On October 8, 2008, more than 160 schools and over 70,000 students, parents, educators, and neighbors in South Carolina will participate in International Walk to School Day events.

International Walk to School Day began as a simple idea – children and parents, school and local officials walking to school together on a designated day. Today, it has grown to include thousands of schools in over 40 countries. To find participating schools in your area go to http://www.walktoschool.org/who/

South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) Safe Routes to School Program (SRTS) and the Eat Smart Move More Coalition of South Carolina (ESMMSC) have partnered to sponsor South Carolina’s International Walk to School Day Events. SRTS and ESMMSC provide incentive and educational items for registered events.

Many schools will encourage students to walk to school from their homes with an adult and in groups. Other schools will organize students at a central walking location or host Walk At School events.

Walk to School events work to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, concern for the environment and building connections between families, schools and the broader community.