Located in the quiet town of Hawley, Pennsylvania, Woodloch Pines is probably one of the greatest family resorts I have stayed at. Being only an hour away from Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, Woodloch Pines is an all-inclusive family resort, fun for ages 3 to 83. The drive to Woodloch starts when you see the first “Woodloch Pines, only 10 miles away!” sign. After that all cellular service is gone but that is okay. You know you are almost there when you get the sense you are completely isolated from any civilization. You enter the outdated atrium and check in with the enthusiastic employees at the counter. The sweet smell of campfire and musty furniture fills your nose and you know you are here for an action packed vacation.
Opening in 1958, Woodloch Pines welcomes all families, from a short getaway with your fiance, to a family reunion with your aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins. Woodloch has a variety of activities, including family feud, pool games, and of course, the infamous scavenger hunt. The all-inclusive resort is open throughout the year. During the summer, Lake Teedyuskung is filled with screaming kids, water skiing, kayaking, and so much more. In the winter Lake Teedyuskung turns into a winter wonderland, with ice skating on the frozen lake, and snowball fights and sled races scattered across the campgrounds. And of course, Woodloch Pines includes go karts, bumper boats, archery, and arcades.
The first time I was told my family was going to Woodloch, I was not very excited since I have never heard of it, and although the website had a lot of fun activities, they looked a little childish, and I did not want to go to a resort where my sister and I were the only kids above the age of 10. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw fellow teenagers roaming the open campgrounds. My favorite part was meeting new people from different states, while my family and I only drove an hour to Woodloch, I have met other families that have traveled from Washington and Florida to spend a week at the beloved family resort.
One of the most popular activities are the summer and winter Olympic games. One thing about Woodloch Pines, is that EVERYONE is extremely competitive. At the start of the games, the beloved staff announces the 20+ teams playing for the cheap gold, silver, and bronze medals that only mean something when you are at Woodloch. Usually a typical family of four, is not enough to make a Woodloch sized team, so, you are encouraged to talk to other families. You become a team with 2 or 3 families and are ready to start the Olympic games. The Olympic games include anything from basketball to some made up “sport” the creative staff have come up with. When your team gets that gold metal, it means you are the best of the best in Woodloch, until you leave Woodloch, and it means absolutely nothing.
The dining experience is totally one of the best parts of the trip. The activities revolve around meal schedules, so you are guaranteed to have a delicious meal, then go to your favorite activities right on time. The dining staff bend over backwards to make your stay as enjoyable as possible, and will serve whatever they are making that day and much more! Next time you are your family are thinking of a quick vacation within the tri-state, think of Woodloch Pines! It is definitely an experience that is unforgettable and is right around the corner from Morris County, New Jersey.
