, divided ¼ cup chopped scallions DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 400F. Place yams, cut side down on parchment lined baking sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes until tender.

2. While yams are roasting make filling. Saute onion and apple in olive oil, in a large skillet, over medium high heat for 2-3 minutes.

Turn heat to medium.

Add garlic. Saute 4 more minutes then add chick peas and spices, salt and pepper. Continue cooking a few more minutes. Stir in maple syrup. At this point, it may seem a little spicy, but when stuffed into the sweet potato, the flavors will mellow a bit. Stir in half of the cilantro. Turn heat off.

3. When yams are tender, flip them right side up, and slit the middle gently with a knife and divide the filling, spooning it over the yams.

Place back in a warm oven until ready to serve.

4. Garnish with fresh cilantro and scallions and a drizzle of “smoked” yogurt.

Smoked Yogurt Drizzle ¼ cup plain yogurt or soy yogurt (best with low fat or full fat, not fat-free) cup water ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

DIRECTIONS: 1. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Place in a squirty bottle and keep in the fridge.

Ras el Hanout Spice Recipe 2 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground ginger 2 teaspoon salt 1 ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground coriander seeds 1 teaspoon cayenne 1 teaspoon cardamom ½ teaspoon ground allspice ¾ teaspoon ground cloves DIRECTIONS: 1. Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl — using whole toasted ground seeds whenever possible.

Keep in an airtight container. *This spice blend is great for tagines, meats, roasted vegetables and rice.

As the days begin to cool and transition into the Autumn season, it’s the perfect time to share a warm, comforting meal with the people you love.

Chef George, from our Woodloch Pines kitchen, has created a harvest menu that highlights the flavors of fall with ingredients that are in season.

From our kitchen to yours, we invite you to create these recipes and enjoy them gathered around the table with your family.

A Taste of

h c o l d o Wo

Cider Braised Chicken

Savor the Autumn flavors with our Cider Braised Chicken and Moroccan Stuffed Sweet Potato recipes.

with Brussels Sprouts and Apples

INGREDIENTS: 4 slices bacon, chopped 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 1/2 pounds total) 2 medium tart red apples, cored and cut into wedges 1 12 - ounce bottle hard cider 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard 1 teaspoon kosher salt 12 ounces fresh Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved if large (2 cups) DIRECTIONS: 1. In a very large skillet cook bacon over medium heat until crisp; remove from pan, reserving drippings in skillet.

Add chicken, skin side down, and cook 10 minutes or until browned, turning once; remove from skillet. Add apples to the skillet and cook 4 minutes or until browned on both sides; remove from skillet. Drain and discard drippings from skillet.

We would love to see your Taste of Woodloch creations. When you make one of these dishes, take a photo and tag us on social media with the hashtag #ATasteOfWoodloch.

2. Add cider, thyme, mustard, and salt to skillet, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Return chicken to skillet. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Add Brussels sprouts. Cover and cook 5 minutes. Add apples and cook, uncovered, 3 to 5 minutes more or until chicken is done (at least 175 degrees F).

3. To serve, divide chicken thighs, Brussels sprouts, and apples among shallow bowls or plates. Spoon cider mixture over top.

Sprinkle each serving with bacon.

As the days begin to cool and transition into the Autumn season, it’s the perfect time to share a warm, comforting meal with the people you love.

Chef George, from our Woodloch Pines kitchen, has created a harvest menu that highlights the flavors of fall with ingredients that are in season.

From our kitchen to yours, we invite you to create these recipes and enjoy them gathered around the table with your family.

A Taste of

h c o l d o Wo

Cider Braised Chicken

Savor the Autumn flavors with our Cider Braised Chicken and Moroccan Stuffed Sweet Potato recipes.

with Brussels Sprouts and Apples

INGREDIENTS: 4 slices bacon, chopped 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 1/2 pounds total) 2 medium tart red apples, cored and cut into wedges 1 12 - ounce bottle hard cider 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard 1 teaspoon kosher salt 12 ounces fresh Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved if large (2 cups) DIRECTIONS: 1. In a very large skillet cook bacon over medium heat until crisp; remove from pan, reserving drippings in skillet.

