More than 800 participants and 1,000 guests gather on the oceanfront at Ocean Lakes Family Campground for the 23rd Annual Polar Bear Plunge
Myrtle Beach, SC | March 2023— A local food bank was restocked after the holidays because of 861 polar bear participants (guests), with ages ranging from grade-schoolers to retirees, gathered on the beach at Ocean Lakes Family Campground to participate in the 23rd Annual Polar Bear Plunge. The tradition started with just three individuals in 2000 and has grown to nearly 1,000 participants to have fun and help raise money for a local charity. Each Participant is “freezin’ for a reason” and was encouraged to donate at least two nonperishable food items or make a monetary donation to benefit South Strand Helping Hand. The Ocean Lakes Polar Bear participants donated 593 nonperishable food items and helped to raise a record $5,530 this year for South Strand Helping Hand.
“This is what makes Ocean Lakes guests so amazing! This year, our daring guests, through their generosity and thoughtfulness, more than doubled what we have ever raised before!” said Salle Horner, Recreation Manager at Ocean Lakes Family Campground. “Freezin’ for a reason is the name of the season, and Ocean Lakes guests certainly go above and beyond. The pure joy on the faces of the volunteers at South Strand Helping Hand when we show up with a check and a truckful of donations is a spotlight for the entire year.”
Ocean Lakes’ Recreation Program works with several different non-profits during the year. For example, after six months, all guest items left at “Lost and Found” are donated to a local non-profit. Recreation also encourages all guests to leave any unopened, nonperishable food items at the Recreation Office to be donated to South Strand Helping Hand.
The Resort and Commercial Recreation Association (RCRA) presented Ocean Lakes Family Campground with the Premiere Recreation Operation Award during its annual conference in November 2023. To Merit, this recognition, recreation establishments must demonstrate a commitment to providing and enhancing quality recreation programs and services. Additionally, they should boast a diverse range of special events, showcase exceptional creativity, actively contribute to the community, and demonstrate excellence in marketing strategies and departmental goals.
“It’s hard to believe that this Plunge has grown from 3 people to more than 850 kind souls in 23 years,” said Horner. “We are looking forward to continuing to grow this event and donations each year.” Ocean Lakes Annual Polar Bear Plunge occurs every New Year’s Eve afternoon and has become a family tradition!
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 National “2022 Mega Park of the Year” and has received that honor from the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC), now Outdoor Hospitality Association (OHI), seven times. The Resort and Commercial Recreation Association (RCRA) presented Ocean Lakes Family Campground with the “2023 Premier Recreation Operation Award.” Ocean Lakes received the TripAdvisor® “Hall of Fame” in 2019 and maintains the TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence for consistently great guest reviews on the travel-planning website. In 2006, Ocean Lakes received the prestigious South Carolina Governor’s Cup for making a significant economic impact on South Carolina.
The family-owned business employs more than 300 teammates year-round and employs an additional 350 teammates in-season. It offers 3,432 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.
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 SayeBrook. The Jackson Companies owns several hundred acres of undeveloped land in the Myrtle Beach area. Several divisions of The Jackson Companies have been recognized nationally in both the golf and camping industries.
