THINK A BEACH VACATION'S OUT OF REACH THIS YEAR? THINK AGAIN.

Just gotta have a vacation but your wallet's feeling kind of thin? Don't despair. You can still take the family camping.

No, not the kind of deep in the woods, surrounded by bears, camping. I'm talking right on the ocean, all kinds of amenities, nice bathrooms and showers, entertainment, arcades, a pool and even a skate park for the kids right at the campground. I'm talking America's National RV Park of the Year. The largest campground on the East Coast. One of the largest and the best in the U. S. of A. I'm talking Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Those who still like to put up the old tent and commune with nature can do it at Ocean Lakes. RV's and those with trailers can hook up there. Or you can even rent a beach house and be in the lap of luxury. But whatever you do, you'll be paying lots less than you'd pay for an oceanfront hotel.

This is one popular place so you have to move fast if you're thinking of vacationing soon. Ocean Lakes has reservations for more than 97 percent of its 893 campsites for Memorial Day Weekend, but it's not too late to snare a beach house and start the summer off right. Or make a reservation for June or July. Or better, yet, steal off to Ocean Lakes in the fall when the crowds are smaller but the air and the ocean temperature is still in the 80s.

Ocean Lakes is 310 acres of oceanfront playground, staffed by people dedicated to making sure your vacation is easy and fun. Unlike other campgrounds, Ocean Lakes' campsites are all inclusive — so you won't get stuck with add-on fees once you get there. Your family will never have to leave the campground unless you want to, so you can even control all those pesky extra costs that seem to creep in and drive up the cost of vacation.

Once you've set up camp, you can enjoy all the free amenities like a two-acre Recreation Center with year round planned activities, a marine life Nature Center, eight freshwater lakes for fishing, and a Skate Park for twins and teens 12 to 16 years old. It's named for Sandy, the campground's starfish mascot – the kids love that! There's even a 24-hour courtesy/security patrol.
Check out this gem of a campground and the many cool events planned for the summer there at www.oceanlakes.com or call 1-877-510-1774. Property rental information is at 1-800-845-2229.

Hey, you deserve a vacation so try Ocean Lakes. Guaranteed: you'll be glad you did.