Ocean Lakes Family Campground and Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic grant local boy's wish to go on an RV camping trip

Local wish kid, 14-year-old Daequan, from Annapolis, MD, celebrated the granting of his wish to go on an RV camping trip to Myrtle Beach, SC, this past September.

Diagnosed with a gastrointestinal disorder, both Daequan’s childhood and adolescence have been marked by a painful illness that causes him to spend more time at the doctor’s office than with friends or family. Daequan’s current medical regimen is extensive and essential to his health but leaves little time for him to do his favorite things, like grilling out, playing games with his family or singing in his church choir. Despite his challenges, Daequan remains in good spirits, and with a little creativity, eagerly shared his wish to go on an RV camping trip with volunteers from Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic following a referral from a social worker at his hospital.

As his wish day arrived and the RV pulled up, Daequan gasped in amazement and asked his mom, Carolyn, “is this really happening? This isn’t a dream?!” From then on, the smile never left Daequan’s face, and the next few days were filled with fun as they drove to Myrtle Beach, camped at Ocean Lakes Family Campground, tried their hand at grilling and barbecuing, enjoyed lots of hot dogs and s’mores, and even paid a visit to the beach during Gospel Weekend. Other highlights from the trip included donated tickets to both Ripley’s Aquarium and the Pirate’s Voyage Dinner & Show, and of course, lots of time in the water.

“It was an honor to be part of Daequan’s wish! His love of gospel music was a perfect fit with our annual event. I reached out to key area attractions who were immediately supportive,” explains Barb Krumm, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Ocean Lakes Family Campground. “My team jumped right in and worked to help make everything happen, they even added special things, like our Food Services Manager who personally grilled dinner for Daequan and his family at their campsite. Daequan and his family needed this time together. Seeing the love that this family has for each other and how they work together around the clock for Daequan’s care is moving. Everyone needs to get involved with organizations like Make-A-Wish. It is the right thing to do and puts life in perspective.”

When all was said and done, Carolyn shared the wish was a great experience as she could see “the shadow of fear and pain recede because [Deaquan] was having so much fun.”

For photos from Daequan’s wish and/or to set up an interview, please contact Kellie Wyatt at kwyatt@midatlantic.wish.org.

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 2011-2012 National “Park of the Year” in the Mega Park category and has received that honor from the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) five times. In 2010, it received the Earth Day Award from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control for its iCare Program.

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 3,419 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 - 30,000 guests enjoying the countless amenities that have made it a local favorite and a national vacation destination. It currently 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. TripAdvisor awarded Ocean Lakes its 2016 “Certificate of Excellence.”

About Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic

Make-A-Wish® grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic serves children who reside in central and southern Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland and northern Virginia. Founded in 1983, the Mid-Atlantic chapter has granted more than 8,800 wishes in the Mid-Atlantic region since its inception. Wish kids face any number of life-threatening medical conditions such as cancer, pediatric AIDS, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, kidney and heart disease. This year alone, 840 local children are expected to be diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition. However, for every wish granted, at least two more local children are waiting. The community has the opportunity to make an impact today by helping Make-A-Wish to reach hundreds of kids whose wishes would go otherwise unanswered this year. For more information, please visit: midatlantic.wish.org.