WLPFamily Newsletter | Issue #2 - Winter 2018

WINTER 201 8

NEWSLETTER F LOAT I N TO T H E T I M E M AC H I N E W I T H U S A S W E C E L E B R AT E

WOODLOCH’S DIAMOND TH JUBILEE 60 ANNIVERSARY Get your FAMILY BONDING back on track!

Woodloch’s

Classic Dessert Recipes

DIY S.T.E.M. ACTIVITIES FOR HOME

60

HARRY KIESENDAHL 1958

Woodloch... 60 years of family, friends and F 1950’s

1970’s 1971

1938

The first Woodloch “staff show” hits the North Lodge stage (without a spotlight).

Enjoy it with a martini cocktail for just 75 cents!

Mary Mould’s first visit to Lake Teedyuskung

1942

1974

“The deer that doesn’t move” finds a home on what is now the Front Lawn

Expansion to Greenbriar and North Lodge!

1944

Lots of mouths to feed- Woodloch starts its first major kitchen renovation.

1977

Harry Kiesendahl joins U.S. Navy... and marries Mary.

Happy New Year! Ring it in at Woodloch for just $155 for the entire week.

1958

1978

Small boarding house is purchased on Lake Teedyuskung for $45,000-

“Home away from home”- construction completed on our Lakehouses!

WOODLOCH IS BORN.

1979

1960’s

The show must go on! Woodloch presents their first theme show: “A Salute to the Wild West”

1960

Shred some wakes! The first Woodloch waterskiiers hit the lake!

1961

First (of many!) property expansions from purchase of Girl’s Camp.

1962

1964

1965

Back to school! JK starts first semester at Cornell

1967

1981

Ground breaks on our and Indoor Poo

Torch is passed! Second ge when John and Steve as

1985

The game is ON! Woodloch h

“The Woodloch Fisherman” sets up camp... and never leaves!

“Ripple-Mania” - our Ripplecove units spring up

1980

Aloha! Woodloch celebrates our first Theme Night saluting Hawaii!

1986

Buns are in the oven- Wood along with “T

198

The stage just go The Heritage Nightclub op

198

Repairing the divots! Bluep a golfing community called

FUN

0’s

1990’s 1991

2012

1993

We wrote the book- The Kiesendahl School of Hospitality Management opens at Lackawanna College.

1995

Woodloch breaks World Record for “Hunger Relief packages prepared in 3 minutes” - 650 in total!

Let’s get MESSY! Woodloch hosts its first “Double Dare,” changing family vacations forever.

2013

“Spirit of the games”- Ken Fischer wins the first “Chuck Russell Award”

2015

1999

You made us the best- TripAdvisor names Woodloch as “The Best Hotel for Families in America!”

Yum! The Boat House Restaurant opens doors on Lake Wallenpaupack.

Y2K! Woodloch rings in a new millennium with our highest guest count EVER.

eneration takes reigns ssume management

5

hosts its first “Olympics!”

6

dloch’s Bakery opens up The Inn!”

ot BIGGERpens on New Year’s Eve.

prints are drawn up for d “Woodloch Springs!”

Where the eagles fly... guests soar above the treetops with the opening of our Eagle Eye Zip Line.

Be the ball... the first round of golf is played at Woodloch Springs.

Springbrook units ol complex!

88

2011

BOO! Woodloch conjures up the first “Haunted Hayrides!”

1

87

2010’s

2000’s 2002

A “game changer”- grand opening of Keystone Room, new game room, gymnasium and Indoor Forest

2003

“25,000 twinkling lights”- Santa appears at Woodloch’s first “Festival of Lights” rides!

2004

A big happy family- Woodloch is named “The #1 Employer in the State of Pennsylvania”

2006

When you need to relax from relaxingThe Lodge at Woodloch provides its first massage!

2008

We went GOLD- Woodloch celebrates its 50th Anniversary!

“...the best is yet to come.”

