Why Your Company Needs a Corporate Retreat
Arialle Hess
A corporate
retreat can be of immense value to your team, especially given
all the ups and downs over the past year and counting. Because some
jobs descriptions and work life have undergone permanent changes,
there has been a shift in thinking about in-person company
retreats.
Imagine this: you’re in charge of a company, whose
employees are working from home. Employees that, along with
deadlines, have subpar computers and technological access from
home, kids in the background, and other family members to take care
of. How much work do you think they are producing under these
circumstances? What is their quality of work? How long can you
expect them to be fulfilled in their jobs while working in these
stressful situations?
Although WFH can be a wonderful tool in creating a better work
life, we are now seeing issues arising around it. Whether your
company is WFH, back in the office, or somewhat of a mix, a
corporate retreat can be a great management tool to unsure your
company isn’t falling behind.
1. Iron Out Any Issues
Being entirely WFH has led to miscommunication amongst
companies of all sizes. Between video lapses and tons of Email
threads, the communication channel can get bogged down fairly
quickly.
A retreat can aid in resolving any miscommunication. Humans
have a hard enough time effectively communicating with spoken
language, including emotional intonation and nonverbal cues. But
take all that away when we use technology, and things can be easily
misinterpreted. Companies can clear up any misunderstanding by
holding meetings where everyone is present.
2. Beat Zoom Fatigue
A retreat is also a perfect solution to Zoom fatigue. No one
enjoys being on video conference calls all day, and it is hard to
expect employees to retain all information or even pay attention
for the duration of multiple calls. Physically bringing your team
out from behind their screens is a great refresher.
Even if the entire team cannot be present, many hotels have
the latest technology to keep your entire team engaged and feel
included in the event.
…
| Bear Creek is proud to present our tech-forward hybrid solution allowing a virtual audience to fully engage with in-person participants to create a seamless experience. Our packages are designed to effectively connect both on-site and remote attendees in General Session and Breakout environments. Our professional audio-visual team will be with you throughout the planning and execution of your event to seamlessly integrate our technology with your programming to ensure success. |
Bear Creek Mountain Resort Vacation Itinerary
Arialle Hess
Peaceful mountain scenery, culture and music festivals,
amusement parks, and tons of outdoor activities are just some of
the reasons Bear Creek Mountain Resort makes a great vacation
destination in eastern Pennsylvania. Located on the outskirts of
Macungie, the resort is just a short drive from all the activities
in both Berks County and the Lehigh Valley.
Booking a room at The Hotel at Bear
Creek gives you access to great outdoor fun both on and off the
resort premise. This year, the resort is adding a few new
activities that you will want to add to your vacation
itinerary.
Editor’s note: Some services and amenities may be
adjusted due to the pandemic.
The Resort
Bear Creek has big plans to turn the ski slopes into a summer
mountain vacation destination. Currently in the works is a mountain
slip n’ slide brought to you by Slide
the Slopes. With over a mile of slides, this company has
created some of the longest and biggest inflatable slip n’
slides in the world! This activity is scheduled to come to Bear
Creek July 16th – September 6th. Put this one on your bucket
list!
Next in the production stage is a
Giant Swing. This enormous structure will swing you from
thrilling heights that overlook 330 acres of beautiful mountain
scenery.
Guided Mountain ATV Tours will also make their yearly debut in
early summer. The resort has upgraded its ATV to now seat 5 guests;
allowing more of your friends to join in on the fun.
Hotel
packages are a great way for guests to take advantage of all
the resort has to offer. If you’re looking to stay on the
resort’s premise,
The Adventure Package is a perfect package the whole family can
enjoy. It includes an overnight stay along with ax throwing, and
archery target shooting, as well as access to the outdoor pool,
hiking and biking trails, disc golf course, and pond activities
such as kayaking, fishing and …
Things to do this Summer at Bear Creek Mountain Resort
Arialle Hess
As the state ramps up its efforts to reopen, summer events in
PA are starting to fill up people’s planners once again. With
plenty of outdoor space and a comprehensive cleaning program, Bear
Creek is excited to invite guests onto its property for some much
needed outdoor fun.
By following all necessary precautions, summer events for 2021
will hopefully be here to stay. So, if you’re looking for
things to do, Bear Creek has a calendar full
of festivals, weekend-warrior events, and daily activities that are
great for getting out of the house during the week.
Outdoor Concerts
Revamped but still the same great experience is Bear
Creek’s live music performances. Starting on May 23rd, Frog
Holler will be kicking off the
Sunday Night Concert Series that will last throughout the
summer. This outdoor live music event is on the calendar almost
every Sunday evening from 6-9pm. Sunday Night Concerts are FREE to
the public and the resort’s signature restaurant, The Grille,
will also have outdoor dining available for you to grab a bite if
you want dinner and a show.
Festivals
Festivals are finally back in action! Sitting upon 330 acres of mountain landscape, there is plenty of room at Bear Creek to safely host festivals for all to enjoy.
Wine Festivals
Many folks have attended wine festivals in PA in previous
years, and Bear Creek’s festival was a bucket-list
destination among them. This year, the resort will contribute once
again to the sipping soirees with a
Summer Wine Festival on Sunday, July 18th and a Harvest Wine
Festival scheduled for Sunday, November 21st. Tickets are currently
on sale for the Summer Wine Festival at $25 per person. Your
designated driver can also join the festivities sans alcohol for $5
per person.