Add chicken, skin side down, and cook 10 minutes or until browned, turning once; remove from skillet. Add apples to the skillet and cook 4 minutes or until browned on both sides; remove from skillet. Drain and discard drippings from skillet.

We would love to see your Taste of Woodloch creations. When you make one of these dishes, take a photo and tag us on social media with the hashtag #ATasteOfWoodloch.

2. Add cider, thyme, mustard, and salt to skillet, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Return chicken to skillet. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Add Brussels sprouts. Cover and cook 5 minutes. Add apples and cook, uncovered, 3 to 5 minutes more or until chicken is done (at least 175 degrees F).

3. To serve, divide chicken thighs, Brussels sprouts, and apples among shallow bowls or plates. Spoon cider mixture over top.

Sprinkle each serving with bacon.

Moroccan Stuffed Sweet Potato

2-3 medium yams- cut in half length wise, skin on 1 Tablespoon olive oil ½ an onion – diced ½ an apple – diced 4 garlic cloves, rough chopped 1 can chickpeas, drained & rinsed or sub ½ lb chicken breast 2 teaspoons Ras el Hanout spice blend ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper 2 teaspoon maple syrup ½ cup chopped cilantro, divided ¼ cup chopped scallions DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 400F. Place yams, cut side down on parchment lined baking sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes until tender.

2. While yams are roasting make filling. Saute onion and apple in olive oil, in a large skillet, over medium high heat for 2-3 minutes.

Turn heat to medium.

Add garlic. Saute 4 more minutes then add chick peas and spices, salt and pepper. Continue cooking a few more minutes. Stir in maple syrup. At this point, it may seem a little spicy, but when stuffed into the sweet potato, the flavors will mellow a bit. Stir in half of the cilantro. Turn heat off.

3. When yams are tender, flip them right side up, and slit the middle gently with a knife and divide the filling, spooning it over the yams.

Place back in a warm oven until ready to serve.

4. Garnish with fresh cilantro and scallions and a drizzle of “smoked” yogurt.

Smoked Yogurt Drizzle ¼ cup plain yogurt or soy yogurt (best with low fat or full fat, not fat-free) cup water ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

DIRECTIONS: 1. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Place in a squirty bottle and keep in the fridge.

Ras el Hanout Spice Recipe 2 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground ginger 2 teaspoon salt 1 ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground coriander seeds 1 teaspoon cayenne 1 teaspoon cardamom ½ teaspoon ground allspice ¾ teaspoon ground cloves DIRECTIONS: 1. Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl — using whole toasted ground seeds whenever possible.

Keep in an airtight container. *This spice blend is great for tagines, meats, roasted vegetables and rice.

Word Search WOODLOCH’S

7 reasons for a lake s 7 r e a s o n s f o r a l a k e s i d e fa m i ly va c at i o n : B e s t p r i vat e h i d e away

Be st fo r si m pl e pl e a sur e s

Vacations by a lake are the perfect hideaway from reality. Work, clubs, extracurricular activities, school, sports, etc. can be left behind. Splish splash away from the daily responsibilities and soak up the fun.

Morning walks along the lake, evening sunsets, coffee on the deck, yoga on the dock, afternoon fishing adventures with dad…it is the simple pleasures you’ll find at getaway by a lake. These new sights, sounds and smells will refresh and rejuvenate your mind and body.

B e s t f o r fa m i ly r e u n i o n s Jokester Uncle Jimmy, chatty Aunt Marge, and grandma and grandpa Wilson are waiting for you at the lake!

From grown-ups, teens to toddlers, lakeside activities are a great way to get the family engaged.

B e st f o r t h row b ac k s

B e s t f o r a r o m a n t i c s p l u rg e Lakeside love is enjoying the natural scenery with your boo. There are less crowds and distractions in nature which sets a scene for undivided attention to be spent with your significant other.

Sunsets, late night drinks, duo spa treatments and listening to the crickets are a luxury when it’s just you two!

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a jetski!