WELCOME! Welcome to a new year. By the time you read this, we’ll be a couple months into 2018 and hopefully fulfilling the better part of all our New Year’s Resolutions or at least focusing on how to steer your year in the direction you want it to go. We rang in the New Year with much fanfare and excitement, for good reason (you can check out the #woodloch2018wishes for a peek at the fun)! We have a lot to celebrate and be thankful for in 2018. This year marks 60 years in business for Woodloch Pines; wow!

We’ve been traveling down memory lane as we gear up for our 60th celebration, and we’ve come across some great stuff that we’re looking forward to sharing with you. For those of you who visited Woodloch this past summer, you might have stumbled upon one of our latest projects, GiGi’s Coffee House (named after grandma, or GiGi, who lived in the house before it was our salon, Safety Services office, and Marketing office). The building held a treasure trove of over 5,000 photos, slides, videos and brochures from the 60s through the early 90s.

Over the summer we had all of these great memories digitized and archived...slides of the old toboggan run, Theme Shows in the North Lodge, and the planning and opening of Woodloch Springs abound. It’s heartwarming to reminisce and reflect upon those memories of yesteryear, and I’m amazed at how fast the time has passed.

It’s that ever-present feeling of time moving faster and faster that pushes me to stop, take a moment to recenter myself, and focus on what’s truly most important at the core.

For me, that’s my family spending time with one another.

This issue of the WLP Family Newsletter is jam-packed! Besides some great nostalgia, we’re showcasing the benefits of traveling with your family, how to make traveling easier, fun games to do a home, as well as a very challenging crossword puzzle.

On behalf of all of us here at Woodloch, I hope you enjoy this issue and get to spend some quality time with those who are most important to you.

God Bless, The Woodloch Family

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The very best of Woodloch

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Follow us @Woodloch and keep hashtagging away for your chance to make the next cut!

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50 YEARS OF BROADWAY THEME NIGHTS Woodloch is about to celebrate 50 years of dancing, singing and entertaining under the Broadway lights in the Poconos. 2018 is a special year, and we are bringing something creative to the stage. We are happy to share our 2018 Theme Show, The Diamond Jubilee.

This year’s line-up features brand new acts chosen from past Theme Nights that date back to 1967! In case you missed a year, are curious, or just weren’t born yet, we are bringing these hits back in the spotlight on stage!

Spoiler alert! (Sorry, it’s just too good to hold back.) You should expect to see numbers featuring the classics such as James Brown, The Andrew Sisters, the #fresh numbers by Bruno Mars and more!

We’ve got a lot to celebrate...and can’t wait to share it with you!

1967-1969 - The first few shows at Woodloch were Hawaiian & Mexican Fiesta Night.

1984 - The North Lodge looked like a circus tent! With trapeze artists, lion tamers, and juggling acts, the Circus hit the stage!

1987 – Of course, the first Theme Show was hosted in our brand

new Heritage Club! It was “ Woodloch’s Salute to the 1950’s”complete with Randy as “ The Fonz.”

1990s - Journey Through the Decades, Love and Romance, Woodloch’s 40th Anniversary featured fireworks, and giant New York Skyline mirrors!

2008 – We celebrated our Golden Anniversary with our “50th Anniversary” show and celebration.

2018 - The Diamond Jubilee showcases our 60th year

performing and creating exciting entertainment!

As Woodloch celebrates another anniversary honoring their 1958 opening this April, we thought it would be appropriate to pay tribute to our iconic Woodloch entertainers: Mr. Joey Casella, Mr. Sammy Abuschinow and Mr. Randy Barnes. These fellas have been jamming out on the stage for more than 25 years!

Born in Easton, PA, Joey Casella began his career in entertainment in the late 60’s (the “Golden Age” of the Pocono resort) as a lighting and sound technician for Mt. Airy Lodge. Then in the 70’s he went to the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where he performed in multiple musical revues. In 1979, Casella staged the first “Theme Show” at Woodloch, which was a tribute to Westerns.

The evening began with costumed characters greeting guests as they arrived for dinner, followed by a parade, and ultimately ended at The North Lodge where the cast would perform the show.

