The JO of PoconoJo's
"She was the absolute best at making meaningful traditions, extending hospitality, and finding a reason to have a martini."
Our Story
Named for Joanne
Jim Thorpe has always felt like home. As a kid, summers meant Grandma's house on Spring Street — cousins running wild outdoors, evenings around the kitchen table with cards and laughter.
Time has transitioned us into a new generation, but this place and these feelings remain the same. My parents ended up moving back to Jim Thorpe not too long before my mom, Joanne, passed — bookending her life in the Poconos.
She would have loved this place. She was the absolute best at making meaningful traditions, extending hospitality, and finding a reason to have a martini. Our hope is that her kind of joy can live on as you create wonderful memories with those you love here.
Cheers, friends — and welcome back!
Steve & Mandy
Traditions Start Here
A note about Mandy: Everything she does is grounded in hospitality — just like Joanne. If you have a vision for your stay, she is more than happy to coordinate a specialized welcome. All it takes is a wish, a little time, and communication around budget. Reach out through the booking form or text her directly after you've confirmed. She will take it from there.
Bear Creek Lakes Community
Seasonal Community Amenities
HOA Badge & Parking Pass Rules: All guests, regardless of age, must wear badges at community amenities. Vehicles parked in amenity lots require a parking pass. Please adhere to all HOA safety and operational rules. For updated amenity hours go to
tinyurl.com/BCLtimes. Full community rules at
tinyurl.com/BCLJTPArules.
Available Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend only. The community pool, lake beaches, and courts are about a mile from the chalet — walkable, and a short drive. With your stay, you have access to ten (10) badges and two (2) parking passes — each equipped with an Apple AirTag. Badges are on adjustable bracelets. Wear them at all community amenities. Display parking passes in your vehicle. (The HOA unwaveringly allows each chalet a max of 10 badges and 2 amenity lot parking passes. Badges and parking passes are checked frequently, preserving the privacy of the residential neighborhood.)
Stored in the utility garage and ready for your use: Cooler on wheels · Basketball · Pickleball paddles and balls · Bocce balls · Beach towels · Beach chairs and more.
Community pool, courts, and south lake beach are approximately 1 mile from the chalet — walkable or a 6-minute drive. North beach and boat docks are about an 8–9 minute drive.
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Community Pool
Open noon–7pm, weather permitting. Lifeguard on duty required for use.
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Lake Beaches
Two sandy beaches on Bear Creek Lake with swimming, sunbathing, and seasonal boating access.
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Pickleball
Dedicated pickleball courts. Paddles and balls stored in the utility garage — ready to go.
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Other Recreational Courts
Tennis, basketball, volleyball, shuffleboard, bocce, and horseshoes. Open dawn to dusk.
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Playground & Fields
Playground, bocce, shuffleboard, and horseshoes. Open dawn to 10pm.
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Fishing
Bear Creek Lake is stocked. PA fishing license required. Four-fish daily limit per person.
House Rules
Please Treat PoconoJo's with Care & Respect
Non-compliance with House Rules may result in additional fees or removal from the property without reimbursement. Guests are responsible for any damage. Upon arrival, inspect the property and let us know immediately if something isn't as expected — we truly want your stay to be five-star!
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Registered Guests Only
Only guests listed on the reservation are permitted on the property. No unregistered guests or visitors allowed. Even guests not staying the night must be listed and included in the guest reservation. (A maximum of eight adult guests, no more than 12 guests.)
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Parking
Maximum six (6) vehicles on-site. Please stay on the gravel. No parking under the deck, in the garage, or on the street. Community speed limit: 15 mph.
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No Smoking or Vaping
Smoking or vaping is not permitted anywhere on the property — inside nor outside.
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No Pets & Shoes
No pets allowed on the property. Please do not wear ski boots or hiking shoes in the house.
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No Fireworks
No fireworks, including sparklers, on the property. This is heavily enforced and fined in the community.
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Quiet Hours
9pm–8am Sunday through Thursday. Midnight–8am Friday & Saturday. We love our neighbors — especially those across the driveway. Please adhere to quiet hours and turn off unnecessarily outdoor lights at night.
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Bears & Wildlife
It's dangerous and illegal to feed bears and other animals. Never leave food or trash outside, especially on the deck or in the fire pit. Dispose of garbage and recycling in the garage bins.
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Community Amenities
Between Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend, ten (10) badges and two (2) parking passes are provided for use at Bear Creek Lakes community amenities. Please wear badges and display parking permits at all times. Fees apply for any missing or damaged items: $100/badge or pass, $50/AirTag.
♨️
Hot Tub
By using the hot tub, you accept all risks and release PoconoJo's from liability. A signed waiver must be on file before use.
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Fire Pit & Grill
Please ensure fire is out when finished. Place the lid over the pit prior to leaving the space. For the propane grill: please turn off the gas and cover after it has cooled. If you use a full tank, kindly exchange it.
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Fireplace & Furniture
The fireplace can run for only two (2) continuous hours with a 30-minute cooldown between uses. Turn it off overnight or when away. Do not move furniture to different floors or rooms without returning it before checkout.
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Septic System
The chalet has a sensitive septic system — only flush septic-safe toilet paper. Do not put anything down the kitchen sink drain except non-solidifying liquids. If you need to dispose of oils or grease, there is a glass jar and a funnel under the sink.
Rental agreements indicate acknowledgment and acceptance of all house rules. Please start traditions and have a marvelous time! Report any damages and/or breakages in a reasonably timely manner, and always before check-out.
Before You Leave
Check-Out Checklist
To help keep PoconoJo's free of standard cleaning fees, we ask guests to complete a few simple checkout items before departure. Please take a quick peek at the list below.
Prefer a true "lock the door and leave" checkout instead? We're happy to arrange a full-service departure with our cleaning team in advance for $119 off-peak / $189 peak.
If full-service checkout has not been prearranged, we do ask that the standard checkout items be completed prior to departure.
Standard checkout items:
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Trash & RecyclingGather all trash and recycling and place it in the garage bins.
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Windows & DoorsClose and lock all windows and doors.
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Bedding, Blankets & TowelsLeave all bedding and blankets in their respective rooms. Place towels in the laundry room baskets; hang or drape anything damp.
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DishesLoad and run remaining dishes in the dishwasher.
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Hot TubPlease set the temperature to 88 degrees, make sure the lid is on and the clips on the front are clipped.
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Seasonal Amenity Badges & PassesMemorial Day Weekend – Labor Day Weekend only. Please ensure all ten (10) badges, two (2) parking badges, and twelve (12) AirTags are left in good condition. Fees apply for any missing or damaged items: $100/badge or pass, $50/AirTag.
For the much appreciated and highly-celebrated overachievers in the group:
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Lights & Fans — All switches down except the nine with stickers; leave those up.
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Propane Grill, Fire Pit, Fireplace & Garage Heater — Turn off the propane tank and cover the grill. Secure the fire pit lid and cover. Make sure the fireplace and garage heater are off.
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Remote Controls — Return fan remotes to wall caddies and TV remotes to coffee tables or nightstands.
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Thermostat — Set to HEAT/60° (winter) or COOL/80° (summer). Avoid EMHEAT mode; press MODE to toggle past it.
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Furniture — Return any moved furniture to its original location.