You’ll never run out of things to do by the lake. Come on down if you like Be st P ho to Op s fishing, waterskiing, kayaking, watersThe picturesque quiet blue in the lides, skipping rocks, swimming, boat middle of the woods is breathtaking and rides, wildlife viewing, ice skating, refreshing. Immerse yourself in a pristine and ice hockey. Fill your vacation with new color palette. Grab your camera and unforgettable memories; the most selfie stick and say cheeeeeese!

Woodloch resort is nestled on the northeast shore. replenishing vacation is spent outdoors with your family.

A lake located in Northeastern Pennsylvania in the Pocono Mountains.

B e s t f o r a va r i e t y o f ou t d o o r act i v i t i e s The lake has about three miles of shoreline and has a maximum depth of about 30 feet.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a jetski!

Activities abound at the lake. Fishing, The water is clean as can be; it is fed through waterskiing, kayaking, waterslides, multiple springs. skipping rocks, boat rides, wildlife viewing, ice skating, ice hockey The Lenni Lenape Indians were the original settlers and swimming fill the vacation with of Lake Teedyuskung in the early 17th century. unforgettable memories. The most rewarding and replenishing vacation is spent outdoors with your family.

lake t e e dy u s k u n g f u n fa c t s :

Woodloch is famous for quite a few things... and they’re all hidden for you to find! Can you find them all?

BINGO BOOMER BUMPER CARS COOKOUT CRUMBCAKE FAMILY FUNNY PANTS GATEWAY GIGI’S

GO CARTS GREENBRIAR HAYRIDES HOME LOVE MEDALS MEMORIES MOUNTAIN LAUREL MUD PIE

NIGHTCLUB NORTHLODGE OLYMPICS PADDLE BOATS RING TOSS SCAVENGER HUNT SMORGASBORD SNOW TUBES SPRINGBROOK

TEAHOUSE DOCK TEEDYUSKUNG THE FOREST THEME SHOW TIMBERLINE VOLLEYBALL WATER SKIING WATERSLIDE ZIPLINE

e s i d e fa m i ly va c at i o n : B e s t p r i vat e h i d e away

Be st fo r si m pl e pl e a sur e s

Vacations by a lake are the perfect hideaway from reality. Work, clubs, extracurricular activities, school, sports, etc. can be left behind. Splish splash away from the daily responsibilities and soak up the fun.

Morning walks along the lake, evening sunsets, coffee on the deck, yoga on the dock, afternoon fishing adventures with dad…it is the simple pleasures you’ll find at getaway by a lake. These new sights, sounds and smells will refresh and rejuvenate your mind and body.

B e s t f o r fa m i ly r e u n i o n s Jokester Uncle Jimmy, chatty Aunt Marge, and grandma and grandpa Wilson are waiting for you at the lake!

From grown-ups, teens to toddlers, lakeside activities are a great way to get the family engaged.

B e st f o r t h row b ac k s It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a jetski!

You’ll never run out of things to do by the lake. Come on down if you like fishing, waterskiing, kayaking, waterslides, skipping rocks, swimming, boat rides, wildlife viewing, ice skating, and ice hockey. Fill your vacation with unforgettable memories; the most replenishing vacation is spent outdoors with your family.

B e s t f o r a r o m a n t i c s p l u rg e Lakeside love is enjoying the natural scenery with your boo. There are less crowds and distractions in nature which sets a scene for undivided attention to be spent with your significant other.

Sunsets, late night drinks, duo spa treatments and listening to the crickets are a luxury when it’s just you two!

Be st P ho to Op s The picturesque quiet blue in the middle of the woods is breathtaking and refreshing. Immerse yourself in a pristine new color palette. Grab your camera and selfie stick and say cheeeeeese!

B e s t f o r a va r i e t y o f ou t d o o r act i v i t i e s It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a jetski!

Activities abound at the lake. Fishing, waterskiing, kayaking, waterslides, skipping rocks, boat rides, wildlife viewing, ice skating, ice hockey and swimming fill the vacation with unforgettable memories. The most rewarding and replenishing vacation is spent outdoors with your family.

FISHERBOY AT THE MINI POND!

