D.B.
It's amazing that anything gets done, huh?
I guess it's good that they are planning an outdoorsy weekend and not a night of strippers! There are a zillion places in the Poconos - is anyone in a group a member of AAA? They offer a free travel agency, have the latest info on hotels that they inspect, may have info on packages, and can help choose a hotel that is amenable to this sort of event. You can also get the free tour guide for PA and there's a whole section on just the Poconos.
You can still look for a deal through Hotwire or Travelocity but I think you should start with (and perhaps stay with) a skilled travel agent you can actually talk to. Tell them exactly what you're looking for - including the off-site activities.