A well-traveled man of the world, Sam Abuschinow was born in Munich, Germany before flying back stateside to Philadelphia, PA. Growing up, music was an essential part of Sammy’s life.

He played clarinet through his school years before heading to Lafayette College to study Geology. Logically, this would explain his persistent draw to “rock” music (get it?). Performing in various jazz bands through the years, he eventually answered the call of the road and joined touring bands which explored the East Coast including Atlantic City showrooms. This led to Sammy joining Joey’s Theme Show cast as well. Through the years, Sammy has showcased his great diversity by performing in our Theme Shows as James Brown, Ozzy Osbourne, Slash from Guns N’ Roses, “The Modern Major-General” and everything in between.

Randy Barnes has been an entertainer at Woodloch since the 1960s. Wearing multiple hats, Randy can do it all!

He recently retired, but you might remember him conducting our old-fashioned yard games, Horse Racing or You Be the Judge. He also played multiple roles in the Theme Show and Staff Shows over the years. If you are lucky you might still catch Randy cracking jokes and welcoming guests for lunch and dinner!

the story of

L

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

“The Beginning”

Perhaps it was fate that Mary’s family also happened to spend summers at a friend’s cabin, tucked away in the scenic outskirts of the Northern Pocono Mountains.

Every season, the Mould family trekked their way to Lake Teedyuskung- the very same lake that Woodloch would eventually call “home.”

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

It didn’t disappoint.

Harry & Mar just a couple of

y Kiesendahl

crazy Baldwin

kids!

H

eading back to the “real world” and a world in chaos, Harry enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was to be deployed. His trek was cut short by a torpedoed destroyer.

As his ship was towed back to harbor, life’s priorities became clearer: he wanted Mary’s hand in marriage.

” en h w ck ba y a “w g n u sk Lake Teedyu

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

E

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

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

Something greater was out there on the horizon.

The Original “Lockwood Estate” 12 rooms... infinite possibilities!

T

Mary & Baby John Just look at all that hair!!

The “Kiesen-K

Why follow ru

les when you ca

ids”

n make your ow

n?

he Kiesendahl family expanded with the birth of John in 1947, followed by Nancy and baby Steven. When the hustle and bustle of Long Island life got to be a little much, the Kiesendahls did what the rest of us do when we need to recharge- they took family trips!

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

Harry and Mary began combing real estate opportunities in the newspaper. One particular listing was spotted in the New York Times in 1958. A small 12-room boarding house by a lake had just hit the market with an asking price of $45,000 (roughly $400,000 in today’s currency). It was located just outside of the rural hamlet of Hawley, Pennsylvania... ...as fate would have it, it was on the very same lake where the stakes were planted all those years ago.

A Taste of Woodloch 60th Anniversary

Sprinkle our Classic Desserts on your Table

Natrually you’re stuck indoors more during the winter so it’s time to mix it up this snowy season! Prepare a classic

puzzle

Woodloch dish for your family. Whip up a batch of buttery Scandinavian Pancakes, the Classic Mudpie and our mouthwatering Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookie! In order to keep you craving our famous Crumb Cake the recipe will remain under lock and key!

Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookie INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter 1/2 cup dark brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1 large egg 1 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1-1/2 cups chocolate chunks

DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. In a cast iron skillet, melt the butter over low heat. Once the butter is melted, turn off the burner.

3. Stir in the sugars until well combined. Add the vanilla and egg and beat in until egg is completely incorporated. Stir in the flour, baking

soda and salt. Gently fold in 1 cup of the chocolate chunks. Spread the dough evenly to cover the bottom of the skillet.

Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chunks.

4. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cookie just starts to crisp and brown on top. Serves 6 people. Eat up!

Ready to Play?

We love to play games here at our resort so we thought it would be cool to bring one home to you! Try your hand at our “Diamond Jubilee” crossword. It certainly is a challenge, but with a little bit of research, the puzzle can be completed.

We’ll even make things interesting; the first puzzle correctly submitted will win a special Woodloch prize pack!