Dont forget woodloch’s black friday Week November 19 - 23, 2018 [sign up at: woodloch.com/contact-us]

Black Friday Facts

We Bet You Never Knew Over 50% of Americans brave Black Friday weekend.

We all know the day is big for shopping, but many large retailers are spilling their sales over into the weekend leading up until Cyber Monday. In 2017, more than 164 million Americans shopped either online or in stores.

The largest group of Black Friday shoppers are millennials.

Yes that’s right, when they’re not buying avocado toast, they’re out in line at Best Buy Thanksgiving evening to purchase the latest tablet. In fact, over 60% of Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday shoppers are considered millennials (under 35).

Since 2001, Black Friday has been the biggest day in shopping.

Back in the day, Americans didn’t love deals as much as they loved procrastination. Up until the 2000s, many retailers saw the biggest sales on the last weekend prior to Christmas Day. Some manufacturers design low-quality products just for Black Friday.

Certain items, referred to as “derivative products,” are built with less expensive components to its otherwise normal products. To make sure you’re getting the real thing, double check the model number of the product you find online versus the one you bought in stores on Black Friday.

On average, a Black Friday shopper will wait two and half hours in line in order to snag the deal they’re after.

Just to put that into perspective, that means you could cook 10 batches of Stove Top Stuffing in the amount of time it would take you to even step foot into a store.

Welcome to Woodloch Real Estate: Where Resort living is within your reach...

woodlochrealestate.com

amily vacations are always fun to begin with. The suspense of waiting for the week to arrive, the excitement in packing your bags, and the enthusiasm expressed when the vacation finally starts is all part of that wonderful vacation experience. With everything planned out and everyone already having a great time, you think there’s nothing you can do to make vacation better, and then it hits you…T-SHIRTS! Designing: Now that your family has decided to create an eye-catching t-shirt design that you will all wear throughout the vacation, the most difficult stage begins now – designing. As you can imagine, it probably isn’t the easiest task to design a t-shirt in thirty minutes that every single family member can agree on. Grandma and grandpa like the classic grey shirt with bold block lettering front and center in black, but mom and dad maybe want a more exciting design with graphics. But in the end, let’s say everyone agrees on a white shirt. Step one, check! Now what does it say…? Should it be our team name? What if it had our family name front and center? Should we add names and numbers on the back? After a long discussion, it’s settled: on the front is your last name with the name of the vacation location and the current year. “Jones Family Vacation, Woodloch 2018.”On the back, each shirt is customized with first names and numbers so everyone knows who’s who. There you have it, your masterpiece!

The design is complete, you are ready to order and officially start your vacation… until you get to the final step in designing.

What sizes and how many? Good luck!

( AND SAFEST )

HALLOWEEN! Advantages of T-Shirts: T-Shirts represent who you are. Which is why the design process is such a crucial stage in customizing your matching shirts. Once your vacation begins and you show off your design, you start to become noticed as a family. It creates an atmosphere where other people can appreciate your design then motivate them to do something similar in the future. Not only are custom matching t-shirts a great way to be noticed, but it also helps locate your family easier in a crowd. Best of all, matching vacation t-shirts are a great keepsake to keep as memories from your time together.

Woodloch’s T-Shirt Contest: Beginning in the summer of 2011, Woodloch held its first T-Shirt contest!

Throughout the summer, guests have the opportunity to capture special moments of their families wearing

their matching shirts, then post them on their Facebook, tagging Woodloch. After all submissions were reviewed, a staff voting session took place. Because of the extremely creative submissions, two designs were awarded a shadow-box and proudly displayed on the “Wall of Fun” in the North Lodge. Since 2011, we have added more than 12 eye-catching and creative t-shirt designs to Woodloch’s “Wall of Fun.” If your design is selected, your t-shirt will be forever displayed in the North Lodge for all our guests to see, and even better, looking back over the years of all recent winners! If you think your design is worthy, snap some pictures of your family enjoying Woodloch in your matching shirts, post them on Facebook and be sure to tag Woodloch Resort! Once the summer concludes, the best design of the summer will be framed for years to come!

stencil

“THE DEER THAT NEVER MOVES!”

