The Woods Campground - The LGBT clothing optional camping resort in the Poconos
The Woods Campground
The LGBT clothing optional camping resort in the Poconos
By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
The Pocono Mountains in northeast Pennsylvania are well-known as a destination for families, honeymooners, hikers, skiers and nature-lovers. This breathtakingly beautiful region of waterfalls, woodlands and winding rivers is also home to The Woods Campground - The LGBT clothing optional camping resort in the Poconos.
We asked Pat Gremling, Co-Owner of The Woods Campground to tell us about this 100 private acres of Poconos paradise for the LGBT 18-and-older crowd.
How would you describe The Woods Campground in one sentence?
America’s Premiere LGBT Camping Resort
What can you tell us about the history of The Woods Campground?
The Woods opened in 2004. The property was a campground for 40 years prior and was pretty run down, although it had a good infrastructure - so we saw the potential.
We experienced gay camping at some great facilities and predicted an increased demand in alternative lifestyle recreation. Plus, its location near two of the country’s largest metropolitan areas (New York and Philly) made it an easy drive for thousands of potential guests.
Customers were skeptical in the beginning – that a new LGBT business would be successful when so many others have come and gone, but those who made a commitment to us realized we were determined.
The Woods is known for reinvesting into the facility so guests see new or improved amenities each season. The biggest examples of this are a 90 site expansion, the addition of two bathroom facilities, additional cabins (in 2017, the total will be 18), a new pool and enlarged sunbathing deck, a dance club and a number in infrastructure improvements with equipment, electrical, plumbing and sewage.
Future reinvestments will include an amphitheater, in-ground hot tubs and a Clubhouse/Restaurant/Store expansion with additional new bathrooms.
Who visits The Woods Campground? All ages and body shapes?
The LGBT clothing optional camping resort in the Poconos
By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
The Pocono Mountains in northeast Pennsylvania are well-known as a destination for families, honeymooners, hikers, skiers and nature-lovers. This breathtakingly beautiful region of waterfalls, woodlands and winding rivers is also home to The Woods Campground - The LGBT clothing optional camping resort in the Poconos.
We asked Pat Gremling, Co-Owner of The Woods Campground to tell us about this 100 private acres of Poconos paradise for the LGBT 18-and-older crowd.
How would you describe The Woods Campground in one sentence?
America’s Premiere LGBT Camping Resort
What can you tell us about the history of The Woods Campground?
The Woods opened in 2004. The property was a campground for 40 years prior and was pretty run down, although it had a good infrastructure - so we saw the potential.
We experienced gay camping at some great facilities and predicted an increased demand in alternative lifestyle recreation. Plus, its location near two of the country’s largest metropolitan areas (New York and Philly) made it an easy drive for thousands of potential guests.
Customers were skeptical in the beginning – that a new LGBT business would be successful when so many others have come and gone, but those who made a commitment to us realized we were determined.
The Woods is known for reinvesting into the facility so guests see new or improved amenities each season. The biggest examples of this are a 90 site expansion, the addition of two bathroom facilities, additional cabins (in 2017, the total will be 18), a new pool and enlarged sunbathing deck, a dance club and a number in infrastructure improvements with equipment, electrical, plumbing and sewage.
Future reinvestments will include an amphitheater, in-ground hot tubs and a Clubhouse/Restaurant/Store expansion with additional new bathrooms.
Who visits The Woods Campground? All ages and body shapes?
We are proud to be a very welcoming resort. This means that anyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, body type, age or color can feel at home here.
In a clothing optional environment, it’s great to see how some guests can be so comfortable in their own skin (literally). The majority of our guests are males in their 40’s and 50’s but we’re happy to see an increase in younger guests and females.
Our weekend themes will sometimes encourage people to attend based on similar characteristics or interests. Examples include our Bear weekends, Summer Heat Nudist weekends, Frat Party weekends and Country Western weekends.
A great encompassing attitude that has developed at The Woods is the combining of groups that you would usually see segregated. You’ll see events where the Leather, Drag and Bear communities team up for fundraising, parties and events.
What can you tell us about the guest rooms and lodgings of The Woods Campground?
The Woods offers campsites for all types of camping. Many guests have their own camping equipment – everything from tents and pop-ups to trailers and motor homes.
Our sites range from a basic primitive space in a grass field to a full amenity site with, water, sewer, 50 amp electric, cable TV, picnic table and fire ring.
We also have 18 cabins that sleep up to 6 people. Guests can also reserve 2 Luxury Trailers which sleep up to 8 people and new in 2017 is a Park Model Resort Home rental (basically a Tiny House like you see on TV).
We also offer day and night passes for guests who do not stay overnight on the property.
What can you tell us about the amenities of The Woods Campground?
The Woods Campground is on a 100 acre secluded property with ample opportunities for fun, relaxation, escaping mainstream life and getting closer to nature.
The campsites are spacious and include picnic tables and fire rings for a great experience hanging out with friends. All sites are within a few hundred feet of a one of our 5 bathroom/shower facilities. They include a kitchen size sink to clean cooking utensils. We even have a laundry facility.
To stay in touch, our guests enjoy free Wi-Fi throughout the camping areas.