Once you’re certain that your puzzle is correct (and only when you’re certain!) send a legible photo or PDF of it to josephj.ranner@woodloch.com. Good luck, and enjoy!

Classic Mudpie INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

1 qt. coffee ice cream, softened

Mix chocolate cookie crumbs and melted butter together until binded consistency. Pat gently into pie pan and bake at 350°F for 7 minutes. Then refrigerate to set up crust for 5-6 hours.

1 c. hot fudge topping 1 1/3 c. chocolate cookie crumbs Start with 1/4 stick of butter until binded consistency Whipped Cream Toasted Almonds

Take out and carefully spread ice cream into pie crust. Then place in freezer for another 8 hours.

Cover with hot fudge topping and freeze once again. Serve frozen with whipped cream and sliced toasted almonds. Now dig in and enjoy!

Scandinavian Pancakes INGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 cup milk 4 large eggs 1 1/2 tsp vanilla 1 1/3 cups flour ½ cup sugar 1 tsp salt DIRECTIONS: To start, preheat the griddle to 325°F. In a mixing bowl, crack four eggs, and beat the eggs well. Next add sugar, salt, flour, and vanilla, and mix until smooth. Add milk slowly as you mix the batter. Set the mixture close to your griddle, and spray your griddle with non-stick cooking spray. Spread your batter onto your griddle with a small ladle into an oval shape. Cook on each side for 30 seconds. Woodloch puts butter in the middle and rolls them up. This recipe makes about 12 pancakes depending on the size!

60th Anniversary

puzzle

Ready to Play?

We love to play games here at our resort so we thought it would be cool to bring one home to you! Try your hand at our “Diamond Jubilee” crossword. It certainly is a challenge, but with a little bit of research, the puzzle can be completed.

We’ll even make things interesting; the first puzzle correctly submitted will win a special Woodloch prize pack!

Once you’re certain that your puzzle is correct (and only when you’re certain!) send a legible photo or PDF of it to josephj.ranner@woodloch.com. Good luck, and enjoy!

ACROSS

down

1. Sport of choice at Woodloch Springs

2. As of *now, the number of 4th generation family members

5. You Be The Judge presiding Honor

3. Armed service branch that Harry and JK proudly served in

7. A breakfast favorite

4. Animal that hasn’t left our Front Lawn since 1942

11. Hometown of Harry and Mary Kiesendahl

6. For better or worse… Joey’s favorite band

14. JK’s trademark garment

8. Woodloch’s restaurant on Lake Wallenpaupack

17. Spa sister property

9. 60th Anniversary Event: our ________ Jubilee

18. Woodloch’s “house band”

10. Steve Kiesendahl’s legendary horse

21. When guests look their best

12. Entertainment hotspot

23. Township that we call “HOME”

13. Sloppy Summertime tradition

25. Mr. Kiesendahl’s alma matter

15. Woodloch’s top dessert chef Dave

27. Our bosses…

16. Summer Thursday morning “splashy” event

30. Chief for which Woodloch’s lake is named

19. Spoils for finding “The Yule Log”

32. Golf, then dine at our newest restaurant

20. Our “sweetest” arcade

34. BK’s Foundation

22. Newest Woodloch accommodation choice

35. Brand new year-round amenity added for 2018

24. Signature golf tee

36. “International” dwelling

26. Previous property owners

38. Woodloch’s lovable Kid’s Club mascot

28 Woodloch Springs designer Rocky

39. Name of Woodloch’s zombie themed escape room

29 North Lodge’s legendary barkeep

40. December Bakery Wars

31 Coffe house’s namesake

41. Favorite Halloween Festivity

33 Get polished and pretty at The Lodge’s _______ Salon 37. Trapshoot’s flighty targets

Staff Storytellers “Resorts, summer camps, park managers teachers and more always ask me the same question- where do you get all of these ideas? The answer is, honestly, everywhere.

There is not just one place I go to. I am influenced by everything I see and do.I just look at things differently from most people.Anything I see has potential to be a new game or challenge.