PUMPKIN CARVING INSTRUCTIONS: Tear out the stencil pages from the magazine Tape page onto dry pumpkin Use a toothpick or poking tool from a kit to poke holes following the lines of the stencil Use a carving knife to cut along the stencil lines

HOW TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE SPOOKIEST STYLIN’ WITH SAFETY When a kid has their mind set on a costume idea, it’s hard to persuade them otherwise. However, there’s no reason they can’t look their best without compromising the safety of your child. Let’s review some tips to make sure your kids costume is safety chic. · Check the labels of each costume item such as wigs and fairy wings to make sure they are flame-resistant. · If your child has a mask included in their costume, but it’s too big and obstructs their vision, consider using makeup as an alternative. · Make sure if you do use makeup, that it’s nontoxic and be sure to try it out on a small area of your skin prior to the big night to avoid any last minute surprises.

safety of halloween

· Never use costume contact lenses without an eye examination and prescription from an eye doctor. The “one size fits all” claim that many of these decorative lenses state on their packaging lead consumers to believe that it’s safe, when in reality these products could cause pain, inflammation, and have the potential to cause permanent eye damage. · If a cape or dress is a part of the costume attire, make sure it’s not too lengthy otherwise it could easily create a tripping hazard. Additionally, check to see if that plastic sword included in your son’s knight costume kit isn’t too sharp. If your child were take a tumble, this oversight could lead to a quick end to your Halloween celebrations. · Be sure to choose a costume with bright colors and carry a candy bag or bucket that is reflective.

LESS TRICKS, MORE TREATING Nothing beats the practice of walking door to door, saying those three magic words, and receiving that sweet treat in return. It’s understood that the end goal is to collect as much candy as possible. However, we also want to keep our little goblins safe! · Be sure that every adult and trick-or-treater has a flashlight on them with fresh batteries. · If one of the older kids in the family wants to go out with friends, plan a route with them that you’re comfortable with and set a time you expect them to return home. · Only approach a house if there is a porch light on and there are decorations on the house. · NEVER enter someone’s home or car for candy--- HELLO!! · In case of an emergency where you’re in a tricky situation, be sure to have your Emergency SOS settings turned on for your smartphone. Rapid fire the volume and power button, doing so will automatically dial 911 for you. · If you see a house with a teal pumpkin outside of it (yes, we said teal), that means that the house is giving out prizes other than candy to accommodate to kids with food allergies and health conscious families.

PUMPKIN CARVING PRECAUTIONS The classic autumnal tradition of pumpkin carving can be dated back to the 1600s. While the craftsmanship of this art has evolved throughout the course of history, the priority of keeping your fingers and hands safe hasn’t! · Be sure that there’s always adult supervision and that you’re carving in a clean, well-lit, and dry workspace. · Make it a family experience - have the kids draw the design out on the pumpkin with a marker, then have the adults carve it out. · Sharper doesn’t always mean better! Use a serrated knife over a straight edge knife as pumpkin skin tends to be thick. · To create more intricate carvings, it worthwhile to tape on a paper stencil and trace it onto the pumpkin skin.

The Single Parent’s Family Vacation No one expects to be a single parent. No one expects to share holidays, visit with their children, or plan vacations without their partners. Despite this fact, there are approximately 13.7 million single parents in the United States today, and those parents are responsible for raising 22 million children (United States). When you begin to consider the details and costs that go into planning as a single parent with children, it is no surprise that as few as 7% of all vacationers in 2017 described themselves as divorced or separated (Minnaert).

As daunting as the task may seem, family vacations can be a powerful tool in returning things to normal after divorce or separation. This is especially true if you traveled together before the separation. Here are a few important topics that will help when planning a successful family vacation as a single parent.

The Planning Stage The more work you put into the planning stage, the less you end up doing during the actual vacation. Anything you can anticipate going wrong will go through your head. Don’t psych yourself out. Instead, begin your planning early. It’s not unreasonable to begin planning a domestic trip six months in advance and up to a year for an international one.

