More than 100 schools and over 50,000 students, parents, educators, and neighbors in the state will participate in International Walk to School Day events on Wednesday October 6, 2010. South Carolina is one of the top five states in the country in participation in International Walk to School Day.

 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, the event 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/.

  The South Carolina Department of Transportation’s (SCDOT) Safe Routes to School Program (SRTS) helps promote South Carolina’s International Walk to School Day 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, reducing traffic congestion, create concern for the environment and building connections between families, schools and the broader community.

 For additional information, please visit these Web sites:

 International Walk to School in the USA                 www.walktoschool.org                                

National Center for Safe Routes to School            www.saferoutesinfo.org

International Walk to School                                   www.iwalktoschool.org