When Greg and Janet Hill first opened Adventure Sports in Hershey in 1990, they weren’t sure if anyone would come. They remember that first day vividly – sitting at a card table on the porch of a tiny building with no occupancy certificate, collecting cash in a box while cars miraculously turned into the lot.
“Oh my gosh, thank you, Lord,” Janet recalls with a laugh. Thirty-five years later, that humble miniature golf course has grown into one of Central Pennsylvania’s favorite family entertainment destinations, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year.
Adventure Sports has evolved steadily, adding attractions almost every few years: batting cages in 1991, go-karts by 1993, a sprawling 4,000-square-foot arcade in 1994 (now expanded to 6,000 square feet and featuring about 60 games, including virtual reality), a golf driving range in 1995 (featuring the talents of PGA golf pro Matt Keller), and bumper boats in 1997.
Each addition was guided by the Hills’ knack for listening to guests and anticipating trends. Helping to guide them was regular attendance at the International Association of Parks and Amusements annual convention in Orlando.
“People from all over the world go there, and we started attending immediately back then, because that’s where you can stay up on industry trends,” says Greg.
In 2001, they built a pavilion; by 2006, they enclosed a party room; and in 2010, outdoor laser tag joined the lineup, offering kids a thrilling battlefield complete with obstacles and even a downed plane without the mishaps associated with paintball.
The year 2015 brought the establishment of the spacious clubhouse, which now hosts everything from corporate gatherings and baby showers to the venue’s first wedding this October.
“We really try to make it special for families,” says Janet. “Our birthday parties, for example, are very upscale now. Parents can relax while we handle every detail. You send the invitations, and we throw the party with food, goodie bags, everything.”
True to their passion for innovation, they introduced their first escape room in 2016 – originally a one-hour experience themed around a secret caramel recipe, a nod to Milton Hershey’s legacy. They learned quickly that shorter challenges suited their audience better, and today, guests can tackle three 12-minute, specially themed adventures in smaller escape rooms: piloting a spaceship back to Earth, escaping a haunted house or unlocking a wizard’s secrets.
They serve Hershey’s Ice Cream, delighting guests who come to cool down after a spin in the bumper boats or a round on the scenic, waterfall-laced miniature golf course that started it all. This year the Hershey’s brand replaced ice cream provided by the Berkey Creamery in Penn State, where the couple met in 1970 during their first year in college.
Both of the Hills are retired from their previous careers. He was an architect, and she worked in real estate. Their individual strengths have complemented their work as a team.
“The reason this works is we each have different areas,” says Greg. “I’m kind of the creator, the developer, the idea guy, the implementer. You know, what’s our next attraction? Always checking with her. She’s the operations, the people, the advertising, the marketing, and all those things.”
“So, I kind of say, ‘divide and conquer,’” Janet says, laughing.
Adventure Sports has invested heavily to stay fresh and competitive, most recently putting over $1 million into expanding the arcade, adding new restrooms and installing public sewer to support future growth. A new lap timer and scoreboard for the go-karts will soon let racers track their times and challenge friends for bragging rights.
Every aspect, from the tropical hibiscus that adorn the grounds to the state-of-the-art prize counter in the arcade, is carefully curated to enhance the guest experience.
“We love to make it an experience of walking through gardens,” Greg says. “We want people to come here and just have fun, whether they’re local or visiting Hershey for the first time.”
The location on a busy corridor between Hershey and Lancaster doesn’t hurt either: About 20,000 cars pass by daily on Elizabethtown Road, and a fair share of Hersheypark visitors drop in for a calmer interlude.
“We’ve had people tell us they make it a tradition to stop here every year,” says Janet.
Beyond the attractions, the Hills have always seen Adventure Sports as a place to nurture young people. Each summer, they hire about 40 local high school and college students, many for their first jobs.
“We teach them what it’s about to be responsible – good work habits,” says Janet. “You know, three, four years later, we’re giving them job references, and it’s an opportunity to really contribute to the growth of young people. There’s one thing we take seriously. These are somebody’s children, and sometimes they spend more time here than they do at home, and it’s important to coach them, so we use a coaching style of training.”
This commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed: Adventure Sports has earned the Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year Award. Many of their staff members, like Facilities Manager Erik Peffley, who’s been with them since Day One, embody the loyalty and family spirit that keep guests returning decade after decade.
“Erik, who is over there running around, is our facilities manager. He’s been here 35 years,” says Greg. “That guy is absolutely brilliant. He can fix anything. He keeps the place running.”
After 50 years of marriage, two kids, and now grandchildren working at the park, Greg and Janet Hill remain as hands-on as ever and always on the lookout for ways to enhance the customer experience.
With a dedicated team and a loyal following, Adventure Sports is poised for even more memories in the decades to come. From that first roped-off golf course to a year-round, multi-attraction entertainment hub, Adventure Sports in Hershey is a testament to what happens when a family builds a business not just on thrills, but on a 35-year commitment to excellence.
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