The age of your child or children will play an important role in where you go. If your children are very young, try looking into a single-destination trip. Pick a resort there where your itinerary is planned out. Don’t try to bring a preschooler to climb Machu Picchu. We’re not saying it can’t be done, but we don’t think you’ll enjoy it nearly as much as bringing your high school student on that trip.

If you’re thinking domestic, consider whether it makes more sense to drive to your location rather than fly.

No one wants to be stuck in the car for hours on end, but in the same breath, a few hours drive makes more sense than the stress of the airport.

If you are flying, take advantage of airlines who are supportive of single parent travel. Take advantage of the call for early family boarding, gate check your stroller at no cost, and enjoy some good on-board entertainment.

Don’t forget to include the kids in the planning phase.

Make sure it’s a destination you’ll all enjoy.

Crossing all your ‘T’s and Dotting all your ‘I’s The passport might seem like a no brainer, but getting a minor passport will require both parents and a trip to your local courthouse. In addition, there’s no easy renew option. This procedure needs repeating every time each child under 16 requires a new passport. While the US doesn’t require it, many border crossings call for a notarized letter from your child’s other parent granting access to travel.

The CDC recommends and sometimes requires vaccinations when traveling to certain countries that are experiencing outbreaks of transmittable or deadly disease. If your child needs a vaccination to travel, be sure to get consent from your child’s other parent and review your custody agreement for guidance. Many vaccinations require a waiting period or multiple doses to be effective so make sure to plan early.

Of course, John was never alone in taking on new challenges in the business. The watchful eye of Uncle Harry and the warmth of Mary’s heart were never too far away from Woodloch. John’s younger brother Steve earned a business degree with night courses, and eventually oversaw Front Desk and Sales operations. Slowly but steadily, the third generation started to help out. The Woodloch tradition of the entire family chipping in efforts proudly continued.

When you have reached your destination...

Don’t overdo it. Pick one can’t-miss thing each day and try to plan around that. It’s always better to have extra time to try something new than not enough time and miss something special.

Just because it’s a family vacation doesn’t mean you can’t spend time apart. Look for opportunities to get out on your own, whether taking advantage of a hotel provided babysitter or checking your child into the resort’s kids club. Your time apart will provide you a chance to relax and your little one the opportunity to be independent and make new friends. An older child might enjoy hanging out in the hotel room and watching a movie while you go out.

When traveling with young children, opt for the meal plan. Children will often look for comfort food or even eat the same meal every day. Many young children do not want to experiment with local cuisine. If you’re confident that your child will dine around with you, many resorts offer two-meal options which leaves you only having to plan lunch or dinner off property.

The transition of generations came to the forefront as the resort celebrated its 25th Silver Anniversary in 1983. Three generations of Woodloch- the past, present, and future- congregated with guests new and returning to celebrate 25 years of family, friends and fun. Perhaps Uncle Harry said it best- “We were very gratified with the way it’s all unfolded- what could be better? We have thousands of friends - true friends and we built something worthwhile.”

You don’t have to do it alone!

Even Batman had Robin. Just because you’re a single parent doesn’t mean you have to operate with only two hands. Plan your trip with a sibling or another single parent.

Your children will appreciate having a playmate during their adventures, and you can trade off who watches the kid so that you have some confirmed downtime before you go.

You can also turn your family vacation into a big todo. Have a reunion for the whole family. Or consider inviting mom and dad on a multi-generational trip.

Chances are, they’ll be happy to spend time with their grandchildren while you do some exploring or just grab a beach chair and lounge in the sand peacefully.

Whether you’re driving to the next town and staying at a bed-and-breakfast or taking your teen on a European tour, the end of your relationship shouldn’t mean the end of family vacationing.

RESOURCES: United States. Census Department. Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support: 2009. By Timothy S. Grall. Census, 2009. 24 Nov. 2013 Minnaert, Dr. Lynn. “US Family Travel Survey 2017.” New York University School of Professional Studies, Family Travel Association, 2017, www.sps.nyu.edu/.

“The Evolution of Fun!”

Sculpting Woodloch Springs, 1988

Celebrating our 40th, 1998

Later on that decade, market study indicators had shown clear demand from guests and similar customers for a golf course. With this knowledge, Woodloch took the plunge and it became our most ambitious and expensive undertaking ever.