I remember one summer while vacationing with my family at the Jersey Shore we won a mini World Cup soccer ball on the boardwalk.The next thing I knew we were all playing a new made up mini soccer game on the beach! That game became one of Woodloch’s new Summer Olympic Contests.

My wife asks, can you ever just shut down and relax without creating some sort of game?

And the answer is, of course... no.”

- Joey Ranner, Activities Director For more stories- or the chance to share your own- please visit woodloch.com/storytellers

3

stem projects to try at home

invest in your child’s future by sparking a lifelong love of science, technology, engineering, and math!

ENGINEERING

Learn about engineering with this pipe and pom pom exercise.

Here’s what you need: - 5 tbsp of hot water - 5 small cups - 1 clear glass - 2 red Skittles - 4 orange Skittles - 6 yellow Skittles - 8 green Skittles - 10 purple Skittles

Place each color Skittle in its own glass cup, add one tablespoon of very hot water to each of the five colors.

Next, mix occasionally as the solution cools off. Wait until the water is room temperature before proceeding with the experiment.

What do I need?

- Pom Poms - Paper tubes. (We made ours out of construction paper, but you can use the ones from bath tissue or paper towel rolls.)

- Tape. Any kind will do!

We set ours up on the fridge, but you can stick them to sliding doors, walls, doors, or any other surface in your house. Use multiple surfaces for more of a challenge.

HINT: Work backward! Set up the cup at the end of your maze and put the last piece down first.

PRACTICE THE STEPS OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD WITH THIS SINK OR FLOAT WORKSHEET.

Take a small mason jar, or any clear glass, and add the purple solution to the bottom. Use a pipette or a plastic syringe to add the remaining colors, in order of most to least dense, into the glass by dripping it down the side and letting it settle on top of the previous color. When you’re finished, observe the separation of color in a well-lit area, or by passing a light behind the glass. Be sure to ask questions along the way like, “What do you think will happen when we add all the colors?” or, “How long do you think the colors will stay separate?”

?

OBJECT FLOAT SINK Pencil

What did we learn? Density of an object is how close together the molecules of a substance are. The denser an object, the more pull gravity has on it. The purple Skittle solution had the most sugar dissolved in it and meant that it had the highest mass and was pulled to the bottom of the glass. In contrast, the red Skittle solution, with the least sugar, had the least density and floated on top of the orange.

Don’t have Skittles? No problem. Sugar and food dye work just as well. Here’s how; just stagger the amount of sugar in each bowl to get the same effect as the varying amounts of Skittles.

Observe! Question! Hypothesize!

Experiment! Analyze! Conclude!

5 Tips for Reconnecting with your family while on vacation...

We’re all moving at a breakneck pace, trying to keep up with the day-to-day stresses of our responsibilities. Now more than ever, with two parents working outside the home and the costs of everyday living continuing to rise, the pressure to provide for one’s family is very high. Managing the whole family schedule can be a job in itself. Sometimes we’re left with just an hour a day with our kids if not less.

This can be taxing on those bonds and relationships we want to foster and strengthen. Of course there’s no easy answer to fixing it all without completely upending your life.

Vacationing can be one way to bridge the gap, to recenter your focus and to spend some quality time with your family. Getting away breaks the mold of your routine, even if your routine is to not have a routine. You need to set an example for the behavior you want to see develop from your trip. With a little bit of patience and time you’ll have a captive audience in your kids and your spouse.

Here are a few tips for how to foster a family bonding while you’re away: Don’t Go Cold Turkey You may think that once you get in the car, everyone needs to turn off their devices and just “talk.” Unfortunately

that’s more likely to create resistance to communication than a welcome environment for conversation. Take it slow, and set an example. Chances are if others are on their tablets or phones then you’ll want to be using yours as well. Engage in a different conversation with your spouse or partner, and eventually you’ll draw everyone in.

Keep at it!

It’s easy to get frustrated when you’re on vacation and out of your routine.