The Clubhouse is the activity area. Here, guests will find The Camp Store, The Café, The Dance Club and Stage, The Pool, Hot Tubs, Lunch Cabana and Bonfire Pit.
The Woods is a BYOB facility which is a big cost savings compared to resorts with high priced bars. Adjacent to the pool is our Massage Gazebo.
The Woods also has 2 professional sand volleyball courts.
Just down the road is our 4 acre lake with paddle boats. The hiking trails start at The Lake and wind along our streams and into the woods. And I must list our clothing optional environment as an amenity too!
What are some of the events held at The Woods Campground?
The Woods Campground themes each weekend to make camping more than just sleeping in the woods. The themes are often associated with parties or music throughout the weekend. Some of these are at the clubhouse and pool and some are on guest sites.
Something that has become popular over the past few years is our camp crawls – modeled after bar crawls but we stop at host campsites instead. Our most popular event is our campground Illumination where we line all camp roads with luminary bags and guests decorate their campsites with candles and lights.
Our holiday weekends include variety stage shows and we also hold contests and pageants.
Typical summer camp events like hay rides, bingo, lip synch contests, volleyball tournaments, costume contests, outdoor movies, hikes and parades are also scattered throughout the season.
An exciting new event in 2017 will be a classic car display.
One thing is for sure – there is always something to do at The Woods!
Conclusion
The Woods Campground is located at 3500 Forest Street, Lehighton, PA 18235.
You can reach them by phone at 610-377-9577.
Visit their extensive website at http://thewoodscampground.com/ or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TheWoodsCampground
In a clothing optional environment, it’s great to see how some guests can be so comfortable in their own skin (literally). The majority of our guests are males in their 40’s and 50’s but we’re happy to see an increase in younger guests and females.
Our weekend themes will sometimes encourage people to attend based on similar characteristics or interests. Examples include our Bear weekends, Summer Heat Nudist weekends, Frat Party weekends and Country Western weekends.
A great encompassing attitude that has developed at The Woods is the combining of groups that you would usually see segregated. You’ll see events where the Leather, Drag and Bear communities team up for fundraising, parties and events.
What can you tell us about the guest rooms and lodgings of The Woods Campground?
The Woods offers campsites for all types of camping. Many guests have their own camping equipment – everything from tents and pop-ups to trailers and motor homes.
Our sites range from a basic primitive space in a grass field to a full amenity site with, water, sewer, 50 amp electric, cable TV, picnic table and fire ring.
We also have 18 cabins that sleep up to 6 people. Guests can also reserve 2 Luxury Trailers which sleep up to 8 people and new in 2017 is a Park Model Resort Home rental (basically a Tiny House like you see on TV).
We also offer day and night passes for guests who do not stay overnight on the property.
What can you tell us about the amenities of The Woods Campground?
The Woods Campground is on a 100 acre secluded property with ample opportunities for fun, relaxation, escaping mainstream life and getting closer to nature.
The campsites are spacious and include picnic tables and fire rings for a great experience hanging out with friends. All sites are within a few hundred feet of a one of our 5 bathroom/shower facilities. They include a kitchen size sink to clean cooking utensils. We even have a laundry facility.
To stay in touch, our guests enjoy free Wi-Fi throughout the camping areas.
The Clubhouse is the activity area. Here, guests will find The Camp Store, The Café, The Dance Club and Stage, The Pool, Hot Tubs, Lunch Cabana and Bonfire Pit.
The Woods is a BYOB facility which is a big cost savings compared to resorts with high priced bars. Adjacent to the pool is our Massage Gazebo.
The Woods also has 2 professional sand volleyball courts.
Just down the road is our 4 acre lake with paddle boats. The hiking trails start at The Lake and wind along our streams and into the woods. And I must list our clothing optional environment as an amenity too!
What are some of the events held at The Woods Campground?
The Woods Campground themes each weekend to make camping more than just sleeping in the woods. The themes are often associated with parties or music throughout the weekend. Some of these are at the clubhouse and pool and some are on guest sites.
Something that has become popular over the past few years is our camp crawls – modeled after bar crawls but we stop at host campsites instead. Our most popular event is our campground Illumination where we line all camp roads with luminary bags and guests decorate their campsites with candles and lights.
Our holiday weekends include variety stage shows and we also hold contests and pageants.
Typical summer camp events like hay rides, bingo, lip synch contests, volleyball tournaments, costume contests, outdoor movies, hikes and parades are also scattered throughout the season.
An exciting new event in 2017 will be a classic car display.
One thing is for sure – there is always something to do at The Woods!
Conclusion
The Woods Campground is located at 3500 Forest Street, Lehighton, PA 18235.
You can reach them by phone at 610-377-9577.
Visit their extensive website at http://thewoodscampground.com/ or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TheWoodsCampground
Article by Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
Copyright 2017 Sunny Harbor Publishing
Sunny Harbor Publishing, PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956
Phone: 321-446-7552
Email: SunnyHarborPublishing@yahoo.com
Website: www.SunnyHarborPublishing.org
Copyright 2017 Sunny Harbor Publishing
Sunny Harbor Publishing, PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956
Phone: 321-446-7552
Email: SunnyHarborPublishing@yahoo.com
Website: www.SunnyHarborPublishing.org