Woodloch Springs, a living and golfing community, broke ground in 1988. Woodloch enlisted the help of William “Rocky” Roquemore, an international golf course designer, to make the dream a reality. Over 400 acres of land was sculpted into a future award-winning golf course. Over 400 guest homes sprung up alongside the landscape- many of the first owners were longtime guests, more than eager to make Woodloch their lifestyle! Woodloch Springs opened its doors in 1992, and has only become more and more beautiful over the years.

With new facilities, guest accommodations and incredible activities being added at what seemed to be an annual rate, in the blink of an eye, Woodloch was ready to celebrate its 40th Anniversary. It was also at this time that Woodloch was recognized by the state of Pennsylvania as one of “The Best Companies to Work” in the state. A year filled with celebrations hit the ground running right into 1999, as Woodloch further spent the months gearing up for an incredible millennium celebration, ushering in the year 2000 with our highest guest counts ever…

The Story of Woodloch

THE WOODLOCH SCAVENGER HUNT SOCIETY’S world famous

MIND BOGGLES

CHAPTER III Harry and Mary Kiesendahl, against all odds, planted the roots for a truly special resort over the course of 20 years. After working tirelessly for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, they were ready for some relaxation time themselves. Eager to continue his parents legacy, John purchased the resort in 1981 and took the helm of the ship…

We have a reputation for being quite “punny” with our games and activities... sharpen your skills for our next Scavenger Hunt by trying your hand at this brain bending teasers!

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John Kiesendahl had long been preparing for this day.

After graduating from Cornell University, perhaps the best Hospitality School in the country, and serving in the United States Navy, he had all the knowledge and discipline he’d need to guide Woodloch. With experience at every single job at the property, from fetching drinking water as a child to eventually running the kitchen, he was more than familiar with the property and people that collectively made Woodloch.

Yet, even with decades of proper grooming, there is such a thing as opening night jitters.

“I still remember getting butterflies,” says John. “Mom and Dad were still very much involved in the business, greeting guests and whatnot. But responsibility was now on my shoulders.” To ease the tension back in the early days, John purchased a pair of funny pants with holly berries on them, just in time for the holidays. “Not only did the funny pants take the pressure off (sort of like golfing), the guests enjoyed them and were a great ice breaker.” And thus, the tradition of funny pants was born.

As word had spread across Long Island of a special resort nestled in the Poconos, John was faced with one of his first major challenges as owner: satisfying demand! Not only was there a need for more guest rooms, but also a clear need for Woodloch to upgrade their facilities so “traditional” was harmonious with “contemporary.”

This was addressed with the construction of the Springbrook and Mountain Laurel units, starting in 1981.

Not only were dozens of beautiful modern hotel rooms available for use, but a brand new sports complex opened alongside it. The outdoor pool was a wonderful alternative to our beachfront, and guests could stay toasty warm all winter long with our indoor pool and hot tubs. Plus, with racquetball courts and an exercise room, Woodloch had become a true four season paradise.

Around the same time, it became quite obvious that unlike the early days of the 12 room boarding house, and despite his best efforts, JK couldn’t be everywhere across the resort at once. In the tradition of great hospitality, middle managers called department heads were hired to instill the spirit of the resort to new employees. “Our first department heads were carefully selected,” says John. “They absolutely had to share the passion of bringing joy to people while maintaining the standards that my dad had established for the resort.”

1. Fancy that! 2. Round Trip Ticket 3. Overnight Success 4. In the Middle of Nowhere 5. Plenty of Fish in the Sea 6. Late in Life 7. Forecast 8. Dominoe 9. Go Through History 10. Inferno 11. Eye Shadow 12. The Root of all Evil 13. Doctor Dolittle 14. A Job Overseas 15. High Five

WHY WORKING AT WOODLOCH IS SOMETHING SPECIAL For many people in many places, a job is just a job. For a lucky few, however, it can be much more. Speak to the employees here at Woodloch, and you’ll find out where these “lucky few” have been hiding. A little background is needed to understand why working at Woodloch is so special . . .