Stay positive and recognize and seize opportunities. Where you’re going is sure to be fun and special, but that’s not what this is all about, It’s about recognizing the time you have and using it to your advantage despite the hurdles you may face. Getting stuck in traffic, waiting on a flight delay -- these can be opportunities to talk, play a game, or embark on a new adventure.

This is Not the Time for Discipline Training Often people think while they’re breaking the mold of the routine, it’s a good time to try out some of those parenting tactics they’ve been thinking about. Whether it be limiting screen time or learning table manners, vacationing is not the time to do it. Wait until you return home. You’re getting away to reconnect and grow closer, not flex authority.

Be Open-Minded Plans and schedules are good, but it’s good to go off-script every once in a while. Make sure you loop your kids into your planning process. This can foster open discussion, as well as argument, but make sure you set boundaries to limit any potential feuds.

Alone Time is OK This is your vacation too. We all need a break. Take some time for yourself, everyone should. Lean on your partner for some help knowing you’ll return the favor. Reconnecting with you will help you reconnect with others.

Remember what you’re doing, you’re doing as a family. The time you’re going to spend together is still time; look at every hurdle as an opportunity.

Make sure you lead by example. If you’re taking a vacation, for the sake of your family, turn work off - or save it for your own time. And always remember to have FUN!

NEW

EZ Glide 500 synthetic ice allows skating during all four seasons at Woodloch!

9,000 square feet of synthetic ice allows you to enjoy skating during

The

Skate rink without

ice

the summer, fall, winter and spring at Woodloch. This new addition is located right down from our Climbing Wall near our main resort property.

Figure skating, hockey, warming up by the ďŹ re and other activities are all available at this new amenitiy!

Certainly something to experience when you are here on your next visit. See you on the rink!

Celebrating Life’s Special Moments

on vacation

As those of us in the hospitality industry can attest, there is always a reason to celebrate! Be it anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, graduations, really any momentous occasion . . . what better way to celebrate than to go away on vacation! Commemorating these milestones with a special trip makes them even more unforgettable. Whether you want to travel near or far, as a couple or as a group, in luxury or on a budget, there are plenty of places from which to choose! Here are some of our top suggestions:

FOR THOSE LOOKING TO CELEBRATE A MILESTONE BIRTHDAY

FOR THOSE LOOKING TO CELEBRATE A ROMANTIC ANNIVERSARY

The options are endless! Get creative, travel “back in time,” and visit your childhood hometown, college town, or maybe even your favorite vacation spot but stay somewhere new and explore it in a whole new light. For the younger set looking for cities that never sleep, there’s nowhere like Vegas, Miami, or N.Y.C. when celebrating a 21st birthday!

If you don’t mind the long plane ride, why not try somewhere remote and gorgeous such as the Maldives, Bora Bora, or the Seychelles? These island destinations have been voted some of the most incredible on the planet, and they offer picturesque beaches, perfect weather, and unrivaled relaxation.

Or maybe you’re passionate about a certain hobby or interest . . . why not gift yourself a trip where you (and those you love) can be immersed in that activity? If you are an adventure junkie, consider a hike up magnificent Macchu Piccu.

Or maybe food is your thing -- food festivals and culinary tours have really gained steam and are popping up all over the country!

If hours of flying isn’t your thing, there are plenty of romantic destinations that are still close to home! Our very own sister property, The Lodge at Woodloch: A Destination Spa, right here in Hawley, PA offers a romance package aptly named the “Couple’s Retreat” which includes upscale accommodations, gourmet meals, spa treatments, and full access to luxurious spa and fitness facilities as well as romantic extras like wine and petal turndown service.

FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR A NEW HOLIDAY TRADITION WITH FAMILY While heading home for the holidays can be nice, sometimes you need to break with the old and bring in the new! Holidays can be the perfect time to get away as a group because most schools and businesses close (or at least slow down) so you already know the gang has the necessary time off.

Holiday travel times can definitely be busier than other parts of the year, but keep an eye out. Different hotels and resorts are always running specials, and what better gift to give than the gift of travel! The memories made with family on vacation will last a lifetime (that can’t be said about the pleather jacket you gave Aunt Sue 11 years ago)!

