Ocean Lakes Family Campground named “Mega Park of the Year”

Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Myrtle Beach, S.C., named “Mega Park of
the Year” by the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds
(arvc)

Family-owned campground nabs top industry award for the
sixth time

Myrtle Beach, SC | Ocean Lakes Family Campground,
a subsidiary of The Jackson Companies, has been named the top mega park in
the country – the sixth time the family-owned campground has earned the
industry’s highest award.

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (arvc) presented
Ocean Lakes with the coveted “Mega Park of the Year” award during the
association’s annual conference this month in Raleigh, N.C. The award is
given to the campground that consistently delivers exceptional guest
experiences as a result of its all-around excellence.

“We are so thrilled to again bring the ‘Park of the Year’
award home to Myrtle Beach,” said Lance Thompson, General Manager and Vice
President of Ocean Lakes Family Campground. “Our team constantly strives for
excellence in every aspect of our operation to ensure that our guests are
truly ‘happy campers.’ It’s rewarding for our team and leaders to be
recognized nationally for their dedication to making Ocean Lakes the premier
campground in the country.”

The largest campground on the East Coast, Ocean Lakes boasts a
variety of lodging including 859 campsites and 2,565 annual lease sites
featuring beach houses and mobile homes that are available to purchase or
rent. Guest amenities include a mile of oceanfront, Sandy Harbor Water Park,
Sandy Mart, Meet n’ Eat, an award-winning Recreation program and more. The
gated campground also features an RV Center with a store and repair
technicians; Golf Car Sales, Service and Rentals; camper storage and 24/7
security patrol. The 310-acre park is open year round and accommodates
between 25,000 and 35,000 guests a day during an average summer
day.

The national association selects a top campground for the Park of
the Year award in small (0-100 sites), medium (101-250 sites), large (251-499
sites) and mega (500+ sites) divisions. To earn the honor, a campground must
deliver consistent exceptional guest experiences as a result of all- 2 around
excellence in operations, professionalism, marketing, customer service and
industry involvement.

“Ocean Lakes is well known among campground owners and operators
as a top-notch destination that sets the standard for others in the
industry,” said Paul Bambei, President and CEO of the National Association of
RV Parks and Campgrounds. “We applaud the Jackson family as well as the
campground managers and teammates for always going the extra mile to help
guests make family memories that last a lifetime.”

Nelson and Mary Emily Jackson opened Ocean Lakes in 1971 with 30
campsites and one bathhouse and operated the campground until they passed
away in 2010. The Jacksons’ five daughters still own Ocean Lakes and guide
its growth, including the addition of a high-end, resortstyle water park in
2016.

Johnny Williamson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of The
Jackson Companies, credited the teammates, management and family with
successfully transitioning the campground to the next generation while
maintaining the core values that made it special from the start. That makes
winning this year even more special, he said.

“Nelson and Mary Emily would be very proud,” Williamson said. “We
pulled together and did it together.”

About Ocean Lakes Family Campground

Ocean Lakes Family Campground, a division of The Jackson
Companies, is the largest campground on the East Coast and one of the largest
in the United States. Located in Myrtle Beach, S.C., it has received numerous
awards for excellence. It is the 2017 National Mega Park of the Year and has
received that honor from the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds
(arvc) six times. Ocean Lakes received the TripAdvisor® Certificate of
Excellence for consistently great guest reviews on the travel-planning
website in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

In 2006, Ocean Lakes received the prestigious South Carolina
Governor’s Cup for making a significant economic impact on South Carolina.
Ocean Lakes covers 310 oceanfront acres with nearly one mile of beachfront.
It offers 3,424 sites – 859 of which are large and pull-through to
accommodate larger RVs. It was built by Mary Emily and Nelson Jackson and
their five daughters, starting in 1970. It opened with 30 campsites and one
bathhouse in 1971. On an average seasonal day, Ocean Lakes has 25,000 to
35,000 guests enjoying the countless amenities that have made it a local
favorite and a national vacation destination. It holds a perfect 10/10*/10
rating from the Good Sam RV Travel Guide & Campground Directory for
its overall operation, recreational offerings, services and appearance. This
puts Ocean Lakes Family Campground in the Top 1% of the private campgrounds
in North America. In 2010, it received the Earth Day Award from the South
Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control for its iCare
Program.

Ocean Lakes Family Campground is a division of The Jackson
Companies, a family-owned enterprise that includes Prestwick Golf &
Country Club, Ocean Lakes Properties, Crystal Lake Mobile Home Village, Ocean
Lakes RV Center, Ocean Lakes Golf Cars and the master-planned development
SayeBrook.