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REGISTRATION: All registration and totals forms will be filled out on this webpage. Sporting event vouchers will be emailed to school coordinators as they are processed. Registration and totals forms will be removed from the website after the deadline.

Nationally, the United States is combatting a widespread obesity epidemic. Recent studies have found that 31.2% of American children between the ages of 10 and 17 are considered overweight or obese. Studies also show that overweight or obese adolescents have a greater chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. Research suggests children and adolescents should perform 60 minutes or more of physical activity at least five days a week. Unfortunately, many schools are no longer requiring children to partake in Physical Education classes. Childhood obesity rates will continue to grow if parents and schools do not take action soon.

Within the state of South Carolina, 32.9% of our youth are obese or overweight. South Carolina also ranks in the top 20 states for overweight or obese children at 17th – No. 1 being considered the least healthy. In an effort to help children statewide, the University of South Carolina has created an incentive-based program called Active Gamecocks to help motivate children and adolescents to get up and move. The program encourages participants, between kindergarten and eighth grade, to take part in an exercise regimen that is two weeks long and requires 30 minutes of physical activity each day. If the student completes the exercise regimen, they become eligible to receive two complimentary vouchers (one student and one guardian) to a predetermined Gamecock athletic sporting event. The program takes place during the academic year, with three different sessions available – fall, winter and spring. Participants are encouraged to participate in as many of the sessions as they want.

Active Gamecocks has expanded to include all elementary and middle school students. We are excited to increase the awareness of the importance of physical activity and to have your participants at South Carolina Gamecock athletic events this year!