MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The sound of screeching sneakers and bouncing basketballs overwhelmed Camp Pendleton’s Paige Field house during the Marine Corps Community Services Sports Jam, Aug. 28.

More than 200 service members paid a visit to the mainside gym during the event. Sports Jam concluded the 101 Days of Summer Drug-Free Challenge and was sponsored by the Single Marine Program and Health Promotions.

The mission of the 101 Days of Summer series was to create unit functions that utilize programs which share the common goal of eliminating illegal drug use and promoting responsible use of alcohol within the military.

The program included a variety of unit competitions, giveaways, entertainment and educational opportunities.

Camp Pendleton’s units were challenged to accumulate the most points by attending scheduled sporting events, monthly meetings, participating in competitions, taking urinalysis tests and conducting unit training.

“Putting on this event is something we all, here at Semper Fit, take great pride in,” said Cari L. Gordonne, fitness programs supervisor. “Our goal here is to inform our service members of the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse.”

The units that accumulated the most points will be rewarded with a monetary deposit into their unit recreation funds. First and second place will be awarded in three different categories based on the number of individuals in that unit.

For more than seven years, MCCS has organized this event, which occurs between Memorial Day and Labor Day each year. Drug and alcohol related incidents occur more often between those two holidays, among Marines and sailors, said Gordonne.

To bring this summer’s challenge to an end, Semper Fit hosted this well-known event, Sports Jam.

The event included men and women teams for 3-on-3 basketball, singles racquetball, singles table tennis, co-ed teams for 5-person dodge ball and 4-person volleyball.

“This night was great,” said Lance Cpl. Alex K. Reed, administrative clerk, 1st Marine Division. “There were so many different activities for everyone to do; it was hard to just stick to one.”

The winner of this year’s Summer Challenge has yet to be determined due to the high amount of participants.

For more information about your unit’s participation in this year’s Summer Challenge or for information about next year’s, contact Cari L. Gordonne at (760) 725-3468