Shh… Time For Quiet Hours | Campground Conversation

This week, on Campground Conversations, we are sitting down with our General Manager/Vice President, Lance Thompson, and our Security Manager, Cedric White, to discuss our policy on Quiet Hours. We will break down the policy for you and make a few clarifications.

But Family First | We are a family campground – It is quite literally in our name – Ocean Lakes Family Campground. We strive to provide a safe and fun environment for all to enjoy and create family memories that will last a lifetime.

We Are Not The Fun Police | Trust us, we know guests are here on vacation and they want to have fun. We want everyone to have a good time! But a guest’s fun should never cause trouble or ruin another family’s good time.

We understand that some guests do not like our policies or agree with them. So, we will refer to a common parenting statement so many of us have heard (or have said), “While you are under my roof, you will live by my rules.” Guests on our property need to respect and abide by our policies. If they cannot do that, our Security Team will get involved. If deemed necessary, Security will Trespass that guest(s) off of our property, and they will not be allowed back into Ocean Lakes.

Our co-founder, Mr. Jackson, always said, “We really only have one rule, conduct yourselves like Ladies and Gentlemen.” That rule is still true today. Call us old fashion, but we stay true to our founding family’s values and beliefs.

Here is what Lance and Cedric had to say on Quiet Hours |

Lance | We have Quiet Hours in the campground because we are a family-oriented vacation destination, and we have families of all ages, and sometimes children are trying to sleep at night. We want people to start slowing things down at 11 PM and heading back to their site. We are really trying to eliminate the cruising and roaming after 11 PM. We understand there will be movement with purpose, but we really do not want people out cruising and roaming.

Cedric | As Lance mentioned, many are asleep after 11 PM and there are those that have babies and children. They have been out playing all day and they are ready to rest.

We do not have a curfew; we have quiet hours. Stay on your site and have your fun, but do not impede on the Quiet Hours of others.

Lance | All amenities and facilities are closed during Quiet Hours, so we expect guests to be in at that time. We know some may need to visit a bathhouse or some may like to do laundry late at night, but absolutely no cruising or roaming. That is generally when people are getting into trouble and bad things can happen.

Cedric | We see teenagers out walking, cruising on golf cars, and meeting up with friends. That is disappointing to an extent and can be very difficult for our Security Team. We have to take those teenagers back to their parents and explain to them that it is 2, 3, 4 in the morning.

Lance | Fireworks are not allowed inside the campground, but they are allowed on the beach, which is outside of our jurisdiction. We reserve the right to either ask them ourselves to stop or we can call Horry County Police.

Cedric | If a guest is out on the beach shooting off fireworks after 11 PM, often Security will step out on the beach (at times have Horry County Police with us), and we will have a conversation with those individuals. We make them aware that Quiet Hours have started with Ocean Lakes and Horry County. If it continues, our guests are subject to being trespassed off of our property.

Lance | It is important that all guests know we are a fun vacation destination; we like to pride ourselves on people having a good time here. It is also important that people observe the rules and encourage family members to be back at their site during Quiet Hours. If everyone did their part, things would be quiet, and we would be able to better prepare for the next day of fun for all guests.

The Policy At Hand | Quiet Hours. Whew, what a topic.

Our Quiet Hours are from 11 PM to 7 AM and have been since the beginning of time (or, the almost 50 years we have been in business). In fact, those are Horry County’s Quiet Hours and apply to the beach, as well. Nothing good ever happens after midnight, or in our case, 11 PM.

We are not out to harass guests utilizing necessary facilities, such as the bathhouses or Soapy Suds. We are targeting guests “cruising” around the campground, generally making noise, or looking for trouble (coolers, bikes, alcohol, unlocked vehicles, etc.).

Cruising on golf cars during Quiet Hours (11 PM - 7 AM) is not permitted and is subject to a $100 fine.

Even on your site, if your noise level impedes on another guests’ Quiet Hours, then you are too loud, and Security will ask you to quiet down. Sometimes guests do not realize how loud they are getting and just need to be reminded of our policy.

11 PM Is Still Early | We get it, you are on vacation! We are not setting everyone’s bedtime - We just need guests to head back to their site for the night, and there is a good reason. Reducing the number of people moving around the campground after 11 PM makes it much easier for our Team to weed out any troublemakers. It helps us identify anyone who does not belong here. You know the old saying, “Nothing good happens after midnight.” It tends to be true.

Teen Trouble | Parents – Do you know where your kids are?

It matters to us. Security finds 13, 14, 15, 16-year old teens out moving around the campground in the early hours of the morning, and Security escorts many teens back to their parents’ site. So, what is the big deal? We are honored that parents feel their kids are safe here, but after 11 PM, we need parents to make sure their kids are “home” for the night.

Fireworks | To clarify - Fireworks are not allowed in Ocean Lakes, but they are allowed on the beach (East of the dunes lines) in Horry County. However, they are not allowed to be shot off during Quiet Hours.

We receive many complaints regarding fireworks on the beach. Please remember, we do not have jurisdiction on the beach. Call Security at the 24/7 Main Gate about any fireworks in the campground with a location. That number is 843-828-4847.

To our guests - If you decide to shoot off fireworks on the beach, do not shoot them off between 11 PM and 7 AM. With safety and marine life in mind, please clean up all debris.

Fireworks – Going Forward | After 11 PM, we will step out on the beach and inform fireworks users of the Noise Ordinance enforced by the Horry County Police Department. If the fireworks users do not adhere to a request for them to stop shooting fireworks, and they are staying in Ocean Lakes, we will inform them that we will No Trespass them from our property.

For More Information | Learn more about the Horry County Noise Ordinance and Fireworks Information by visiting Horry County’s website.

Until Next Time | Stay tuned for the Campground Conversations video segment tomorrow on our social media! You will hear from our General Manager/Vice President, Lance, and our Security Manager, Cedric, on our Quiet Hours.

That’s our Campground Conversation for the week – We will catch ya later, Ocean Lakes!