Ocean Lakes

Who says you cannot get a fun workout in while on vacation?! Or, perhaps you naturally enjoy more physical activities. We have multiple activities, amenities, and opportunities for guests to be active in the campground.  Follow Along for the Activities and Amenities |  Water Aerobics – Monday, Wednesday, Friday |  Wake up and feel the burn (and I do not mean sunburn)! Everyone who can comfortably touch the bottom of the pool can come join our qualified instructor at the Indoor Pool for a class of aerobic conditioning, toning, exercises, and movement. There is no fee.  Please Note:  You must walk down the sidewalk between the Recreation Center and the Game Center for this class. Sandy Harbor will be closed until 9 AM.  Sunrise Stretching – Tuesday and Thursday | Start your morning off the beach way! Join our qualified instructor on the Observation Deck to enjoy the peaceful sunrise, while performing stretching techniques combined with mild yoga. You will nee...

Meeting our guests is one of every teammate’s favorite part of the job. It is what makes it more than “just a job” for many of us. Our guests are truly amazing. They each come from different walks of life, and they each have a story. The stories are what we love – the heartaches, the happy times, and the memories of the Jackson’s.  This week’s featured Ocean Lakes memory is filled with love and happiness. Meet Kristin | Kristin is from Cary, NC and has been staying at Ocean Lakes for 21 years. This week, she is describing her favorite Ocean Lakes memory.  A Beach Engagement | July 18, 2011, will forever be a special day for Kristin:  “My favorite memory at Ocean Lakes Family Campground happened on July 18, 2011. This is the day I said “yes” when my present-day husband proposed to me on the beach in front of the Observation Deck. What I thought was going to be a beach photo shoot turned into a proposal, and my Mom was there to capture pictures of the momentous occasion!" C...

As many of our Guests and Annual Lease Site Holders know, we reserve the winter months as a time to complete projects throughout the campground. This past winter was no different; however, one project was not crossed off the list. With this project being essential and beneficial to all, we must move forward with the plans.  Pardon Our Dust | We are doubling the size of our Main Gate. This will provide a larger administrative area, more space to help Security monitor the campground, and assist with late arrivals.  Well Said, Cedric | The Security and Services Manager, Cedric, is excited for the expansion and hopeful for the benefits it will bring:  “The Main Gate expansion will assist Security and our guests once completed. It will allow us to speak with and access guests on the north side of the gate upon their exit. This expansion comes in preparation for having a future dispatcher that will be responsible for viewing cameras in our common areas, which gives the opport...

Five years ago, we opened the new location of the Nature Center. This much-loved amenity has seen tremendous growth in the past five years, including new exhibits, activities, teammates, and visitor traffic.  Kaylei recently joined the Ocean Lakes team, so we sat down with her and our Recreation Director, Craig, to discuss the Nature Center’s growth and where we see this amenity going in the future: Chattin’ With Craig |  What is the Nature Center’s biggest accomplishment thus far? I think the biggest accomplishment for the Nature Center has been relocating the facility to its new home, allowing us to start fresh with new displays, content, and an expanded Nature-based activity schedule. Let’s talk about the old building and where the idea came from for a new building? It has always been our intention to continue the work and passion that Leonard Raker created when we first opened the Nature Center. The old building served as a store on the south side of the campground. It was...

One family’s happy place is another family’s sanctuary. Many of us take our yearly or even monthly family vacations and create wonderful memories, while others are here that one time of year to simply be thankful and take a breather from their everyday life.  Meeting our guests is one of every teammate’s favorite part of the job. It is what makes it more than “just a job” for many of us. Our guests are truly amazing. They each come from different walks of life, and they each have a story. The stories are what we love – the heartaches, the happy times, the memories of the Jackson’s, and every now and then, a family reminds us of what we are doing here.  Ocean Lakes has been tagged as everyone’s “happy place” or their “home away from home.” Our team has learned that Ocean Lakes is a form of church for some, as well. A place to reflect, to count blessings, to talk to God, and a place to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul.   Meet Shelly Menges and her family from Cumber...

On Easter Sunday, guests woke up to the smell of fresh coffee and salt air - Sandy’s Coffee & Creamery, located on the beachfront, held its grand opening!  This new food option replaced Sandy’s Snack Shack, which was located beside the Observation Deck on the beachfront. The building is still there – Sandy’s Coffee & Creamery has moved in. The coffee portion is open daily from 7 AM to 11 AM. The creamery portion will open this Summer and will be open from 3 PM to 11 PM. A date has not been announced; however, we will update everyone once the ice cream starts being scooped at this location! Put Er’ There, Partner | We have partnered with Benjamin’s Bakery and Café, a local business, which has been in the Grand Strand since 1994. We are incredibly proud to partner with them to bring our guests quality treats and coffee freshly brewed daily.  Tidbit From Tonie | We asked our Food and Beverage Manager, Tonie, about the new addition: “Our Guests and Annual Lease Site Holder...