While drills, passes and scrimmages may take center field, the upcoming Bigger Than the Game Football Camp at Scott’s Branch High School is designed to offer youth something far more lasting than athletic instruction.
Set for Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to noon at Spann Stadium, the free camp is open to boys and girls ages 8 to 14 and is hosted by the Be Propelled Foundation in partnership with SBHS Football. Registration begins at 8 a.m.
“This is our first year, and we’re excited,” said camp organizer and Be Propelled Foundation founder Brian Mance. “Football has taught me so many lessons—resilience, mental toughness, self-discipline—and I wanted to give that back to our youth here in Clarendon County.”
Participants will be coached by an impressive lineup of guest mentors, including former college standouts and professional athletes such as Kris Gorman, Phillip Dukes, Freddie Martino, Toure Francis, Elmer Bench and Quantel Mack. Mance, a former coach at multiple levels including Division I and II, handpicked coaches who not only excelled on the field, but who also have “a heart for helping youth.”
“We’re not just teaching football skills,” said Mance. “We’re talking about character, leadership, goal setting … things they’ll need long after they hang up their cleats.”
The Be Propelled Foundation was launched in 2023 to support youth in rural areas by providing educational resources, mentorship, recreation and community engagement. The football camp is the first of many planned initiatives. “We want to make this an annual event and grow it every year,” said Mance.
Organizers are preparing for more than 150 participants and have no cap on registration. A medical tent will be staffed by nurses and wellness professionals, and hydration stations will be available to ensure camper safety.
Most importantly, Mance hopes campers walk away with the confidence to dream big and the tools to chase those dreams, whether or not they involve football. “I want them to have fun and see that the sky’s the limit,” he said. “It really is bigger than the game.”
To learn more or to volunteer, contact the Be Propelled Foundation at 803-566-0117 or find them on Facebook.