Woodloch has a unique history which is a large part of what creates such an exceptional staffing base. The fairytale-like origin of Woodloch dates all the way back to 1939 where two high school sweethearts, Harry and Mary, made a life-long pact on a little-known lake, Lake Teedyuskung, in the dense forest in the Northern Pocono Mountains. After the couple wed, the stresses of the “1950’s New York rat race” became a burden on their young family. Mary often thought about the gorgeous lake from her younger days, but her thoughts were quickly consumed by the task of raising her three children. One fine day, Harry saw a for sale listing in the New York Times for a small resort on a private lake in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

As fate would have it, the lake turned out to be Teedyuskung!

Set on 12 acres along the lake with two cottages, a main lodge and no running water, Woodloch Pines first opened its doors in1958 to a full-house of 40 guests. This was Harry and Mary’s home; all were welcome. And because the guest list was originally comprised of their old friends from Long Island, everyone was treated like they were family, including the staff.

As the years passed, the resort grew, and Harry and Mary’s eldest son, John, took the reins in 1983. John had the vision to expand and thus embarked upon the construction of Woodloch Springs, a residential golf course community, just two-and-a-half miles down the road from the Pines. In 2006, sister property The Lodge at Woodloch: A Destination Spa opened and has since ranked among the top five spas in the world.

As Woodloch expanded, the entire Kiesendahl family, which now included grandchildren and encompassed three generations, never lost sight of their original mission to “treat all guests as if they were company in their own homes.” Additionally, as staffing numbers increased to keep up with the ever-growing resort, John and his family made sure that they too were welcomed and treated like family.

Welcome

*Phew* what a summer! As we break through Labor Day, all around the resort we look to celebrate the memories forged, the smiles made, and the cultivated relationships between guests just having a ton of fun together. That’s one of those things that makes Woodloch a special place; maybe it two families sitting next to each other in the dining room and strike up a conversation. Fast forward and those families are now dear friends, getting together outside of Woodloch, inviting one another to their kids weddings, and so on.

A light bulb went off when speaking with two families that have been vacationing together here at Woodloch for the past 10 years. One person in the group remarked “it makes total sense” as to why these long-lasting, deep bonds are made at Woodloch.

“Through these zany activities, which we all want to win at, we need to rely on this new family we’ve never met to help each other win. You need to get out of your comfort zone, have fun, be real, you need to communicate quickly and build trust instantly to get that medal. You’re going to make fast friends that way.” That’s Woodloch.

Memorial Day to Labor Day seem to evaporate the early morning dew in summer. It goes by too quickly. That being said, despite an unseasonably wet one, we might have had the best summer yet, fitting of a 60 year celebration. The “BEST of Woodloch games” this year were a a very special tribute to some of the more popular games of yesteryear, but the Lake Games were also a lot of fun, especially with Patrick playing a spot-on Hulk Hogan!

Shifting gears and looking deeper into the fall, we’re excited to bring forth our Folds of Honor weekend and A Night of Heroes, November 2nd - 5th. We’ve partnered with Folds for the past 5 years on the golf course and now we’re bringing it to the resort. Folds of Honor helps raise scholarships for the children of our soldiers who’ve given the ultimate sacrifice, and with our partnership we are aiming to bring those hurting families a little respite and fun. We encourage you to learn more at Woodloch.com/Folds-Weekend, and be sure to watch the video of Maj. Dan, founder of FOH, talk about the weekend.

There’s a lot coming up in this fall issue, from a haunted hayrides previews, to jacko-lantern stencils, traveling as a single parent, and some more fun. Cheers to getting back to school (don’t forget a mid-season getaway to Woodloch), have a safe Halloween, and we’ll be back with another issue right around Thanksgiving!

God Bless,

The Woodloch Family

REASONS TO REUNITE

AT W O O D L O C H

Dedicated staf f Experienced coordinators Accommodates any size group Guest homes, hotel rooms, suites Various dining options Daily activity schedule Builds lasting memories!

A S TORY ABOUT BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER

WOODLOCH.COM/REUNITE | 800.453.8263 OPTION #2