It’s worth noting that an all-inclusive option is always nice when it comes to travel during the holidays. When your accommodations, meals, activities, and entertainment are all a part of the package, you don’t have to worry about a thing (i.e. all that clean up after making a giant holiday meal)!

That being said, you might want to keep Woodloch in mind for your next family trip for the holidays . . . or anytime!

We all know it’s coming and yet we still put it off until the last minute. You know what we’re talking about -- packing for a big family vacation. The angst, the dread, the panic!

But we’re here to tell you it doesn’t have to be that way!

Here are a few of our top tips on how to make traveling easier the next time you’re going away with the gang:

1

Make a List. This is definitely number one.

Sometimes just writing everything down makes it seem less overwhelming, and this certainly holds true when packing. A week before you leave for vacation, make a packing list of everything you may need. It is easy to forget essentials like diapers and wipes when you’re traveling with small children and feel like you need to bring EVERYTHING.

2

Cross-pack. This is another biggie considering how often luggage gets lost during flights these days. Just in case one family member’s bag doesn’t make it to your final destination, be sure to pack an extra outfit or two in a co-traveler’s bag so that each of you has something even if not every bag gets where it needs to.

3

Bring Entertainment for the Trip.

4

Get Comfy.

The actual travel process can seem a whole lot longer when you’re straddled with bored kids who are complaining that they have nothing to do.

Before leaving, be sure to pack a bunch of things that will keep the kids busy and the adults sane. Make it extra fun for you kiddos by packing a backpack filled with surprises, such as puzzles, coloring books, crayons, small board games, yummy snacks, and the iPad (if you’re not opposed), and give it to them at the beginning of the trip. We guarantee hours of entertainment, which means a more peaceful trip for the parents.

How to Make Family Travel Easier (Yes, it’s possible.)

Car rides, plane rides, bus rides, train rides – let’s face it; none are the most comfortable. If possible, when you’re making your packing list, try to make some room to include pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals for the kiddos.

These days, there are a ton of great travel pillows and blankets that fold up to be very small and easily transportable. These small touches can make all the difference in terms of getting some sleep or none . . . and making the kids feel more at home!

happy travels!

The

Trip Conci erge Meet Brooke Kiesendahl James, Woodloch Resort’s resident expert on traveling with Family... while keeping your sanity!

“Are we there yet?!”

This is easily one of the most frustrating (yet completely validated) questions that a family must face during any given road trip.

Life is a journey, not just a destination- and every vacation you take should follow suit!

Sure, it’s nice to get from A to B with minimal headaches and roadblocks − but think of everything you might just be missing out on.

There are games to be played, sights to see, and good times to be shared with those you love the most!

Meet Woodloch Resort’s personal Road Trip Concierge®, Brooke Kiesendahl James. Having grown up in the family business and worked at the resort since she was a young girl, Brooke assumed the title this summer and is a natural fit for the position. Coming from a very large family and being the mother of a first grader and a pre-schooler, she always has a plan of action when getting from point A to point B with a smile and a story to tell.

“Vacation should start the moment the family is packed tightly in the car (or plane),” explains Brooke. “Some of our best family memories were made on the way to where we wanted to be. Take it from me, in a familyowned company, we work together, travel together, eat together, and play together . . . we have had to get creative to keep the peace during all of our travels, especially knowing all of the places we still intend to go.”

Woodloch’s resident expert can be utilized by any guest in planning their trip to the family resort, or anywhere for that matter. Take advantage of Brooke’s Road Trip Concierge® on our website, Woodloch.com/Concierge, loaded with tips and suggestions, downloadable games and activities, coloring pages, en-route photo-op suggestions, off-the-beaten-track driving routes and even songs and stories.

Equipped with natural instinct, a personal collection of secret weapons and tools, plus resourses from our enthusiastic social staff, the Road Trip Concierge® is ready to hit the pavement.

A story about bringing family together.

Why host your reunion at Woodloch?

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

www.Woodloch.com/Reunite | 800.453.8263 Option #2