Berks Fiddle Fest
It’s official! The local-favorite Lyons Fiddle Fest is
moving to Bear Creek on Sunday, September 19th under a new name;
Berks
Fiddle Fest. After a devastating year with natural disasters,
this festival needed to find a new home. Luckily, they partnered up
with a near-by 330-acre resort for this …
How to Treat Yourself to a Spa Day
Arialle Hess
With the change of seasons comes change of activities, but
there’s one thing you can enjoy year-round; a spa day.
Bear Creek Mountain Resort has an on-site spa that operates
year-round. Whether you need a relaxing retreat, or just want a
fresh look, The Spa
at Bear Creek is a great spot for a spa day.
The resort’s full-service spa not only provides its
guests with high-quality services, but also comfy robes, and lite
fare with drinks to enhance the experience. (Unfortunately due
to COVID, food and beverages will not be provided at this
time)
The resort also allows its guests to utilize additional
amenities while on the premise. Treating yourself to a spa day at
Bear Creek is an unmatched experience. If you want to relax,
revive, and rejuvenate to the fullest, look no further.
Services
What do you do on a spa day? The Spa at Bear Creek has an
extensive list of treatments and
services; giving you just about everything you need to pamper
yourself. (Some services may not be available due to COVID
restrictions)
Aside from the regular menu, The Spa also posts monthly
specials on
the website. When planning a spa day, check to see if any of your
favorite products or services are discounted that month. If
you’re looking for a mini getaway, the resort also offers
hotel
packages that include spa treatments.
Massages
The Spa at Bear Creek offers massages
in either 50- or 80-minute sessions. Among the favorites are
Himalayan Salt treatment, CBD massages, and Lomi Lomi – an
ancient Hawaiian technique.
In addition to the traditional types of massages, The Spa also
has massage therapists that are certified in pregnancy massages,
Bamboo-Fusion®, and reflexology – an ancient Chinese
technique.
If you are looking for a relaxing date night, book
a couples massage and make reservations at The Grille for a romantic
dinner.
Body Treatments
The Spa’s body treatments consists of
scrubs and wraps. Each service includes aroma therapy and dry
brushing to help stimulate blood circulation.
- The cream-based exfoliation of the Body Buffing Polish scrub will boost cell renewal; leaving your skin smooth and soft. (50-minute service)
- After the cold winter months, the Luxury Hydrating wrap is a must-have. This rich balm is thirsty skin’s best friend. (80-minute service)
- Invigorating ingredients such as coffee & sea kelp have anti-cellulite properties with detoxifying effects. These benefits are available in your choice of a scrub or wrap.
Make your day of relaxation customizable by creating your own
experience. You can mix and match massages with facials, mani/pedis
with scrubs, and much more.
Facials
Beautiful, healthy skin starts with the face. Currently, The
Spa is offering three types of
facials; The Bear Creek Facial, Men’s Defense, and
Anti-Aging. Each service is …
Wedding Venue Booking Guide
Arialle Hess
Wedding planning can be fun and exciting, but the decision making can be overwhelming.
Perhaps the biggest decision is choosing the right venue. Viewing the venue is a must, but there is also other key information you should gather before making your decision.
The first step is setting up a site tour. On the site tour you should not only visualize your big day, but also take note of all the venue has to offer to see if it can meet your needs and fit your budget.
This guide will take you step by step and help you to book a wedding venue that checks all the boxes.
Booking a Tour: How to get started
Scheduling a wedding site tour is quick and easy. Most venues are listed on major wedding websites, or they can be contacted using their business website.
The Bear Creek Wedding Sales team can be contacted via the website contact form, The Knot, Wedding Wire, or by calling the resort at 610-682-7100.
Once you contact Bear Creek to schedule a tour, the staff will respond within 24 hours and electronically send you a wedding package. This provides you with a general overview of the banquet space and costs.
Preparing for the tour
If the venue does give you any information prior to your tour, it is vital to look it over thoroughly; preparing any vital questions you may have.
The main purpose of the tour is to take in the aesthetics, so you want to make sure you have all key questions and concerns already thought out and written down.
Tip: Book a weekend tour if possible. This allows you to see other setups live. Bear Creek operates year-round and ski lodges convert into elegant ballrooms. See the beautiful transformation for your own eyes.
Taking a Tour: What to note while viewing the venue
Most venues are allowing in-person site tours now. Virtual site tours are just as valuable but physically putting yourself in the space will help you be able to visualize your big day.
At Bear Creek tours are about 1.5 hours where you will see each space as well as meet your coordinator, who will be assisting you all the way up to your special day.
Viewing Reception Rooms
Taking note of ballroom capacity ensures there is enough room for not only your guest count, but additional items you may want to add such as a candy bar, dessert station, or photo booth.
Bear Creek has three ballrooms that can accommodate various size functions. Even if you are still in the planning stages, it’s worth mentioning to the coordinator any extra space that might be needed; they have worked with enough room layouts to provide you with valuable feedback.
Most venues also keep photo books on hand from previous weddings. Ask your coordinator to look through them. They may help refine an existing idea, or even spark a new one.
Tip: Take note of the venue’s natural décor. Many venues already have a certain aesthetic and feel to them. Keeping your wedding dé …