Woodloch Pines facts for kids

Woodloch Pines (also called Woodloch) is a fun, all-inclusive resort in Hawley, Pennsylvania. It sits right on Lake Teedyuskung in the beautiful Pocono Mountains region. The closest big city is Scranton, about 40 miles away.

The Kiesendahl Family has owned Woodloch since 1958, and it's open all year round. Over time, Woodloch has grown to include Woodloch Springs, which has a championship golf course and homes, and The Lodge at Woodloch, a special destination spa. It's important to know that Woodloch Pines, Woodloch Springs, and The Lodge at Woodloch are all separate places.

History of Woodloch

Mary Mould loved vacationing at Lake Teedyuskung for many years. She married Harry Kiesendahl in 1944. They lived on Long Island and raised their three children: John, Nancy, and Steve. Harry saw an ad in the New York Times for a small guesthouse for sale on Lake Teedyuskung. Soon after, the Kiesendahls bought it.

In 1958, Mary and the children moved to the resort. Harry traveled from Long Island on weekends. The resort started with about 12 acres. It had a main lodge, an annex, and two small cottages. It could host up to 40 guests. At first, there was no running water and only one full-time employee. Around this time, stories began about Teedy, a mysterious lake monster said to live in Lake Teedyuskung!

In 1959, Mary and Harry Kiesendahl were joined by their friends, Don and Marge Kranich. After several years of building, Woodloch Pines had doubled in size. By 1983, the resort covered about 150 acres and had a mile of shoreline on Lake Teedyuskung. It also had 135 guest rooms. Today, Woodloch covers about 1,000 acres and can host over 900 guests! The Kiesendahl family still runs Woodloch, with their son John as the current president and CEO.

Woodloch and the Boy Scouts

Daniel Carter Beard, one of the people who helped start the Boy Scouts of America, once owned land on Lake Teedyuskung. He built the very first cabin home for the Boy Scouts there. This cabin, called "Wild Lands," was the mess hall for the Boy Scouts. It stood on what later became Woodloch property for more than 80 years.

In 2011, Woodloch gave "Wild Lands" back to the Boy Scouts. The cabin was carefully taken apart and moved to the Goose Pond Boy Scout Reservation on Lake Wallenpaupack. They are now working to put the cabin back together exactly as it was.

Other Woodloch Resorts

Woodloch Springs Golf Course

Woodloch Springs opened in 1991. It's a community with a championship golf course. There are over 400 homes of different sizes. Guests of Woodloch Pines can rent these homes.

The Lodge at Woodloch Spa

The Lodge at Woodloch is a special spa resort that opened in 2006. It's a separate place from Woodloch Pines. It's only five minutes away from The Pines and across the street from Woodloch Springs, on Little Lake Teedyuskung. The Kiesendahl family also runs this spa resort.

The Reserve at Woodloch

The Reserve at Woodloch is a new housing project that is still being built.

Awards and Recognition

Woodloch Pines has won many awards! Some of these include:

• "No. 1 Best Resort for Families in 2019" by USA Today
• "Family Vacation Critic Favorite" by Family Vacation Critic
• "Top 25 Hotels for Families in the United States" by TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Awards 2019
• "Top 10 Hotels & Resorts for Young Children" by grandparents.com
• "Best Resort for Family Reunions" by ResortsandLodges.com
• "The Number One Place to Work in the State of Pennsylvania" by BEST PLACES TO WORK IN PENNSYLVANIA

Rooms and Activities

Woodloch Pines is a family-friendly resort that is open all year. Guests can stay in hotel rooms or rent houses with 3 to 6 bedrooms. Besides Lake Teedyuskung, Woodloch Pines has two swimming pools, escape rooms, and fun shows put on by the staff. There are also special activities where you can earn a Woodloch Pines medal! The resort has two American-style dining rooms.